Save Me From Myself

Music Festival: Part 1

  It was finally the day of the festival. The 3 days away from Taylor were hard. He came by the room everyday to hangout. When he asked why I was there, I lied and said to do last minute practice on the song. I knew he could tell it was a lie but he never questioned it.

  Right now I'm following Finn around trying to find our way to backstage. We are to check in before performances start. All the acts were amature artists like me or Taylor. This would be fun watching other students and faculty perform.

  Finn checked me in and then we went to give the music to the sound guy. Once all the logistics were sorted we were given a number. I was the 6 of 9 acts. There was still one open slot I noticed. Guess they couldn't find anyone to fill it.

  I had a lot of time before going on, so we decided to meet up with the others. The school had gone all out. The set up food stalls and paid for food trucks. The elephant ear booth was manned by Sloan so we went there first.

  "Oh hey guys!" She waved us over. "This is on me." She said handing us one to share.

  "Cool thanks babe. Have you seen the others?"

  "Oh yeah, they said they were gonna wait at one of the tables in the courtyard." We thanked her, told her to join us when she was done and then went to find the guys.

  They were exactly where Sloan said they'd be. Sitting at a table on the edge of the courtyard was Adley, Gage and Taylor. Gage and Adley were arguing about something, Adleys animatedness a polar opposite of Gage's stoic aura. Taylor was staring off into space, he smiled sadly when he saw us approaching.

  I took a seat next to Adley and Finn next to Taylor. We laughed an joke for a while. Then Taylor got up and came to my side. Tapping my shoulder he said "hey, can I um talk to you?"

  I eyed Finn and he shrugged. "Sure."

  We walked a little ways away and around the side of one of the buildings. Completely secluded from the hustle and bustle of the festival. We came to a stop and I looked at him to start.

  "Why have you been avoiding me?"

  "What? I haven't."

  "That's a lie. You've been sleeping at Finns the last 3 days-"

  "I told you that was for practice." I interrupted him.

  "That's another lie. You don't talk to me unless I talk to you first. You don't sit next to me anymore and you've been avoiding eye contact." He crosses his arms annoyed.

  "Even if I was avoiding you, why do you care anyways?" My tone is bitter and sharp.

  "What? Because I care about you."

  "Sure." I say sarcastically.

  "I do! How else am I supposed to show you? You're the most important person in my life." He's annoyed but his tone also has a pleading quality.

  "You only care about me to an extent. Don't say I'm the most important person if you don't mean it. You know I have a tough time trusting people and opening up, so at least be honest." Stop Dani. Stop before you say something you can't take back.

  "What are you talking about! I'm not lieing. Not even a little." He's getting closer to me now. I take a step back, my back hitting the wall. He doesn't stop his pursuit.

  "You are lieing. And would you step back a little." I almost yell.

  "Why do you think I'm lieing?" He says taking a step back. "If you're so set on me being a liar, tell me why."

  I look at him and he crosses his arms again, defensively. "I cant."

  "What do you mean you cant."

  "I mean I can't. I have my reasons but they are your choice and I have no right holding them against you."

  Now he looks confused. "What do you mean?"

  "Just drop it would you? A little longer and I'll be over you." Oh no. My eyes go wide and so do his.

  "Get over me?" He steps closer smiling. "Why would you do that?" He goes to brush his hand against my cheek but I swat it away.

  "Because you don't feel the same! And I refuse to be one of your one night flings."

  Then I hear the intercom announce the 5th act. I needed to make my way to the stage. I needed to be lining up.

  "I'm sorry I have to go. Forget I said anything. It's none of your concern." I say backing away.

  "Dani wait can you please listen to me." Taylor goes to grab my wrist but I dodge him.

  "No. I have somewhere to be." Then I take off running. Hearing him call my name as I runaway has become normal.

  I get to the stage and find Finn flustered.

  "Oh my god there you are. I went looking for you guys but couldn't find-" He stopped and walked up to. Wiping a tear from my cheek. Wait I'd been crying? "-are you sure you still want to go on?"

  I wiped my eyes fully, took and deep breath and nodded. The others were excited to hear this and Finn worked so hard on it. I can't bail out now. Finn directed me to the stairs, once the current act ends it's my turn.

  The guy ahead of me finishes and the crowd claps and cheers. It's go time. Finn hands me my guitar, he smiles and says 'you got this'

  I walk up onto the stage as they call my name "ACT #6, DANI SHEY, SINGING AN ORIGINAL."

  The crowd cheers and my stomach feels like it's entered my throat. I walk across the stage to the mic. I search the crowd and see my friends. They are all standing on the tables in the back and cheering. You can do this Dani.

  I look over to Finn and nod. He signals the sound guy to start. Closing my eyes I tune out the conversation with Taylor, focusing on the music. Taking a deep breath, I open my eyes and begin to play

  The people in the crowd are enjoying it, my friends are cheering and I am having a blast. The conversation with Taylor pushed to the back of my mind.

  I know no one will understand the relevance of the lyrics but the 5 people closest to me, but that's all I really need to understand it. Looking over the crowd again I notice Taylor. He's still standing, watching me and expression I don't understand on his face.

  I close my eyes again, really getting into the song. After a few moments I open them again. This time when I look up to my friends Taylor is gone. I search the crowd for him but I see him no where. He's gone.

  I finish my song and bow. The crowd cheers and clapps. I can feel the smile on my face. I run off the stage as the intercom starts to announce the next act.

  Finn is waiting there. "You did so great! That was amazing!"

  "You the amazing one. My lyrics are nothing without your beat."

  He hangs his arm over my shoulder, leading me back to the front of the stage. Making our way back out into the crowd, I'm still looking for Taylor. By the time we reach everyone again, I still hadn't found him.

  "Hey do you know where Taylor went?"

  Sloan and Adley shake their heads. Then Gage gets up, proclaims he has something to do and leaves.

  Two more acts go on and now we're down to the last one. Except instead of saying final act, the announcer says second to last. Guess someone else signed up.