A couple weeks had passed, aside from her weekly gig at the Karaoke bar Evie hadn’t performed anywhere. She had auditioned a couple times for a gig at a club, but she’d been turned down. It was probably silly but she found it slightly discouraging. She’d just been having so much luck up until then, but she knew she shouldn’t expect it to last forever.
She was hoping for a bit of luck at least that day as she was performing at a talent show at the karaoke bar. It was a Sunday so she watched the whole thing though she was 2nd last to perform. Her competition seemed tough, she’d need luck.
She did feel like her performance went well, she just didn’t know if it went well enough.
It seemed to take forever for Marcos to announce the results, but to Evie’s delight and surprise she was the winner.
She headed home to share the good news with her family, nobody was there but her dad but he gave her a congratulatory hug. Even within her family her dad was probably her biggest fan. She was definitely daddy's girl.
She set her trophy on the piano where’d she set her trophy from the previous talent festival she won. Then she sat down to play the piano. She was working on her own music so she could put out an album, and to improve her performances—original songs are always better than covers.
At some point while she was playing her sister Mae and Julianne walked in together laughing and talking. She noticed them and found it kind of odd since they hardly talked, they definitely weren’t friends. It wasn’t like Julianne to show up unannounced either so it was just odd that she was there. She did want Julianne and Mae to get along better though so she ignored it and kept playing.
It was definitely a surprise when she noticed them making out in the hallway a few minutes later. Still she kept playing. She didn’t know what to make of it, she was so surprised, but she just kept playing and tried to keep her focus on that.
She and Mae didn’t talk about it at all. Mae seemed to act as if nothing happened whenever they ran into each other or talked. Evie acted the same. Julianne never said anything either, though she seemed to be trying to drop hints to see how Evie would react. Evie had realized once the surprise wore off that she really didn’t care. She was happy for them if they were happy. Julianne was her best friend, Mae it depended on the day as to whether they were friends or enemies but they were sisters no matter what. Why wouldn’t she be happy for them?
Mae and Evie ended up hanging out the following Saturday, at Mae’s request. They went to hang out at the park beside the house.
“So… uh… you know about Julianne and I, right?” Mae asked awkwardly when they sat down on a bench in a quiet corner of the park, away from the crowds attending the festival.
“Yeah.”
“And you’re okay with it? I know I probably should have talked to you before anything happened, it just kind of came out of nowhere.”
“It’s okay. I’m kind of surprised, but I’m happy for you guys. At least you finally get along like I’ve wanted for what… 11 years?” Evie smiled at her sister.
Mae laughed “Okay, good. I just know she was interested in you and tried to kiss you. I didn’t know where your feelings with her were.”
“Not existent in that way.”
“Good, I’d hate to betray you. Anyway now we just have to find you somebody.” She nudged Evie.
“No thanks.” Evie rolled her eyes.
“Oh come on.”
“I have too much else going on to have the time for dating. I’d rather just focus on my music.”
“Well, I mean your music is great and all, but don’t you want more in life?”
“Someday maybe. Like when I’m not trying to juggle school and music. It’s just a lot right now.”
“Well, it’s your choice. I just don’t want you to be lonely or anything.”
“I won’t be. I’m okay just doing my thing. Maybe in a year or so when I graduate and have a bit more time.”
“Hey, you’re going to at least go to the dance that’s coming up, right?”
She shook her head,“Can’t. I have a gig at the karaoke bar.” She did want to go, but couldn’t pass on a gig.
“You can’t skip that once?” Mae pleaded. “Please?”
“I just want to take every performance I can get right now. Who knows who might be watching one of these that can get me an even bigger gig somewhere or help me get an album out or something. What if I miss the wrong night to miss?”
“I’m both amazed and horrified by your dedication to this.” Mae laughed. “and kind of jealous that you have something to be so passionate about.”
“Just be really passionate about Julianne, okay? If you break up or fight or anything it’s going to be a nightmare for me. My best friend who I have to stand by, and my sometimes best friend sometimes enemy who will always be my sister who I have to stand by even when I want kill her. I can’t stand by you both, so never make me pick.”
“Okay. I want to be honest. I’ve liked her for a long time. I could just tell she liked you. I kind of hated both of you for that for a while. But I don’t want to mess this up. I just hope she feels the same way. Part of me wonders how much she really still cares about you. It makes me nervous a bit, but I still want to see what happens.”
“I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about. I don’t think Julianne is the type to lead anybody on or anything. If she’s with you I’m sure she cares about you.”
“I’ll take your word, you know her better than anybody.”
After they wrapped up their conversation they went to have some fun skating around the ice rink together, just laughing and having a good time.