Roses: Anime One-Shot Compilation

The Live Music

It's been so long since she last went out. It was about time to get off the video games and get a drink. For once, she finally listened to her friends' advice, grabbing her bag and rushing out the door.

After finding a decent parking spot, she began her walk, taking in the scenery of downtown. Some places were already starting to close up for the night, but there were still a lot of bars and other businesses that were bound to be open. She was going to find a nice place to hang out with one of her friends, somewhere she could go unnoticed. Somewhere lost in a crowd of people.

The streetlights were giving off a dim but bright enough light, but the sign at Speak-Easy was brighter. It caught her eye. Was this place new, maybe? She pulled out her phone to let her friend know where she was, so she could meet her there. With caution, Selena pulled on the entrance door, enveloped into the noisy environment.

The place was packed with people, filling the room with chaotic but stable energy. 'Perfect,' she thought. This was a place where she could become transparent to the environment around her. Selena approached the bar, waving down the bartender so she wouldn't have to shout. At least this way felt a bit more polite.

She offers the bartender a warming smile, hoping not to bring down their mood. "Something fruity," she requested from them, "please." They give her a nod, and within a few minutes, she had her drink. She turned her attention to the rest of the bar, taking in everyone going about their business.

A spotlight seemingly appeared out of thin air, which took over the room. It was brighter than the sign outside. The sudden appearance of the light took control of everyone, drawing in their attention to the man sitting at the piano, getting ready to play. Selena was more curious than anything, she didn't even realize this was the type of place to hold a live performance.

Silence. The crowd was more interested in what the man sitting on stage had to play rather than their own conversation. When the man on stage began to play, it was different. The melody filled the air, his voice carrying through. This was, different.  Something, unique. 'A piano?' Selena thought, 'You don't see that too often anymore.' Her eyes were glued to the melody, latched to her like a trance.

His words flowed perfectly with the beat, catching the attention of everyone in the room. He made eye contact with people in front of the stage, working his way to the back where she was. Then, it was her turn.

She just stared back at him, unable to look away, 'well, there goes my cloak,' unhappy to be noticed. Almost as to make sure she knew, he winked at her, which definitely caught her off guard. Her eyes widened a bit, still meeting his gaze. It was like he was staring right into her soul. Selena thought she could melt into the crowd, that she could go unnoticed. However, that was not the case. She took a sip of her drink, trying to break his gaze.

It was no good. Their eyes met again, and the crowd faded from view. Darkness encasing them both, with only the spotlight on him illuminating their surroundings. It was just the two of them, like a private concert. Time became irrelevant, for just a moment.

He finally broke his gaze, snapping Selena back into reality. The crowd had returned, and the dim lights came back into view along the walls. Selena shook her head, completely confused as to what it seemed like just happened. The crowd never left. It just felt like they did.

He continued to play, every note flowing with the last. Every lyric matching the pace of the beat. Their eyes locked again, but this time she was prepared. Mentally at least.

The melody playing came to an end, and the noise of applause took control of the room once again. Being invisible was coming back to her. Selena checks her phone, seeing if her friend is close. Luckily, she was only a few minutes away. A wave of relief rushed through Selena, but it was short lived, since she was still in unknown territory with no one to talk to.

She took a sigh, trying to figure out what to do when a man approached the bar. Selena couldn't help but watch as the bartender gave him a drink without exchanging  any words. 'A regular,' she thought, 'figures.' It was in that moment she realized, the guy next to her was the very same one who was just playing. She tried her best to just ignore him but it was no use.

"Hey," he spoke towards her, meeting her gaze. Selena almost jumped in her seat, hoping he was trying to talk to someone else. A chill ran down her spine, not wanting to acknowledge that he's talking to her. Her mind wanders everywhere, not wanting to engage in conversation. Surly not with a stranger at a bar.

Words left his lips, but all she could see was his lips moving, and the noise of the guests inside Speak-Easy made it far too easy to play this off. "I can't hear you," Selena gestures to her ears, hoping that would be the end of it.

He nodded, tugging her arm as he pointed to an upstairs balcony outside. 'Great, I'm not getting out of this.' She sighs, not showing any of her discomfort towards the interaction.  Selena stands up, playing along, following him outside to the balcony. The noise of Speak-Easy was definitely quieter but not gone. The sky outside was clear as can be, with so many stars you couldn't count if you tried.

"I asked if you've ever seen live music," he smiles, patiently waiting for the answer. He leans onto the wall, right next to the balcony, taking a sip of his drink.

"Well, yes," she began, a bit nervous, "just not piano. That was quite lovely." She was truly impressed in the moment. The silence that filled between them was almost louder than the bustling of Speak-Easy.

"Selena," her friend finally arrives, "I thought you were gonna wait outside." She smiles and offers Selena a hug, looking over her shoulder in the process. "Oh, I see you met Trevor," she adds, making eye contact with him. Trevor can't help but smile and nod after being noticed.

Selena looks at her friend, a bit confused, "You know him?" She asked, separating herself from the embrace of her friend. Clearly, she was having trouble piecing together, her friend having to repeat for herself for Selena's sake.

She nods, and Selena can't help but sigh. "Trevor," the guy says to her, holding out his hand. She stares at the hand for a moment before accepting, having a moment of self-doubt.

"Selena," she says, offering a halve smile, "Nice to meet you." She felt a bit more comfortable, now having the knowledge that her friend knew this, Trevor. Maybe, it's not so bad to not be invisible. At least, maybe just for one night, it wouldn't hurt.

Sunday, May 21st, 2023
3:53 am