Great One

by Nayla Matthew

  “Where is my baby!” I hear a shout from the front door, and then Geo appears in the living room doorway running towards Lorelei.

  “GG!” she shouts.

  “My little Lory!” he says, spinning her around.

  “Hi best friend,” I turn back to the doorway, and Laila stands I immediately tackle her to the ground.

  “Hi best friend!” I say.

  “I missed you so much, I hate school,” she whines. We pull away. “It would be great if you were there,”

  “Same over here,”

  “Hey mamas” Geo says, walking up beside me and hugging me. “Thanks for joining us commoners,”

  “Stop,” I nudge him.

  “A whole week! That must be a new record huh?”

  “It was Calum and Alec’s idea, they think it’ll help me get inspired,” I say.

  “Well we’re glad to drum up some inspiration,”

  The Clifford’s, Zahara, Calum, and Alec all arrive at the same time. The Clifford’s with dessert and gifts for Lorelei, and the trio dressed like we were attending a gala.

  “We’ve missed you so much around here Deya,” Mrs. Clifford says. “No one helps me with my garden the way you do,”

  “I miss it too, everything has been so crazy busy,” I say.

  “How is pre-school for little Lorelei?” she asks.

  “She actually got accepted into Kindergarten 4, at this private school in the hills,” I say.

  “Fancy! Sounds exciting,” Mrs. Clifford says.

  “And expensive,” Mr. Clifford adds.

  “Money isn’t a problem,” I say, with a smile.

  “So, what is your plan for the week?” my dad says, cutting the entire conversation short. “I know they re-opened Turners, the drive-in theater,”

  “That sounds cute!” Alec says. “I want to do everything, a whole tour, everything,”

  “You sound like a tourist,” Zahara says.

  “And a fan,” Laila says.

  “Anyone would die to see little Adeya’s life before fame, she’s such a closed book,” Alex says.

  “I am not!” I say.

  “Oh please-”

  “Abraham is home,” Mr. Clifford cuts Alec off, and suddenly all the air in the room is sucked up.

  “Robert,” Mrs. Clifford says.

  “She should know, she still hasn’t told him,” Mr. Clifford says.

  “We said we wouldn’t bring it up at dinner,” Mrs. Clifford says.

  “She’s three years old, don’t you think it’s time to tell her about her Father?” Mr. Clifford says.

  “Robert,” my dad says this time, I push out of my seat.

  “I’m sorry,” I say, before quickly leaving the room. I walk out to my backyard, followed by Geo and Laila.

  “That bastard,” Geo says.

  “No G, he’s right,” I say, wiping the forming tears. “I feel like such a bitch,” I say, Laila pulls me into a hug.

  “You’re not, you were hurting people are allowed to hurt,”

  “The Clifford’s left,” my mom says coming to the back door. “Allison apologizes for her husband,”

  “He’s right,” I say, wiping my eyes. “She’s turning 4 in December and he doesn’t even know she exist, I’ve been really selfish,”

  “So, what are you going to do?” My mom asks.

  “I’m going to tell him, but not yet…. But I promise this time I’m not leaving here without telling him,” I say.

  “We should call it a night,” Geo says.

  “Tomorrow we’re going to the fair! Doesn’t that sound fun,” Laila says squeezing me.

  “I’m sorry guys,” I say.

  “Why are you apologizing,”

  “I’ve been so selfish, keeping this away from Braum and making you guys lie is probably the worst thing someone could do,” I say.

  “You didn’t make us do anything sweetie,” my mom says. “We wanted to do this, because we want what is best for you, and Lorelei,”

  “Abraham broke your heart,” Laila says. “If would probably do the same,”

  “Everything is going to be okay honey, believe me,” my mom says.

  ++

  The next morning, Lorelei was acting like a kid after Halloween she was nearly bouncing off the walls. She heard Carnival, and nearly exploded with excitement. I had to escape for minute, talking a walk around the neighborhood, taking a breath and going over everything that happened last night. I knew that forcing the Clifford’s to keep probably the biggest secret away from their son, was probably a really hard thing for them. I felt bad every time I saw them, and I could see their need for their son to meet his daughter. She was great, she was literally the light of my life, but I didn’t want him to hate me. I’d be changing his entire life with a few words, I felt like a hurricane crashing through peoples lives.

  “Adeya?” I freeze in my place, my legs feeling numb. I turn around and I’m greeted with the face that I dream about every night and see in my daughter’s face.

  “Braum,” I say.

  “Shit, you look great,” he says, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

  “Thank you,” I say.

  “Congratulations on everything! Demetra loves your music,” he says, and my stomach twist.

  “I’m glad! Thank you,” They’re all about you.

  “How long will you be here? My parents would love to see you, they’re like your biggest fans,” he says.

