Blossoming From Zero (boyxboy)

Chapter 30 - Gaining Hope

---Don't play the song until it says so in the story. It adds to the effect. I'm not much of a 1D fan but I like a few of their songs, this cover especially. I appreciate any comments, votes and shares. They help a lot. Thanks!---

I waited for them to leave so I could grab a towel. It took them a few minutes, and to my relief Alen was still in a single piece. I grabbed a towel from the stack in the corner and dried the still draining sweat from my body.

I ran towards the theater as fast as possible. I just made it in time to see Zeal begin his performance. He sang (I'm Not The Only One) and he was pretty good. He sounded like a person auditioning for one of those singing shows. His vocals were above average. Some of the girls in the crowd got the fuzzies from watching him perform. His movements on stage were a bit cheesy but some of the crowd seemed to eat it up. I realized I had to get ready for my performance. I chose a track, or part of one anyway, and decided to play the keyboard that was in the props area backstage. I plugged it in and made sure it was working. 

Zeal just finished his song, and bowed. The crowd went crazy and gave him a loud applause. He made his way backstage and spotted me getting ready to head out. He seemed surprised that I was here.

"Coach let you off easy I take it." He grits under his breath. Boy, he had no idea. I almost had double the laps he gave me. I didn't bother telling him that though.

"You're up. Try not to embarrass yourself too much kid." He says patting my back. I ignored him and carried the keyboard and stool to the stage, extremely nervous. This was my first time playing in front of such a huge crowd. When they saw me making my way to the center of the stage they erupted into quiet chatter. I heard some cheering and some booing. I shut everything out and relaxed my mind, now was not the time to be frightened. This would be my last chance to help Liam, without getting my hands dirty anyway. 

(Play the song>>>) 

The track was played and I readied myself. I placed my fingers at the keys of the keyboard and began singing. While playing, a wave of memories washed over me. All the great evenings on my way home, the day I saw Liam, the day I met Cortney. Those moments changed my life. I didn't have many, I was usually alone and ignored so those really stood out. I put my emotion into the song.  I swayed my body to the the presses of the keys, It helped keep my rhythm. The crowd was dead silent. I spotted a nervous, fearful Zeal in the corner of my eye. If he was thinking clearly he probably would've plugged the keyboard out to sabotage my performance.

I finished the song, and the building was still coated with silence. A little while later everyone bursted into cheers. They clapped for an extensive amount of time. It was actually a great experience. Zeal came back onto the stage looking like he saw a ghost, but tried playing it off.

"A-Alright settle down everyone." He speaks to the crowd. 

"Its time to vote!" He gave them the link to the poll. They pulled out their phones and computers. After five minutes went by it as time for the results.

"Alright everyone... Its time for the results!" Zeal said, trying to sound cheerful.

"The winner is..." There was a long pause and an odd silence in the room.

"H-Harvey?" He announced in disbelief, sounding extremely confused, so was I. I did not expect a victory. The crowd began clapping once more, congratulating me. I checked the poll results and It was thirty eight  to sixty two percent. My eyes widened. I won by quite a bit.

"The hell?" Zeal snapped. He realized what he'd just said. The whole crowd heard him.

"That's amazing man, good job!" He said, playing it off. The shocked look the crowd wore a moment ago vanished, though some of them were still looking at Zeal kind of strange. I guess that was one of his weak points, he easily snaps when the attention is taken away from him.

I gave them a bow and made my way off the stage, carrying the keyboard and stool. I actually have a chance to get Liam out of this mess. That made me happy. I strutted like some goofy cartoon character placing the props back. Zeal saw me, still in my goofy mood and slammed me into a near by wall.

"Don't get cocky you little s***" He spoke through his locked teeth. He was getting really aggressive.

"You better choose your teammates wisely for the final match on Monday." He says deviously, lowering his voice. 

"We're playing four on four, so you'll need to find three teammates. You aren't allowed to pick anyone from the soccer team, got that?" He questions and I nod.

I hadn't thought about who I'd choose. This would be a challenge in its self. Luke might agree, but who else was there? Girls weren't allow to play with guys here, so Cortney was out of the book. Alen might be interested, though I don't really know, I'd have to ask him later. Who else would agree to play with me. Liam didn't want to have anything to do with Zeal, so he's out of the book. The only other guy in school I noticed didn't go crazy for Zeal was Gale, but he doesn't like me anymore than he does Zeal.

I'd have to find someone. I still had two days left anyway.

I made my way down the hall and saw people pouring out the school. I spotted Alen making his way to the door so I ran up to him.

"A-Alen?" I call.

"Yo Harvey, that was some amazing singing you did back there! Your voice is sexy!" He greets with a compliment and a joke. I gave him a shy, embarrassed smile.

"What's up?" He asks.

"I uh... I know I probably shouldn't ask you this since we've just met and all but..." He started looking very uncomfortable as I spoke.

"Would you play for my soccer team against Zeal on Monday?" I ask, nervously.

""Phew, I thought you were going to ask me out." He says wiping away the non-existent sweat from his forehead. I chuckled

"I, I don't know who else to ask." I admit.

"So what, I'm your last resort?" He jokes in a sad tone.

"No no, that's not it at all. I just don't have a lot of people willing to play with me. They're either... Zealed, or just hate me. I didn't know if you were Zealed as well." I try to clarify.

"Zeal's a pretty cool guy." Alen says, shrugging. "Since its a friendly game I suppose it couldn't hurt."

"You've asked the right guy!" Alen cheers, giving me a thumbs up. 

"I used to be a top player back in the day." He continues, like an old man.

"You aren't on the team now though, right?" I ask, worried.

"No, why?" He tilts his head in confusion.

"Zeal said we weren't allowed to have soccer members on our team." I explain. He nods in understanding.

"By the way, Alen... the game isn't as friendly as it seems." I warn.

"Huh? what do you mean?" He looks puzzled.

"Zeal isn't as cool and kind as you think he is." I say with my tone lowering.

"Ah, whatever. I already said I'll be on your team." He assures, slapping my back before walking out the door. He probably didn't believe me...

I stood in the hall for a moment and was approached by Cortney.

"Harv, you gonna walk home today?" She asks in an almost teasing way.

"Can you drive me?" I pout, giving her a little smile.

"Its about time!" She shouted in relief.