Strumming Chords For You

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I let out a yelp as strong arms pick me up from behind. I start kicking the figure's legs until I hear someone whisper,

"Chill out, Alice." The arms release their grip of me.

I turn around and slap Grayson. "What the hell?!" I ask.

He holds his cheek, probably by the shock instead of the sting. "Sorry, geez."

"I thought you were trying to kidnap me. Don't do that!"

"Sorry!"

"God, you're stupid." I pinch the bridge of my nose and sigh.

"No I'm not."

"Why did you even come to me anyway?"

"I need your help on math."

"See? You are stupid." I break into a smile.

"Yeah, whatever... now come help me!" Grayson suddenly grabs my hand and runs off into the direction of his apartment.

We sit on the couch and he grabs his math notes and his sheet for homework. "So... that part. It's confusing." He holds up his notebook, flipping through the few filled pages.

I laugh and grab the book from his hands. "It's not that hard."

He scoots closer to me, his hand placed on my thigh, making me roll my eyes.

"So, you do that, then... wait. You took the wrong notes!! You just wrote the stupid words!"

"Oh?"

I put my finger on the paper. "After two words of math, you drifted off into 'I love Alice, she's sooo pretty. I want to marry her. She's the best. I've only known her for a month now, but I know someday we'll have three kids and a big house. She's the best musician ever and-" Grayson interrupts me by grabbing the book.

"Wrong page!" He says, and I laugh.

I help him for the next two hours, yet he still doesn't understand.

"I need to practice for our concert tomorrow night. I can't help you with what you're so dumb with!" I say, starting to get frustrated.

"Okay, I'll just get some help from Kate." He sighs, closing the book.

I raise an eyebrow. "Kate?"

"This girl in my science class. She's really smart and pretty and nice."

"Oh. Well, cool. Tell her I said good luck." I stand up and head to the door.

"Hey, Alice?"

I turn around and smile. "Yeah?"

"I, uh... what... time is your concert?" He asks with hesitation, obviously having something else in mind but changed.

"6:30."

"I'll be there. Sing pretty."

I giggle. "I will." I walk out and back to the dorm then lie on my bed, all with a dorky grin on my face.

-🎼-🎼-🎼-🎼-🎼-🎼-

I adjust my black, long sleeves shirt and skirt as I look in the mirror. Celia helped me do my hair into curls and also let me borrow her black high heels.

"I'll be out in the crowd, cheering you on."

I smile. "Thanks." She gives me a hug, then walks behind the curtain and out onto the awaiting seats.

"And next," The professor, Mr.Stewart, says. "We've a freshman, Alice Caper, who will be singing for you Who Says by Selena Gomez." He then walks off the stage, sending me the sign that's it my turn.

I walk on, tightly gripping the neck of my guitar. I stand in front of the microphone and feel a smile creeping onto my lips as I see Grayson, then start strumming.

"I wouldn't wanna be anybody else.
You made me insecure
Told me I wasn't good enough
But who are you to judge
When you're a diamond in the rough
I'm sure you got some things
You'd like to change about yourself
But when it comes to me
I wouldn't want to be anybody else
Na na na
Na na na
Na na na
Na na na
I'm no beauty queen
I'm just beautiful me
Na na na
Na na na
You've got every right
To a beautiful life
C'mon
Who says
Who says you're not perfect
Who says you're not worth it
Who says you're the only one that's hurting
Trust me
That's the price of beauty
Who says you're not pretty
Who says you're not beautiful
Who says
It's such a funny thing
How nothing's funny when it's you
You tell 'em what you mean
But they keep whiting out the truth
It's like a work of art
That never gets to see the light
Keep you beneath the stars
Won't let you touch the sky
Na na na
Na na na
Na na na
Na na na
I'm no beauty queen
I'm just beautiful me
Na na na
Na na na
You've got every right
To a beautiful life
C'mon
Who says
Who says you're not perfect
Who says you're not worth it
Who says you're the only one that's hurting
Trust me
That's the price of beauty
Who says you're not pretty
Who says you're not beautiful
Who says
Who says
Who says you're not star potential
Who says you're not presidential
Who says you can't be in movies
Listen to me, listen to me
Who says you don't pass the test
Who says you can't be the best
Who said, who said
Would you tell me who said that
Yeah, oh
Who says
Who says
Who says you're not perfect
Who says you're not worth it
Who says you're the only one that's hurting
Trust me
That's the price of beauty
Who says you're not pretty
Who says you're not beautiful
Who says
Who says
Who says you're not perfect
Who says you're not worth it
Who says you're the only one that's hurting
Trust me
That's the price of beauty
Who says you're not pretty
Who says you're not beautiful
Who says."

I release a large breath I didn't realize I was holding once the applause starts. I hear Grayson holler, causing me to laugh. I bow, then walk off stage.

"I'm gonna pass out." I giggle to Celia once the concert has ended.

"Why?" She questions. "You did amazing!"

"I was so scared!"

"You were still amazing." Says a voice behind us. I immediately recognize the dork himself.

I turn around and smile. "Hey. You came, so I see."

"Yep." Grayson pulls out a bouquet of lilies from behind his back. "For you."

My smile grows at the kind gesture. "Thanks, G."

"Awwwwww!" Yells Celia from behind us. I throw a glare at her. "What's the name... Grayson... Alice..." Her eyes light up. "Grace!!"

I roll my eyes and adjust my guitar case strap. "Shut up." I turn back to Grayson. "See you tomorrow. Thanks for the flowers."

"No problem." He winks then we both head our separate ways, Celia gushing about how cute we are all the way back.