Flambé

After 2 more weeks I finally received the email I'd been waiting for!

"You've been invited by Miguel Rivera, to support him in the finals of Flambé and Brunoise! The event is held on October 20th-23rd! Plane tickets and hotel rooms will be provided. You must consent to being shown on television to attend. We hope to see you there! Click the following link to retrieve your plane tickets and confirm attendance." Finally! All this waiting has been worth it! Miguel hasn't contacted anyone or updated his social media since entering the contest, he must not be allowed to use his phone so there aren't any leaks. I called Chris and we made plans to meet, then I called my dad. Sebastian Smith.

My dad met us at my apartment 3 hours before our departure time. He had plenty of room in his SUV for our bags, thankfully.

"You directed Love Like Fiction, right?" Chris asked as soon as the car started moving,

"That's right, it was one of my favorite movies. I'm proud I had a hand in it," My dad answered. My father always looks the same, except today there were bags under his eyes, meaning he cut his sleep short to be here.

"It's my all-time favorite movie! You're amazing! I was so excited when Lemon said I'd get to meet you!" He chimed, my dad laughed heartily,

"It's nice to meet one of Lemi's friends." He replied,

"Oh, I'm more of an acquaintance, I'm friends with her boyfriend." Chris corrected. My Dad then coughed and side-eyed me.

"You're dating again?" He interrogated.

"It's been 3 years! That's who we're going to see!" I stated defensively. Dad gave me a blank stare so I added, "Please don't make this awkward! I asked you to give us a ride because you're free for once and I missed you." I whined. My dad sighed,

"Okay, fine... So Chris, what are you in school for?" He asked to change the subject but also keep the conversation going.

"I'm a music major, I play the snare drum, violin, and cello." I gasped,

"I thought you only played the drums!" I interjected.

"I learned how to play the drums when Jack wanted to start a band, Miguel played bass." Chris elaborated. What? Miguel plays the bass?! I keep finding out more and more about him... He's the heir to a Commercial Airline Company, he wants to be a chef of renown, his family doesn't approve, his friends are musicians and he learned an instrument to join a band with them.

"Do you have any of the songs you made together?"

"Miguel will probably be embarrassed if I send them to you. So make sure he knows it was me." Chris replied while pulling out his phone, then asked for my email and sent over 4 song files. I let Chris and my dad chat for the rest of the car while I listened to the music and focused on the bass. I could tell the vocals were done by Chris. I can't say the songs were perfect but their imperfections somehow made them even more beautiful, so much so that I was tempted to cry.

"We're here! Come on Lemon we have to hurry! You know the security line is going to be long and we need to get our bags checked." Chris warned. I hurried out of the car and waved to my dad,

"Bye, Daddy! I love you! Thanks for the ride!" I shouted.

"Yeah thanks, Mr. Smith! I appreciate you!" Chris added while running by my side. The plane ride was only 2 hours but it felt like we were never going to land. I tried watching a movie but I couldn't focus enough to enjoy and and ended up just getting irritated. Chris wasn't seated next to me I didn't have anyone to chat with. I'm not in the mood to try to make new friends so I just played a matching game on my phone to relax and help the time go by smoother. After landing, he called for a car to pick us up and take us to the hotel we'd be staying in.

"I guess this is goodbye," He said, at the door, putting his bags up on a dolly.

"Wait it's still early, maybe we can hang out?" I offered.

"Okay... but if you're asking because you think I'm gay, I'm not." He replied.

"That's not the reason at all!" I said, defensively,

"Okay, because I'm Pan, just so you know... not that I'd try anything with Miguel's girl... He might not like us hanging out alone, though." I bit my lip,

"Then... let's go somewhere public, nearby." He agreed to that idea and we met up again after putting our things into our, respective, rooms. We were just walking around aimlessly until Chris had the idea to look up tourist locations in town. That's how we wound up at Karaoke Bar. I was happy because of all the food and he was happy to sing several songs for his one-woman audience. "Whoo, you sound amazing! Keep going!!" I shouted after he finished his third song but Chris just laughed and sat down with me saying,

"No it's your turn, I might sing more if I order some more drinks though... Wait, b*tch did you eat all the ribs?"

