Chp 35 : Lose?

"What are you wearing Al?" Mary saw Al was wearing fake glasses and applying some light make up in the living room with other kids.

"If Clark Kent could deceive the whole world by wearing glasses, how about me wearing the glasses and applying some light make up that conceal a little of my appearance."

"But that's a comic book, a fiction!"

He hurriedly closed Alice and Drew's ear, signaling to the boys to also do it then said, "How dare you, Mary! There are children here and their heart will break if they heard you, their big sister saying that."

The kids giggled after hearing what Al said. Mary just rolled her eyes and prepare herself for going out this evening.

"I'm leaving guys, tell Mrs. K I'll be back at 7." She said opening the front door.

"Going out with Jodie again?" Al asked just to confirm.

"Yes, are you jealous Al? You can come with us." She teased Al.

"And carry all the bags? Nope, no thanks. I and Alice got more interesting things to do. Right Alice?"

"Yep big brother." Then Al patted Alice's head and she purred like a cat because she liked when Al doing that to her.

Thanks for the Art of Disguise book that someone wrote in the early 18th century, now Al got some gist of it.

This is one of Al's idea of him to blend in with society when he enters a high school for the first time in his life.

The last time they did some outing with others, Al was chased by a crowd who want to take a picture, sign, and shake his hand.

Now he was wearing hoodies, thick round glasses, and a beanie. The makeup foundation he applied almost covered his feature and if they were not loyal fans nor Al's friends, they won't recognize him.

Thank God that the internet is not really popular these days.

"Everything's is done, next is the trial run. How about my look now girls?" He said while touching his face.

"Good" "Perfect" "I don't recognize you" "Who're you?"

Al's experiment was to hold a small street show on Venice beach and he will take all the kids with John Mick and Jason Barnes.

All of them will watch and heating up the place while Al and Alice will sing and playing music.

Drew will also wear a disguise because some people may recognize her.

Venice Beach took at least 30 minutes by car from the orphanage. When they arrived, Venice beach was filled with lots of people who wanted to spend their evening, food trucks, and some street performer.

In the 80s, this place was really popular, although there were a lot of malls that just opened, the beach was always the favorites for the Americans who mostly loved sunbathing, especially when the summer vacation is almost over.

He brought his guitar, small drums, and portable amplifier, carried them to a suitable place on Venice beach while Alice held his arms.

The kids are already dropped off and started to wander off near the beach area under John and James's watch.

When Al set up his equipment, they stole the tourist's attention, not because of Al but because of Alice. They saw a beautiful and adorable girl like an angel but what made them surprised is that girl is carrying a cane and her pupils are white.

Al then took the microphone and announced their appearance on this beach loudly.

"Good day visitors of Venice beach, Jagshemash!! I hope you have a nice day today. My name is Borat, and this is my sister Anastasjá, we are come from a faraway European country to become a musician in this very wonderful country US and A. We hope you are entertained with our performance and support us in our debut." Al said with a weird accent and made Alice speechless with her brother's antics.

The tourist just smiled and some of them laughed hearing Al's accent while the kids laughing on the floor.

The soft guitar tune was heard followed by the beautiful singing voice of Alice.

They sang a few of Madonna's songs, Michael Jackson's, Bon Jovi's, and others.

First, only 4 to 5 audience gather, but suddenly dozens of people gather to see the performance of a musician from a faraway country and a beautiful girl with an angelic appearance and voice.

Another applause was heard after they finished the song Borderline by Madonna.

"Thank you, my fellow good citizens, of US and A, as a part of cultural exchange, we will sing the song from a faraway country, its called Ievan Polkka, me like it very much."

The sound of bongo was heard, Alice and Al started to sing.

(Nuapurista kuulu se polokan tahti)

(Jalakani pohjii kutkutti)

(Ievan äiti se tyttöösä vahti)

(Vaan kyllähän Ieva sen jutkutti,)

(Sillä ei meitä silloin kiellot haittaa)

(Kun myö tanssimme laiasta laitaan)

(Salivili hipput tupput täppyt)

(Äppyt tipput hilijalleen....)

The audience at first unable to understand the alien words, but the nice rhythm made them wanna dance.

And with the help of kids who hid as audience and heated the crowd by asking them to dance, now the Venice beach suddenly became a festival and the audience increased almost hundreds.

(Random POV)

Elisabeth was taking a walk in Venice Beach with her newly acquired camcorder, she was in her teenage years and came to Los Angeles for a vacation with her father who has business here.

Then she saw a crowd of people who watched street music. She became curious and saw a man with a thick European accent and a blind adorable little girl playing and singing music.

But the situation changed, the crowd goes crazy and dancing to the songs when she heard they sing European music named Ievan Polkka.

She recorded all of it in her new camcorder and took an offer from a little girl who asked her to dance. This is the best experience she felt since she came to the United States.

(Back to Al POV)

The crowd loved it but unfortunately, they must call it a day their performance.

"Thank you, citizens, of US and A, but unfortunately, we must end our performance here... But don't worry, Anastasjà here will sing a song that is composed by us, hit it Anastasjà!"

Then a beautiful melody from guitar strings was heard, Alice began to sing...

