A Walk Apart (Episode 4: All In)

Chapter Eleven

This is...interesting, Brie thought as 1C Will sang—more like recited—Daylight's "Echo" on the Open Mic stage in the Green Tea Lounge. He clutched the mic with both hands and swayed to the acoustic instrumental punctuating the words with passionate gestures and dramatic inflections. It was kind of poetic.

Most of the audience members gave each other unified frowns, not quite sure what they were witnessing. A rowdy group in the center clapped and cheered Will on, which ignited him even more. Sitting front row on the couch, Madison squeezed her lips, her eyes narrowed, probably concentrating really hard on not laughing. Beside her, Nathan's hand covered his mouth as he watched with a mixture of interest and confusion.

To Brie's left, Simon laughed in his glass of tea while trying not to do a spit-take. And to her left, Ashlee scanned the room like an oscillating fan missing everything. "You know, if you keep looking for him, sooner or later he's going to show up." Him as in Jared. Ashlee told her about their talk, thanks to Simon who blabbed her whereabouts. Brie thought that would have been the end of Ashlee's game of hide-and-seek, but it looked like they were on to round two.

"...Tell me who I am. To you."

Will closed his eyes and slowly drew his hand down his face as if he were ending a scene. She almost lost it.

Ashlee redirected her focus to Will who was now swiping his pointer finger across the span of the lounge. "I'm just trying to avoid another awkward conversation."

Simon looked over their heads at the entrance. "And the awkwardness just walked through the door." He glanced away and took another sip of his drink, making it clear that he was staying out of this one.

Ashlee spotted Jared just as he bypassed the bar. She quickly turned her head before they made eye contact and watched Will pretend to hear echoes from his microphone. The elevator conversation hadn't done any good. If anything, it made things worse. She used to be so happy when she was with Jared, even when she was just talking about him until one mistake tore them apart. As much as Brie wanted to blame Jared for everything, he wasn't the one who wanted to end their friendship. She couldn't blame Ashlee. If Simon wound up dating someone else, she wouldn't stick around to watch. Maybe this was for the best.

Will's performance faded to a close with shouts from his friends and polite applause from everyone else. He gave a theatrical bow and walked off as Mr. Santora took the stage. "Thank you, Will. That rendition will be stuck in my head for a very long time." Will saluted him before taking a seat. "Before we move on, allow me to introduce our guest judges for tonight, Daylight's Madison and Nathan."

Brie cheered along wit the crowd as Nathan lifted a hand with a coy smile and Madison formed a heart with her fingers.

"What do you guys think of the show so far?" Mr. Santora asked.

"Amazing." Maddie turned to Nathan for his response.

Nathan smirked. "Mind blowing."

Brie's thoughts exactly. She turned her head and found Adam in the back leaning against the wall. Was he performing?

"Alright, let's keep this show rolling. Who's up next?"

Brie's heartbeat accelerated and her fingers trembled as soon as the thought flashed across her mind. This was her chance. She'd never know if she didn't go for it. If Adam could face his fears and put himself out there, so could she. What did she have to lose? Am I doing this? I think I'm doing this. She took a really deep breath and allowed her feet to take her to the stage.

Simon followed her with his eyes. "What are you doing...?"

She smiled at him, uncertain but determined. "Dreaming big."

"Give it up for Brie Oliver, everyone." Mr. Santora led them into a round of applause.

"Yeah, Brie," Ashlee shouted. She grinned and clapped high above her head as if her worries blinked away. Brie's attempt at pretending she had the slightest chance of winning this contest was a good distraction. She didn't even like singing in the shower in fear that her voice would carry and the neighbors would laugh at her. Needless to say, being a pop star never crossed her mind. But if she wanted to find herself, why not start here?

She walked up the stairs to the stage and Santora handed her the mic. It was heavier than she expected. She whispered her song choice in his ear and he relayed it to the band members who nodded. She blew out her nerves and shook out her arms. Here we go. The band played and she opened her lips and sang.

"Is it me? Or do you smile like that for everyone?"

Her voice sounded shaky as she tried to hit the notes, but seeing all of the people watching didn't help. Until they started clapping and dancing along, encouraging her. She could do this. Just pretend as if she were in her bedroom performing on her bed alone. She found Simon's face in the crowd. He looked proud and stunned that she actually had the courage to get up there. He handed his cup to Ashlee and braced himself. He broke through the crowd and made his way up to joiner. Santora handed him a mic and Simon stood by Brie's side singing right to her. She smiled, hoping no one could see her blush under the lights. He was amazing. Even as he flubbed the words. As the song played on, she no longer cared if she was making a fool of herself. She was having the time of her life.

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Who else will take the stage at Open Mic Night? Stay tuned!

-Love, Charly