A French Song in New York

by Anna Adams

  “You’re the one who invited me.”

  “I’m regretting it already,” Jazmine muttered.

  Orga Sö finished her song and made her way through the small crowd. Jazmine caught up with her.

  “Hi! I’m Jazmine. Great performance.”

  “I saw you come in with Dev,” Orga Sö said bluntly.

  “Oh, yeah. Right. He told me you two used to date.”

  “It was more than that.” Org’s piercing green eyes narrowed ostentatiously. She flipped her long, brown hair behind her shoulder. “It was artistic passion that made us inseparable. We thought with one mind. We’d spend entire weekends composing.”

  “Dev plays an instrument?”

  “Guitar. Didn’t he tell you? He’s very good at it. I’d also help him with the soundtrack for his movies.”

  Jazmine gulped. She’d loved his films’ soundtracks. Now, not so much.

  “I sent you a message a week ago. I’m from a band named Blaze and ...”

  “Oh, I heard your music. I planned on replying. I loved your sounds.”

  “That’s great! So, would you recommend my band on your channel? Add us to your playlist? Anything?”

  “I was going to­—”

  “That’s great! I’ll send you a selection of our best songs—”

  “But I’m not planning on doing that anymore.”

  “You just said you liked the music.”

  “I’m not thrilled that you’re dating Dev.”

  “You left him.”

  “Now I want him back.”

  “That’s not really for you to decide.”

  “You’re right, it’s up to Dev. He’s never been known to say no to me. But if you prefer, you can break up with him.”

  “You expect me to break up with him just because you say so? Who do you think I am?”

  “You want a spot on my playlist? You know what you’ve got to do.”

  “I don’t care about your playlist. Your channel sucks. Just forget I ever asked you anything.”

  “That’s too bad. What if Dev leaves you for me? Then you’ll have neither boyfriend nor career. Such a shame.”

  She squeezed past Jazmine, found Dev and hugged him.

  Jazmine looked at them chat before turning away with disgust.

  She bumped into a young man who carried a guitar and whose hair grew down to his waist. He bore a tattoo of a guitar on his neck.

  “You’re in my way,” she grumbled.

  “I’ll just leave the room entirely. Would I be out of your way then?”

  The boy standing in front of her was a few inches taller. He could have been a giant, she still would not have perceived his presence.

  “Sorry, I’m distracted,” Jazmine apologized.

  “I’d be, too, if I’d managed to talk to Orga Sö. How was she?”

  “Not what I expected. She’s not as cool as she says she is in her videos.”

  “Don’t you hate it when that happens?”

  “Don’t give up hope. She might be good to you. I just happen to be dating the wrong person.”

  “That guy over there she’s flirting with?”

  Jazmine glared at him.

  “Sorry. Lack of tact. I’ve always been like that. She wants your boyfriend, that’s for sure. He doesn’t seem awed.”

  “She’s his ex. You’d think he’d know what her new name was. But no. I had to come make a complete fool of myself and ask her to feature my video in one of her playlists.”

  “You’re a musician?”

  “And a great one at that. Not that I’m bragging. But I think Blaze has the potential to be the first female rock band to win the Artist of the Year award.”

  “Phew. That would be a feat. I could be talking to someone who makes history. Why didn’t you tell Orga Sö that?”

  “She said the only way she’d add me on her playlist was if I break up with Dev. The guy she now has her hand on. It’s so infuriating. Why does he let her touch him? This isn’t even my style. I’m not the relationship type. I don’t think relationships last. I might as well give up. Give him up. He’ll probably go back to her anyway.”

  “Why did they break up?”

  “I don’t know. He never talks about her.”

  “When a couple breaks up, it’s usually for a good reason. He won’t go back to her. He looks uncomfortable, like he’s trying to turn her down gently.”

  “Are we looking at the same guy? He’s totally into her.”

  “You’re seeing what you’re afraid of seeing. But maybe you should give this guy a chance. You obviously care about him. Some relationships are worth fighting for.”

