Rockstar Serenade: The Chorus

Ch 4: Nostalgia And Sentiments, Ridiculous

KAILEY~

Life is a metaphor. Words are static; meanings are dynamic, and so are emotions.

A simple 'Hey, Kailey' is a plain greeting for the ordinary man. For a long-time buddy, it is a sign of endearment. For the ones who know me so well, it is an indication of an impending catastrophe of sentiments and passion. Who would’ve thought that after five fateful years, we’d come across each other in the pool of our clubmates, wearing awkward expressions and emanating a tense aura?

Freakin' dammit.

I curse myself for not thinking of the possibility of his presence at the homecoming as well. I’ve been so full of myself and my band that I’ve ignored everything irrelevant to the performance.

I could have sworn it was him. When I had him at one-eighty degrees in my perspective, I shot him a quick, sharp glance from the corner of my eye.

Tall built, smooth complexion, fluffy hair and hesitant actions–I would’ve denied it, but logic keeps insisting that it was him. Of course it was him, Kailey! Trevor James Radburn, the guy who helped me realize my dreams, inspired me to join a band, made me brave enough fall in love but had me suffer emotional distress.

I refuse to recall the past because I fear that I might inadvertently break down in the middle of the evening. No, I must not think of him. No, no. no. I must not look at him nor talk to him either. No, not even once. I have to cut all bonds and renounce his existence because if I don’t, I will revert to my old fragile self--a sucker for love and attention. No! I shook the thought out of my head. Why think of unpleasant thoughts at a time like this?

“Miss Kali! It’s so great to have you here!” I pivot on my heels to meet the newest chief of the club.

“Oh, Ralph! I was about to say the same thing!” I respond and as a friendly gesture of mine, I hug him quickly before he can even react. “You’re looking more professional than ever!” I add.

“That’s just the attire doing the trick, Kali.” He yanks at collar of his shirt.

“You really enjoy calling me Kali, don't you?” I smirk. He started calling me Kali after mistakenly reading my first name in my ill-written penmanship in the CJA membership form before. You can imagine how much my handwriting sucked then.

“Yes, it's unique and I like it so much that I can't be help myself.” He laughs. “Kali, your team arrived later than expected.”

“I’m so sorry about that,” I apologize as I let my eyes drop to the floor in shame. Before I can come up with a good excuse, he raises his hand to stop me.

“No need to be sorry. Your team actually made a grand entrance. It was more like giving value to a long wait for the people in the gym.”

I hadn’t thought of that. We just walked in the way normal people do, not like how models saunter on a runway. However, if it was a grand entrance for the spectators, then I truly appreciate the adoration from the fans.

“Well, uhm, thanks. It really wasn’t meant to be a grand entrance.”

“But it was! Hey, the club’s officers are starting to ask the performers to change clothes for now." He points to a direction where I see Atlantica talking to a set of club officers. "You really wouldn’t have thought of rocking the stage in a cocktail dress and heels, would you?”

“Actually, I thought of arriving in a comfy casual outfit first then changing afterwards, but Keana wouldn’t let me.”

Ralph lets out that exclusive formal laugh of his again. “Keana, the drummer who loves dressing up, sparkling things and neon colors, right?” I nod.