Before You Say I Do

Chapter Seventeen

On Wednesday, Dakota somehow convinced me to go out to this club with them. It's where a bunch of Americans go and she wanted to see what was so awesome about it. So, I put on some clubbing clothes and went with them. Turns out the club was this open mic place where a bunch of people, from all over, would sing, or read poetry, or really just do anything up there.

We took seats somewhat near the front and the waitress brought us our drinks. The people going up on stage weren't bad. They could be better, and they definitely aren't famous or anything, but it also wasn't some crappy karaoke place. Katelyn and Nick came to join us and even Katie was enjoying the music. It was really a great night.

Finally, it was starting to get late and no one wanted to go up on stage. The D.J. Scanned the room and his eyes fell on mine. Oh no.

“hey guys! Look it here, we've got Juliana Richards in the house!”

“oh no, no, no, no.” I mumble to myself. Dakota was grinning and Katelyn looked at me, worried.

“come on Juliana, why don't you give it a shot?”

“I don't think so.”

“I recall you saying in an interview that you played guitar.”

damn, why did I have to be so popular? I stand up, “one song, and I'll need a guitar.” I walk up to the stage with the cheering crowd and the DJ handed me a guitar. I took a stool and sat it in front of the mic.

“okay, this is called “You're Just What I Need,” by Rufus King.” I tell them and start strumming the notes. I decided to change the tone of the song to more soft and slow instead of the original rock. I close my eyes and start singing.

Yeah...

you got me to feel all those butterflies inside

In your locker I would hide

The truth, it's only you I see

And you're just what I need

I'll bring you flowers everyday

Just to roll you in the hay

Well I'm feelin' fine, I'm right on time

I know I'll get my way

And you're just what I need

And you're just what I need

Not everything works as it seems

Is that so hard to believe

Hey!

I continue to sing and then strum a couple last notes and open my eyes. The crowd went crazy, asking for me to do another. I smile and just when I'm about to say yes my eyes stop on someone who I wish I could forget. He was standing in the back and started to turn to leave.

It was now or never to sing my song for him to hear. And even though it was still just a rough draft, it was better than nothing.

“okay guys! I guess I can do one more. This one I wrote myself.” Adam paused, his back still to me, “It's called 'Before You Say I Do' and well, it's about my ex.” I didn't need to have him facing me to know that Adam gulped. Though, with those last words of mine I did see him turn around and stay.

I strum the notes again, this time keeping my eyes on Adam while I sing.

Broken promises

you start to wonder 'what if?'

would you still love me?

If I didn't run away?