one (lewis capaldi)

Holding on is all I've ever known

They pulled up at The Soul just before 8. Belle didn't want to be here, she really didn't but Grace had already dragged her inside. On the way in she noticed a board with writing scrawled: 'Lewis Capaldi : A chubby guy from Scotland singing depressing tunes. Join me for a big fat sexy cry x'. "Great just what I need, sad songs" she mumbled, as she sat at the stools placed furthest away from the microphone. She wasn't in the mood for talking and just had little conversations with Grace until Lewis took his place on stage. Lewis wasn't what Belle expected. He had messy blonde hair that fell perfectly across his face as he stood confidently at the microphone with one hand in his pocket. She was surprised at how good he actually looked, considering how he had described himself on the board she saw earlier. Belle's thoughts were suddenly interrupted by Lewis tapping at the microphone.

"Um hello! My name is Lewis Capaldi I am a lonely chubby bastard from a Scottish town called Bathgate and I'm here to play some pretty fucking sad tunes if you ask me. So I hope you enjoy and yeah this one doesn't actually have a name yet but right now I'll call it 'All I've ever known'. Enjoy. "

Belle smirked, she liked his humour and thought to herself 'surely his songs can't be that sad'.

She was wrong. He was just reaching the chorus and tears began to fill in her eyes. His voice was raw, soulful and she felt every. single. word. She so badly wanted to get up and leave, run back home and stare at the ceiling like she had been doing for the last week. She looked at Grace with pleading eyes but she didn't notice, she was too enthralled with Lewis and his talent. Belle didn't blame her. He was honestly incredible, she had never heard a voice as powerful as his, but now was not the right time. Belle tried and tried to stay calm but as soon as Lewis sung "It's not gonna be you, I tried I can't pull you through", she burst into tears. Everything was coming back, she tried to suppress the thought of Lucas kissing Eliza out of her head but she couldn't. Lewis, opening his eyes, caught sight of Belle and looked at his friend playing the piano anxiously. She was making a fool of herself and Lewis and she knew it. Without saying a word to Grace, she hurried towards the bathroom, receiving a mix of both angry and confused looks from others in the bar.

Lewis, managed to get to the end of his song and after receiving applause, he addressed the audience. "Well, I always thought my music was sad, but I never expected a reaction like that!" He chuckled sheepishly, avoiding eye contact with the people left in the room. After a few laughs he continued "I'm just gonna take a little break but don't worry I'll be back in a few seconds." He turned around to Aidan, the piano player, who mouthed "What are you doing?" Lewis signalled towards the bathroom door, where Belle sat in a stall taking deep breaths. Aidan rolled his eyes at Lewis but he had already gone.

Lewis carefully approached the door of the ladies bathroom and knocked gently. Inside, Belle breathed a sigh of relief, it was Grace. What took her so long? Oh well, that didn't matter now but at least she was getting out of here. She composed herself as best she could, unable to help the black mascara that had become smeared around her eyes and walked towards the door. But just as she was about to pull the handle she heard "Hello? I know you're in here."

Fuck. That wasn't Grace. It was Lewis.

"Hello?" Belle stuttered back. She couldn't leave, not now. What was he doing here?

"I don't know whether to be offended or not!" Lewis laughed. Belle smiled on the other side of the door.
"I'd say take it as a compliment. Your music is powerful to say the least."
"Well I think I deserve to be introduced to the girl I made cry." he said.
Belle looked down nervously, she couldn't meet Lewis like this. She was a mess.
"Um well okay but I apologise in advance. I look like someone who hasn't left bed in a week. I mean that's true but-" Lewis cut her off.
"Just open the door!" He laughed.
Timidly she opened the door and saw Lewis and immediately locked eyes with him. Concern flooded across his face as he saw Belle trying her best to put on a brave face.

"Are you okay?" He said. "That was quite a reaction." Belle looked at the ground.
"Oh God Lewis I'm so sorry I didn't mean to ruin your song I-"
"Hey hey hey it's okay." His voice softened as he tried to grab her attention again. "Don't be sorry, if anything I'm flattered! I do advertise myself as a man capable of making grown women cry!"

She laughed. He was effortlessly funny.
"Look Lewis I'm gonna go I don't want to embarrass you again. You have a crowd waiting for you and your incredible voice! You really shouldn't be out here comforting me."
"No!" Lewis said, louder than he intended. "I mean, no don't go! Please. Please stay. I promise I'll sing some more cheerful songs if you just stay." He shuffled around, embarrassed after his little outburst. Belle smiled. "Fine. If you want me here that badly." She joked, an ounce of confidence that she lost weeks ago slowly re-entering her body.
"Yes I do. Now come on I'm leaving my fans waiting!" He winked.
Belle turned to head back towards the bar but was stopped by Lewis grabbing her hand. "Wait! I forgot to ask your name."
"It's Belle."
"Oh Belle? That means beautiful right? That makes sense."
She blushed, no one had made her feel this way in a while, not even Lucas.
"Okay then Belle. Please promise me you'll stick around. I really want to speak to you again."

She agreed and followed Lewis back out into the bar, "Good luck" she whispered into his ear, a smile forming on her face.
"Thanks." Said Lewis "Just try not to cry this time." She rolled her eyes and made her way back to Grace who looked at her with nothing but confusion. For the first time in a long time, Belle felt some sort of emotion, she didn't know what it was but all she knew was she didn't want it to go away.