more for us | grayson dolan (book two)

twenty two

"Okay, one more time. Let's run through the first half of the song and then tomorrow we can pick up the rest." Carter's strong voice fills the auditorium as I glance around the stage.

The Juilliard choir is filled with about thirty students - a good mix of male and female. They were super excited when my partner asked them to contribute to our performance. Rehearsing with them today has been exhilarating. Their voices sound so beautiful, it makes me wish I was a singer.

"Everybody get in position." Andrew tells his band while picking his guitar back up.

"Stella, you ready?" Carter asks me while placing his microphone back on the stand.

"Yup, are you?" I nod my head and place my fingers on the keys.

"Yes, whenever you're ready." He instructs.

I inhale a deep breath and press on the first note. That one starting note is all we need to begin the song.

"Can-" Is the one little word Carter sings before the beautiful choir chimes in.

"Anybody find me somebody to love." The powerful voices sing in unison, standing behind Carter.

There's a few seconds of silence before I begin playing the next few notes, feeling my heart rate increase. Carter lightly starts to hum, before opening his mouth again. The drummer in Andrew's band hits on the drum set, causing the tempo to sound perfect.

"Each morning I get up I die a little, can barely stand on my feet." Fuck, every time Carter sings, I get goosebumps on my skin. He's that good.

"Take a look at yourself in the mirror and cry, yeah yeah." The choir echoes his lyrics, which sounds perfect. I'm so happy I thought of that idea. Honestly, you can't sing this song without a choir.

"I have spend all my years in believing you, but I just can't get no relief, Lord!" Carter sings along with them, making the most mesmerizing sound.

"Somebody."

"Somebody." The choir echoes, which is my favorite part.

"Ooh somebody. Can anybody find me. Somebody to love." Carter proudly sings the words.

My hands quickly hit on the keys while my eyes look up to the notes, making sure I don't mess any of them up. Andrew's band keeps up the pace with me, which is a good sign.

As the song continues, Carter belts out the words. His higher octave is captivating, especially when he holds out the longer notes. I can't help but bob my head up and down as my body slightly jams out to the song. It's one of my favorites, I'm so happy that we're actually playing it.

By the time the second chorus hits, everyone is in perfect pitch. This round of rehearsal is already a lot stronger and more powerful than the last one. Practice seriously makes perfect, and we've been practicing all damn day.

Andrew comes in with his guitar solo, and my eyes shoot up to look at him. A wide smile is on his face as Carter picks back up with the lyrics.

When we approach the part we usually stop, Carter's voice lowers and the band eventually comes to a halt.

"Uh, can I help you?" I hear my partner call out while I stare at the music notes.

"Sorry, I just have a major crush on the pianist. I wanted to get her number."

My head snaps to the right, allowing a small gasp to escape my lips. Grayson is sitting in the back of the auditorium, with a happy smile on his face.

"Oh my god." I jump up from my seat in front of the piano and immediately rush off stage.

Grayson lets out a laugh as he stands up and walks toward me. "Get back up there, I didn't mean to interrupt you."