  And with that, he left a pensive Jazmine to mull over his words.

  How was she supposed to know if this relationship was worth fighting for?

  She went to Dev just as Orga Sö left him to go back to the microphone.

  “You two had a nice chat?”

  “She chatted, I listened. She had nothing interesting to say.”

  “You looked interested.”

  “Did I? Then I must be a really good actor. I thought she was kind of nuts. Mentioned something about you giving me up to be on her playlist.”

  “Hey, I never agreed to that! But if you want us, this, to stop, no one is holding you back.”

  “I don’t. But I know how much you want to be famous.”

  “I do. I want to make enough money to move out into a decent apartment with my cousin without her having to pay more than half the rent. I want success. But not like this. Even if you were the ugliest boy on Earth, I wouldn’t leave you just because she said so. I’d dump you for my own reasons.”

  “Odd compliment, but I’ll take it.”

  “Oh, stop it with the jokes. I’m in no mood to laugh. I hate being like this. All insecure, jealous and stupid. I’m idiotic.”

  “I really must have a fetish. Every girl I date is stupid.”

  “They’re stupid to fall in love with you.”

  “Ah, but you’re not in love with me.”

  “Who said I wasn’t?”

  “You did! You said you were stupid and dumb. If you were in love with me, you’d automatically feel a whole lot smarter and special.”

  Jazmine refrained from smiling, but her face betrayed her humor.

  “You’re right. I feel like I can solve a really difficult math equation.”

  “It’s starting. Wow, being in love with me suits you.”

  Jazmine smiled graciously, but sobered up immediately as she asked, “Why did she leave you?”

  “She didn’t leave me. I left her.”

  “I always assumed it was the other way around.”

  “It wasn’t. The problem was she was a pathological liar. I’m assuming she still is.”

  “A liar?”

  “She is! It’s no wonder I didn’t know her new name was Orga Sö. She asked me not to call her Marnie here.”

  “Artists use different names all the time. Doesn’t mean she’s a liar.”

  “Maybe not. But what’s her bio?”

  “She’s Swedish, grew up in Stockholm.”

  “See, that’s not true. She grew up in New Jersey. Never even traveled to another country, though she did promise she’d follow me to South Korea if ever I moved there for a year like I planned. For my thesis. But nope, she’s never left the States as far as I know.”

  “Shut up!”

  “I swear! Maybe she made that up too, now that I think of it. Ugh, that’s why she doesn’t want me to call her Marnie. What else do you have?”

  “She’s twenty-four.”

  “Nope, she’s twenty-eight.”

  “So why did you stay with her for so long if you knew she was lying.”

  “I feel stupid to admit it, but I didn’t realize she was for a long time. She’s a really good liar.”

  “Well, so are you. You didn’t tell me you played guitar.”

  “I don’t. Why would you think that?”

  “Orga said y
ou wrote music and composed the soundtrack for your films together.”

  “She didn’t. The only contribution she had was listening to me whine about the musicians I hired. That’s about it.”

  “Hmm, how do I know you’re not the one lying?” Jazmine grinned.

  “I could sing for you. You’d see I have no talent at all. Can’t sing to save my life.”

  “You’re a really good actor. Maybe you’ll fake singing badly just so I believe you.”

  “Alright, I’ll prove I’m not the one lying.”

  Just as there was a lull in the music, Dev shouted, “Marnie Tuller.”

  Orga Sö lifted her head and said, “Yes?” before she realized it. She clapped her hand over her mouth.

  “I love Jazmine Baldwin. You can stop with your stupid ultimatum. Time to go,” Dev laughed, while Orga Sö’s face ignited with murderous glares.

  He took Jazmine’s hand and kissed it.

  United and in love, they left the apartment.

  Chapter 18

  THAT DAY, DURING REHEARSALS for Violet’s Voice, rain and hail beat the roof of the theater until Maude was certain it would fall on their heads.

