Love Rhythm of the CEO

March Eighteen

March eighteen, the day of the singing contest.

I didn't have enough sleep last night because I am so excited and nervous at the same time on that day. My hands keep on shaking and my heart is beating so loud that I can hear it.

Every person walking back and forth in front of me became slow and everything was so surreal. This moment feels so majestic yet enthusiastic. 

"Hey!"

I turned to the owner of the voice, who yelled. 

"H-hey," I uttered, still nervous.

"Are you ready?" she asked.

I nodded but I swear my facial expression was disturbed. 

"You don't seem ready, though," Sophia said.

"How can you be ready? Are you seeing what I am seeing, So?"

We both turned our heads in front. We are backstage and everyone in the crowd is so cheerfully loud. The gym is so full of visitors and audiences. It's not helping with my nervousness.

"You know what, let's not look at them."

Sophia immediately covered us with the huge curtain that contains as the barrier from the crowd and to the backstage. She seems scared now, too.

"I know right," I mumbled.

"We should be getting ready and not watching people outside."

"I'm just...getting anxious."

"Then don't be. Prepare, okay? I should too. Mom will be watching me."

I stared at her. Bitterness filled me. I hope they will watch me too. I chuckled sarcastically when that thought came out of my mind. You wish, Emily. They will never be here. They will never try to waste their time just to watch you doing something they don't want you to do.

I never imagined that would happen though. What would they feel if they were? The parents watching their child disobey them. That's too...funny. 

"Hey, are you okay?" Sophia poked me.

"Y-yeah. I'm fine."

"Don't think much, okay? We'll get there."

I smiled. She knew what I was thinking and always cheered me up. She's really the only one I have. 

I sighed and exhaled for preparation. I don't need a crowd. The only thing I need is the results of the judges.

There are a lot of candidates and each one of us is given a number for our time to perform on stage. I looked down on my patch. I'm number twenty-three.

There was still a lot to go at first, so I did my best to focus on my song and rehearse. I trembled when I heard the singers singing. They are all so freaking good. I felt like backing out as my confidence went down when I saw my best friend fighting the urge of music and trying her best to focus too. 

I wanted to laugh at her but seeing her dedication to this, I smiled.

Twenty students sang their songs. Time was running so fast and I was there waiting and trembling for time until the emcee called for me.

"Number twenty-three. Emily Williams!"

I heard claps between the curtains. I took one glance at Sophia. We both smiled at each other and she acted like cheering me. I laughed and sighed heavily before leaving the huge red curtain.

"This is it," I whispered.

The claps and cheers stopped. The lights went dark and the spotlight was directed at me. I stared at everyone and they were all staring at me. My hands began to shake again as I held onto the mic. I stood there looking at them with nerves plastered on my face.

I closed my eyes and took a heavy breath and my music started playing. I sang I Won't Give Up On Us. I closed my eyes singing the first verse gracefully.

I can hear my own harmony catching up with the melody of the song. It was like a lullaby of my own. 

It was the chorus part when I unconsciously opened my eyes and it darted onto the person I never expected. Amelia...

My mouth hung in shock. The crowd began to murmur about my sudden ending. Amelia was looking at me and she seemed not surprised at all. But I was.

I blinked twice and looked at everybody. They are all talking about me. I trembled so badly and my knees became weak because of the sight I was seeing. Everyone scares me.

And so I ran away.

I heard Sophia but I didn't look back. I ran away until my weak knees bended down, which made me sit on the floor. 

"What are you doing?" a voice spoke.

Tears streamed down my eyes as I stared at the pair of shoes in front of me. Those white shoes that I'm familiar with.

"Why are you here?" I uttered weakly.

"I was watching the show."

I turned up to her with my tears flowing. "Why would you watch the show?"

"You forget we're at the same school?"

I looked away. "I never thought you'd watch something like this."

"I didn't know you were there."

"Then why would you still watch? You should've gone away!"

"And why would you run away?"

"Because of you!"

I stood and faced her. 

"You know that. It's because of you! This is so you, Amelia. You would always catch me and tell me to them."

She only stared at me with a serious expression. She didn't utter a word. I rolled my eyes in annoyance.

"Let me be. I don't meddle with your choices-"

"I'm not doing anything," she said in an unbothered tone.

"You're not, but you will!" 

I took a step back slowly. Trying to get away from her. 

"Don't tell them. I'm not doing anything wrong. This is what I want and it's still a win or lose. The contest is not done yet. I don't know if I will win it. So don't try to ruin it."

She was just there staring at me. It's hard to read her because she's not showing any reaction or giving off some vibe. I'm not good on reading people and it's really hard to do it for her. 

We remained standing in front of each other. My tears went dry and I don't care about it anymore. I just want to let her know how important this one is for me. 

Besides, I'm the one telling the truth.

I never meddle with her work.

"This is the first time I'll ask you this. And I hope...this will be the last time, either. Back off and don't try to do anything. Let me wait and I will tell them this myself. So back off," I let out with my heart breaking.