Song Fables

𝑰 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒂 𝑺𝒚𝒎𝒑𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒚

Murmurs encompassed the beautiful theatre; intricate gold patterns lined the walls and ceiling. Rows after rows of packed red and gold seats were each placed so neatly the entire scene could only be described with one word: Perfect. Plucking and tuning of the pit orchestra in front of the stage added to the general noise. Elegant shining lights were scattered throughout the walls, all leading to a magnificent chandelier made out of miniscule glass fragments, which created a massive geometric design that the audience observed in awe.

The curtains cloaked the stage in a dark shadow as Cameron did vocal warm ups. This was the moment he had been waiting for, for years. His father and sister were in the audience, waiting with anticipation. Cameron's chance to finally prove to them that this was his dream, his future, was here, in front of him. He could feel beads of sweat forming on his forehead as the stage crew frantically ran around the stage, getting ready for the performance. His strawberry blonde hair was almost solid as a result of the amount of product that was put on it to keep it from interfering, and his stage makeup made him feel like he was being suffocated, but none of this deterred him. An aura of confidence swirled around him, and he puffed out his chest and breathed steadily. The piano accompanist sat calmly on the other side of the stage, tickling the ivory white keys and peering at her sheet music, unenthused. Cameron's outfit was notable, to say the least; he had a cream colored dress shirt with gold thread showing itself through small floral designs laced on the ends of his sleeves and his collar. He was wearing a fitted velvet-y carmine vest, and a luxurious deep red cape flowed from his back. It sparkled beautifully when light was shined on it.

Eventually, the lights in the auditorium dimmed, until the entire audience was quiet. All were at the edge of their seats, waiting for the show to start. The pit orchestra's conductor raised her arms, and the violins, violas, cellos, and bassists got into playing position and started to play a perfect c, tuning with wide strokes. The rest of the band surrounded the orchestra idly.

The techies signalled at Cameron. It was finally time. He took a final breath. This was it. This was his moment. His dream. It was now a reality. He had finally made it. A wave of calmness flooded over him. This didn't feel unnatural-- It felt like this was inevitable. Everything he had worked towards and done, all the mistakes he had made in the past, all lead up to this. And suddenly, everything was worth it.

"And now, ladies and gentlemen, the moment you've been waiting for. I welcome to the stage, the one and only, Cameron Antonio!"

Cameron's footsteps echoed through the concert hall as he walked into the stage, washing out the applause. The curtain separates, and he sees the crowd for the first time. The limelight landed on him, lighting his outfit perfectly. Blazing heat wasn't a deterrent. He had been used to the spotlight ever since he was a child. But only now does it feel like he deserved it. His mic was taped to the side of his face, so he didn't have to be held down by any microphone stand. Instead, he waltzed to the side of his accompanist, and smiled at her.

"I used to hear a simple song," Cameron sang, his baritone voice was the only noise in the entire auditorium. It bounced off the walls, each time he opened his mouth. There were no mistakes, however; his practice and patience had finally paid off for this moment of bliss. "...That was, until you came along." He looked at each of the audience members, all of their eyes were glued to him. Cameron's cape billowed behind him, sparkling elegantly in the limelight. It was magical. "Now in its place is something new," every stanza was drawn out. He made sure to go light on the vibrato, but not dip into his head voice, either. Restraining himself from belting out was a difficult task; but every second of it was worth it. "I hear it when I look at you." He feels the audience's smiles. Some's eyes had wandered towards the piano, which had started it's solo. The pianist was nothing short of talented; her hands seemed to float across the keys so delicately that it seemed uncharacteristic for such a large sound to come from it. Cameron leaned into the piano to enjoy the music, even he was enchanted by the sound. It was a bittersweet tune, but you couldn't keep your mind off of it.

Slowly, the strings start to fade in and faintly add another layer to the solo, one that was tender and smooth. They built up, adding more and more, a crescendo, into yet another fade. This was his queue. "With simple songs, I wanted more," Cameron's voice mixed with the orchestra so beautifully that the audience had unconsciously leaned in. His heart was beating fast, as if it were like a drum to the light, organic rhythm. "Perfection is so quick to bore..." the strings started putting more pressure on their bows, and the piano quickened it's pace ever so slightly. "You are more beautiful, by far. Our flaws are who we really are." The instruments start to swell, the music reached every corner of the massive auditorium, swirling around each of the audience member's heads, surrounding them.

Then, they faded for a violist's solo, which was only for a few measures, but it was still just as careful and captivating. Once the flutes start to play, the rest of the band follows suit. The crescendo was so magnificent it could bring a tear to the most critical judge's eye. It all led up to the climax, the magnum opus. This was Cameron's time. His declaration, his passion. All of it has lead up to this.

"I used to hear a simple song!" He belted, his chest voice was as clear as day. His vibrato was impeccable, showing no vulnerability. The strings ascended and descended their notes so quickly it was hard to keep track. All the instruments formed an immense, passionate soundscape, one that was unbreakable. "That was until you came along!" Cameron's voice jumped and slid through notes left and right. The audience was at the edge of their seats, their smiles gave him confidence. "You took my broken melody, and now I hear a symphony!" He starts his riff, going into his falsetto, which he had been practicing for months. It was powerful, Cameron's voice had mixed with the rest of the orchestra, being buried in the soundscape. He kept singing, carrying the air and audience's breath away. One thing was clear: He was marvelous.

And as quick as the song had swelled, it left. The soundscape was broken, leaving ghosts of notes hanging in the air. The piano was the only thing making noise anymore, as lightly as possible. "...And now I hear a symphony." Cameron finally finished, and the audience was speechless. No noise, applause, or movement.

Then, people started shooting up, and just like that, the auditorium erupted into a roar of applause. Cameron was so overjoyed that he couldn't help but feel tears stream down his face. He bowed, along with the orchestra conductor, and the accompanist.

After the curtains had finally closed, Cameron leaped off of the stage and ran into the crowd, dodging people left and right. Then, he sees them: His sister and father, standing idly, waiting for him. He takes both of them into a strong, compassionate hug.

"Cam, that was amazing!" His sister, Bel, says excitedly. "I've never been more honored to call you my brother." Cameron buries his face into her shoulder, laughing out of shock and happiness.

Once the two separate, Cameron observes his dad's face. He'd never seen his dad look genuinely happy, not for a long, long time. "Dad, thank you. For showing up. I know, it's silly, but-"

"I'm so proud of you, Cameron."

Cameron freezed. He had never heard this before, from his dad, atleast. But somehow, those simple words had given this entire show meaning. All of it. Every mistake. Every rehearsal. Every Cameron had ever done. He could barely put into words how gratified he felt. This moment was perfect. This was his happiness. This was his symphony.

Wake up.

I don't want to. This is real.

Wake up.

Cameron's eyes flutter. The lights of the auditorium start to dim and light up, with no pattern. Then, all at once. The chandelier collapses.

And it falls.

Down,

Down,

Down.

And the bliss is over.

Cameron is jolted awake by the sound of a car engine rumbling. He's laying down in an alley, his leather jacket covered in dirt. He smelled like alcohol and cigarettes. It was dark, and he could barely see the emptied bottle of vodka next to him, rolling away. Cameron stumbled up. His head hurt, so much. All he wanted to do was go back to sleep forever, stay in the reality his mind created. But he couldn't. The city was covered in smog and filth. It was late at night, yet the sound of traffic hit him like a truck.

Quietly, he crouched back down, and shoved his head into his knees, and started to cry himself asleep. 

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This is from almost a year ago, apologies for the goofy grammar :')