(I will never know if you love me)

(Or my company, but I don't mind)

('Cause I ain't tryna be the one)

(Been through this a thousand times)

(I don't need to take your heart)

(You keep yours, I'll keep mine)

(All I really know is when I'm lonely)

(I hate that I'm lonely)

(And that's why I let you in)

(And maybe in another life)

(We fight all day, kiss all night)

(But I don't wanna break your heart)

(You keep yours, I'll keep mine)

(I know)

(We know better, so we'd both better go)

(I don't need a reason)

(To keep on dreamin')

(That we don't lose, yeah, what's the use?)

(I don't need a reason)

(To keep on dreamin', oh)

(That we can win at anything at all)

(Mm...)

[Tribute to Niki]

The hundreds of audiences went silent and some of them started to let out tears. Elisabeth was recording it while having tears in her eyes, although she never experienced love and heartbreaks, but this song, melody, and Anastasjá voice made her felt what the song was about.

The performance was a success, nobody recognized Al. Since this day, the two European singers were never seen or heard by everyone anymore and they became an urban legend in Los Angeles.

The song of Ievan Polkka also becomes a trend in Venice beach and the last song they sang was never heard anymore, until.... the videotape that Elisabeth recorded was aired someday in the future.

-------------

Today Al was having his first day of High School. Using the same disguise as he wore on their street music performance last week, he is going fully low-key and using his precious bicycle to Hollywood High School.

"Lunch? Notes? Money? Spare Cloth? Pepper spray? Plastic Cuff?" Mrs. K was asking Al about a bunch of weird questions and Al answer it all with yep, except for the last question.

"Wait, pepper spray? A plastic cuff?" He raised one of his eyebrows.

"Protection from bullies, you don't know how much I have to deal with those bullies' parents in past, fortunately, I always have won."

Mary then said, "Ah lovely memories, I remember gathering dozens of girls to kicking those boys who bullied us." She smiled evilly while Al and Mrs. K just watching her.

"Okay then, take care of yourself, Al, remember to always lock your bike, eat your food, and if you are bullied, fight back. I'll be responsible if you beat them black-and-blue."

Al laughed and said, "Aye aye captain, I will. See you later Mrs. K, Mary, and Kids!!" Al then took his bicycle and ride it to high school.

It only took about 15 minutes by bike from the orphanage to Hollywood High School. After arrived there, Al found the school atmosphere was the same as he used to attend, but with an 80s vibe like the dress, hairs, and their ride.

Most of the students who knew each other from middle school immediately gather and most had formed a group to cool guys, football & cheerleader teams, gossip girls, nerds, and some unidentified ones.

They now must gather to attend the new terms speech by Headmaster, Mr. William Smith in the school assembly hall.

Al tried to search available seats and found it between a Goth girl and a skinny and tall Caucasian boy who had an African American boy sitting beside him.

The girl looked a bit scary with dark makeup but when you see it closely, she has a pretty face of some Anglo-Saxon descent.

"Hi, I'm Edward." He tried to greet the Goth girl but he was ignored. She then whispered something to her friend beside her who surprisingly has a normal look like those cute neighborhood girls.

"I'm sorry but my friend said that she doesn't want to talk to strangers." Her friend said and smiled sweetly at him.

"Oh it's okay, how about you beautiful lady, do you want to introduce yourself to me, a stranger? My name is Edward Brandt by the way." He showed her a smile.

"Um, yes you can, my name is Ione Skye, and you can call me Ione." She said shyly.

"Beautiful name for a beautiful girl like you, it's nice to meet you Ione."

"You too Edward." Ione smiled and Al received a groan and 'hate look' from Goth girl.

"Smooth man, how did you do that? We can't even talk to girls like that." The 2 boys on his right side said this to him.

"Not hard but not easy, the important is how you want these conversations to go. I just want to have some nice chats and maybe become friends. Just don't make them uncomfortable. My name is Edward by the way, Edward Brandt." He whispered and take his hand out.

"My name is Max Evans and this is Anthony Anderson" Both of them shook Al's hand and the three of them having a nice talk.

Three of them have the same topics about games and movies. Max was good at photography and he has taken a lot of pictures while Anthony has a dream to be a comedian.

Their conversation stopped by principal Williams who started his boring speech.

Al made little jokes about him and surprisingly made the Goth girl laugh. She did seem pretty when she smiled under those black makeups.

"Sorry before, you are an interesting guy, my name is Robin."

"I don't know if you already heard it, but my name is Edward, Edward Brandt." One more thing that he realized is when they shook hands, he saw that Robin has really great assets, and got more room for developments.

Al immediately moves his eyes somewhere but unfortunately, Robin is sensitive with a glare, then she whispers, "Too bad I won't let any boys touch it, only reserved for others." She smiled evilly.

"Don't challenge me, girl, I'm persistent." Al who don't want to lose also said it.

Both of them laughing hard and the principal order them to shut up.

Everyone is shocked because they just see how the new guy made Robin the Witch laughed. Especially the 2 guys beside Al.

This would be the beginning of the beautiful friendship of the five of them.

To Be Continued...