He Called Her Angel

Hidden Talents

Chapter 28

Hidden Talents

 We arrived at the coffee shop around 6:30. I had been to this coffee shop many times, usually just to pick up some caffeine before I started a long day. The shop was very homey with not only tables spattered about, but also comfy couches. The walls were covered in cool notes and photographs random people strung up. When I was little I would run around looking specifically for love notes. I was such a romantic back then.

 The place was packed, but luckily our friends had already gotten a table. Kyle called us over. Conner, Nathan, and Alex were fighting over who had the best arm muscles, while Jenni, Hannah, Autumn, and Madison were laughing. Piper arrived shortly after us rambling something about her crazy mom.

 We were all absorbed in some conversation about one of Kyle’s crazy pranks, when the lights dimmed and a little stage in the back of the coffee shop was illuminated. The owner of the shop, a petite dark skinned woman with an infectious smile, came up on the stage and announced the start of open mike night to the cheers of the large audience.

 I nudged Carter in the ribs, because obviously I didn’t know about this. “Slipped my mind,” he whispered into my ear sending chills down my spine. Damn him. Someone took the stage and started reading some dramatic poem they wrote. Kyle spoke up, “Okay guys I have an idea to make this night more interesting.” We all perked up, because the poem being read was so depressing and boring. He continued, “One at a time one of us goes up there and preforms something. After we are all done the person with the worst performance has to go up and preform again, but this time…” He paused for dramatic effect, “they have to do it in their underwear.”

 I gulped deeply. I wasn't a shy person, but I wasn't much of a performer, especially in my underwear! “Who’s in?” Kyle said excitedly with a little evil smirk. I am here to have fun I reminded myself. “I’m in.” I said boldly. Carter followed along with Jenni, Madison, and Conner. Nathan and Alex gave each other a ‘what the hell’ look and both agreed. Poor shy piper was the only one left. After some peer pressure she said she was in. This was going to be an interesting night.

Kyle decided to go first as he thought of the idea in the first place. He went with a comedy act, of course. He is obviously hilarious because by the end of his act we were all red faced and unable to breathe from laughing so hard. While another person went up on stage we all fought over who was going next. The boisterous Madison ended up going next.

Once she got on stage she took the microphone and said I am winging this and started making chicken noises. She then went through all the noises of farm animals. She was actually quite talented. I swear I actually thought there was a pig somewhere in the room making the noises for her. When the next act came on, Piper said she was going next, but had to get something from her car first. She came back with and iPod in one hand and a violin case in the other. I don’t think any of us new she played an instrument. This night was just full of surprises.

 She got up on stage shyly and pulled out her violin and bow. She then proceeded to plug in her iPod into the large speaker and press play. A techno beat blasted out and I had to admit it was the last thing I expected. She then joined the beat with beautiful violin notes. The two opposite sounds seemed to blend together so perfectly it was truly beautiful. She sounded like Lindsey Sterling a famous violinist that I had listened to a few times in the past. Piper got off stage to the sound of a loud ovation.

Nobody wanted to go after that. Finally Hannah and Jenni said they would go if they could go together. I think we were all taken back when they started spitting out impressive rhymes. They were rapping like it was second nature. I was laughing because they were these innocent white girls, or at least I thought they were. They finished quickly and I was impressed.