  “I actually saw them last night, when I got here, I’ll be here until Sunday,” I say.

  “Oh that’s, cool,” He says, before rubbing the back of his neck. “It was good to see you Deya,”

  “It was good seeing you Braum,” I say, he begins jogging pass me and I watch him until he disappears. I can hear the birds again when he’s gone, and feel my fingertips, and I hear my heart beating in my ears. I’m quick to return home Zahara, Alec, and Calum there with fresh faces and packed bags.

  “Ready for the Carnival!” Zahara says, when I walk into the kitchen.

  “I ran into Braum,” I say, everyone’s head spins to look at me, except Lorelei who continues to run around the room. “He was jogging, and we were polite,”

  “Did you?” Alec says, before gesturing to Lorelei.

  “Not yet, I want her to be there,” I say.

  “How are you feeling?” Zahara asks, nudging me.

  “Like I’m 17 and heart broken,” I admit, before rolling back my shoulders. “Let’s get to the carnival,” I say.

  “Carnival!” Lorelei squeals excitedly.

  It took us an hour and a half to make it to Magnolia’s Fun Fair Carnival. It was busting at the seams with kids of all ages and stressed looking parents. I kept Lorelei tight at my side, even putting one of those children harnesses on her so she wouldn’t make it very far.

  “We haven’t been to the Carnival since Freshman year,” Laila nudges me.

  “Oh, the memories of creepy clowns, and women with beards,” I say.

  “I want to see all of that!” Alec says, we make our way through the carnival games. Various ball tossing, and strength test.

  “Oh my god! It’s Adeya!” I hear someone shout.

  “Is this actually happening,” Geo says, we’re quickly swarmed by teen girls with flashing phones, and grabbing hands. I push Lorelei to Geo, edging them along, leaving Alec, Calum and I to make our way through the photos and signed shirts.

  “I can’t believe it, it’s actually you,” Bo appears in front of me, with outstretched arms and a warm smile.

  “Bo!” I say, pulling him into a hug. “You haven’t changed a bit,” I say.

  “I don’t know if that’s a good thing compared to you,” he says, pulling away. “You look amazing!” he says.

  “Why thank you,” I say.

  “How long are you in town? I know this is sudden but I’m having an open microphone at my bar on Thursday and would be phenomenal if you came,” he says.

  “You own a bar?” i ask.

 
“I took over for my pops, he passed a year ago and I didn’t feel right selling it out of the family,” he says.

  “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that, I’d love to play at your bar,” I say.

  “Actually, her manager will get back to you on that one,” Calum says quickly, wrapping his arms around me. “I’m assuming she has your number, so she’ll get back to you,” Calum pulls me away, back towards our group who waited for us at the entrance of the circus performance.

  “So, you’re superstar level huh?” Geo says, holding Lorelei close to him.

  “That doesn’t happen often,” I say.

  “I saw you talking to Bo,” Laila says.

  “He asked if I could perform at his bar,” I say.

  “And she said yes,” Calum says.

  “Adeya,” Zahara says. “You know all gigs paid or unpaid have to go through me and Jacob,” she says.

  “One little song at a bar in my hometown won’t be the end of the world, it’s on Thursday I can call Jacob in the morning,” I say.

  “No, work talk!” Alec snaps. “The sun is still up,” he says, before gesturing to the entrance of the tent.

  “Sorry,” Both Zahara and I say, before we all enter the show. We find good seats in the middle of the crowd, Lorelei bouncing in my lap as the show starts. It’s 45 minutes of pyrotechnics, and Clowns bouncing around the room. When everything was over Lorelei was passed out in my arms, the adrenaline rush finally finishing.

  “So about performing at the bar,” Laila says, as we walk across the parking lot towards our cars. “Do you think it’s a really good idea?”

  “I don’t see why not,” I say.

  “Well for one Abraham and Demetra will defiantly be there, especially if you’re performing do you think you can handle that?” Laila asks, we make it to the car and Geo helps me buckle Laila into her seat without waking her.

  “I can’t keep running away from this, if not for myself, for Lorelei,” I say. “I’m scared but, this was going to happen sooner or later, and I’m ready,”

  Chapter Eight

  It took a lot of convincing on both Zahara and my part to let Jacob agree to let me do a little performance at Bo’s bar. He had a lot of requirements like the whole thing being recorded for a special on my YouTube page, and I wasn’t allowed to play any of my new stuff. I wasn’t allowed to have a lot of fans in the building, without payment for meet and greets, and I couldn’t sing more than 2 songs. I was happy that I was allowed at all, knowing there was a lot of things that go into a performing rather than just walking on stage, especially if you’re Grammy award winning recording artist. As we got closer to the bar performance, and closer to the end of our trip, the looming shadow of fear hovered over me. Not only was I going to see Braum and Demetra at the bar tonight, I was going to have to tell Braum everything before I left.

