Fiona's POV
This gig better pay well.
I'm pretty sure my phone is getting shut off tomorrow. I have to pay the bill tonight. Oh crap, did I just miss a note? No, no I don't think so. Who would even notice anyways? All anyone actually pays attention to is Uma anyways.
I looked up from my keyboard and saw Uma on her knees leaning back as she belted the chorus. I hated to say it but she's a freakin star.
The crowd was eating this up. Which of course meant an encore and someone will definitely throw an after party so I won't have time to do my homework and will fail yet another assignment.
Why was I so worried about being able to pay for school next year when odds are I'll flunk out? I mean who gets on academic probation their first semester at a performing arts college?
Me, that's who.
And who sets up a gig on a Wednesday night?
Uma, that's who.
But what does she care? She's rich and acing all her classes. She's perfect. She's the main show. The rest of us are just the audience.
I rolled my eyes as she jumped off the stage and started crowd surfing. I looked over at the other girls. Olivia was delivering a flawless drum solo and Raquel was watching Uma in awe. She looks up to her so much.
The crowd finally got Uma back to the stage. As she stepped back on the stage a guy in the front row grabbed her ass.
Uma quickly turned around and kicked him in the face. The crowd cheered loudly.
"Don't touch people without their consent." Uma said into the microphone. "Or you get kicked in the face like this jerk!"
They cheered again.
I swear if we don't get paid because of this I'm going to kill her.
If I don't pay my phone bill, I'll have to call him.
And that's the last thing I want to do.
~~~
We still got paid! I think even more than we were supposed to. I had to get this money into my account. I hurried over to Olivia.
"Hey, is it okay if I give you my part in cash and then you send me the money on your phone?"
"Why?" She asked.
"Um, there's this killer pair of shoes that I need to buy and there's only one left."
Olivia's eyes widened. "A shoe emergency. Of course."
"Thank you so much!" I ran to the bathroom for privacy.
I stared at myself in the mirror. How the hell did I look so put together when I'm a mess?
Broke, failing school, no boyfriend, constantly overlooked.
Being Fiona Simmons was not a walk in the park.
But at least my phone was on for another month.
Olivia's POV
I love being behind the drums.
No one could see my body behind all the equipment. I felt like a complete cow today! I couldn't believe I ate that whole foot long!
I had to do better tomorrow. Only salad and water. Salad with no dressing of course.
Maybe I should start smoking again. That really helped me lose weight before. And Uma smokes so I won't get flack from other people about it.
I could also try some diet pills. But those make me feel absolutely horrible.
I had to figure something out. I had gained fifteen pounds in the last year. It was horrific!
Of course no one else sees it like that. They see it as me getting better and healthy. But how could I be healthy when I didn't feel beautiful? When my clothes were getting tighter? When I look in the mirror and feel disgusted?
Oh snap, my drum solo is coming up! I cleared my mind and just focused on the music. Drumming is the only thing that silences the constant rumbling of my mind. Maybe because they're so damn loud.
I glanced at Fiona. She looked upset. I don't know what's been up with her lately. She's been so strange.
I tossed my red hair out of my face before twirling my purple drumsticks and finishing my solo. Uma was back on stage. She turned around and kicked a guy in the face, causing me to laugh.
Serves him right.
~~~
Who the hell decided there would be cake at the after party?
I was trying to avoid it. Maybe if I drink, I'd feel less hungry.
"Shots?" Uma asked as though she could read my mind.
"Yeah sure." I forced a smile to my face, my eyes still on the cake.
The shots didn't work. I still wanted the cake. I checked the time. 11:47pm.
If I scarfed down a few slices it wouldn't count for tomorrow. Today is already shot to hell. It can't get any worse.
I went over the cake, but just stared at it.
"Want some Liv?" Raquel asked me, causing me to jump. "I made it."
So it's her fault. "Yeah, just a small piece." I smiled.
Even just the smell was intoxicating. Oh, it was so good! Raquel sure knows her way around the kitchen. I went back for two more slices.
At first I was fine and then I felt disgusted. Why had I eaten so much? I had to get rid of it.
I ran to the bathroom and made myself throw up. I already felt lighter, better. No more cake.
I washed out my mouth and looked in the mirror, wiping the tears from my blue eyes.
Olivia Holland, tomorrow you will do better.
Only salad and water.
Umas' POV
What if he's at this show?
What if he's in the crowd watching me and I had no idea? What if he had been watching me my whole life? Would he be happy or disappointed?
Maybe I would never know.
