The Devils King

15

We stand backstage, facing the crowd that we could see as Tara performed her song. I didn't even know the name of it nor did I care. I was too worried about the fact that I was going out on stage in just a few seconds, about to sing with Aleigha as Ace plays guitar.

I was so not prepared for this.

At.All.

I feel a hand slap down on my shoulder and I jump, shivers rippling over my spine.

"You'll do fine, M. Chill," Ace says somewhat warmingly. I look up at him and wonder what was going through his mind. What he was going to do after all this. What I was going to do after all of this.

Ace huffs and raises one eyebrow at me. As I looked closer, it seemed to have a scar down the middle of it, leaving just skin.

"So now you're staring? Want a picture?" I roll my eyes and look away, out on stage where Tara finishes off her solo.

"As if. Just nervous."

"So staring at me makes you feel better?" I throw my elbow back into his chest and he grunts. "No but that does."

"You guys ready?" A teacher asked us. She was helping run everything tonight. I assumed she probably made sure everyone knew when they were going on and pushed them onstage. Mainly because that's what she was doing to us.

"No." Me and Aleigha both said at the same time. Ace walked in between us and threw one arm around each of our shoulders and smirked at the teacher.

"Hell yes." Ace exclaims, pushing us out on stage. The principal once again introduced Ace and Aleigha as we walked on, then he added my name along with it. Everyone stared as we made our way to center stage. I looked over to Aleigha, who was still a nervous wreck.

Come on, Maddie... you're supposed to be out here for Aleigha... So act like it...

I sigh, taking a deep breath to calm my nerves like I used to do before football and basketball games. I reach down and grab her hand. She looks over with her wide eyes staring right at me. Then smiles. I smile back the best I can. "We can do this, Lee." I whisper. She nods at me, and once we reach center stage, we look out to the crowd. Ace takes a seat.

"Hey," Ace yell whispers. I spin around my head to look at him. He nods at me and gives me the smallest smile, but it still made my stomach churn. "Y'all got this."

I nodded back, as a smile forced it's way onto my face. I turn away before he can see and give myself convincing pep talk.

Come on Maddie you can do this, you got this, it'll be okay. Just three minutes.

Ace starts strumming and before too long, me and Aleigha starting singing.

"When I was younger
I saw my daddy cry...
And curse at the wind
He broke his own heart
And I watched
As he tried to reassemble it

And my momma swore
That she would never let herself forget
And that was the day that I promised
I'd never sing of love
If it does not exist, but darlin'

You are, the only exception
You are, the only exception
You are, the only exception
You are, the only exception

Maybe I know, somewhere
Deep in my soul
That love never lasts
And we've got to find other ways
To make it alone
But keep a straight face,"

I hear Aces strumming get louder and look over to see Ace now standing beside me. He looks happy. He looks like he is actually happy for once and not worried about the Devils or his dad. He looked... carefree.

I just wish he could always be like this.

"And I've always lived like this
Keeping a comfortable, distance
And up until now
I had sworn to myself that I'm content
With loneliness