Dancing in the Florida Sun (Completed)

33-FS One Hundred and Ninety Two Hours

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     Eight days. One hundred and ninety two hours. That's how long it had been since Brooke had seen Jacob. About twelve hours less since she heard his voice, the same voice that she now heard crooning out of the speakers at the concert venue. She swallowed, choking back sadness, hurt, and emotions she couldn't even name. It was the voice that filled her dreams. The lights were out for the first few words of the song, but from her front row seat, she could make out his shadow, that shape she knew so well. The roaring crowd around her began to fade as the pounding of her heart and the onslaught of her thoughts overpowered her senses, drowning out everything but his voice. The sensible side of her said she should never have come — this would set her back immeasurably; but her heart longed for one more night in his presence.

     Bright lights flashed leaving everyone momentarily blinded, but somehow Brooke's eyes found his, and once they adjusted she was held captive. It was as if he was communicating with his eyes, but she couldn't make out the words. It looked like sadness and disappointment, and she could only dream that there was more. She hoped her eyes weren't revealing the longing that she felt, but she had no control over her expression at the moment. Perhaps she was bearing her heart, exposing her soul, holding it out on a platter. She was too transfixed to know.

     At some point his eyes moved from hers, and it was like the spell was broken. Brooke was suddenly aware of the chaos around her. She looked behind and saw screaming fans. Girls reaching out towards the band, and guys not quite as enthusiastic as their counterparts. A hand touching her arm drew her attention, and when she turned Elise mouthed, "You okay?"

     Was she? Brooke shrugged and pressed her lips together before turning back to the stage. There he was, only a few feet away from her, yet he felt further away than ever.

     "How are you doing Orlando?" Jacob yelled once the first song ended.

     The reply was a roar.

     "It's good to be home. We missed you guys!" Ryan shouted into his microphone.

     More screaming.

     The sight of Jacob dancing across the stage caused images of their time at the beach to flash before Brooke's eyes and moisture threatened to escape. Brooke's heart felt like it would beat right out of her chest, and she felt beads of moisture on her forehead, but it wasn't because the air conditioning didn't work. Quitting Jacob cold turkey was a bad idea. Throughout the concert he periodically looked at her. A few times he came to the front of the stage and reached out to touch the hands of fan girls begging for attention. Brooke refused to go near.

     When Jacob sang the song "Can't Explain," his eyes once again found Brooke's. It was a slower song, reminding her of their song "Searching." As he pressed on with words detailing a love that is beyond explanation, Brooke tensed up. Had she misjudged the situation with Mari? Was there still a chance that he felt more than friendship for her. Was it her imagination that he spent most of the song looking her way?

     "Oh my gosh!" a girl from behind squealed to her friend. "Jake keeps looking at you!"

     "You've got to help me get closer when he leans down to shake hands!" the other girl responded.

     Brooke couldn't stand it anymore, and was dying to see who these girls were. She looked back to find what looked like high schoolers. A blond and a brunette. She forced a smile, and the brunette spoke up, "Isn't she so lucky! Jake has been watching her all night!"

     Brooke continued with the fake smile as she turned around. At least she now knew it wasn't her imagination that he kept looking her way. He certainly wasn't looking at the high schooler. Maybe, just maybe, there was still hope.