"Isn't calling me the B-word uncalled for?" I retorted.

"How?! You ate all the ribs." He reiterated, with a pout. So I rolled my eyes and ordered another tray of ribs on the digital menu, then got up and chose a song. Admittedly I haven't been listening to music much since me and Jack broke up originally. I don't know why... maybe it's because music made me think of him, or perhaps I was just too depressed to remember that I liked music. It was hard enough remembering to eat every day. I chose a song that I grew up with, with a sweet melody. When I read the lyrics on screen I realized it was about someone who was in love, being abandoned by the person, and reminiscing about the times they had together. It made me think of my mom and dad, when I was small, this song would play and for a while, they were still happy. It also made me think of Miguel, the times when I clearly annoyed him, but how he always came back after that... we'd always talk... but it also made me think of how he's gone now, and unless I actually have figured out who the girl he's been looking for is... he may be gone forever, I can't afford to be wrong. I felt my face growing damp with warm tears then Chris got up and took the mic away from me. "You sounded good until the end... You should sit down, more ribs will be here soon." I laughed, he must think the food will cheer me up... I guess his simple-minded consolation did make me laugh so he's kind of right.

"I just want some water, we should be heading back to our rooms soon. We have to be at the studio early tomorrow."

"You're right." He agreed with a sigh, "I'm so excited-nervous about being on TV, though."

"Why? Your face is so photogenic! You have nothing to be nervous about! I wish my skin was as clear as yours, it's really not fair!" He chuckled at my statement. We talked for a little while longer, and let him eat his ribs while I finished off a glass of water with lemon. After that, we got a ride back to the hotel and went our separate ways for the night. I laid down and tried to force myself to sleep but all the anxiety in my body was making it hard... I'm seeing Miguel tomorrow.

The next day, Chris and I, plus all the other family/friends who were invited to be on camera, were escorted to the studio on a bus. It wasn't my first time on a set but it's been long enough that I am getting as excited as I did the first time.

"We're going to apply some light makeup just so you look natural on the cameras, under all our studio lights. Then we're going to film you reuniting with the contestant that you're here for. Turn off your cellphone, and there are no pictures allowed." A lady with a clipboard instructed, "My name is Michelle. If you have any questions feel free to ask me." She then led us to the make-up artist. I'm only minutes away from seeing him again, what should I say? I, probably, should have thought of that sooner. We were given further instructions but Michelle's words became a blur, all I heard was "When it's your turn to enter this room we'll let you know." I gulped and watched on a screen from behind the door, as the first group ran in to meet the person who they had come for. The group hugged and encouraged each other, and the next group went the same way. Then it was my turn. Chris pat my shoulder and said,

"Are you ready?" I nodded, even if I wasn't, it was too late and I didn't want to wait anymore. The huge double doors opened and we stepped inside, A second later Miguel stepped into the room. When he saw us he smiled and said,

"Hey," My legs moved before I realized it. I ran to him and hugged him with so much force I tackled him to the ground. "Ow... I'm happy to see you too Lemon." Miguel stated, a laugh in his voice, as he hugged me back.

"You better win this thing," I stated, making him laugh more, then I released him and let him get up so Chris could hug him too.

"So glad you both could make it." His eyes turned to me and I could tell he wanted to say more to me but couldn't, not in front of all these cameras with a microphone taped to our shirts.

"Yeah, I wouldn't miss the chance to cheer you on in person," Chris commented, "I'm with her though, make this trip worth my while. Win." Miguel laughed.

"I intend to."

"I'm sorry for tackling you, are you okay? I didn't injure you, right?" I asked while looking over his body.

"Don't worry, I'm fine." He assured, placing his hands on my shoulders, then leaning in to surprise me with a deep sensual kiss. "We'll talk more, soon... and by then, I hope we have multiple reasons to celebrate." I was stunned frozen, so much so that I couldn't even blink and Chris had to drag my stiff body out of the room, while I watched Miguel wave us off until he eventually turned around and left through the opposite door.