Spotlight on Nobody

- 4 -

~ song: Sit Next to Me by Foster the People ~

The flashing lights catch the glint off my disco-ball-dress as I jump around to the final song. Ella grabs my hand and I twirl under her, laughing and screaming the lyrics to "Ruby." I'm passed between my friends like a hot potato, Parker dipping me like a princess, Grace and I booty-bumping. I'm filled with a warmth – relief that I pulled this off, happiness to be able to share this moment with my best friends in the whole world, the rush that comes with dancing so freely. It's the stuff I get lost in.

The song comes to a close and the thousands of students that ring the amphitheater cheer so loud I can't hear anything at all. Out of breath, I run (or try to in my heels) up the stairs to the stage and grab a mic from Ross.

"Leo Griffiths everyone!" I scream. The crowd goes wild again, and this time I'm nearly knocked backwards from the deafening noise. It must be incredible to experience this feeling every night, every time people see you. I have to wait another two minutes before I can even be heard through the mic again. I turn to Leo.

"From the bottom of our hearts, we all thank you so much for making this concert unforgettable." He smiles, and I'm almost knocked down again. Get it together Nell. I scramble to remember what I was saying. "Uh, one more time for the most talented guy on our campus right now!"

This time, the cheers quickly turn to cheers for an encore, and I find myself screaming along with the other 10,000 voices. I realize I'm still on stage and still holding a mike, so I quickly walk off and watch from the wings. Turning around to his band, Leo makes some quick gestures and turns back to the mic.

"I'm going to play you guys my favorite song. I met someone today who not only reminded me of the song, but why I love it so much, so I thought I'd share it with all of you. Thanks again for having me."

As the latest round of cheering dies down, he picks up the red ruby guitar I tuned earlier and begins to pluck out a melody. Only when Ross taps my shoulder with raised eyebrows do I realize what song he's playing. "Blackbird" by the Beatles. The song I played earlier. He was talking about me. At that moment, he turns slightly and finds me in the wings.

"All your life

You were only waiting for this moment to be free."

I break eye contact and turn my face down, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. I'm so confused. Is Leo Griffiths flirting with me on stage in front of my entire school? I laugh a little to myself. There is no way on God's green Earth that that is what is going on right now. I just reminded him of a song because I played it earlier. If Ross had been the one playing it, I'm sure Leo still would have said the same thing.

When I look back up, he's facing the crowd again, eyes closed, the same way he played it earlier. I watch him as he plays the last verse. For the hundredth time tonight, I can't help gawk at how beautiful he is. But now I am more focused on how lost he gets in the music. He reminds me of my mom right now, so overcome with the song that he seems to forget he's in front of a huge crowd of people.

Leaning over to me, Ross whispers "he looks like you when you perform." I smile at him and shake my head. I hate it when my friends call it performing; it's just me sitting on my bed playing them songs at 1 am. Nothing like what we're watching right now.

The last note rings out and the stage lights shut off one by one, leaving one spotlight lingering on Leo for just a moment. He takes a small bow and the last light shuts off, leaving the stage in darkness. I can't see anything and the roar of the crowd muffles out all other noises, so I'm left standing senseless on the edge of the stage. Suddenly a flashlight flickers on next to me and for the third time today, Leo Griffiths takes me by surprise. I gasp, but before I can say anything he grabs my hand and pulls me along with him.