  “Lorelei is down for the count,” Laila says, coming downstairs into the kitchen.

  “Are we ready for a great night?” Zahara says.

  “We are!” Alec says happily clapping his hands together. We leave together, I ride with Geo and Laila, and Zahara, Calum, and Alec take the rental car. I remember going to Bo’s Fathers bar a few times in high school, he was always really nice to us, and gave us free drinks. We would sit in a booth all night watching the drunk adults make asses of themselves, and sometimes I would even perform for the crowd. Walking into the building, I can see not much has change, the updated the furniture and slapped a few coats of paint on the walls, the attendees of the bar are far younger than I remember, a lot even knowing me and asking for pictures.

  “Thank you for coming Deya, this means a lot!” Bo says, pulling me into a tight hug.

  “It’s nothing really,” I say, pulling away. “You met my friend Calum, but this is one of my managers Zahara, and our friend Alec,” I say.

  “It’s nice to meet you all, thank you for coming,” he says. “Geo, Laila, nice to see you,”

  “Ditto,” Laila says, with a fake smile.

  “Well the crowd was absolutely ecstatic that you were performing,” Bo says.

  “I’m glad they’re happy to see me,” I say.

  “Well everything is set up, and I’m sure the band knows your work,” he says, gesturing to the stage.

  “Good luck,” Laila says pushing, I make my way to the stage. The crowd bursting with excitement, it wasn’t my first time gracing a crowd, I’ve face bigger than this, but my stomach still twisted. Because amongst them was Braum and Demetra, their eyes judging me, knowing what these songs were about.

  “Hi everyone, my name is Adeya,” I say, the crowd roars. “If you didn’t know, I’m actually from Open Crest and I used to come to this bar a lot when I was younger, and it feels like a full circle being here now performing, Tonight I will be playing two songs one from my first album and one from my second album, this first one is called Needy,” I say. The band starts, and they’re a little early but I go along with it. When I finish, I get a standing ovation, I have to wait until the crowd calms down before I begin again. “This next song was the leading single of my second album, this is called What A Time,” The music starts, and I spot him. Standing amongst the crowd, Demetra at his side. I cruise through the song, ignoring the drop in my stomach. When I finish the crowd cheers, and Calum and Alec help me make it back to the bar where we stay behind a cheap velvet rope.

  “You did amazing baby!” Zahara says, pulling me into a hug. “How do you feel?”

  “Good,” I say.

  “Amazing love, just amazing,” Alec says from the touch, holding up his glass.

  “Adeya! That was great!” Bo says, coming up behind me, I turn around just as he scoops me into his arms. “Thank you, thank you so much!” he says, setting me down on the ground.

  “It’s nothing really,” I say, pulling away. “I’m glad everyone enjoyed it,” I say.

  “You’re amazing,” he says. “There are some people who want to see you,” he says, pointing towards the bar where Braum and Demetra waited.

  “Great,” I say, I follow Bo behind the Bar, getting ambushed by flashing lights, and questions I wasn’t allowed to answer.

  “Oh my god Adeya!” Demetra says, reaching across the bar and hugging me. I accept is squeezing her back, pretending she was just another fan at a meet and greet, and not the girl who basically stole the love of my life from me. “You were so amazing!” she says pulling me away.

  “Oh, thank you,” I gush. “I’m glad you guys enjoyed the show!” I say.

  “It was amazing,” Braum says, forcing me to look at him. I just push out a smile.

  “Seeing you on TV is one thing but live is something totally different!” Demetra says. “How are you? One day you’re in my science class the next you’re in Hollywood?”

  “It was kind of a sudden thing, a lot of things happened,” I say.

  “We need to catch up! If you have the time! I’d love to hear about everything! All the juicy details,” she says, with a wide smile.

  “Actually, my parents are throwing a little barbeque, and you are all invited,” I say.

  “All of us?” Bo asks.

  “All of you!” I say, clapping my hands together. “It’ll be fun! Completely private,” I say.

  “That sounds so fun! Thank you for the invite!” Demetra says, I pull away from the bar.

  “I should get back to my group, it was really nice seeing all you guys,” I say, before turning and quickly walking over to my group.

  “Are you okay?!” Laila immediately says, but I feel dizzy.

  “I need alcohol,” I say, grabbing the cup in her hand and downing it in one go. Zahara immediately snatches the cup away from me.

  “Slow down girl, America’s sweetheart doesn’t need to be plastered at a dive bar,” Zahara snaps.

  “I invited them to the barbeque, all of them,” I let, everyone looks at me like I told them I shot someone. “I don’t know what I was thinking, but I just…”

  “Breath,” Laila sa
ys beside me. She pulls me down to the couch, pulling me into her side.