Always [Editing]

Always-Chapter 8

It was just a few days before the audition of X-Factor. I was as nervous as you were. Or perhaps, even worse. I feared that the audience might jeer at you. And afterwards, instead of having a perfect birthday present for your mother, you would get nothing but pure disappointment and not believe in yourself anymore.

But knowing I would be the one that you reply on, sometimes even more that your own sister, I had to stay positive.

"If you are to sing in front of that many audience," I avoided telling you there would be thousands of them, including the ones that were behind the TV, "you will have to sing it in front of our friends first."

Your brows furrowed above your soft green eyes, they stared uncertainly back at me.

Somehow, Percy, Jane and Wesley had also become part of your small social circle. I didn't think your family knew about them (except for Jane of course), or else they would have seriously doubted my supposedly bad influence on you.

It was after school, I found you by the school gate as promised and took you inside, walking towards a music room quietly in the silently corridor. Pushing the door open, we were welcomed by the small group of people messing around in the room.

"hey, Harry," Percy greeted with a grin. Wesley smiled with a nod. Despite this man-whore here had a crush on my boyfriend, I returned it with an even bigger one. My heart was humming with excitement as I longed to hear you sing again.

"Oh, guys. Guess what? I think I can actually play the piano for Harry," Jane suggested helpfully and she settled in front of the grand piano.

That bought a beam on my face. I gazed up at you quickly, and catching the frown under your curls. "I'm not sure if I'm good enough..."you muttered but I didn't let you finish. Standing on tip toes, I pecked on your cheek.

"You're the best singer I've ever met, Harry. Believe in yourself," I told you with genuine sincerity. A hint of smile hung on your lips. Glancing back, I caught our friends smiling at us, including Wesley.

"You're singing Isn't She Lovely, right?" asked Jane, whom stretched her arms and rolled up her sleeves determinedly. Besides me, you gulped and held onto my hand tighter. Jane simply took that as a yes and worked her delicate fingers across the keyboards.

The introduction slowly filled the room. My heart softened at the melody, then pecked up again when you began to sing.

Isn't she lovely
Isn't she wonderful
Isn't she precious
Less than one minute old
I never thought through love we'd be
Making one as lovely as she
But isn't she lovely made from love

Everyone seemed to hold their breaths. Percy moved silently next to Jane, joining her in front of the piano. Wesley sank further into his seat, his eyes gazing into distance. I glanced up at you, watching you concentrate as you sang along to Jane's piano.

Exhaling deeply, I leaned onto you and wrapped my arms around your waist. I'd expected you to freeze and mess the song up. But instead, you put a comforting hand on the small on my back and finished you song.

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On the day of your audition, I sat in the living room at my house, my eyes never leaving the TV screen once. I knew Percy and Wesley were doing the same too. Because every five minutes or something they would text me at the same time, asking why on earth you're not on stage yet.

My hands balled into fists as I stared on. How I wished I could be at your side. But your family wanted to go with you for the audition. And since the incident of your fight with Wesley, I could tell your parents and Gemma wouldn't want me to be there for your big day. That did hurt quite a lot. But I didn't want you to pick fight with your family. So here I was, sitting on the sofa and jumping cautiously whenever Wesley texted me.

Why isn't he on yet?-Wes

Bloody hell, just give me a break! I'm as nervous as you are. -K

I don't think I can do this. THE WAITING IS KILLING ME. -Wes

I looked back up at the TV, oblivious to what the host was singing as my mind processed Wesley's words. If he couldn't do this, the waiting bit, then how would you go onto the stage and perform?

I nudged my arm painfully, squinting and making sure I could get rid of those thoughts as soon as possible.

My phone beeped again. I sighed, expecting to see another message from Wesley. Instead, it was from Jane.

He's up next. -Jane

I gaped, straightening up and particularly sitting right on the edge of the sofa. Thank God my parents weren't at home, or else I would have looked like a nutter to them. The spot next to me shifted. And glancing up, I saw my brother Jacob. I avoided his eyes immediately and focused onto the show. Nothing could possibly distract me now.

"Is that the boy from next day?" Jacob gasped once you walked onto the stage. My jaw hung a bit loose as I stared at you. A tiny hint of smile lit up your face. It was almost unbelievable to see you being so confident on stage. What happened back stage? What made you look so unfazed?

Then, as the same song fell upon your lips, my brother and I were silent by the beauty of it. Of course, as everyone had predicted, the audiences were dead crazy about you. The judges loved you and everyone stood and clapped.

"He's good. Really good," Jacob commented. I stared straight at the scene, feeling the moist on my cheeks.

My phone beeped again. Another message from Jane.

That song is dedicated to the two girls that he loves, according to Harry himself. I want to send you what he just said to me so badly but he'd get mad if I did so. He wanted to tell you himself.x  -Jane

 The silence from Jacob didn't stop me from crying, and your text after Jane's only made things worse. I read your message, feeling the heat and wetness on my cheeks. I was so proud of you, wanted show you to the whole world, wanted you to be your true and talented self.

And after just a year, you did. You became what I thought you'd be and as successful as it could be. But perhaps on the day of your performance, I had already suspected it, smelled it in the light atmosphere. The following road of yours might be as bright as it had seemed. But would it be the key to our new future or separate paths?

I stared down at my phone again, reading your words over and over again:

You are the reason I put on a smile on the stage. -Harry