Among Stars by Nevi Bernard (best beach reads of all time txt) 📖

listening keenly. They too didn’t know a lot of things about my life since I kept it so hidden.

“DJ, your friends have been telling me a lot of things that many have no clue about. You seem to lead a very busy and fun life.” The reporter had turned to talk to me, snapping me from my thoughts.

I felt threatened and took a deep breath to calm myself. Looking at the two girls that schemed the scheme of a lifetime, smiles like a lion that has finally caught its prey. I smiled as I returned my attention back to the reporter.

“Well it seem that my besties has been really filling you in on a lot of things.” I forced giggle out. “Now, are they telling the truth? Are they really my besties or are they wannabes? Are they making up stories?” I slyly smiled at that and turned away.

The reporters went into a frenzy prying for answers. I had no clue where I had gotten the courage to keep going. I saw the door of the auditorium opened and Kevin, Pedro and Enrico stepped out. I walked a little faster trying to make it to them, and soon I was there.

With the reporters under control, I felt more at ease. I made it to the balcony and sat on the front seat facing the stage and sighed. I was completely drained. I stared at the massive stage with the curtains now drawn and had a flashback of the night, and groaned miserably.

“How can my life get any worst?” I gripped the arms of the seat trying to control the wave of rage and nausea that hit me.

 

 

            “Over the years people have chosen the best ways to grow their children, as was my choice to grow my only child, at the time, out of the spotlight. Her mother and I thought that it would be good to let her have a somewhat normal life like any other child without feeling like she was above others. And with this choice, we taught her the many values that life has to offer.” Dad looked from one side of the auditorium to the next.

An emergency press conference had been called at Oxford, with the fact that they were already camping on the school grounds from the day before. What a way to start the week I thought. I sat among the other students on the balcony of the auditorium. The backseats on the lower levels of the room were also filled with students who whispered among themselves.

“Isn’t he gorgeous?” a dark skinned girl with braids and big hazel eyes, in the seated next to me swooned. I almost groaned out loud.

“What is with these girls?” I grumbled to myself.

There was a gasp beside and suddenly I felt stares from every direction. I turned to the person on the other side of me to see a young female staring at me as if I had grown horns. I sighed and turned around quickly. Luckily no one seemed to recognize for a moment, who I was. And for that I was grateful that I was dressed the way I was.

            I was wearing a pair of baggy jeans, dark blue tank top and cap with my crew name Sly One painted in graffiti. The cap was pulled down low over my eyes so it was hard to see my face. The chain on my pants jingled as I slouched lower into my seat. I just have to get out of here soon; I can’t stand this I thought grumpily.

“If only I were older then maybe I could have had a chance with him. A billionaire.” The girl in front sighs again.

“Hey check out his kids. They just look so…perfect.” Her friend said. She played with her strawberry blond ponytail while staring adoringly ahead.

“OMG check out his son. That’s his son isn’t it? He looks like his dad.”  The dark skinned girl’s friend, who sat on the other side, said. She too twirled her silky dirt blond hair that had pink and purple colored tips at the end.

I watched and listened to girls going on and on about everything Dre did until they noticed the twins and I had just about had it.

“Will you just shut up already!! We all know they’re good looking. So just stop it’s annoying.” I screamed at them.

            “What’s up with her?” ask one the blonde who seemed completely clueless to what I had said earlier.

I pushed from my seat trying to make my way out. I sat pretty close to the entrance of the balcony which should have made it easier but for some reason everyone seemed angry at my outburst, therefore refusing to move their feet so I could go by. Dad too had stopped and was looking in my direction and something told me he’d heard what I said, and he looked annoyed.

I was stepping over the last person’s feet when I felt a push, and lost my balance. At some point I was going over the balcony. The ground was coming up fast and I had to think at the same speed. I reached out for something anything and caught on to the curtain of the stage. I dangle for a while then brought my other hand around to hold on. I took a quick peek down and realized that I was still some feet above the ground.

I spot Alex who looks at me, and although he said nothing I knew what he expected me to do. Using all my instincts and training taught to me in earlier years, that I had learnt to stay alive; I tried to gather the curtain like a rope and locked my legs around it. I glanced up and saw that everyone looked over with anticipation, below it was the same. But taking my courage from the looks I got from Kevin I got ready for my next move.

