Chapter 21

Vera POV

She crashed into me for a hug, and I hugged her back. Immediately, a variety of emotions took over me, and I began sobbing uncontrollably.

She also did the same.

We just held each other and cried for so long.

Then, she let go and looked at me.

"Don't you ever leave me like that! Ever again!"

"I won't leave you! I will never leave you! I am so sorry!" I sobbed.

"Aww, c'mere, you have nothing to be sorry for." She hugged me again and reciprocated.

*****

"Vera, we're not hearing it! That's it; you guys are performing for us," said Aurora.

There was nothing to complain about because everyone else was sitting on the couch asking us to perform, except for myself, Bree, Alden, Nino, and Allison.

I had a big concert coming up soon. And I haven't been able to practice."

Let us have 30 minutes. We need to make any required modifications." I nodded as I heard Bree say.

As Nino and Alden left to assist everyone in setting up the equipment in the backyard, the three of us girls ran into our room.

Allison said she would go check on them, so Bree and I pulled out our phones, opened the lyrics of our unpublished song (which will be performed for the first time during our show), and started rehearsing.

As is commonly accepted for us, we didn't provide a teaser for this song. So subsequently, we made up our minds that the performance we gave for them today would be suitable as the teaser.

Alden, Allison, and Nino returned to the room after 20 minutes. They double-checked the lyrics and hummed their melodies as we started singing.

*****

Ace POV

My father, Rayan's father, and Andrea's father had just arrived, so we were all seated on the chairs and explained everything. Vera came downstairs during that time, greeted our fathers, and then retreated to the top floor.

We were all just waiting for their band to begin playing right now. They were all gathered and getting ready. Vera put the stand out of the way and grabbed the microphone. Together with Jordan, Rayan, and Rea, I was sat up front. Vera and Bree completed the same approach. Alden was supposed to give Rea the go-ahead to start shooting, so she only got a brief snippet of it. They stated something that could be termed a teaser.

Slowly, the intro began with Nino and Alya playing, and it became a bit louder as Alden began drumming.

And I was staring at Vera, who was looking down, waiting for the cue. She looked up as the beats were slightly changing and she caught my eye as Bree began humming and Vera started singing.

"Start my day with a selfie. (selfie)

I'm an influencer wannabe (influencer wannabe)

Can't do without a coffee. (A coffee, Oh)

Don't see what's wrong with me. (What's wrong with me?)"

The first verse got me sitting up straight. And also got me laughing a bit, because Vera doesn't like coffee. I could tell this was just about every influencer wannabe

But her voice had significantly improved, and she looked me into my eyes for the chorus and I felt a heat rising all over me.

Why won't you look my way? (Both Vera and Bree)

Why won't you smile my way? //

Why won't you blush my way?//And the last sentence, I think I blushed.But I was too busy just admiring her.

After they finished it off, I stared at her intently, and when she inhaled deeply, I began clapping. And everyone followed. I didn't even notice Rea recording the teaser thing, and Alden giving the signal.

When I stated that, Rea said, "Oh, you were too busy devouring Vera with your looks." And the girls all giggled. I rolled my eyes.

Vera looked at me, laughing, and she blushed. I smiled at her, and she waltzed toward me and took me in by surprise, kissing me.

Her lips always had a sweet strawberry flavor but now, they were different. Almost like a completely different one. But it was her. And I loved her.

As we pulled away, everyone smiled at us, and Dad thumped me on my back."I'm proud of you, son."

"Michael, I'm the one who just performed," Vera stated, crossing her hands and raising one brow.

"Yeah, I'm proud of Ace for getting such an amazing girlfriend. Only if I had that luck." He said and looked down, shaking his head. Mom came up behind him and smacked his head lightly. Dad chuckled, turned back, and kissed her quickly.

I rolled my eyes and grunted, and this time Vera smacked my head.

"They're your parents, and that's rude." I rolled my eyes. Again. And dad laughed as I joined him. 

"Like mother, like girlfriend," Laura stated. I lost my sanity at that point.

*****

We were eating dinner, and our dads mostly asked Vera and her friends about their band. And suddenly, the table went quiet. They lost a topic for conversation. Vera looked at me, and I winked at her.

Mom spoke up, asking, "Vera, honey, will your parents meet us?" She froze for a moment. "Why don't you all come to Paris?" She asked.

Rea looked expectantly at Aurora and Harold. I looked at Dad. He smiled.

Aurora, Mom, and Laura looked at each other.

"Sure," Laura said. "Sure, we can!" Aurora chirped. And Mom nodded."OMG YAY!!!" Rea hugged Vera, who was sitting beside her.

Vera hugged her back and looked at me. I grinned at her, and she smiled happily at me.

*****

"Dude, you hit the jackpot!" Arnold said over the phone. He was a forward in our team and joined recently. He was pretty close to us. Not much, though. But we did talk to him, and he was a good person overall. Jordan has had a crush on his sister, Aria for a year now. 

"Bro, I swear-" I began.

He cut me off.

"I don't mean it like that! I haven't been in touch with you for 2 weeks and so much happened! Not everyone gets to have their first crush as their girlfriend! Well, I didn't!! And I don't know anyone who has!"

"You know me!" Rayan yelled from across the room.

"Ray, you liked Sia in 7th grade. And that Indian girl, Maya, in 8th grade." I recalled.

"Well, throughout the entire time, I had a crush on Rea!" 

"Dude, Rea was with you the entire time! Vera wasn't with Ace, was she?"And the conversation continued like that.

And eventually, we cut the call and fell asleep.

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