Welcome To My Life

We had reached our table and sat down, dividing the drinks. By now two barely dressed drunk girls were singing Misery Business by Paramore and Zack, Rian and Jack could not take their eyes off of them, which explained why Jenna seemed extremely bored.

“You guys are pathetic” I told them, rolling my eyes.
“Can’t we appreciate a little bit of female beauty?” Jack asked.
“Female beauty? A little bit? Please. More like asses that are barely covered by their dresses and boobs that might fall out any moment” I said, wrinkling my nose. “Guys are so easily satisfied.”

“Not all guys” Alex, who did indeed not seem to give two shits about the girls, muttered.
“At least one of you has good taste” I replied, causing Jenna and Jack to give me a look and Alex to turn red, even though that was hard to tell in the dark space. “Not like that!” I added.

I took a gulp from my beer. If I would have to sing on that stage in a few minutes, I’d better be drunk. We drank in silence for a moment, while Jack, Rian and Zack were still looking at the girls, Jenna seemed annoyed and Alex and I just didn’t know what to say to each other. I was wondering if Jenna was so annoyed because she agreed with me they were being pathetic or because, after all this time, she still didn’t like to see Jack look at other girls.

“Your turn!” Jack exclaimed when the girls finished.
By now, I had almost finished my beer, as I didn’t really have anyone to talk to. I drank pretty fast and I didn’t eat a lot for dinner, causing me to feel a little tipsy already, even though I could usually handle alcohol pretty well.
“Okay” I said. “But, I’m not singing alone.”
“Alex will sing with you!” Jack exclaimed, causing both me and Alex to sigh.

I turned to Alex. “You’re in?” I asked, anyway.
“I’m game if you are” he replied.

We both got up and headed for the stage. On a table next to the stage was a book, which had all of the songs we could choose from in it. Alex opened it.
“What kind of music do you listen to?” he asked me.
“Uh… Pierce The Veil, Of Mice & Men…” I started.
“No Of Mice & Men, I can’t scream” Alex said. “How about Skillet? I saw you hum along to them in the car.”
“Yeah, they’re good” I nodded. “I love What I Believe.”

“Then let’s do that one” Alex suggested.
“Isn’t it kind of… Too much of a love song?” I muttered.
“So what? It’s a fun song! You never seem to care about what Jack thinks, unless it involves me…” Alex noticed.
“That’s not true!” I exclaimed defensive, knowing he was right.
“Sing What I Believe with me then” Alex dared me.
I pressed my lips together. “Fine” I finally said, reluctantly.
“Good girl” Alex joked.

We told the person who controlled the screen with the lyrics what song we wanted to sing. Not that I needed the lyrics, but well, maybe Alex did.

“Whooooo!” we heard from in front of the stage. Jenna, Jack, Rian and Zack had moved to the front to watch us. Ugh. Alex and I took our places behind our mics. I didn’t feel completely at ease. Though I was pretty self-confident, I didn’t exactly consider myself a good singer. I would probably do better than the people who sang before us and everyone applauded for them as well, but still. I heard the first notes of What I Believe through the speakers and soon Alex started singing. Beautifully, if I may say so. I knew he sang in their band, but I didn’t expect much to be honest.

The world around me is lost in misery
The only good I’ve got in my life is you
No meaning, no other reason
When everything feels wrong I feel right with you

For a moment I was mesmerized by his voice but now it was my time to sing the female vocals. I took a deep breath to calm myself and started singing, hesitantly.

So madly, desperately, deeply, obsessed
Your love is better than mine to me
Can I have this moment forever

Alex looked at me, giving me a reassuring smile while he sang his line.

Take me to the beginning

Alex started the chorus and I sang the second part, our voices joining for the last few lines.

You are what I believe
I’ll live and die for you
This is all that I need
When nothing is real you are my truth

In the darkness you shine
Can you keep me safe tonight
When I’m down on my knees
You are what I believe

After the first chorus I really got into the song and I could tell so did Alex. At first I was shyly standing behind my mic while Alex was aimlessly walking around the stage, clearly missing the guitar he usually held. After the chorus I loosened up a little and joined him in moving along to the music, which was actually a lot of fun. I even danced a little during the instrumental part, as far as my shoes enabled me to. By the end of the song Alex and I were basically singing to each other and I didn’t even care because I hadn’t had this much fun in a long time. I airdrummed along to the last notes of the song, before everyone applauded.

“Not bad” Alex said, holding his hand up to high five him.
I enthusiastically did so. “That was awesome! You’re a pretty good singer.”
“You sound surprised” Alex joked.
“A little… No offense. I just don’t have very high expectations of the average high school band” I admitted.
“Oh, but we’re not average” Alex winked.
“Clearly” I replied.

We left the stage.
“Not as bad as I expected it to be” Jack said.
“Wow, that’s a huge compliment coming from you” I said wryly.
“Yeah well, take it or not” he groaned.
“Ah, good to see you’re back to being yourself” I nodded.

“Now you’re singing with me” Jack stated.
“It’s gonna take a lot more beer to get me to do that, Jack” I replied.
“Here you go” Rian, who just appeared with a tray of beer, said and I took one of the glasses from the tray and took a big gulp.

“Jenna, you sing with me!” Jack said turning to Jenna.
“Uh… No” she said firmly.
“Oh come on, I hate singing as well but I had fun too! Loosen up a little!” I exclaimed.
“I love singing. I just hate Jack” she said, gritting her teeth.
“No you don’t” I said pointing at Jenna. “According to Alex, you two” I pointed at Jack, “love each other, you just don’t want to admit it.”

An awkward silence followed, in which I took another gulp of my beer.
“So you sing together” I continued, pointing at the stage.
“And here I thought you’d be able to handle alcohol pretty well” Alex said wryly in attempt of lightening the mood.

Both Jack and Jenna hadn’t said a word and were avoiding each other’s gaze. I took another big gulp from my beer and put the empty glass back on the tray Rian was still holding. I took both Jenna and Jack’s arms and dragged them to the stage.
“Sing” I said.

Surprisingly enough, they actually headed for the stage, reluctantly.

Notes

So yeah, who do you all ship together? Let me know!

Title Credit: Skillet - What I Believe (I honestly don't even know how known Skillet is in America, but well, I love this song and wanted to use it)