It's hard going through life not knowing who your father is. Not knowing if you've walked by him or smiled at him on the street. If he's known where you've been all along but hasn't said anything.
Everytime I perform I imagine my dad is watching me, and based on how good my performance is will determine if he'll want to be in my life. It's a little crazy, but it makes me put on the best damn show I can every single time.
He probably wouldn't be thrilled about my outfit. Leather shorts, fishnets and a torn up Rolling Stones shirt. I don't think anyone wants to see their daughter like that.
That's why mother never came to any of the shows. She's wildly supportive of the band, but she said she didn't want to see her only daughter acting like a sexual deviant in skimpy clothing.
She also hated pop punk.
I was not the ideal front woman for a pop punk band. Fiona fit the bill physically. Long blonde hair, green eyes, pouty lips.
Then there's me; brown skin, hazel eyes, wild curly hair. No one ever thinks a Black girl can front our band. They give me skeptical looks and then we start playing and I see on their face how shocked and impressed they are.
I was a force to be reckoned with.
~~~
We played such a good show! I was on a high at the after party. I was taking shots and signing autographs and taking pictures. I felt like a star!
Someone's hands slipped around my waist. "Hey my little rockstar."
I turned and saw my boyfriend, Cassius. "Hey babe."
"You killed tonight. You looked so hot up there." He kissed me. "Anyways lets get out of here, its crowded."
"No can do. I promised them a song."
He groaned. "Why do you have to be in rockstar mode twenty-four seven?"
"I'm just very serious about my craft."
"You're such a diva, Uma. I'm gonna go get a drink."
My phone buzzed. I saw I had a message from a name I didn't recognize.
Zora Washington
Hi, this is going to sound crazy but I've been looking for you for years. My name is Zora and my father's name is Demiti Leonidas. I think I'm your sister.
As my phone screen went black I saw my reflection.
Uma Leonidas you finally got your wish.
You always wanted a sister.
Raquel's POV
Stop looking at Uma!
I couldn't help it, she's just so stunning and intoxicating. How was someone so perfect?
I pried my eyes away from her suddenly worried that someone would notice my staring. If they noticed, they might wonder why I was staring at her and then they might realize that I was attracted to girls.
And I cannot be attracted to girls, that just doesn't work in my family. It's probably just a phase. I mean I dated Elaine and it didn't work so obviously that means a relationship with a woman was not possible. Besides, I have a boyfriend now. Me being attracted to women was a phase.
But if that's the case, why had I been in love with Uma since we were nine years old? Is a nine year phase a thing? I sure hoped so.
Pining after Uma was extremely hard because I wasn't the only person who knew how special she was. I watched as she dated bad boys and strange girls who were obsessed with her and yet didn't treat her right.
The most recent being Cassius Graham. He's so pretentious and vile. I didn't know what the hell she was doing with him. He clearly only wanted her because of her status.
She was the daughter of a famous fashion designer and destined to be a star. It was a good idea to hitch his wagon now while they were young. I hoped she realized how much better than him she was.
God she's a dream. I watched her crowd surf in adoration. She's like an angel.
An angel who will never be mine.
~~~
Over the years I've tried to convince myself that maybe Uma could love me back. I mean she's bisexual, I could be her type.
But then I think about how we could never actually be together. My family would completely disown me and then I would literally have nothing. So I love Uma from afar and pray no one ever finds out.
I stared at her so damn much though. It's like I'm begging to be caught.
"The cake is delicious!" Uma exclaimed, dipping her finger in icing and licking it.
"Thanks...um it's your favorite." I smiled.
"That it is. You're amazing Raquel!" She kissed my cheek before flouncing off.
"Hey babe." My boyfriend David approached me.
I think if I was more attracted to men I would really like David. He's handsome, funny and a very talented artist. He drew the most beautiful drawings of me. According to my parents, he was the perfect Vietnamese husband.
"Hi," I said. "Did you like the show?"
"Sure, but what are you wearing Raquel? Your parents would kill you if they saw your stomach out like that."
"That's why I don't invite them. And Uma said it was cute."
He rolled his eyes. "Of course she did. You see what she's wearing?"
"I think she looks great." I admitted.
"You need a new role model, babe."
"I'm in a pop punk band. Showing my stomach is basically a part of the culture."
"What about your real culture? Our culture?"
"It's kind of outdated," I pointed out. "Do you really not like my outfit?"
David sighed. "You do look cute." He kissed me. Every time he kisses me I try to like it.
I never do.
"So you wanna get out of here and...you know?"
"David, come on, the party just started."
"Well then spend the night at my place tonight. I promise I won't keep you up too late."
