The Prodigies

Episode 7

*Gray's POV*

        It wasn't long before we left for the karaoke restaurant called Spotlight. It was about a block away from campus, but unfortunately the school shuttle was always busy. Especially now at 7 since everyone was headed home from classes or work. It was so packed we couldn't even get a seat together.

Zera and I stood holding onto the bar above whilst Rose and Adira sat 3 aisles away from each other. We were all jammed into such a small and crowded space, it would make anyone claustrophobic. There were guys who kept staring over at our small group and I couldn't tell if I was more annoyed or scared in the moment.

         Thank goodness we all changed before leaving campus. Zera was wearing sneakers, jeans, and a hoodie around her waist. Rose wore a white off the shoulder frilly top paired with blue ripped jean shorts and strappy white sandals. Adira was clad in grey wash jeans, a burgundy shirt, and a black jacket. I decided to stick with black combat books, black ripped jeans with a white shirt, my sister's oversized black bomber jacket and a black beanie.

        The ride was quiet between us considering we couldn't talk due to the distance between us all. I kept my eyes trained out the window, studying the building we passed. There were a lot of people out and about, kids running around on the sidewalks, couples walking hand in hand. Everyone seemed happy out there.

        It wasn't long before we got off of the bus stop a few streets down from the restaurant. "Woo, it was so hot in there. And sitting at butt level was not the way to go," Rose said, fanning herself with her hand as the shuttle pulled off. The evening was hot since it was August, but fortunately a cooling breeze passed as we walked by. The building was huge with a small crowd of people gathering outside. The lights on the marquis were so bright it made the neon blue lights on the building seem hazy.

        "It's so much cooler at night that it is in the day," I muttered, entirely hypnotized by the sight of it all. "Guys, let's go in instead of just staring at it," Adira said as we all laughed. There wasn't a long wait for a table since it wasn't a busy night. The overall atmosphere of the restaurant was relaxed with a chill atmosphere. There were backyard lights strung above us and wooden posts holding bigger lights that looked very similar to fancy European lampposts.

        We each sat down, Adira to my left and Rose to my right at a table in the middle of the restaurant. A DJ stand stood in one of the corners accompanied by a small stage and a screen to display the lyrics. The stage pertruded out into a narrow open space to look like a makeshift runway lined with more string lights. "Hi, my name's Luke and I'll be taking care of you guys tonight. Can I start you off with something to drink?"

        We each gave our drink choices, I chose water, Adira and Rose with Pepsi, and Zera with lemonade. "Oh, hey, I know you," he said, pointing at Adira, who's cheeks tinted pink with the faintest trace of blush. "You're in one of my classes.... acting I think. That was an interesting cold read by the way." She dismissed his compliment, muttering a small thanks. "I'll be back with your drinks." We each turned to the girl, bombarding her with questions.

        "He's a guy I met today," was all she would say but her blush and smile gave her away instantly. Although we wanted to know more, we left her be. "So, we have a genre we want to go with and a couple lyrics. Up until this point, is everyone happy with it? Because we all have very clashing styles."

        "Well, if you really think about it, our styles clashing shouldn't be too much of an issue considering we're each doing a solo album as well. At that point, then we have full creative control of what we want to do. At least for now, if it's unanimous, we can move on the direction we're going," I added, looking around the table. Everyone nodded along, agreeing with the general idea. "If we wanted to, we can continue the lyrics and completely discard the genre. We'll figure it out later once we get a vague feel of what the finished product will be like."

        "Andddd... here's your drinks. Are you guys ready to order?" he asked, staring a little longer at Adira as we all placed our orders. We continued to discuss where we'd be heading with the lyrics, adding a tad bit onto what we had. When it really came down to it, we could always change the lyrics to fit whatever music we come up with.

        "Hellooooooo everybodyyyyy," a man yelled into a mic, the sound being emitted from the multiple speakers hidden around the room. "Welcome, to Spotlight. Tonight is open mic night, and we'll be taking anyone up here." There was a woman standing next to him on the stage. "If you know you have what it takes, don't be afraid to come up. We're all family here, right guys?" The people in the restaurant all cheered loudly.

        The people who decided to go up first were incredible. They were nothing short of professional and talented. "Are you guys going to go up?" I asked, looking around at the girls at the table. Rose shook her head no. "Nope, it's way too crowded right now." I nodded in understanding, looking at the two remaining girls around me. Adira looked a bit hesitant. Before the could answer, Luke brought our food out, placing it in front of us. "I think I'll go when we finish eating," Zera said quietly. "I'll go after you if it makes you feel any better," I offered with a small smile which she returned.

        After we finished eating our dinner consisting of hamburgers, french fries, chicken tenders, and oddly enough sushi, we watched one more performer go up before Zera and I went to sign up. I was really nervous for her. I knew she would be great considering she got into the program, but if this was her first time performing like it was mine, then I know how nerve-wracking it is. The MC introduced her as she walked up the stage casually. "Hi, I'm Zera. I will be singing Little Me, by Little Mix." The audience cheered, our table obviously being the loudest.

        I was blown away when she started to sing. I've barely heard her speak 3 full sentences, let alone listen to her belt out the lyrics with practically perfect tone and pitch. She didn't even need to look at the screen to time herself with the music. Why did I offer to go after her? The crowd was loving her, I couldn't even begin to be as good as her. But at the same time look at my bestie gooooooooo!!!

        She was met with a standing ovation as she finished the last notes, taking a final bow and thanking the audience before making her way back to our table. "That was so good!" "I didn't know you could sing like that!" "You did fantastic out there!" We kept throwing compliment after compliment in her direction as she slumped into her chair, hand over her heart. "That was so scary, I was so nervous!" We all giggled. "No matter how scared you were, we couldn't tell."

"Gray, you're up next," she reminded me. I sighed deeply. There was no way I could physically follow that performance.

"Yeah, I know."

"You'll be fine, don't stress too much." They cheered me on as the MC announced my name and I made my way up to the stage.

"Uh, hey guys. I'm Gray, nice to see you all. I'll be singing Listen by Beyoncé. So, this is my first time up on stage so take it easy on me." I gave an awkward chuckle as the audience laughed, taking a small step back from the mic as the music began to play before stepping back up to sing.

I took a bow before leaving the stage, leaving my voice sore after belting out Beyoncé's high notes. It was not easy and took everything out of me. I walked back to the table, heading the girls celebrating and congratulating me. "That was so difficult, my heart is still racing." We all laughed, finishing our meal before heading back to campus for the night.

The ride back was really quiet considering the time. The girls were all sitting together in front of the window, doing their own thing while I opted to stand. The streets outside were quiet, everyone had already gone home. With headphones in my ears, I sighed softly with content as we made our way back. I guess now I should start calling our dorm home.