Every Step of the Way

Chapter Eight

That night, at the Kingdom Karaoke, Varian was enjoying himself.

Cass smiled at him, enjoying seeing him so at ease, tapping his feet and fingers, humming along.

And then he surprised her- and even himself- by standing up and tapping the microphone.

"Hey, um, excuse me," he stuttered quietly, "I've got a song. I actually just wrote this, so, y'know, there's no official tune you can play for it. But... well, I just wanted to sing it."

Someone ran up to him and handed him a guitar. "Will this maybe help?"

"Yeah, actually... thanks."

He took the guitar and made sure it was tuned before playing out his tune. (Indeed, he had written out the chords for the song.)

"Here I am, heart's on my sleeve; I can hardly breathe without you. You're right here, right beside me, and yet you seem so far away... I try to describe you, but words will deny you; who you are. And words don't define you, you are always mine- you're like a shining star. You're fun, you're kind, you've got a brilliant mind. You are everything and more. You're pretty, you're witty, you're what I'm looking for, and I can't help but feeling that you are more, yes, you are more..."

Cassandra knew that the song was hers, that he had, for whatever reason, written this song with her on his mind.

"Oh oh oh, oh oh oh, oh oh oh, yes, you are more, you are more..."

She smiled, ready to applaud, but he continued on.

"There you are, love of my heart; the only thing I see is you. You know how much you mean to me- why do you keep ignoring? I promise I'll come through. I try to describe you but words will deny you and who you are. No words can define you, you're always mine, you're like a shining star!"

He went through the chorus once again before he stopped strumming and sang quietly, "mistakes will be made, memories will fade 'til they're nothing at all. But I am always by your side, I will help provide; in every choice, I'll let your voice be my guide... because you are, you are, oh yeah, you are what I'm looking for. You know, you know there are more things in store. You are, you are, oh yeah, you are what I'm looking for..."

He started on the guitar, belting out the chorus two more times before stopping.

There was silence before the entire audience erupted in cheers and applause.

Varian smiled and retook his seat beside Cassie.

"Varian, that... that was amazing!"

"Thanks. I, um, I wrote it... for you?"

"Was that a question?" she laughed at him.

"Um, maybe?"

She laughed even harder, smiling at him. She then noticed how red he had gone, and gently reached out to take his hand in hers.

"Thank you, Varian. I mean it."

Nobody had ever written her a song before, let alone one they showcased to an entire audience- one that the audience loved.

"Where did you get the inspiration?"

"Well, I, um, I was just sitting, writing when the first sentence came to me. I wrote it down and realized how fun it would be in a song, you know?"

"It was amazing, Var," she smiled, and he smiled back at her, "again, thank you."

She quickly stood up, excusing herself temporarily.

She leaned down on her way out and surprised herself by kissing Varian's cheek.