Blue Suede Dreams - An Elvis Presley Fanfiction

Chapter 1: The New Neighbor

The summer of 1954 in Memphis, Tennessee, was like any other: humid, with thick, warm air that clung to everything. The days seemed to stretch on forever, the heat shimmering in waves off the pavement. Sarah Beaumont had grown used to the relentless heat over the past few weeks, but she still wasn't used to much else. She had lived in Memphis for only a short time, after her father's job had relocated them from a small town in Mississippi. Everything here was bigger, busier, and noisier than what she was accustomed to. The move had left her feeling a bit disoriented, like a leaf caught in the wind, unsure of where it would land.

Sarah wasn't one to complain, though. At 17, she had learned to adapt to change, even if it wasn't easy. She was a quiet girl, more comfortable with her nose in a book than in social situations. Moving to a new place meant starting all over again, and she hadn't made any friends yet. Most of her days were spent helping her mother around the house or taking walks through the neighborhood. She found solace in the calm of the local park, where she could escape into the pages of her favorite novels and let her mind wander.

It was on one such day, during one of her usual afternoon walks, that something unusual caught Sarah's attention. As she meandered through the streets near her home, she heard music—a soft strumming of a guitar accompanied by a voice unlike any she had ever heard. The sound floated through the air, almost as if it were calling to her. Sarah paused, listening closely, the music pulling her toward its source.

The song was simple, yet there was something in the voice that made it feel larger than life. It wasn't just the melody; it was the emotion behind it, a raw, soulful quality that tugged at her heartstrings. The voice carried a certain vulnerability, but it was also confident, as if whoever was singing knew exactly what they were saying and why it mattered.

Curiosity piqued, Sarah followed the sound down the street, her steps quickening as the music grew louder. It led her to a small, modest house, not unlike her own. She hesitated for a moment at the edge of the yard, feeling slightly awkward about eavesdropping. The last thing she wanted was to be caught snooping, but something compelled her to stay. She glanced around, hoping no one would see her lingering there, and then cautiously stepped closer to the picket fence that bordered the yard.

The source of the music was sitting on the front porch. A young man, maybe just a couple of years older than her, sat with a guitar in his hands, strumming absentmindedly as he hummed to himself. His dark hair gleamed in the afternoon sunlight, slicked back in a way that made him look both polished and a little bit rebellious. He wore a simple white shirt and blue jeans, his shoes a pair of unmistakable blue suede. His gaze was focused intently on the guitar, as if the rest of the world didn't exist while he was playing.

Sarah's heart skipped a beat as she realized who she was looking at. She had seen him around the neighborhood before, and she had heard his name in passing—Elvis Presley. Her parents had even mentioned him once or twice, but she hadn't paid much attention. Now, standing there, watching him play, she couldn't help but feel an odd sense of recognition, as if she had known him all along without realizing it.

Before she could stop herself, Sarah leaned a little too far forward, her foot brushing against the fence and causing a slight rustle. Elvis's head snapped up, his deep blue eyes locking onto hers with a sudden intensity that made her breath catch in her throat. For a moment, they just stared at each other, frozen in place, as if the world had come to a standstill.

Then, to her surprise, Elvis smiled—a slow, easy grin that lit up his entire face. "Well, hey there," he said, his voice warm and inviting. "You lost, or are you just here to listen to some music?"

Sarah's face flushed a deep shade of red. She hadn't meant to be caught spying, and now she felt like a complete fool. "I-I'm sorry," she stammered, her words tumbling out awkwardly. "I didn't mean to bother you. I just... your music... it was really nice."

Elvis chuckled, a soft, low sound that sent a strange flutter through her chest. "Ain't no bother," he said, setting his guitar down beside him. "I'm glad you like it. You new around here? I haven't seen you before."

Sarah nodded, grateful that he didn't seem upset. "Yeah, we just moved in a few weeks ago. I'm still trying to get used to everything."

"Well, welcome to Memphis," he said, leaning back against the porch railing. "It takes a little gettin' used to, but once you do, it's a good place to be." He gestured toward the empty space beside him on the porch. "You wanna sit for a bit? I could play you another song if you'd like."

Sarah hesitated for a moment, but something about his easygoing demeanor made her feel at ease. She wasn't the kind of girl who usually made friends quickly, but there was something about Elvis that drew her in. Maybe it was his openness, or maybe it was the music that seemed to flow effortlessly from him. Whatever it was, she found herself stepping through the gate and walking toward the porch.

As she sat down beside him, Elvis picked up his guitar again, his fingers gently plucking at the strings. "So, what's your name?" he asked, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye.

"Sarah," she replied, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Sarah Beaumont."

"Nice to meet you, Sarah," Elvis said, his voice smooth as honey. He started playing a soft, melodic tune, the notes hanging in the air like a warm breeze. "You like music?"

"I do," Sarah said quietly. "I don't know much about it, but I like listening."

"That's all you need to know," Elvis said with a grin. "Music's about feelin', not knowin'. If it moves you, then it's doin' its job."

Sarah watched as his fingers moved across the strings with practiced ease. The music seemed to flow from him so naturally, as if it were a part of who he was. She found herself mesmerized by the way he played, the way his entire being seemed to be wrapped up in the song. It was clear to her, even in this brief moment, that music wasn't just a hobby for him—it was his passion, his dream.

As the song came to an end, Elvis looked over at her, his expression thoughtful. "You ever been to a live show?" he asked.

Sarah shook her head. "No, I haven't. I've never really had the chance."

"Well, you're in luck," he said, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "I'm playin' at a little club downtown this weekend. It ain't much, but the crowd's always lively. You should come check it out. I think you'd like it."

Sarah's heart skipped a beat at the thought of seeing him perform in front of a crowd. The idea of going to a club seemed so out of character for her, but something about Elvis made her want to step outside her comfort zone. "Maybe I will," she said, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

Elvis grinned, his eyes lighting up. "Good. I'll save you a seat up front."

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a golden glow over the porch, Sarah realized she had been sitting with Elvis for longer than she'd intended. The time had slipped away so effortlessly, the conversation and music wrapping around her like a warm blanket.

"I should probably get home," she said reluctantly, rising from the porch. "My mom's probably wondering where I am."

Elvis stood up as well, his guitar resting against the porch railing. "Well, it was nice meetin' you, Sarah. Don't be a stranger, okay?"

Sarah smiled, feeling a warmth in her chest that she hadn't expected. "I won't," she promised, heading back toward the gate. As she walked away, she glanced over her shoulder to see Elvis watching her, his smile still lingering on his lips.

As she made her way home, Sarah couldn't help but feel like something had shifted inside her. She wasn't sure what it was, but she knew one thing for certain—this was the beginning of something, and whatever it was, it felt like the start of a song she couldn't wait to hear unfold.