  She refused to see it as a bad omen.

  “Scene 3,” the director said. “Violet and Lorenzo’s meeting. Maude. Thomas.”

  Maude began singing Greetings.

  She tied her hands together and twirled on stage.

  I am so happy,

  So very happy,

  I am so happy,

  To meet you, Sir.

  My name is Violet,

  And I will never let,

  Your spirits get too low.

  But as Maude moved to take Thomas’ arm such as the stage direction indicated, Thomas slipped from her grasp.

  She edged closer, and again he moved further.

  He sang his verse, full of enthusiasm, but remained at a safe distance from her.

  This continued until the director called out,

  “Bradfield. What are you doing?”

  “I was thinking, it would be best if Lorenzo shows a little restraint. It could be an interpretation.”

  “We’re not paying you to interpret. Just do what the text says. Start over.”

  Still they started over, but their disjointed singing proved disappointing.

  “Give it a rest, guys. Grace, Jacob. You two. Sing Sister and Brother.”

  While Grace and Jacob sang about family bonds, Maude and Thomas moved away from the stage.

  “What’s the matter with you?” Maude hissed.

  “With me? What about you? Stop coming on to me.”

  “Violet and Lorenzo are supposed to have a connection.”

  “I don’t want the press to read too much into this.”

  “This is a Broadway musical. I know I’m not the best actress, though I have greatly improved since Vampire Love, but come on, you don’t want to screw this up, remember?”

  “I do. That’s why it’s best not to seem too cozy on stage. I’ve got a girlfriend. Got it?”

  “I’m not interested. Lindsey can have you.”

  “And Matt, you. Look, I’m just trying to make everything seem normal.”

  “It’ll seem normal if it is. So just stop.”

  But no improvement on his part occurred.

  Luckily, Grace’s scenes with Maude were much more fun for the both of them.

  Maude was amazed at Grace’s transformation. She’d always seen the talent in the sixteen-year-old girl, but her growing confidence gradually softened the sharp edges of her personality. Her happiness when she sang Lilac’s songs filled Maude with joy. Grace’s step was lighter, her face flushed with a passionate crimson. She got along tremendously with the rest of the cast, especially Jacob Salamander, the actor playing her brother, who overtly flirted with her.

  As the weeks passed, Maude and Grace’s chemistry enchanted the director while Thomas and Maude’s bland performance provoked his ire.

  “You two fix this tonight or someone will have to go,” was his final decree.

  Maude and Thomas reluctantly stayed after rehearsal.

  “I cancelled a special date with Matt to stay with you so we’d better fix our issues this evening.”

  “You’re the issue, don’t you get it?”

  “How can I be the problem?”

  Thomas turned away from her, moodily.

  “Thomas,” Maude insisted, “I haven’t been anything but understanding. If you’re still blaming me for the mistakes we made in the past, I can’t help you.”

  He marched across the stage until he stood before her.

  “I’m still in love with you.”

  Cupping a surprised Maude’s face, he kissed her. She pushed him away at once and slapped him with rage. Stunned with horror, she moved backwards, away from him.

  “W-why did you ...?” Looking to the entrance of the theater, she let out a small scream.

  Matt stood in the room.

  “Matt, what are you doing here? This isn’t how it seems!”

  Matt was no longer listening as he ran to the stage and grabbed Thomas. Thomas raised his hands, frantically protecting his face.

  “Wait,” Thomas said. “I was just trying something out. The kiss is in the script.”

  “You pathetic liar. I don’t know what Maude ever saw in you.”

  “Matt, stop!”

  “You’re still defending him. I knew he was into you. I told you he was.”

  Maude tugged on Matt’s sleeve until he let go.

  “I’m out of here. You two just continue inventing new scenes,” Matt spat, turning on his heels.

  “Wait!” Maude hurried after Matt, catching up with him outside.

  “Stop! Wait!”

