The Colors In Her Voice

☆Chapter 04☆

My angst skyrocketed when I realized that the next performance would be mine. I'd never had to be on the stage before today. My throat and lungs felt clogged up as if someone had just blocked my breathing process. My ears and face felt all hot and I wanted nothing more than to escape this place. 

The entire room was vacant because the contestants had left the room to watch all the performances from the side of the stage, leaving me with my thoughts alone. Not that I minded it one bit though.

"I don't want to do this," I whispered to myself and closed my eyes tightly.

"Giving up already, are we?" Someone spoke. My eyes snapped open and I saw Mason standing in front of me. His face was marred with a frown and his lower lip jutted out like he didn't agree to something. My heart stopped for the first few seconds and the next thing I know, it was beating so fast that my head started spinning as well.

I blinked and took a deep breath in. "Ma-" My words got caught in my throat because of the tension I'd been feeling earlier. Clearing my throat, I started again. "Mason. Hi." I gave an awkward wave. 

He was wearing blue jeans and a full sleeved black t-shirt that made his black eyes pop out and look more prominent. His brown locks were styled back, giving him that model edge. His sharp jaw and long, structured nose that frames his cute lips attracts a lot of female population. Although, I like him for an entirely different reason but his looks are a plus point and always appealing to look at.

"Hi." His face softened. "I didn't know that you're singing too. I mean it's not a bad thing. But I 'also' didn't know that you sing." He looked intrigued now.

"Well, I didn't either." I chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of my neck. He stuffed his hands in his jeans pockets and nodded. "But I've always loved singing."

"Wow. You are good at keeping things from the others then," he said, giving me a smile. I was a little taken aback by his words. We never really talked except for when we're in the group projects or something and he expects me to scream at the top of my lungs that, 'Hey, peeps, I sing!' to a bunch of my stupid classmates? And why would I unveil my secret to him anyway? Not that he would care. I just have a crush on him and he knows zero to nothing about me.

"Yeah, well..." I trailed off, shrugging. "What are you doing here though?" I asked, changing the subject.

He sighed and looked around. "Bethany asked me to hand over her bag that's in here somewhere because she is busy, you know," he said, rolling his eyes. 

"Personal butler, I see," I said jokingly and snorted.

"No shit Sherlock." He smiled. His smile was enough to melt my heart. "You look..."

"Bad?" I provided, chuckling. I was embarrassed that Mason was seeing me all dressed up rather than in my jeans and t-shirt. I mean it was new even for me, let alone the others.

He gave me a stern stare as if reprimanding me. "No. How about... beautiful and radiant?" My eyes widened and my mouth formed an 'O' shape. I blushed and looked down at my feet.

Before I could even open my mouth for a response, I heard a voice. An irritatingly obnoxious voice. "Fool!" Dylan walked over to me, glaring all the while. "What the hell? You wanna stay up here all night or what? C'mon, it's our turn now!" He barked.

I returned his glare but refrained myself from saying anything. I didn't want him to ditch me at the last minute and anger Bethany or worse to leave me stranded. She's already done and arranged so much for me. I owe her. "Sure," I gritted.

"I think you should at least use a chewing gum or something, Dylan because your filthy mouth stinks," Mason spoke up suddenly. "Even this far." He gestured to the space between him and Dylan. Mason was standing right beside me whereas Dylan was standing a few feet away from us.