Rising Stars

XXIV - A Wish

"You don't have to be good at singing to be a good singer.

You just have to mean what you sing."

- Jae

May 3rd, 2021

"Think it's done?" Lux asked quietly, her head positioned right beside mine as we both stared at the project on Ableton. The song was simple. It didn't have many tracks. Nothing but a guitar, drums, and background vocals and harmonies.

"Yeah," I murmured. "I think it is."

"Are you ready to record it?"

I shrugged helplessly. "Maybe. Not sure. I have no idea."

Lux placed a hand on my shoulder and gently massaged it. "Why?"

"I just don't think I'm ready."

Lux grabbed both sides of my chair and spun me around to face her. She jabbed a finger at my heart, her nail slightly, but not painfully, digging into my chest. "Well, I think you're wrong."

"Lux, I appreciate the sentiment, but—"

"Jae, you've spent your whole life building up to this chance. You've worked for hours, and hours, and hours on end to try and find an opportunity like this— and now that you're standing here, ten steps from your future, do you really think that you aren't ready?" Lux asked, her words seemingly echoing all around me. She placed hand on my cheek. "I think you're ready, Jae. I think you're more than ready."

I let out a small breath. "I... Okay," I breathed. "No way to know until I give it a shot, right?"

Lux gently kissed my cheek. "Right."

I stood up from my chair and sighed deeply. "Alright. I'll be back."

"I believe in you, Jae," Lux said as I walked to the studio door.

"Thank you, Lux."

[;]

I gently swayed my feet to the soft strumming of guitar chords. I pursed my lips, placing a hand on the side of my headphones as I held my phone in my hand. Lyrics lit up the screen, illuminating my face in the darkness of the studio.

"I saw someone who looks just like you, in the backseat with her hand out the sunroof. I swear it was the dress that I gave you, and I wonder if your favorite color's still blue."

Seraphine hummed. "What's your favorite color?"

"Now that you mentioned it, I don't really have one. No colors really stand out to me."

"Shame."

"What about you?"

Sera grinned. "Blue."

Memories flooded my mind as I sang, my voice trembling ever-so slightly, my eyes shut tight as I let my emotions carry the weight behind my words.

"You're full of life, and wild and free. Chasing every dream and possibility. You're more than I could ever be-e-e-e." I inhaled, feeling a cry build in the back of my throat.

A kick drum laid out the beat, joined by heavy and heart-wrenching piano chords. "I hope he treats you better than I ever could." Another inhale. "'Cause you deserve the world times two and our simple Sunday afternoons. I hope he's home for you even though I had to lose you, for you to find who fills your heart even if I'm not the one you choose..."