  “Why should I listen to you? You obviously never listen to me, to my concerns.”

  “It’s not my fault Thomas kissed me. You saw how I reacted. I was furious.”

  “You enjoyed it.”

  “I did not! I pulled away! I slapped him! Please, don’t be mad.”

  “You’re asking me to get over this? Are you kidding! If you caught me kissing one of my exes, how would you react?”

  “He’s not an ex. I never dated him.”

  “You would’ve, wouldn’t you? If he hadn’t stolen our song.”

  “What?”

  “You liked him! From the start! You liked him more than you liked me.”

  “I don’t recall ...”

  “You hated me and you went on a date with him. You had feelings for him, Maude. You probably still do. That’s why you always forgive him. Over and over again. I never get the same courtesy.”

  “You’re not thinking straight. Let’s go somewhere private and talk.”

  “Here’s fine. Why don’t you tell me all about that kiss? Was it everything you ever imagined?”

  “I have never imagined kissing Thomas.”

  “You don’t need imagination, you already kissed him once, remember? Was it as good as last time? Did he improve with time? Is he a better kisser than me?” he asked, full of sarcasm.

  “It was awful! Thomas is self-sabotaging as always. I chose you, didn’t I? I always choose you.”

  “You chose me because Thomas disappointed you.”

  “I chose you because I loved you.”

  “Loved? You don’t love me anymore.”

  “That’s not what I meant. You’re twisting everything I say.”

  “Because you repeatedly give me reason to doubt that you want this. I’ve tried for months to talk to you about our future? You’ve never listened.”

  “What? I never realized, I promise.”

  “Do we have a future together or are you still stuck in the past? Not just your past with the Ruchets, but with Thomas? Admit that you liked Thomas way before you liked me and that if he hadn’t screwed up, you’d be with him instead of me.”

  “I ...” She thought about the moments Thomas and she had shared at the start of the relationship and froze.

 
; “How about you sleep on it. Sort out your feelings,” Matt said with dejection. “I’m out of here.”

  He turned heel and left.

  Maude rushed back inside the theater.

  “You’re an idiot! Thomas, I really hate you right now.”

  “Do you?”

  “Why did you do it? Why? Did you know he was standing there?”

  “No, I swear I didn’t. I had to know if I still loved you.” He shook his head miserably. “And I don’t.”

  “I’m thrilled you had to sabotage my relationship to sort out your stupid feelings! I could’ve told you that you didn’t love me.”

  “How did you know?”

  “You and Lindsey are in love.”

  “She doesn’t love me. She thinks I’m a joke.”

  “You two need to talk. I’ve had it with your secrecy. You’re over me. She’s over Matt. Why don’t you two just stop lying to each other, sit down like adults and talk?”

  “How do you know Lindsey loves me?”

  “She told me so, you fool! She was afraid you were still in love with me, which I assured her was false.”

  “It is! It totally is! I need to speak with her. Now. You mind not telling her about this little incident?”

  “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

  He took out his phone and called Lindsey.

  “Hey! Am I catching you at a bad time?” He waited.

  “I just called to say I love you. Yeah, like the song. You love me, too? I want to see you right now! Okay, okay, I’ll come over.”

  He hung up and grinned, while Maude sighed.

  “I gotta go,” he said sheepishly. “I’m sorry I created a huge mess.”

  “You should be. I can’t believe Matt thinks I ever had feelings for you.”

  “Nah, you never did.”

  “How are you so sure?”

  “Remember when we were at Ambrosia for our first date. You were totally distracted. Even before you learned I’d stolen your song. I knew I didn’t stand a chance.”

  “I remember! I was disappointed. I couldn’t stop thinking about my time with Matt. I saw him in every face and each time I was disappointed. Why didn’t I think to tell him that five minutes ago? I just froze. I should’ve told him that date at Ambrosia was bad from the start.”

  “Gee, thanks. What a waste of my time. You should tell him. I’m off.”