PATIENT LOVE

Chapter one

"As you all know tonight is karaoke night!" I hear the host shout into the mic in his hand.

"Everyone is welcome to sing, just come on up."

His eyes search the crowd but finding no hand raised.

"Oh, come on guys! How about the birthday girl?" he says. All of a sudden a table of three girls all point to their friend with red hair.

"I knew it was someone's birthday tonight, come on up." He says.

She looks hesitant but slowly rises from her seat, leaving behind her friends.

"What's your name gorgeous?"

"Madelyn." She says into the mic.

"And how old are you tonight?" he questions her.

"Twenty," she smiles.

"Madelyn everybody!" the host shouts causing cheers to erupt.

She looks incredibly nervous up on the stage as she closes her eyes for a brief moment. When she opens her eyes she smiles as her friends from her table all yell out her name, cheering her on.

The room falls silent as her small fingers begin to move on the piano. Her eyes are once again closed, but she is still able to play.

The sweet sound of her voice fills the entire room as everyone including myself becomes transfixed by her voice. I can't take my eyes off of her. I notice everything. How well she plays the piano, how the sound of her voice sends goosebumps to my skin, how her lips form the words.

She opens her eyes after the second verse, seemingly becoming more comfortable singing as the crowd obviously adores her.

The stage lights hit her face in a way that lightens up her eyes and I can't help but be enraptured by her hazel eyes. Those simple hazel eyes that have struck me speechless as her eyes settle onto my own for a moment before it moves to some other person.

"And three words on the tip of my tongue

Not to be spoken nor sung

Or whispered to anyone

Til I scream them at the top of my lungs again," Madelyn sings.

All that is running through my mind at the moment of these breathtaking 3 or so minutes is that this girl is beautiful and I want to know her. I need to know her.

The melody begins to slow down, signaling the end of the song.

The second the song ends, the entire restaurant applauses her performance. She smiles humbly at them and makes her way back to her friends. All of who congratulate her.

I know that I am staring at her for too long as she turns in my direction over by the table I occupy; probably sensing that someone was staring at her.

She smiles at me before returning her attention to the blonde and brunette.

"Harry!" I hear the sound of my name. I reluctantly tear my eyes away from Madelyn to then be greeted by the blues eyes belonging to Jess.

She beams at me and greets me with a kiss. My hand goes to cup her face. When we pull back we're both smiling at one another.

"Sorry I'm late, what did I miss?"

"A couple of performances," I tell her.

She then begins to divulge on her day and her reasoning for being late.