Drella Next

I peered through the curtain to look out at the crowd. Tonight was what it's all been leading up to. Sitting out front could be the person that actually gave birth to me. But I didn't care right now. Vic wasn't out there. I couldn't find him. Could I even do it knowing that he didn't want me to? I had to. I didn't have a choice.
I grabbed my phone from my dressing table. I dialled Mike's number and chewed on my bottom lip anxiously while I waited. I heard him answer but he wasn't talking yet. I could just hear rustling. "Hey." Mike finally said.
"Hi, what's up with you?" I asked.
"Nothing, I'm driving." he explained.
"Have you seen him?" I asked.
"Sorry Drella. All I know is that his car isn't at his apartment."
"Okay, thanks." I sighed.
"Good luck." he told me.
"Thanks Mike. I'll see you soon."
"Yeah, bye." he replied.
I hung up and put my phone away. It was almost time for me to go on. I walked over to the curtain and wrung my hands together.
"You'll do fine." Kim said from behind me.
"I hope so." I said.
"Good luck." she told me and squeezed my hand before she disappeared.
I heard the music start and I walked out onto the stage. I started the routine. I don't even think I was breathing. I couldn't focus on the crowd at this point. The routine was so complex and difficult that if I didn't give it my all I would mess up.
As I went on the dress I was wearing came off. So did the shoes, stockings, garter, corset, underwear and bra. I was left with nothing but two huge feather fans. The moves were so precise. I carried on with the routine until the moves became easier. I looked at the crowd. Still no Vic.
Then I finished. I walked off stage and grabbed a dressing gown that was hanging up. I went to an outfit I had all laid out. I put the dress on and walked back out to the front. This time I wasn't on stage but where everyone was sitting. I got myself a drink and waited by the bar.
Someone tapped me on the back and I turned around. I was facing a woman in her late forties. She had dark dyed hair with bright eyes. My eyes. I looked her over. She was dressed in a dress that looked as if it had been pulled right out of the 50s.
"Yes?" I asked.
"My name is Taylor. I heard about this all. I did some research." she explained.
"You're her?" I gulped.
"Sorry if I disappoint," she said. "I heard about my sister's death."
"Do you know who I am?" I asked and she nodded.
"I called my sisters ex husband. He explained a few things to me," she said. "You're so beautiful. I'm sorry." Taylor said and held my face. I bit my lip and gasped. This wasn't how I wanted it. Not at all. I've been picturing this for months but it doesn't seem right.
"Why did you do it?" I asked and she let go.
"It was best. I wasn't ready. I wanted to dance."
"So you weren't forced?" I asked.
"No, I wasn't. It was the right thing to do." she admitted.
"Did you even want me?" I whispered. "And the truth would be nice."
"I'm sorry." Taylor said and shook my head, laughing bitterly to myself under my breath.
I didn't even want to be here anymore. I've been imagining how she'd tell me that her parents made her give me up. How she was forced and ran away and vowed to one day find me. How she'd wrap her arms around me and tell me how my picture is safely tucked away in a locket around her neck. She'd tell me how much she loved me and we'd both cry. But that isn't real life. It was never going to happen. It's fairy tales.
She left because she wanted to. She gave me up because she wanted to. There was no gun held to her head. My adopted parents were shit and so was my birth mother. I need to stop dreaming about how someone in my life was spectacular before I met Vic. They weren't. Perhaps the sooner I come to terms with that the sooner I can throw all of this shit away and get on with my life.
"I'm sorry for the performance." I told her.
"No, it was brilliant. As good as me." Taylor replied.
"I'm thinking out loud. I mean sorry I bothered," I said. "I expected so much from you. But you're just like your sister, Cherry. You let me down too."
"I'm sorry." she repeated.
"I've wasted everyone time. Why I thought I needed family I'll never know. Now you've torn my life apart. I shouldn't have came to LA." I admitted.
"Please." Taylor tried.
"No, stop." I snapped.
I turned and then I saw the only person I could ever want to see. The only person I will ever want to see. Vic was looking at me sheepishly with his hands buried deep in his pockets. Then he saw my face. I couldn't help it. I sniffled as tears started to roll down my cheeks. Vic started to walk over and I ran to him. He opened his arms for me and I threw mine around his neck. I buried my face deep in the crook of his neck and cried. He rubbed my back to soothe me and whispered comforts in my ear.
"I'm sorry," I sobbed. "I love you. I'm sorry I ever did this. I'm so, so, so sorry." I cried.
"Shhh..." he soothed. "I love you too, Ella."
"She wanted to give me up. She didn't want me. I risked everything for this. I risked us to meet her. Now I'm ruined everything."
"You haven't," Vic stopped me. "I'm here and I'm never going to leave you again, Drella Young."
"You believe me?" I asked hopefully and looked up to him.
"Yeah, and I should have before."
"I want to stitch you up. I never wanted to cut open your wounds." I told him.
"I know, Darling. Just promise me it's me."
"It's always you." I told him warmly. "Now take me home." I said and he crushed his lips against mine.

Notes

Hey! What did you think? What about Drella's birth mother? Will she ever see her again? Big disappointment! But what about Drella and Vic? Happy ending? The last chapter is coming up. Huge surprise for you all! :)