All About Timing

Chapter Twelve

I shakily button up the last button of my red flannel shirt before smoothing down my black shorts.

Tonight was our concert thing and the auditorium was full, better yet I knew out there was my mom and some of my aunts out there taking up those seats.

The nerves were getting to me but every time I looked towards Sadie, I felt them ease just a bit.

Sadie wore the same flannel but with black pants and some black Converse.

"Is it too late to sing 'Breaking Free' by High School Musical?" I joke causing Sadie to roll her eyes at me.

She approaches me and fixes my collar, leaning in to lightly kiss my lips.

"We are going to be perfect, remember I'm singing my solo first, yours is second and then we will do our duet. We are the final act," she reminds me which I take a shaky deep breath.

"Sadie, you're up," Ms. Zayeer approaches us with a soft smile.

Sadie grabs the microphone, taking a deep breath as her song choice begins to play.

I find myself in aw, watching the girl take the stage so naturally. The way she flowed with the music, not missing a beat. It made me nervous that maybe I shouldn't be up there tonight.

"You got this Ms. Harris, take a deep breath," Ms. Zayeer tells me softly, handing me a mic.

My heart was pounding in my chest as I stood at the side of the stage where no one could see.

As Sadie finished her song, she got a standing ovation, earning me a spark of hope that we will get to the final round of this contest.

I awkwardly approached the stage, instantly hearing my mom scream the loudest even though the music wasn't playing yet.

"That's my baby!"

I felt my cheeks burn as the song began to play,

'Happiness, hit her like a train on a track.

Coming towards her, stuck still no turning back.'

My nerves began to ease while I felt my boot begin to tap against the ground.

'She hid around corner and hid under beds.

She killed it with kisses and from it she fled.

With every bubble she sank with a drink and washed it away down the kitchen sink.'

At this point I wasn't even sure why I was nervous in the first place. Grabbing the microphone, the audience was clapping along to the song.

'The dog days are over,

The dog days are done.

The horses are coming so you better run.'

I began moving to music, allowing myself to be set free. I know I was dancing awkwardly but who cares, I was enjoying myself.

Soon the song came to an end while the music faded out, I stayed on stage as Sadie's voice rang out.

'Now I'm about to give you my heart but, remember this one thing. I've never been in love before so you gotta go easy on me,' she sang out, her eyes never leaving mine as I felt like it was just the two of us in the room.

'I heard love is dangerous, once you fall you never get enough. But the thought of you leaving, ain't so easy for me,' I sang, reaching my hand out subconsciously. Interlacing our hands while continued the song.