As the talent show began, I slipped into the auditorium and silently found a seat at the back, hoping to stay out of sight until it was my turn. The stage lights were bright, casting a warm glow on the performers. The audience's excitement was palpable, a mix of hushed whispers and occasional bursts of applause.
Suddenly, I heard a name called over the loudspeaker. My insides churned, nerves twisting into a tight knot.
Dean's name was announced, and all eyes turned to the stage.
Dean stepped up, looking a bit nervous. He gulped, closed his eyes for a moment, then started singing. His voice was clear and strong, and I couldn't help but notice how good he was, even if I didn't want to fully admit it. He hit the notes kinda well, and the audience seemed impressed.
As he finished, the crowd erupted into applause. Dean looked relieved, flashing a quick smile before stepping off the stage.
I clapped along with everyone else, a mix of admiration and nervous anticipation churning inside me. My turn was coming up, and seeing Dean up there had given me a strange mix of confidence and anxiety.
As Dean left the stage, he flashed a quick smile and mouthed, "All the best," to me. I felt a wave of anxiety crash over me. My turn was next.
But then, a strange thing happened. The crowd started to thin out. Students and their friends filtered out of the auditorium, leaving behind only a few dedicated parents and the judges. The energy in the room shifted, and the daunting reality of performing in front of a nearly empty audience hit me.
The announcer called my name, and my stomach flipped. I took a deep breath and walked onto the stage, trying to steady my shaking hands.
This was my moment.
I started singing, my voice carrying through the auditorium. I could feel the notes flowing smoothly, and for a moment, I was lost in the music. Halfway through the song, I closed my eyes, trying to connect with the emotions of the lyrics.
When I opened them again, I saw my mom and sister sitting in the back. Their unexpected presence threw me off balance. My mind went blank, and I fumbled over the next line, losing track of the song. Panic set in, and I could feel my heart racing.
I couldn't see Dean anywhere, and it made me feel even more alone on that stage. I tried to keep going, but my mind was a whirl of missed lyrics and offbeat notes. Somehow, I managed to get back on track, singing the melody as best as I could. The lyrics were a jumbled mess, but I stuck to the tune, hoping it would be enough.
By the time I finished, I felt like I had just survived a storm. There was a smattering of polite applause from the remaining audience, and I quickly exited the stage, my face burning with embarrassment.
Backstage, I leaned against the wall, trying to calm my racing heart. The disappointment was overwhelming, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I had let everyone down, especially myself.
Just then, my phone buzzed with a text from Viola. "How was it? Is it over"
I sighed, feeling a mix of disappointment and relief that it was over. With trembling fingers, I typed out a response. "Not my best. I messed up a bit. Dean was amazing."
Viola's reply came quickly. "You're too hard on yourself, Glow. What happened? Are you alright?"
X
After my performance at the talent show, emotions swirled within me like a turbulent storm. The auditorium had thinned out, leaving behind only a handful of spectators. Among them was my mom, her presence offering both comfort and a reminder of the expectations I hadn't met.
"I'm sorry," I murmured as I approached her. "It didn't go as planned."
"It's okay, sweetheart," she reassured me with a gentle smile. "It was a surprise, but surprises don't always go the way we expect. I'm still proud of you."
Her words soothed some of the disappointment I felt in myself. Just as we were exchanging these reassuring words, I caught a glimpse of Dean through the window. He was outside with his friends looking lost in thought.
"Wait a sec, Mom," I said suddenly, surprising her. Without another word, I turned and dashed out of the auditorium, leaving my mom with a bewildered expression.
Outside, I hurried towards Dean, who turned to see me approaching. His expression was a mixture of surprise and curiosity as I drew near.
"Hey," I panted slightly, trying to catch my breath from the sudden sprint. "You left. Well. Just leave that. Did you, uh, happen to catch my song?" I blurted out awkwardly, feeling a flush of embarrassment rise to my cheeks. The weight of his opinion felt heavier than the judging eyes of the audience.
Dean glanced at his friends briefly as few girls dared to speak to him so casually, especially outside of his usual circle. "I couldn't hear it all, had to dash. But from what I caught, it was good," he replied, a gentle smile softening his features.
His words were reassuring, and I felt a small wave of relief wash over me. Maybe my performance wasn't as disastrous as I feared.
Just then, my mom approached, ready to whisk me away. I could see the post-mortem interrogation looming in her eyes, but I tried to keep it together, especially in front of Dean.
"Mom, this is Dean," I introduced awkwardly, hoping to deflect any probing questions for the moment.
Dean greeted her warmly, sensing my discomfort. "Nice to meet you, Mrs...?"
YOU ARE READING
A Love that was never
Teen Fiction"They said we were enemies. But in truth, I was in love with you. And I think secretly, you were in love with me too." "You need two hands for that?" "It's too big" He smirks at me. "Not againn. I need two hands to fill water in my bottle from the f...
