Enchanted Night

Chapter 3 (Same old tired, Lonely place)

The concert was an absolute blast, I have to admit. It was truly remarkable to see the SSC officers pull off such a grand event in our humble Catholic college. Our school may not be as large or spacious as other campuses like ISU in the city, but the sight of so many people filling the venue was both awe-inspiring and overwhelming. I had never experienced being in a place with such a large crowd surrounding me.

As the concert continued, the discomfort and heat grew, despite the smooth swaying of the tall trees that surrounded the venue.

"Now let us welcome The Pianistas!" the host announced loudly, standing confidently and smiling in the center of the expansive stage. As he made his exit, a group of aesthetically pleasing individuals made their entrance. Two of them held guitars, one took his place at the drum set, another at the keyboard, and one stood in front of the microphone.

I heard Steph tsk, prompting me to look at her. "I thought that group didn't make it through the audition," she whispered in my ear. She pouted, "Their music taste is so boring," she added.

"You're being mean, Steph," I chuckled. I found her really adorable whenever she pouted, but I never told her that. She doesn't like being called cute. In her opinion, the word "cute" was reserved for animals.

I disagreed with her on that, though.

Kammie and Nola weren't with us at the moment, as they had insisted on buying French fries from one of the food tents near the nursing building.

I simply shrugged my shoulders and allowed Steph to wrap her arms around me from behind. It had become her habit to hug me like this lately. We both turned our gaze towards the stage, and as the band startedp playing, I finally understood why Steph had described them as "kind of boring."

Their music lacked the energy and excitement that usually captivated nowadays generation. The melodies seemed predictable as well, and there wasn't much variation in their song choices. It didn't resonate with my personal taste, which leaned towards more dynamic and electrifying performance.

While their song choice may be seen as different or unfamiliar to some, I wouldn't go as far as calling their music boring. In fact, I can confidently say that they were undeniably talented with remarkable voices. It's possible that their style didn't resonate with everyone's personal taste, as it appeared that most people here preferred newer, more contemporary songs over the old-school selections. However, it was evident that these performers had honed their craft and possessed a great deal of skill. Despite not captivating me entirely, I couldn't deny their talent and ability to entertain the crowd.

Deep in my thoughts, I suddenly noticed a familiar figure walking in the vicinity. It was Tamer!, unmistakable with his back and the clothes I had washed countless times. Panic surged through me, threatening to overwhelm my senses. I couldn't risk being seen here, enjoying the show, knowing that Tamer had a tendency to report everything to Aunt Amanda. His loose lips were well-known.

Instinctively, I pulled up the hood of my hoodie, seeking solace and a shield from prying eyes. This small action caused Steph to readjust her position, sensing a change in my demeanor.

Concern painted across her face,"Are you cold?" I shook my head, mustering a smile. "Nope! Uh-not really. I just find it more comfortable with the hood up," I replied, attempting to mask my rising anxiety.

"Are you sure?"

Before I could even respond, my gaze shifted to someone else approaching Tamer—Jayson. It's Jayson! His distinct profile made it clear.

Of all the people who could approach our location at this moment, why did it have to be them?

Not wanting to burden Steph any further, especially after she had already taken on the responsibility of paying my fines, I didn't want to add to the trouble. Even though I didn't agree with her decision, it did offer some temporary relief. To be honest, I didn't have enough money to cover the fines in full. Half of my allowance had already been spent on transportation and other expenses, leaving me with too little to spare.