When I was younger, about five, I went to the circus with Kevin and of all the part I loved the most were the acrobats that performed many tricks. I was so eager to learn it all, that one summer my wish was granted. Pedro and Enrico came from a long line of Circus owners. They knew all the people to talk to and three summers later I was one the best students Pacheco Gonzales had ever trained. I could walk the tight rope ride across on another acrobat’s shoulders while performing tricks. I could swing on the trapeze and ride the horse while performing other tricks on its back.

So letting go slowly, I bent backwards while holding my legs tight around the curtain. I held one end with my hands, and then released one leg while curling the other so that I was still held safely in place. I slid down slowly feeling the smooth silk slip through my fingers as I guided myself down. Soon I was close enough to ground and I slowly released both legs and when I was in a standing position, I let go.

Once I was standing there was a roar of applause. Even those who stood on the balcony clapped. I sighed and smiled a little, I knew my cover was blown but as I turned to look at Kevin and the others I felt everything would be ok.

“DJ there was no need to put on a show.” I heard Davoni’s voice in my ears. I turned to glare at him but he was smiling.

I really didn’t know if he was being genuine or if this too was just a show. There was a seat beside him that had been reserved for me, but had refused to sit in earlier. Now I didn’t really have a choice. I went unwillingly to sit with them and glance towards the balcony again. The three girls, who sat before me, although far away, wore shocked expression on their faces as they whispered and pointed again and again. I smiled just a little remembering the conversation they were having just before I had exploded in their faces.

Dad continued his speech and I soon droned him out, like I’d done with the orchestra the night of the Homecoming Concert. Everyone has been talking about that too and it made me feel all warm a fuzzy inside, knowing that I’d made my teacher proud, though lately he’s become a little harder on me. I think he’s trying to eliminate the rumors but I know that I have to push more to give him what he needs. I sighed remembering that I had a new piece to practice.

*                                *                                *

 Today I was really trying to ignore all the talks and gossips about me. Well I’d been trying to do that since a week ago and more recently the press conference held here two days ago. I sighed as I stood in the door way of the music room. I stared at everyone there and almost turned to leave. Even though I was dressed how I felt comfortable today, I really didn’t feel confident. I was dressed in my school uniform with a bit of my own style. I had on dark blue suspenders my tie with Sly One painted in graffiti and a pair of white patent-leather boots. Everyone turned to look at me and I had to fight myself not to slink away.

“Are we going to stand there all day now Ms. Vincenzo?” Mr. Johansen said without turning to look.

I didn’t respond but took my seat by the grand piano instead. I stretched my fingers ready to work when I was picked on again.

“Can you play what you have so far for us DJ?” I looked up at Mr. Johansen and swallowed hard. I had been trying for two days to get into the mood and practice but I was unable to this and was pretty scared of what he’d say if I didn’t do well.

 “I haven’t been able to concentrate properly lately so…..” I trailed off recognizing I was just wasting my time explaining.

“Well work harder.” He growled frustrated.

            The class drowned on. I tried to get a grip of what I was doing, but each time I tried Mr. Johansen would get even more frustrated by something else I did wrong. I tried countless times to block him out, but he somehow worked around all my reserve.

As soon as the bell rang sighed a relief at the fact that the class was over, and I quickly gathered my things into my bag. Without hesitation I left before Mr. Johansen could say anything.

“Damira?” Mr. Johansen called after me as I made my way through the door, but I didn’t stop.

I really didn’t want to talk to him at the moment for fear I’d do something stupid or something, so as soon as I heard the footsteps coming towards the door, I dashed down the hall. I spot the janitor’s closet, tried the knob and realizing that it was open, I opened and went inside.

I held my breath as if he’d heard something he turned towards the door, but I kept as quiet as a mouse. He soon left as if giving up. I waited for fifteen minutes then slowly opened the door. My chest pains increased until I realized I was still holding my breath, and I slowly let it out.

            Looking left then right I made sure that way was clear then walked quickly down the hall to the lunch room. I was seriously deep in thought as I entered, totally unaware of those around me. So when I dumped into Lucy and her squad it wasn’t q surprise. I flushed a bit remembering the last time that I bumped into them. I had paid and was still paying one way or another. I sighed, just wondering bad could my day get.

“So I see we’ve bumped into each other again. Should I say it was coincidence?” I wore a blank expression on my face as I looked at the girls