Deer in the Headlights

Part 65 - Owatonna Primary School

[Brielle's POV]

The excited squeaks and whispers of children made me smile as I gazed in on the assembly hall; however my nerves soon kicked me in the throat as I saw a packed hall of probably over 100 pupils. All under the age of 11, but still an incredibly daunting audience. Rather subconsciously I began to shiver as I tore my gaze away from the room and stared off down the corridor I was stood in with Adam, both of us waiting for the assembly talk to end where we would be cued in and begin to play Fireflies.

Adam took my hand in his. Forcing our eyes to meet as he gave me a reassuring smile. His hazel brown eyes instilling in me a measure of confidence as he continued to look at me for another few hushed moments.

“It’ll be alright Bri.” He whispered soothingly with an unusually deep voice. It took me a moment to realise he was nervous too, the subtle trembles of his hand in mine serving to prove he was feeling the same excitement as I was.

Which was slightly weird to think, seeing as he’d played for crowds of thousands before.

I disregarded that thought though as I forced out a smile for him, trying my best to look as believably relaxed as possible. I wasn’t entirely sure if he bought it. But nevertheless he still smiled broadly and continued holding my hand with a firm grip.

“Just like old times eh?” I muttered as we both looked in on the hall, listening to the morning prayer that was being given for the day; the sweet little routine stirring up old dusty memories of our own time at the primary school.

“Yeah...Crazy how time’s gone.” Adam replied with a distant voice.

I looked up at him and smiled as I saw how far away he was, either absorbing himself in the same memories as I was or getting himself into the music zone, I couldn’t really tell. But it was obvious he was long gone in his thoughts.

However that changed in a snap as Joan walked in, flashing us a kind smile as she saw us.

“Hey you two. The assembly’s almost over, I’ll be going up in a second to give a little speech and then introduce you both.” She whispered as she looked fondly at us both. I smiled as I saw the love in her eyes, gripping Adams hand tighter as the reality of the situation soon dawned on me. He grinned and our eyes locked for a brief second before he looked back at his mum. “Sounds good.” He mumbled.

Joan smiled again and nodded her head in a sharp manner.

“Alright, well I wish you two a good time; I’m sure you’ll both be amazing.”

At that me and Adam both blushed warmly, a combination of her knowing smile and the way she’d indicated us both together was a sure fire way to set the heat rising to our cheeks.

“Oh yes! Before I forget, would you be willing to maybe answer a few questions for the children at the end of the performance? I’m not sure if there will be any but just in case.” Joan added hastily.

Adam looked across at me, his eyes seeming to be asking if it was ok. Without a second thought I smiled, consenting to his question without fuss or care.

“Sure.” He replied simply as he looked back at Joan. His eyes now appearing to sparkle with life as she nodded and gave us another smile before walking back into the hall without another word. Immediately Adam clocked eyes with me and pulled a stupid excited face as he took my other hand in his and squeezed them gently.

“You excited Bri?” He asked with evident delight in his husky voice.

I nodded and flashed him a genuinely excited smile as I found my words few and far between. Adam grinned regardless and looked away into the hall, his hands casually slipping out of mine so he could hold me tightly against his chest in a deeply reassuring hug. I knew he could still sense I was nervous by the way he held me so firmly, nothing but pure love passing between us in those few blissful moments together.