Talented Me! 22

Avina quickly answered the phone. Her heart was beating out of nervousness. Not once had Derrick called her and even in Wilona's memory, he rarely called her. The few times were all important or for some nice holiday good wishes.

"Wilona, what are you doing right now?"

At his question, Avina didn't know how to answer. No one in the family knew that she was going on the show. There are legitimate reasons why she had to keep it a secret.

For one, Avina didn't want them to worry. Two, she didn't know how they'd react to her going on the show. The show was her easiest way at fame, and she couldn't lose it! Even in the memories and plot, she didn't know how they'd react. After all, Wilona didn't get the chance to tell them before her invite was snatched.

"I-uh," Avina stumbled on her words. Peak nervousness made her unable to think properly. She didn't know what to say. What should you say!?

"Well, the school called us," Derrick said. Muffling his voice was the sound of construction workers chatting. Derrick was still at work.

"What did they say?" Didn't Mr. Greene say he wouldn't tell the school? What's this!?

"Well…" Derrick sighed. He didn't know how to say this. It was a sensitive topic and all. "They said you were having trouble at school."

Trouble? She was acing all her tests and her grades even increased by a point. What kind of trouble is being a diligent student?

"What do you mean?"

"Wilona, I love you. You know that right?"

Avina spun his words into her head and thought them through. She still didn't know what he was talking about.

"I do. And I love you too."

"And you can always come to me if you have trouble," Derrick slowly said. His voice vibrated her ears. His care flowed virtually through the phone.

"And I do."

"Then why didn't you tell me you were bullied?" Derrick finally said what he wanted to ask. He still couldn't believe it.

The school had called their parents first before calling him. At the sound of his phone ringing and the school's number on his screen, he was puzzled. Wilona was always well behaved and never had the school called them. Upon hearing the news that Wilona faced bullying, his heart dropped. Without missing a beat, he called her.

At the word "bullying", Avina knew what the school said. Although it was a little late for them to deal with it, it was true. Adi did bully Wilona even if it was through her followers.

"I- I didn't want you to worry…"

"Worry? I'm even more worried now, Wilona! Don't keep these things to yourself," Derrick shouted. His voice rang out the phone and even Daisy could hear his voice.

"I can't- I don't know what to do. I know I'm not the best brother," Derrick's voice went low. His voice laced with defeat.

"I don't play with you like other brothers, and I can't do things they do. But at the very least, I can protect you. But now you're getting bullied behind my back, and I don't know what to do." Derrick felt helpless. It felt as though everything he did just wasn't enough. He could do nothing for her even when he wanted to do everything.

"Don't say that!" Avina shouted back.

Both she and Wilona knew how hard Derrick worked. If this was nothing, she was even more of a nothing. Derrick gave his all to her and that was more than enough.

"You gave me so much already. I- I just didn't want you to worry…"

"Just- Are you okay?" Derrick asked. He was a mix of confusion and worry. He was confused about what he should do and worried about her. Wilona was soft-hearted to the world; he wouldn't be surprised if she hid her pain behind his back.

"I'm okay," Avina smiled. She knew his concern was real, and she felt warm inside. All the people, other than the bullies, were nice. All there was next to her were good people.

"You sure? Not lying to me? Who did it in the first place?"

Now Avina had to carefully think of her answer. One, she can be truthful and tell him about Adi. Two, she could lie.

The whole family knew who Adi was, and who she was to Wilona. Although they didn't know how Adi treated Wilona as a servant and all of that, they did know that Adi was Wilona's only friend. It wasn't very believable to tell them that she was doing fine with such a big breakup.

Derrick listened intently to the phone. One hand pressed the phone towards his ear and the other blocked his other ear with a finger. No sound, he heard no answer. His brows wrinkled when he heard no answers.

"You don't need to answer. We'll take more later tonight with Mom and Dad," Derrick said knowing that Wilona was good at hiding her emotions in calls. "I love you, sis, and stay safe."

The sound of the call ending was the last thing she heard before she lifted her head in blankness. What now? She hasn't even had enough time to think of a good plan. Avina numbly placed the phone back into her pocket and realized that Daisy was still there.

Daisy stared at Wilona the entire time worried about what could have happened. When she heard Derrick's loud voice, she jumped a bit before getting closer to Wilona. Several times she lifted her hands ready to give Wilona comfort pats but several more times she shifted in place anxiously.

"Everything okay?"

