Scarred Soul (Nemi)

Part 3

She let out the loudest sigh when she read the text, as frustration rushed over her. She was putting her hopes a little too high to see him again, and it ended up with nothing. She felt stupid at the time for expecting too much from someone she barely knew. She put down her phone and tried to compose herself. She needed to prepare for the performance tonight, and even though her mood had been slightly soured, she had nothing to lose. After all, Nick was just a friend.

Should she give her heart a chance to love again? Or did she have to let go of the feelings she felt at the time?

Minutes had passed, and she was lost in her thoughts. What the heck was up with this feeling? A part of her was confused, and another part of her liked the feeling. It was like an unexplained craving – like you wanted something sweet, but were wary of eating too much sugar. She wasn't sure if she really welcomed the sensation. But for now, she was not prepared to play the game of love, so she would rather maintain a good rapport with Nick. It was nice to have good company sometimes.

She was snapped back to reality when one of the staff members called out her name and asked her to get ready. She replied to the staff with a nod and checked herself in a mirror one last time. A classic monochrome look will always work for any occasion. Opting for a white bomber jacket, a plain white tee, black jeans, and black ankle boots, she looked casual yet chic. With a long exhalation, she walked out of the back room, the guitar strapped to one shoulder. She could hear people clapping along with the beat as she got closer to the stage.

The current acts were a street busker and the new open-mic performers at The Cork Lounge. He was singing a busking rendition of Elle King's "Ex's and Oh's," and the crowd enjoyed his performance. She stood behind the stage curtain for a while, admiring his performance. He was a good singer. The audience applauded as he ended his performance and stepped down from the stage. Once the stage was clear, the emcee took the microphone to announce the next act.

"Give a round of applause to Tim." The emcee hollered, and the crowd applauded once again. "Our next performer is our regular. She has performed countless times at our open mic night and she's super talented. I bet her performance tonight will give you goosebumps. Performing an original song written by Miss Talented herself, give it up to Demi Lovato." The emcee announced it, pointed to her, and then disappeared behind the curtain.

The crowd cheered and applauded when she strode to the center of the stage with a smile. She took a seat on a stool and adjusted the microphone suitably to her sitting height. Her eyes skimmed through the audience and didn't see any sign of Nick. Her smile faded for a moment, and she let out a soft sigh. He couldn't make it tonight, so be it. It was his loss anyway. She was going to impress these people, and she would be the talk of the night. Then her eyes landed on Sirah at the bar, clapping and whistling, making her faded smile appears again, but faintly. She cleared her throat as she spoke, "Hello, everybody. How are you all doing tonight? I'm Demi Lovato. Tonight I'm gonna play a slow song; the one that I wrote myself and a personal one to me. I hope you guys like it. This is Skyscraper"

She took a long breath and exhaled slowly through her mouth. Her fingers were positioned on the strings, and she began strumming. Her voice husked steadily with the tune coming from the guitar.

Skies are crying, I am watching
Catching teardrops in my hands
Only silence, as it's ending
Like we never had a chance
Do you have to make me feel like
There's nothing left of me?

You could take everything I have
You could break everything I am
Like I'm made of glass
Like I'm made of paper
Go on and try to tear me down
I will be rising from the ground
Like a skyscraper, like a skyscraper

As the smoke clears, I awaken
And untangle you from me
Would it make you, feel better
To watch me while I bleed?
All my windows still are broken
But I'm standing on my feet