CHAPTER 10
"Rachel" Jenn sniffed and cried, covered with her thick blanket.
I rolled my eyes at her, even if she's sick she's still annoying as ever.
"You only have to let him sign my album and you're free to go" Jenn keeps pleading.
"I won't do that" I said with finality.
"Rachel! If only I'm not sick, for real I won't beg you"
"Jenn, I have to fall in line. That Theo is popular, can you imagine how long the line would it be?" I tried to let her understand but she just started crying like a toddler with tantrums.
She's more difficult than studying medicine. Goodness!
"Then what will I get from this huh?"
Jenn stopped for a while, her eyes lingered trying to think what's the best barter.
I just waited boredly.
"I KNOW!" She shouted making me slightly hop from where I am standing.
She reached for her phone on her bedside table and scrolled on it. It took her a minute before she showed me what was it.
It's a screenshot of an event, it's an opening book store. And my eyes broadening seeing the XTC as one of their vinyl sale. Goodness, I love XTC.
I was still scrolling on it when Jenn put down her hand and hide her phone. She gave me a wicked smile as she propose her deal "I will get your vinyl, my money. How about that?"
And do I have a choice? That's a vinyl and for free?
"Deal!"
And that ends me in this long line, under this scorching sun. Is this even a line? I never knew such line this long.
I was already in the entrance of the venue for after more than 2 hours. And I'm slowly regretting accepting the deal with Jenn. I think I'll faint before I even get to have to sign this album. Even the album is already sweating because of my hand.
Voices echoes everywhere when I was able to get inside. Teenagers yelling Theo's name, yelling their adoration. And the person they're adoring is right in the center.
He is sitting on a chair with a rectangle table in front of him, a pen on his hand and signing to an album. He would respond to his fan's question and at the same time sign the album and chit chat with the owner's album.
I was just watching that scenario, not knowing I was already 5 people apart until it's my turn. Suddenly I felt the nervousness not knowing why.
Why am I suddenly feeling nervous? It's funny.
"Your turn" A staff stated as she let me come forward.
Theo was already waving goodbye to the last fan when it's my turn. I walked towards him, his head was still following the fan when he notice me.
I saw how his head turned to face me and the smile he was wearing immediately vanished. It was changed into shock. It was like someone press the pause button to him, because he froze.
I tried to wave my hands on his face but he was stone froze. I looked at the staff behind him, and she also noticed. That's when she started calling him "Mr. Theo! Mr. Theo"
Theo would still froze not when the staff started poking his shoulder. Theo blinked, eyes still attached to mine making me awkward.
What is this? I'm just here for a friend.
"Who are you?" Theo asked, eyes not blinking.
I put the album on the table in front of him and said "Jenn"
"Jenn? Are you sure?" He asked. I furrowed my brows to his question. Is he a magician or something? Does he know I'm not Jenn?
"Well --" I was about to explain myself but he cleared his voice and started signing the album.
"Never mind, I'm sorry I just thought you're someone" He apologized.
I just squared my shoulder and waited for him to finish signing. He finished it and I was about to leave when he hold my wrist from the table.
The crowds voices heighten, whispers echoes the place. I looked at my wrist and then to Theo with a dagger in my eyes.
Out of all the things, I hate being in a center of attention. I pulled my arms and stared at him.
"Ah-h" He nervously stuttered "You won't take picture with me?"
My forehead furrowed even more. Why would I?
"Why would I?" I exclaimed.
He looked at me confused "Aren't you a fan?"
That's when I realize. Right, I'm here for Jenn.
I sighed and picked my phone from my jeans. I walked back towards him. And he was there, already owning his smile.
I went in front of him and raised my hand to take a picture of him. The smile on his face disappeared, surprise was evident.
"Done. Thank you!" I put back my phone in my jean and raised the album to show him what I was thankful of.
Okay. Mission accomplished!
*
I've been scratching my ears for hours now, why? Because of Jenn's annoying voice, she's been whimpering and screaming that my ears will bleed any minute now.
"I don't care what you do with that album of yours. Just don't forget what you promise to me"
Jenn just raised her brows up and down with her gummy smile.
"If only I went there personally. I should have took a picture with Theo" She pouted.
And then I remembered, right the picture!
"I got the picture!" I pulled my phone out and scroll it to the gallery.
Jenn waited like a puppy as I showed her the picture "WTF! I thought you took a picture with him"
"What? Me? Why would I do that?"
"It's part of the fan meeting though, you get to take a picture with him" Jenn blurted.
"Isn't that what it is?" I showed her the picture again with Theo's shocked face.
"Take a picture with him, not of him" Jenn rolled her eyes "Look at his reaction! He's shocked! Goodness Rachel, you have no hope"
"It's the same thing" I whispered as I pulled my chair to study back on my notes. And Jenn? She study the album. Isn't she the one who don't have hope?!
*
Weeks passed and I'm free. Midterm just ended and this is my first day to get to do anything without getting worried with my grades.
"Mom will kill me for sure" Jenn whispered as she has been reflecting her answers during the exam.
"Well, I won't tell you 'I told you' because I know you'll do it again" I said watching her crumpled on her bed, regretting her life decisions.
Jenn just threw me her deadly glare. I raised both hands in surrender.
I grab my bag and hand it on one shoulder before marching out the door.
"Where are you going?" Jenn asked.
"Shop" I shortly answered.
It's been my routine coming in and out of the shop and today that my free days is starting. I decided to help on the shop, it's been going on since last year. Every after exam, I get to help on the store. Caren insisted on paying me but I would decline, telling her to reserve me new stuff in return.
"Rachel! Thank God you're here" Caren yelled from the counter, she was sweating with tons of unpack boxes on the floor.
I looked at the floor and back at her with questioning eyes.
"New stuff" She answered with a hesitant smile.
That's the cue then, I started helping her. I started unpacking the boxes while she man the shop. It was supposedly the other way around but no, I can do it. Caren is already pass 30 and I'm younger.
I was sorting the vinyl when I got stocked at a one box with random vinyl's in there. I went out of the storage room and search for Caren when I halted seeing teenagers lurking in the store with cellphones on their hand.
I saw Caren, waving her hand a NO to a one girl who was asking her something. Caren's eyes landed on me asking for help, so without second thought I went near.
"Excuse me, girls. How can I help you?" I softly asked.
"Are you a staff here?" The blonde girl asked, I furrowed my brows in confusion "Is it true Theo Martins comes here?"
"Who?" I asked again.
"The Theo Martins" She cleared as if everyone knows who she's talking about.
I looked at Caren asking, she just shrugged "They saw him walking out just now" She mouthed with no sound.
I just rolled my eyes.