"Ah, yeah. My brother just found out about that day…" Wilona's voice sounded lower at the end. It was just a hint, but it was that hint of sadness Daisy was most sensitive to.

"Don't think about Adi anymore. You got better friends now! You got us!" Daisy rushed forward and gave Wilona a tight squeeze. "Everyone is waiting at the cafe. Wanna go?"

Avina agreed and the two of them hitched a ride and headed to the cafe.

In the car, Avina could feel her muscles relaxing. It felt sore and stiff and her mind was a major blur. So much had happened, and so much needed to be planned.

'What's the next theme?' Avina knew it was cheating to find out the theme first, but it was already cheating once she knew what the plot was so… yep.

'Singing,' 5025, being the powerful systematic entity it was, found the answer quickly. The show had a preset theme and outline, and it wasn't hard to find it.

'...See, I really should have chosen the singing skill.'

'But you wouldn't have smacked Adi in the face or escaped those scary men!'

'You're right. I should have smacked all their faces a lil more! 5025, I don't know how to sing!'

Avina had no shame in saying that she was a terrible singer; even Bea said so. Even if Wilona had a nice voice, Avina's nonexistent skills would ruin it beyond the grave. How was she going to pass this one!?

In her moments of freighting over her terrible singing, Avina didn't lose all her brain cells- fortunately. She had 5 new friends including Sandra and if none of them could help her, she was truly doomed.

"Daisy, do you know anyone who can sing? Or at least teach me to sing well?"

"For what? The show? Then Gina knows! She's a good singer!" Daisy, who was playing on her phone, immediately replied to Wilona. Ever since the first day the group hung out and introduced themselves, she remembered Gina saying she was good at singing.

"I don't know if Gina can teach you, but I think she knows how to sing better than all of us," Daisy said, thinking deeply. She didn't think any of them sang except for Gina. All she could do was sing in the shower!

"I'll ask Gina. Thanks, Daisy," Avina smiled at Daisy. "It seems you're always there to help me."

"Why of course! I'm your friend, silly!" Daisy lunged from her seat and hugged Wilona. This silly goose! Of course, she'd help her! Always!

Avina hugged the warm and caring Daisy back. Daisy was someone who loved with all her heart and she was going to love Daisy with all of hers as well.

The ride wasn't long nor was it short and soon the sign of the cafe was in sight. After paying the driver, the girls headed inside and saw their group sitting in the same corner.

Eli was at the very end by himself sipping on his drink. The other two, Gina and Ben, were messing around and poking fun of each other. Looking at the two, Eli had a small smile in his eyes. When he saw the two of them at the door, he stood up and rushed to their sides.

"Are you okay, Wilona? Daisy said you were in trouble," EIi said scanning Wilona's body for injuries or anything. Noticing she had none, he breathed out a sigh of relief.

Gina and Ben, who stopped fighting when they noticed Eli got out of his seat, soon reached their side as well. They both started asking questions as well looking Wilona up and down making sure she was fine.

Avina laughed looking at the cutest friends ever. She smiled and said, "I'm okay guys. I'm not that weak."

"Of course, of course. I was just worried that your punches hurt your hands instead," Gina said. She lifted Wilona's hands and blew on them. Ben smacked her shoulders and she glared at him.

"Stop that, Gina. We got to let them sit down first," Ben said squinting at Gina's antics. Ben moved to the side and gestured toward their seats, "After you, miladies."

Once everyone sat down, Avina began telling her adventures to the curious group. The more she talked the more excited she got. Her words quickened and she moved her hands gesturing to how grand it was. No matter how much she thought about it, she was never tired of remembering it.

"By the way, Gina, can you teach me how to sing?" Once Avina was done, she remembered the most important thing, the next theme.

"Wait- hold up. Finish your fight scene!" Ben interrupted excitedly. Just hearing Wilona tell her tales of fighting baddies, he was excited. Singing could wait, he wanted to hear the ending!

"I'll personally show you a fight scene if you keep interrupting Wilona," Daisy said shoving her fist towards Ben's face. "Wilona needs to prepare for the next theme."

Ben pushed the little fist out of his face and turned his head backed to Wilona. "Sorry, you can tell me the story later. Gina's the best at singing so you'll be in good hands!"

Gina punched Ben's shoulders and glared at him. "No need for flattery, mister. But I can definitely teach you how to sing, Wilona! As long as you don't mind me being an amateur."

Avina's eyes glowed in delight and she gave Gina one big hug! She definitely had this theme in the bag!!