Healing on her terms

ter

Marcos says, the moment I got to the classic bar where I usually p

stance before getting here. A lot was going through my mind when I sobe

h a good mature friend who is always ready to help. I remember him telling me to become a full-time performer in his bar, and he wa

ht, it is not for fun, it is to let out my pain and find s

been tough that's why. Would it

We missed you. Many of the patrons have been as

ks. I guess I'm here now

lmost replaced you, but you're irreplaceable because of your

ate your kind words. I'll just si

or a second, I want to decline, but I nod in response.

ing but the pain twisting inside me. The low hum of conversation and the clinking

up her set, her voice soft and sweet. I bare isly register it. My mind is elsewher

me out of my unconscious state. I force myself to clap along, my hands moving m

rom the chair, feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. As I walk towards the stage,

He looks like he carries his burden, the kind that's heavy enough to make even the strongest man crumble. His ey

each the stage and take hold of the microphone, I push the thought aside. This

deep breath. I let the silence stretch out, as I tr

ld be so cold, and make it look easy?" I finally begin to sing Gavin James' song Jealous. The words flow

e it doesn't seem to wear you do, and I'm jealous," I pour everything into the song–the pain,

oon, guess I'm jealous of how you look happy. Well, my heart is heavy, lost in the memor

slip from my lips. I sing as if this is the last song I'll ever sing. And for a moment, the wo

alright. Oh, you're alri imbued witht even sinking in? Yeah, I'm jealous, s

the girl who just had her heart shattered into a million pieces. I

time tonight, I see the room. Faces are turned towards me, some with tears

t I can't quite it's a mix of admiration and and understanding; maybe it's a reflection of the pain I feel. It's as i

nd then it builds into a powerful one I offer a small, nervous

sed. I catch Mr. Marcos's eyes, and he looks at me with a mix of pride and concern, but I can't bring myself to speak because I'll

so much emotion. That was fantastic!"

I responded,

nter. "Are you okay though? You

," a voice startles me

close, he's even more strict imbed with an intensity that sends a shiver down my spine. His dark brown hair is slight dishevel

h. "But your song...it was the best cover I've ever had of Gav

, my throat suddenly tight. He seems to se

ow. "I didn't introduce myself. I'm Gavi

ce, you share the same name with the artist I did a cover of his song. I'm Sof

my goodness!" Marcos exclaims,

o my stomach. How can a man more be beautif

I ask,want more t

him?" Mr. Marcos ra

ll.

't like the fame either, but business put me i

. Marco spotlight grinning cheekily. "I'

I can be anywhere I want. I heard here is the best place to relax and unwind

akes me feel both exposed and seen like he's looking p

guess I'll have to leave the both of you now. But befo

ice. Marcos's forehead furrows before

though. It's as if we're both waiting for the other to say something, to bridge the

impressive of the name he made for himself. He must have come from a wealthy family and he had it all smooth

ing until he

even my envious thoughts of him. "But there's more to your voice than

y gaze lingers on his face. I feel my defenses starting to crum

my voice trembling slightly. "Singing is th

at. Music has a way of healing someone, even if ju

Mr. Marcos returns with two glasses of whiskey

me. "This isn't for you," he says and places it in front

hat's so kind of you. I'll be returning

apart. What's with him and his excitement? Is he that thrilled to me

one," Gavin says, his

best to shift the attention to him rather than myself. I lower my glass from my lip

e sighs, running a hand through his hair. "Life," he says simply, and my face twitch

that I recognize all too well. We're both

ssed path for a reason. How about I help you escape whatever

h a kind quiet intensity that makes my heart skip a beat