Chapter 12

Practice

Note: The lyrics were originally written for this story.

~

He sang the chorus of a song without strumming his guitar. If I didn't know the song, I would probably believe he mean what he was saying. The corner of my lips twitched. Whatever.

It was sunset when I walked by the beach. Nicole and I will hold the agreed upon contest tonight. Ariel has informed the management of the resort about our contest so all the guests know about the gig that will take place tonight at the resort's bar.

I also told Mama that I will be staying overnight at CFM. At first she wasn't willing, but I told her that I would book a private cottage so that I wouldn't have to share with Vine. Mama couldn't do anything but agree, even more so when Tiden begged. I think my mother's not shameless enough to decline my pleading friend.

I booked a private cottage but I still prefer the Vine's cottage so I always visit them unless Nicole's there. I spent the rest of the day swimming in the pools and touring around the place.

And of course, Tiden followed me all day. After he saw Levi and I together this morning, he never left my side. I couldn't help but think he was a bodyguard sent by Mama.

"Rishel!" Ariel called me. I stopped walking and looked over my shoulder, looking at him. "Are you walking to the bar?" he asked.

I nodded. He smiled and followed Tiden and I. Yes, that man's silently walking beside me and I didn't know why he stayed silent. Roaming my gaze around, I looked for June because that man's been missing whole day.

"If you are looking for June, he's doing tasks assigned to him," Tiden suddenly said when he noticed me looking around.

My head snapped at him for a moment and shrugged my shoulders before putting my attention back in front.

The bar is not far. It is big enough to accomodate the total guests of the resort. The bar is an open space but when I passed by the area earlier, it was closed. Maybe, they open the bar every night.

It's almost six o'clock so the staff are getting ready. The manager let us in. The musical instruments are ready on the platform. Tiden and Ariel asked permission to practice and check the instruments. The bar manager nodded with a smile.

And while the two were checking on the stage, June suddenly arrived.

"Rishel," he greeted me. I just nodded at him. The edge of his lips rose. "Give your best later," he said before climbing up on stage.

I pursed my lips. I was fine earlier but when the three gave their well wishes, it just made me more nervous as I felt the need to give my best and never disappoint them especially Levi. Truth be told, it's stressful.

They started playing on the stage as I continued watching them on my chair. The gentle sound of June's keys matched the low sound of the drums played by Ariel, accompanied by the stimulating but not harsh sound of the electric guitar held by Tiden. Then they suddenly stopped.

"Go," said June and gestured to Tiden.

Tiden winced and turned his eyes on me. He beckoned me to come up the stage. "Take the lead. Practice for later," he said, smiling widely.

I was suddenly nervous. I looked around and saw that there were no guests and there's only crew who were preparing the whole venue. My lips curved into a smile and quickly climbed on the elevated stage and approached the microphone.

The three played again. I smiled as I hear the familiar song I've memorized.

"Like a river flowing endlessly

My heart will beat for you aggressively

You caught me in silence

I caught you in constant shout..."

I was singing Vine's debut song and it was also the first song of theirs that I memorized. I will never forget it because I almost tripped while yelling at people. This was exactly what Levi was singing at that time.

"There is you in front of me

Smiling so bright I couldn't see

The tears you're hiding away from me

Oh, you almost win so terribly..."

I closed my eyes and felt the music. I felt peace, of fun, of joy while singing on the platform. Maybe Vine feels this way too whenever they're up on stage.

It is true. The joy of doing what you love can't be denied. Even though it's tiring, it doesn't matter because it brings satisfaction. That's why it's hard to let go of the things you love to do.

If I continued the audition to be a Vine's vocalist, maybe I have become a member of the band now. If being an idol is like reaching the impossible, then what could I ask for more if I'll become one?

I opened my eyes after the song. The first thing that caught my eye was Levi's figure. He was standing at the entrance and looking at me. He looked at me with a profound gaze and my heart pounded hard. I was even more confused when he walked closer to the platform where I was currently standing.

I knew that he heard me singing their song. I wasn't sure if he liked it or not.

Suddenly my cheeks bacame hot with shame. Was my voice good?

"You should've called me," Levi said as he stood in front of the platform. His voice was low. Was he angry?

I heard Tiden move behind me. "We thought you're busy," he said.

Levi walked up to the stage and reached for the spare microphone. A familiar song began to play. Levi sang the lyrics.

"You are my love, my one and only love

You still my soul, placing every heartbeat on edge..."

I was stunned for a moment because of Levi. His deep and cold voice paired with melancholic tune, a perfect combination! I could close my eyes and just listen to his soothing voice, but I was holding a mic. I brought the mic to my lips and sang the next lyrics. "I need you here beside me, may I sing you a song you never heard before?"

Levi's gaze snapped in my direction and looked into my eyes. We sang the chorus together. "You never said I love you but I know with that look in your eyes. Warm and soothing, just what I need from you. You never let me drown in tears, you make my heart jump so high. I'm drowning in your love..."

My chest throbbed.

Even though the background music was loud, I could still hear my heart beating loudly. I couldn't breathe properly and I have to breathe again and again. I looked away because otherwise I would surely get drown in his eyes.

Someone clapped in the group of waiters listening on the side. I put the mic on the table and walked down the stage after the song. Tiden was no longer able to follow me because their manager, Maingey, entered the bar.

"What the heck is going on? What contest am I hearing about?" Maingey asked Vine angrily.

Even from a distance, I could still hear the manager scolding the four men. Maybe Tiden didn't tell the manager directly about Nicole and I's bet.

"Because it's like this, Maingey..." Tiden explained the bet to the manager.

Instead of calming down, Maingey lost her temper more and more. "Are you insane? You have a gig tonight and Nicole challenged a nobody? What's in her mind?!"

Maingey did not have a choice but to cooperate with the management, especially when all the guests already knew that there's a contest that will take place tonight. It's either Nicole admit defeat early or go on with the contest. My withdrawal on the contest was not a choice either because Maingey wouldn't let anyone gossip on Nicole's inability to contend and taint the reputation of the band. Of course, she knew that I, the contender Rishel, wouldn't back down from this fight!

She just asked the management to keep the guests from capturing anything later. So before the guests entered the bar, the gadgets and recording tools were confiscated while some of the guests went back to their hotel rooms to leave their things.

Not long after, Nicole entered the bar and attracted a lot of admiring stares from the guests.