Chapter 43
1044words
"You look beautiful to me."
She smiled, "Thanks. You're a nice person."
I smiled, "You're not so bad yourself."
When Valdo returned, Christina turned around to give us some privacy, which we didn't need since Emily stood from her seat and made her way up to the stage. All our attention was now on her and the performance that she would be doing.
Kevin handed her the mic; then, he started asking her some questions. When he received the answer, he was looking for he walked over to his MacBook and in seconds the musicals to "Dancing Queen" by Abba started playing.
Emily looked at the projected lyrics then started, "You can dance, you can jive..having the time of your life..oh.." You could tell she was really into the song she started rocking her body to the music. She even stopped looking at the lyrics and was looking at us. Her voice wasn't bad, either. After a few minutes she was finished, she looked at her audience who were all smiling at her and laugh. "Okay, I have to admit that it wasn't bad."
We clapped and cheered for her as she exits the stage.
Kevin continued to call the numbers, and the person would choose their song. They weren't bad for the most part; they looked they were having fun and nothing else in the world matter than them being in the spotlight.
Everyone was happy, you could tell by how bright their smiles were. I was also laughing and enjoying myself.
At least until Kevin called my number.
"Be brave, be brave," I whispered to myself as I slowly made my way towards Kevin. I turned my head to look at Uvaldo who had a big grin on his face and his tops up. I smiled at his goofiness then look back at the older man.
"What type of music do you like?" Kevin asked when I reached him.
I blushed, "I like boy bands and country music."
He nodded, "Boy bands, as in One Direction, The Beatles, Nsync, Backstreet Boy, Five Seconds of Summer, Twenty One Pilots, BTS, Linkin Park? There are so many of them."
I enjoyed music from all the bands he just called. It would be too hard for me to choose a song, especially one that everyone knew. "Choose a song for me." It was just a risk I had to take. Kevin is a cool enough man to choose a song that everyone would enjoy hearing, even with my bad voice.
He smiled, "I know the perfect song." He turned to his MacBook then typed away. "Go on, time to show them who's the boss." he handed me the microphone and pointed to the centre of the stage.
I kept my eyes on the microphone as I walked to the centre. When I reached the centre, I took a deep breath and kept my eyes down.
The music started to play then I couldn't help but lifted my head and smile. It was a song that I knew and loved.
Everyone loves this song.
I lifted the mic to my mouth then started, " You are my fire, The one desire, Believe when I say, I want it that way." I looked at Valdo "But we are two worlds apart. Can't reach to your heart. When you say that I want it that way." I moved to the next part of the stage; this time, I let my eyes travel over the room. "Tell me why ain't nothin' but a heartache. Tell me why, ain't nothin' but a mistake, tell me why I never want to hear you say, I want it that way."
I sounded awful, but I felt great. I felt like I'm on top of the world. I felt high even though I haven't even drink anything, the fact that I'm under-age was a significant contributor to that.
Nothing else mattered than me being in this beautiful decorated classroom with loving strangers who've treated me like family since day one, what am I saying? They're the family I've always wanted.
I pointed around the room, "Tell me why!" I laughed, "Sing with me." They obeyed my command and sang with me. I looked at everyone from the stage and smiled.
Zuria was standing and waving her hands like it was a concert. Hannah was rocking her shoulder and clapping her hands. Valdo was laughing uncontrollably; I couldn't help but smile. When he smiled, his eyes shined, and his face looks a thousand times better.
No one was covering their ears at my voice; they were all just enjoying themselves.
This is love.
This is family.
"'Cause I want it that way." I placed the mic to my chest and curtsey as I sang the last line of the song. I lifted my head and looked at, and they were all looking at me with smiles on their face while clapping. I know it wasn't because of my voice but because no matter how bad you sound family supported each other. I placed the mic on the stool then made my way off the stage. I walked over to my table and sat down.
Valdo leaned over, "Okay, so you're not the greatest singer, but you rocked the crowd with your "Sing with me" style. That was great. I don't think I've laughed that much in a while."
I returned his smile, "You're most welcomed. "
"And of course, you're still going to lose."
I shrugged, "We'll see."
"Disclosure, I was voted the worst singer in high school. You might want to get your ears checked tomorrow." Valdo said, and with a smile, he continued, "With that said I'd begin my performance."
He looked at me as he began, "I've got sunshine on a cloudy day. When it's cold outside, I've got the month of May. I guess you'd say. What can make me feel this way?" He lifted his hands and pointed at me. "My girl, my girl, my girl. Talkin' 'bout my girl, my girl."
