Spirit of a Jock: CH: 9

The next three days passed in such a blur, Elina couldn't tell which way was up or down. She'd been on auto-pilot; the stress of the amount she had to plan was still a millstone around her neck, despite the decrease.
    Raven had offered a great idea that any other fund raising plans were to be post-poned until the derby was over, giving them time to focus only on the Derby. Some of the Prodigy students had sympathized with Elina and managed to convince teachers to 'take it easy' with the homework allocation. Most had agreed but a select few were adamant about fixed homework schedules. Even so, Elinas friends were more than happy to come over and help.
    Even so, things were still hard. Despite the huge contribution of acts towards the Derby. Elina had to ultimately view, judge and choose those who were to perform and pass the bad news on to those who didn't.
    It was lonely at home too.  
Elinas father spent more time at the hospital with his sickly wife than at home, leaving Elina to cook meals and clean the house, which seemed to become more degraded the longer she stayed alone. Blaze was still there though; a bright glow in any room. She never left Elinas side and was more than happy to fetch sponges and pots for Elina.
    There was also something comforting about just being able to run your fingers through warm silky fur.
Eli also seemed to be becoming distant. He was unable to make it round to her place, claiming he had an important dance audition coming up and was often too busy to practice. Elina was getting slightly annoyed at the repetitive apologies he left at each denied request she made.  

    The next school day was gloomy, the sky overcast with grey clouds as Elina made her way to the gate of her parents villa. The blue paint seemed almost grey as she waited with her bag at the gate for Electra to pick her up on her mini-scooter. Each day her friends gave her a lift to and from school since she hadn't had her bike checked over yet.
    Elina had asked Kord but he didn't trust his abilities.
    "I can check it for you but it'd be better if a real pro tried. Besides, I'm more of a four-wheel guy. Two wheels get me confused."

Raven, Imara and Alissa were waiting at school for Elina with a little surprise. They'd run the audition for the Shae Concert over the weekend and drafted up a final list for Elina to check. Trixie had footage of the performances but Elina just nodded and thanked them over and over.
    "Are you sure you don't want to check our choices?" Raven asked, glancing at the small list.
    "Our criteria may have been too high! We had to drop a lot of people and all the acts are singing or music."
Elina just gave a weary smile, "I trust you guys. It is a concert for a crowd, not just me. Mixed opinions have better results in this scenario."

    The end result required Elina to perform four times. Once in a solo and thrice in a group. Elina shoved the fear down and continued. Gazelle had chosen to perform twice. Twist was doing a rock performance with some of his drop-out buddies. Elina was surprised he'd even auditioned but Trixie showed her part of the footage.
He was actually pretty good on the bass guitar.
Raven and Imara were lead singers and Electra and Trixie played DJ and Stage Lighting.

    Electra was bouncing for joy, "Yay! Now all we is plan and choreograph multiple dances! Elina can do that right? Of course she can!"
    "Gazelle might help if you ask him." Alissa mentioned and winked at her
    "I'm sure he will!" Raven grinned and clasped her hands together.
Electra laughed, "Or maybe he's too busy designing his own two acts! That must keep him really busy with all the costumes and lighting and music and sparkles!."
Electra continued to bounce around, oblivious to the looks of concern Elina received as her face paled and she swayed slightly.

School was over in a blur, Elinas mind far from her schoolwork. The weight around her neck had lessened then increased. She needed Eli.
    She needed to see him again; not just a brief glimpse between classes but a proper standing-stare short of thing. The opportunity to burn his image in her brain.
Sub-consciously slipping aside behind on of the columns in the bustling hallway as the school emptied out, she hugged her books close to her chest and squeezed her headphones closer to her ears.
    She needed a hug.
    She needed to be told she was doing great and that everything was going perfectly.
Tears pricked her squeezed shut eyes and she had to take several deep breaths to stop her lip from quivering.
    It wasn't fair. Everyone else was so happy. So relaxed. So calm.
They all had it easy. They didn't have all the pressure piled up on their shoulders like she did. No-one did. No-one understood her.
   
    Elina was still trying to recollect herself by the time the last dregs of students slipped out of the school doors. She still had her music playing from her earphones and completely missed the person walk up from behind her and pull her into a hug.
    Elina gave a small squeak and immediately tried to pull herself away but to no use. She found her face pressed against a white shirt that smelt like a mix between nicotine, mint and citrus. A large warm hand softly stroked the back of her head, the long fingers weaving through her hair.
Elina stayed like that until her headphones slipped off her ears and landed around her neck. Taking a step back and out of the embrace, she looked up at the boy comforting her while she fixed her headphones.

    "TWIST?!"
The blonde-haired culprit looked at her in a dull surprise, his hands resting on his hips. A checkered red-and-black tie hung loosely around his neck and his hair had been slicked back like a casino card-dealer.
    Elina couldn't form any words as she tried to process what had just happened. She stood there in shock; mind not sure whether she should be disgusted because it was someone like Twist who had hugged her or the fact that she'd wanted a hug and received one. An admittedly nice one.
    "T-that was you?" She managed out, her voice cracking and high.
Twist looked around calmly, "I think so. Can't see anyone else."
    "Why?!"
    "You looked like you needed one. I've been hearing you're pretty stressed and since your BF ain't around." Seeing the furtive expression Elina was beginning to make he raised his hands in a show of peace, "Relax. Kaiya's like that too. She needs a hug every now and then when she's busy. After all, we are still human."

    Elina straightened up and clutched her headphones, not sure whether she should thank Twist or not. Instead, she ended up staring at him until he turned away.
    "I'll take your silence as thanks. Later." He waved over his shoulder as he walked down the hall and out the double doors leaving Elina standing silently, trying to ignore the increasing temperature on her face.