A Loser's Guide to be Noticeable

21: Be Confident, You Can Do It

As much as I wanted to be annoyed at Jaeden, I was still concerned about his performance. Only the performance. So when I got to the auditorium, I sent him a message:

Are you already at the auditorium?

Then I read Lawrence's reply to my question on where Christian and he sat before trying to find them. It was still early, around six. It was still not crammed with people.

And, there, I saw them in the third row. A good seat. I waved as I walked to them. They waved back. A seat was reserved beside Lawrence, and I claimed it.

"Is Jaeden already here?" Lawrence asked.

I looked at my phone. Still no reply from Jaeden. "Don't know. He didn't reply to my message."

"You two didn't go together? I thought you were helping him to prepare."

Glancing from Christian to Lawrence, he said, "I... did. But he didn't want people to see us together. So we went separately. You know him." I forced a chuckle.

Lawrence crossed his arms. "After you help him, this how he repay you?"

I flicked my hand. "Don't be silly. We agreed not to be seen together in school." Looking away, I added, "And I think it's better this way."

My phone buzzed. It was Jaeden.

almost there

I replied: Go straight backstage and tell them you are one of the auditionees.

Jaeden sent a thumbs-up after that.

Almost half an hour later, a guy and a girl were on the stage. "Welcome ladies and gentlemen," the two said in unison. Then the girl, "I am Diana." And the guy, "And I'm Simon. Fasten your seatbelt, because we were going to start the Prhyme's Band Audition." The girl continued, "Two of the auditionees will be going to be part of Prhyme and represent our school at the Battle of the Bands in January." They continued to talk and passed the mic to Mr. Robinson for an introduction speech that took twenty minutes.

Before thinking too much about it, I sent Jaeden another message:

Good luck.

When I read that it was already sent. My heart beat fast. I shouldn't have sent him that. Shit, shit, shit. Maybe he was busy so he may not see it. I relaxed a little, but then my phone buzzed again.

Jaeden: thanks

"What happened to you?" Lawrence shouted. I didn't notice that I heard anything until the noise of shouts and the host hyping the audience came crashing to my ears.

"What?" I shouted back.

"You were smiling like a creep!"

"No, I'm not!"

"You are!"

Then I looked at the first guy who was on the stage, tuning his guitar before he started strumming before another wave of shouts came.

"It's because the show's starting." Using my hands, I cupped my mouth and shouted at the guy who played a familiar rock band song.

But Jaeden was better than him.

I glanced at Lawrence. He was staring at me as if saying that he smelled bullshit. I just ignored it and watched as guy after guy did their awesome performance. And then a girl came. The host said her name was Rio Sasaki. She looked cool with her bob-cut hair bleached orange at the end and a green dress with black and white high socks. A small skull was pinned on her hair.

"I like her style," Lawrence said as he stared at the stage. Christian nodded.

But when she started, it was like she owned the stage. I wasn't familiar with the music she played. It started slow and then fast, higher and higher, then she stopped. She breathed hard, her hair was a bit mat from sweat. Everyone looked around. Was she done? But it seemed not. Some clapped with hesitation, and then she played again. We stared at her for long before we shouted. She was good. When she was done, almost everyone stood and clapped, including me.

Two performances later, I still felt the tingle of excitement that she left us. But it was Jaeden who stepped on the stage.

"Nice clothes," Lawrence said, looking at me knowingly. "And he has a nice guitar."

I just smiled as I focused on Jaeden. My heart was scrambling, panicking whether Jaeden was okay or if I should've changed the white shirt because it looked plain if Jaeden was nervous, or if I should've given him a pep talk than just simple good luck.

Some people who were from Middlewood High were whispering with a frown, and some were chuckling as if Jaeden on the stage was a comedy.

Jaeden was tight-lipped while he plugged his guitar. It might be unnoticeable to others, but his hands were shaking. He strummed and it was so loud that some mumbled with irritation while others chuckled. Jaeden adjusted the volume.

I wanted to shout and give him some confidence or anything to see that determined face I saw yesterday. And yet, I couldn't, not here.

"Are you sure he can do it?" Christian asked. He gave me a worried look.

I didn't reply as I clasped my hands, realizing that it was shaking too.

Jaeden could do it. I believed in him. He was one of the talented auditionees.

He looked around. And when our eyes met, I grinned. Then his gaze went to someone. I tried to find where it was, and that was when I saw Stacey who was crossing her arms and a smile playing on her face.

My stomach turned. The nervousness that crept on was fading, replacing with something heavy it made my back slouch. Of course, I knew that.

Jaeden took a deep breath and started playing. In an instant, he became that guy again, playing smoothly with a frown as he stared at his guitar like it was his sword, conquering every chord he strummed. The lights were blazing into him, making his brown hair like a dark fire. His body was swaying with the tune he was creating, not minding the people who were staring at him with wide eyes and parted lips, especially the one who sneered at him. They didn't realize that a loser kid, who the only thing he did was bully someone was capable of creating something amazing.

Lawrence looked at me, behind those eyes was a thousand question he would surely ask me after the show.

I glanced at Stacey, the surprise was evident on her face, the girls who were always around her were mumbling excitedly, shaking her--

Enough! I should concentrate on watching Jaeden, on relishing the moment. We did something. He looked so cool, more than I imagined. Perhaps I could get a little credit, even if it wasn't for me?

What was I thinking? I helped him, and that was it.

When Jaeden finished, everyone was quiet for three seconds before a heavy roar came. Jaeden was grinning. I never saw that grin in the years I knew him. It was filled with relief, amazement, wonder, confusion, and pride -- even more than that. It was a perfect smile.

A girl and three guys perform after Jaeden.

There was a ten-minute break when all the auditionees performed (spending it with the emcees telling corny jokes). And then it was the announcement.

It was no surprise when they called Rio Sasaki and Jaeden Savon.

As everyone walked out of the auditorium, with energy buzzing at every person, I glanced at the stage. And Jaeden was there with Rio and Mr. Robertson and other members of Prhyme, talking and shaking their hands. Jaeden was so happy, and I saved that smile in my mind.