Sing it!
782 Words
The lights dimmed and there were screams throughout the theater. I felt my stomach flutter as the band ran out on stage. The bright lights flashed on revealing all four men - much more attractive in real life. Louis wore tight black pants and a maroon t-shirt with the word: Smile displayed on the front; Niall had on a crisp pair of dark blue jeans and a Irish football jersey; Liam wore black pants with a dark green button down shirt. Harry, well, Harry was in a league of his own. He wore tight black pants, a black button down shirt (with the first few unbuttoned) and shiny black boots. His brown curls were pulled back in a bun and neatly piled on his head. Immediately, they began to sing "What Makes You Beautiful." The crowd cheered loudly to show their appreciation and excitement.
The performances were electrifying. Song after song, I danced when the crowd danced, I sang when the crowd sang, I jumped and clapped when the crowd jumped and clapped.
As Louis, Liam, Niall and Harry sang "Little Things," this familiar song brought tears to my eyes. The lyrics resonated in my ears and soul.
Just a few short years ago, I struggled with depression. I was extremely unhappy. Alexander and I had several talks and he decided to jump into the music scene. I promised I would do all I could to support him...I craved the change.
*Flashback*
"I can't keep doing this, Alexander," I said for what seemed like the thousandth time.
Alexander sighed and made no attempt to reply. He picked at his fingers nervously.
"We've been together for so long and things cannot change if we don't even try," I cried, hoping this was the last time we would need to have this conversation.
A few moments passed, I could feel tears swelling in my eyes.
"I feel good about this song Chris and I have been working on," he started. "We just need more time to finish it."
I stared as those words left his mouth - how many times had I heard this?
"You're right...I promised you a better life a long time ago," he paused.
This man, the one I had fallen in love with years ago as I watched him sing on stage with his high school band, was sitting in front of me trying to reconcile. I looked at his dark blue denim pants and the faded black tshirt under his red plaid shirt. His style hadn't changed much...he preferred to wear button down shirts and dress like the rock star he yearned to be. I wanted so badly for him to be successful, but he lacked the motivation and confidence to thrive. After five years of encouraging (and maybe a little nagging), Alexander had made it clear that he had had enough of my pushing. So I gave up - rarely mentioned getting his music out there again.
One year, he mentioned a guitar. He brought it up more than once and even though we were struggling- I found a way to make his dream a reality. I surprised him for his 30th birthday.
The moment he laid eyes on that guitar sitting in the chair, I saw the spark. His flame had been reignited.
A few weeks later, he started working on a project with his cousin and the drummer from his band. They recorded, edited, recorded and edited more. He was deep into it, but still so critical of himself. That's what had led us to this conversation again. I could not handle five more years of this back and forth.
"I-i'm sorry," I cautiously replied. "I've heard it all before...I need to see it to believe it...But as I've said all along - I believe in you and will support you however I can."
He made plans to record with his drummer the next day. Things just blew up from there...the song was released and "Tell Me The Truth" exploded on the charts. He was signed within six months and we were told that NYC would be our new home. We moved quickly.
___
I snapped back to the concert, "No Control" and "Night Changes" were next on the set list. Great choices, I thought.
Two hours went by way too fast...I realized that a smile had been plastered on my face the whole time. The band closed the show with "Best Song Ever" and the crowd went crazy.
"Sing it!" yelled Liam.
Immediately, the audience responded by singing toward the band. All four of them beamed. They danced around the stage, pumped up the crowd.
I looked around at all the bouncing bodies and smiled.
- Writer