"Sure," I nodded. "But not too late, I have class in the morning."
"Well I can teach you a thing or two." He kissed me again.
Get used to this, Raquel Vo.
Hopefully one day I'll actually like kissing boys.
Fiona's POVI stayed up way too late last night. Now I'm running late! But my assignment is done so there's a small favor.Music Theory was my favorite class and yet my hardest one. There was so much work involved with it, and with everything else going on in my life, I was drowning.Professor Braun looked disappointed as I slipped in the classroom."Sorry Professor, it won't happen again." I promised.He continued teaching and I really tried to pay attention, but all I could think about was the fact that rent was due in two weeks and I barely had a third of it. Could we do enough gigs in that time to get enough?God why didn't I just live with Uma? She said I could stay ther
Unknown POVI love The Fab F.O.U.R. I'm their biggest fan.I have followed them from the beginning of their careers. They are the most perfect girls to ever exist. They all bring something different to the table.Fiona brings the cool element. You can never tell what she's thinking and she always has a calm demeanor. She's always been the hardest to crack. Olivia brings a lightness to the band. She's so caring and never has a bad thought about anyone. She's the ray of sunshine. Uma brings the sexy, badassness to the group. She's fearless and wild. The absolute perfect front woman. And Raquel brings an innocence to the group. She looks so pure, but the girl can deliver a guitar riff that could shake a stadium.They're perfect.I knew
Fiona's POV"So how much is this going to cost?" I asked."About nine hundred." The mechanic answered.I groaned. "Just to put a mirror back?" I asked."Yeah, there's a lot that goes into that. Wiring and everything.""Alright one second." I pulled out my phone to text him.900 for the mirror. Can u send $$ plz thank youA few moments later I got a response.What's the secret phase baby?I sighed.I need you Daddy. Please help me.
Fiona's POVI have a horrible habit.When I get upset and I feel like my life is out of control, I go shopping. Of course this is an issue because I don't really have money. I mostly blame my mother for this habit. She taught me how to spend money I didn't have.It's all she did after my dad died. She bought all kinds of shit, but never groceries. Never things for me. Only things for herself. She acted as though she was the only one who lost my dad. Like I wasn't affected by it too.The only thing my mother ever actually gave me was bad habits and crippling insecurities about whether I was important or not. And yet I continued to have her in my life. We sat down for dinner once a month.Same time, same place, and ordered the same th
Fiona's POVThere are some advantages to being friends with Uma.I mostly get those advantages when we go out. When we turned eighteen, Uma gifted us with the best fake I.D.'s I'd ever seen in my life. I swear she got someone from the DMV to make them for her.Our favorite place is Roy G. Biv. It's supposed to be an LGBT club but straight people go all the time. It also does karaoke.Another advantage is people love buying Uma drinks.Uma is very generous so she shares her drinks with us. I go out and I don't have to spend a dime."What are you singing tonight, Uma?" Raquel asked."Cool
Fiona's POVLast night was actually fun. I met a guy named Tim and we really hit off. I brought him home with me. It had been awhile since I had sex but boy did he remind me how good it was.My eyes fluttered open. Tim was on his phone."You're still here."I smiled."Well I woke up to such a good view, I had to." He grinned, leaning down to kiss me. "Last night was amazing.""Yeah, it was. It's...been awhile.""I sure couldn't tell." He kissed me again, pulling me to him. "We should get breakfast or something. I wanna spend more time with you.""Really?" I asked.
Fiona's POVI couldn't keep ignoring him. He was getting angry.The only problem was, I was enjoying the time I was spending with Tim. Sure it had only been twenty-four hours of drinking and sex and talking, but it already felt like a lifetime. I really liked him and somehow he liked me too."I'm not crowding your space am I?" Tim asked as we watched a movie."No, actually I'd like it if you crowded my space some more." I grinned, scooting closer to him."It's just I've been at your place this whole weekend. You don't want me to leave?""Do you want to leave?" He shook his head. "Then stay.""However...I do really need other clothes." T
Fiona's POVI love that I finally have a boyfriend to bring to our "band meeting". Well I guess Tim technically isn't my boyfriend considering we haven't had that talk, but we're definitely dating."Are you sure it's okay I'm here?" Tim asked."Oh yeah. This is our unofficial band meeting. Boyfriends and girlfriends are allowed." I assured him."Boyfriends huh?""Well I mean-I'm not saying you and I are boyfriend and girlfriend or anything like that, but-""Fiona, it's okay. I think it's time we took that step." Tim smiled."Really?""Well I haven't been home in days. I'd say we got something a little s