5 [Chapter 5]: Insolent Vocalist

As the bell chime, I immediately went straight to the music room and by chance, I already saw them practicing. Caleb is in here, chill, on-tune and looks like determined. As he saw enterring, "A fucking manager late comin to practice than his members." he said and my eyes widened. What happened to him? "Hey there, chill now tiger." Caiden said to him. "Let him, he's right, I was late." I said as I walk towards the couch.

As the practice started, he seems to be not affected by what happened, at all. This somehow comforted me though, he already know how to control his temper. Later on, the practuce ended and as usual, he was the last one to finish arranging his equipments. As he walk outside, he didn't look at me, even a simple glance nor smiled at me. I grabbed his wrists and he pulled off. He's furious, I know it.

"Hey Caleb!" I shouted as he continued walking outside. He stopped for a moment, then he continued walking. I didn't stop him though. I know he's mad at me.

—Next Day—

The bell chimed and I arranged my items. I rushed quickly to the music room and found everyone in here except Caleb. "We tried looking for him but we just couldn't seem to find him." Caiden said. I shook my head, "I think we should let him for now, he's quite facing something." I said as I show a sulky face in front of everyone. "But he's our vocalist. We can't practice if he's not here." Ethan said and again, I shook my head. "We're going to practice tuning today." I said then I smiled. My eyes were quite teary. I just can't seem to face this alone. I knkw I have done something worse to Caleb, and I know I must apologize, but he should take his time calming first. I know it myself that something not nice will happen if I were to talk to him now. "Let's start." I said and everyone went to their positions. The practice was quite smooth, yes, quite because I wasn't able to fulfill my current manager role if I'm facing these problems. Caiden walked towards me and tapped my shoulders, "Anything wrong with the two of you?" I shook my head, "None, really." I said. He smiled and said calmly, "I know there's something off. You should fix this, I know you can. Ever since you came into his life, he has changed. You weren't able to completely accomplish your job, so make it right this time." he said and I smiled then nodded. He's right, but he, using the term 'me coming into his life' is so fucking awkward.

I tried looking for him, or no, I didn't try, I actually did. I know he wanted to be alone but I need to talk to him. I didn't stop looking for him, I looked everywhere and I couldn't find him.

I seemed to be trying to catch my breath, eyes are quite teary, and sweats falling all over me. I remember, the last time he was missing, I saw him on the rooftop and as he said before, he loves gazing upon the sky. After a moment of epiphany, I gave my best running upstairs even though I'm too tired already and that I couldn't catch my breath anymore.

As I reach the door, my sight seemed to be blacking out, but I fought harder, I gave the very best I could do as I saw him. I ran towards him, too sweaty, too tired and almost passing out. However, as I reached him, he doesn't seem to care about me, he didn't even bother glancing at me. He is just gazing at the sky, tears falling on his eyes while smiling.

"I— I've been looking for you." I said and his mood didn't change nor he bothered taking a glance at me, "What's the fucking point. Why are you even here and am I suppose to know you?" he said and I realized, I do made him angry that he reached this level of coldness. You really are an idiot Authern, you sure are. Everytime you try and fix things, you just end up worsening them. "I— I'm sorry." I said and he wasn't moving or doing anything at all except gazing, "Fuck sorry, leave me alone." he said but I am not going to quit. "Caleb listen to me." I said as I poke his shoulders continuously. "Leave me al—" before he could finish, "I am not gonna fucking leave you here alone. I'm telling you, I will not go until we make things here." I said and his eyes widened from shock. Tears continued falling on his yes as he sat down and let his back rest on the barricade. I saw beside him and tapped his head. "These were never my intention from the start but Gale is my friend and I couldn't possible reject her request. I know yoy are facing something now but my friend is—" before I could even continue, "And what about me? You know I was facing a problem, and am I not your friend? You've been looking at other people this whole time without realizing that you are already hurting the friend that you have by your side." he said and I was shocked. "I could say nothing except I— I'm sorry." I said. He looked at me, gazed at my eyes for some seconds, "This is the first time I have actually taken a sincere apology. People have been looking at me as the bad guy my whole life." he said and I somehow laugh. "That's because you act like one." I said while smiling and he laughed too. "Well at least the only illegal thing I am doing is keeping my handsomeness." he said and laughed. I looked at him, seeing him happy, smiling and cheerful puts me at ease. I gave him my pinky, "Friends?" I asked and he didn't gave his hands, he just stared st mine for some time until the bell rang amd he laughed. "Come on now, we have a band practice remember?" he said as he cheerfully walk towards the gate. As he reCh the door, "Whoever is late will treat to sushi." he said and my eyes widened. "Damn you Caleb!" then I tried chasing after him but he was too fast. I ended up coming in late than him.

As we both enter the room, they all looked at us, "Where have you been?" Leo asked and he looked at Caleb, he saw him as a cheerful person.

"Well you're different today." Leo said while smirking but Caleb just laughed along.

"Let's start the practice now. We don't want to waste any time." I said then everyone agreed. They all placed went to their positions and started playing their piece for the competition. I'll admit, not reallly boasting, but they have improved so much ever since the day I have met them and it shocked me that I sure do have a talent on leading a musical band. As they continue playing, I just smiled and listen to the tune of the song, it's calming, enjoyable and it feels so pleasant to my ears.