Midnight Summer

Six

I halt the taxi as soon as I reach the pavement. I greet the driver when I settle at the back. I am tired from the long day of cleaning and washing. All I want is a good night rest in my bed after a good cold bath. It is not like that I can afford a hot shower.

"Would you love some music?" the driver asks me.
I don't mind actually as long as it is good so I nod positively. I need something to calm my mind from the long day.

He turns on the radio and immediately the all too familiar beat perks up my ears.
"Oh my Goodness, this album has got everyone singing to it. Coming up from Liam Clarke, it is Promises from his debut album Lover." the host's excited voice blasts from the speaker.

I feel my self freeze for a second trying to process everything. After two years, why does hearing his name still affect me? For once I thought I was over that night but each moment, it comes biting me in the ass. I have also proven to myself that I can't stop thinking about Liam despite how much I have tried.

Liam Clarke.

That is his full name.

He might have thought that night too years back how stupid I was not to know him. The whole truth was just so obvious, his stage performance, the luxury, the guitar. He was a freaking star and I didn't even realize it. How would I know if he didn't tell me anything?

You never asked.

It would have been so easy back then. All he had to say was hey Emma, you know I am the famous Liam Clarke, the world's sweet heart. Would I have even agreed to talk to him? No. So it makes sense why he didn't tell me.

Two months back after that night, I stop at this shop. Then I see those beautiful eyes on screen. I felt joy at the moment before I realized what was going on. He was on a show being interviewed.
Who is he? I asked the attendant stupidly.

She had stared at me like I was mad. Of course I was. Who didn't know Liam Clarke?
"I can't believe you don't know Liam Clarke. He is the most handsome man I have ever seen." the attendant who was a thirty something woman gushed. I resisted the urge to groan.
"His song is number one on the billboard. He has a nice voice too. Oh my God! Beauty check, voice check, money check. Liam is the best."

By the end of her speech, I was beyond mortified. I stared at the screen once more realising how the Liam I met at the bar and the one on television were actually different. What did he need from a girl like me?

I love you Emma.

Did he even mean that? I wasn't sure what to think anymore. I had kissed the famous Liam Clarke and let alone, he had let me stay with him for a night. I didn't know if I had to feel bad or good. I was confused.

"I am starting to think everyone is obsessed with that singer." I roll my eyes at the presenter who is still talking about Liam's recent tour.
"Have you heard his songs, this boy is something. Me and my little girl can't stop singing to his songs." the driver chuckles.

I have to admit that I have listened to all his songs including this new album that has hit all radios and televisions. He was right when he told me music was his addiction. Can he sing? A hundred percent. Even when I try to forget that night, there are his songs reminding me of the promise he made.

That will never happen I guess with all those models surrounding him. I have read too many magazines to know that the guy I met that night is different from this showbiz guy. I don't know what to believe. I don't even know if the rumours written are right. Most of the things written about popular celebrities are always wrong.

One can never be sure unless getting the truth from the person which will never happen. Liam and I are two different people from different worlds. I have to try harder then to get him out of my mind.

As soon as I knock on the door, it immediately flies open to reveal an excited Liza. When has she never been excited in her life? I should not be surprised in the first place because however bad the situation is, Liza always makes the best of it.

Positivity.

That is what she calls it. The power of positivity makes us go forward. I always try to let the negativity out each time but it seems every time it keeps coming back.
"Thank God you are back." Liza immediately pulls me inside the condo we share with two other people.

"Hey, slow down." I mutter in a daze as she leads me to her room.
"You are going to be happy when you realize what I got." She retrieves two tickets from under her pillow. I still have that dazed look when I retrieve the tickets from her hands.

My heartbeat immediately picks a pace as soon as I see the tickets. It is a ticket to Liam Clarke's concert.
"No, you didn't." I shoot her a sharp look.

"I did thanks to Mike, the guy at the cafe I told you about that is obsessed with you . I told him you are obsessed with Liam and he bought the tickets for you and me.....ohk I don't understand now, why the face?" Liza's face drops when she realizes my change of mood.

"I can't go to the concert Liz." I mutter sadly as I settle on her crowded bed.
"I thought you wanted to see him. You still love him, don't you?" she asks.

I already know to the answer to the question and I know Liza knows too.
"Then all you have to do is come to the concert. You can get a chance to talk to him and maybe patch things up." she gazes at me softly.

"That is what I am even more afraid of. What if he doesn't recognize me anymore or he doesn't want me anymore. He might have moved on and look at hi... " Liza knows when to stop me when I start bubbling so she does the thing she always does.

"Positivity."

She takes my hand in hers gaining my attention immediately.

"It may take years or decades to finally see you but when we see each other again, you will be mine forever."

Liza just sang a verse from Liam's song called Don't be gone too long.
"Don't be... " I appreciate her for the lyrics but I have to stop her before my ears burst. She is not the best singer one can want to hear.

"If you don't want me to continue with my singing, then you better get your butt to the shower. The show starts in thirty." I smile softly before I get out of her room. I don't know what to feel anymore. Should I be happy that I am going to finally see Liam again. The thought of it only warms my heart in a nostalgic way.

I hope it all turns out to be good. Positivity. I surely need more if those lessons tonight.