I'd always known artists were a different breed.
Karl Hanski was a perfect example.
However, I'd never met a breed like this silver-haired Antony standing right in front of me, glaring at me with those frightening golden eyes.
Now I started wondering if there was something off with me too.
"Listen," I said softly, "if you need a therapy session, I could spare some time. I know some good therapists too."
He snapped instantly. "What the hell are you talking about? I don't need any therapy! Just get out of here! And don't touch me!"
Uh-huh. But didn't you just pull me up like, seconds ago?
"Alright," I raised both hands in surrender. "Sorry if I offended you."
I bolted out of the studio before Antony could scream again.
When lunch time came, I didn't even wait for Esko to come find me. I went straight to his office.
"There's something seriously off with my dance instructor, Esko," I started the moment I stepped inside, "I only patted him on the back this morning, and he screamed like I'd just stolen his virginity."
"Antony?" Esko gasped dramatically. "My God, Kaija, you touched him? I completely forgot to tell you... That's the last thing you should do!"
I frowned. "What, does he have mysophobia or something?"
"No, girl, it's just you!" Esko's voice rose. "Antony doesn't like women touching him."
"What kind of mental condition is that?"
"Nobody knows," he said, throwing up both hands. "Just don't touch Antony if you don't want trouble. He's already moody enough."
I sighed sharply and dragged Esko with me to lunch.
The restaurant was packed. But unlike yesterday when the two of us just settled in the corner and quietly ate away, this time, the moment I walked in, all eyes turned our way.
As soon as we sat down, a few people approached. Some I recognized from the vocal training, others I'd never seen before.
"You were amazing," a guy said.
"You absolutely killed it!" another chimed in.
"Can I have a photo with you?"
I still didn't really understand why they were suddenly saying all that, but I nodded anyway.
"Yeah, sure," I said, forcing on a professional smile as one after another came up with their phones.
Soon, my table was surrounded. The flood of compliments and endless selfies started to wear me out, and Esko had to step in to organize them into turns.
Slowly I started realizing this sudden chaos was about the little performance I did yesterday at the vocal training class. Esko did mention that a few had taken videos of it and shared them online.
Then, a brown-haired girl laughed, saying loudly, "I've never seen Karl that speechless before."
"You really put him in his place," a redhead added.
"His peak is basically over now, and yet he still acts like he's king of the world."
"Pretty soon, you'll be more famous than him. I'm already feeling jealous of Esko here."
My brow furrowed. That wasn't what I wanted to hear.
Sure, it felt nice that Karl hadn't stopped me mid-song like he did the others. But the way he walked out afterward, I couldn't tell if he was impressed or just furious. And if I was being honest, I'd chosen that song partly because I wanted to impress him. Just like everyone else.
Suddenly, the chatter died.
I was still boxed in by people, so I had no idea why. Slowly, the crowd parted to either side. The two girls who'd been mocking Karl turned around, and the color drained from their faces like they'd seen a ghost.
My breath caught. Worry prickled at me, more for the girls than for myself.
How long had Karl been standing there?
"You done talking?" His voice was calm, but the look on his face could kill.
The brown-haired girl jumped. "Karl! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean that!" she babbled, rushing toward him and bowing over and over.
The redhead followed, her voice shaking. "That's right! It's not what it sounded like, Karl!"
"Yada yada yada," Karl mocked, his tone dripping with contempt. Then his smile turned sharp. "Just a couple of stray dogs who've forgotten who their master is. Maybe it's time I find myself a new manager and a new stylist."
The two girls broke down completely, their voices trembling.
"No, no! Please don't! I'm really sorry, Karl!" the brown-haired one cried, clutching his arm. "Please forgive me!"
Karl looked down at her coldly, then yanked his arm free so hard she fell backward onto the floor. Around us, everyone froze in terror. No one dared to move or speak. Even Esko had ducked behind my chair.
"You want me to forgive you?" Karl hissed, glaring down at the girl. Each word came out like venom. "Then kneel. And beg. Like the dog you are."
"Hey!" I shot up from my seat, slamming the table. "That's way too much!"
Karl turned his murderous gaze on me, his voice dropping to a low growl. "Look who's barking now." He started toward my table, each step slow and deliberate. The crowd instantly cleared a path for him. "You think just because you sang my song well, you can talk to me like that?"
For a brief second, I wasn't sure if I should feel flattered that he admitted I sang it well, or concerned that I might have just provoked him even further.
I exhaled sharply, thinking hard about how to defuse the ridiculous situation. "Listen, bro…" I raised both hands and said as calmly as I could, "are you into boba tea?"
Silence.
More silence.
Karl's face contorted. Rage turned into confusion, then into pure disbelief, before his fury returned full force.
"What the fuck does boba tea have to do with any of this?" he roared in my face.
I covered my ears, wincing. "See, if you like boba tea, I can buy you some. As many as you want. I'll get you lunch too. You came here for lunch, right? You must be hungry..."
Karl's fists clenched tight, his whole body trembling as if he was fighting the urge to hit something. "I don't want your fucking lunch!" he shouted. "Two Earl Grey teas, white pearls, salted milk foam. fifty percent ice, fifty percent sugar!"