7

Easier Seen Than Explained

Chapter One: In Which Things Get Complicated.

Rows upon rows of people. REAL people, might I add. Not dummies, or mannequins, or anything else that some weird person might use to practice. And they were all waiting for me.

Whoever said performing would get easier is a damn dirty liar.

I wasn't about to rock out in front of millions of people. I wasn't going to break into a mind-blowing dance sequence, either. No, I was just getting ready to perform a nice, meaningful song for the lovely citizens of a city bar. But did that calm my nerves at all? Nope. Not one bit.

"You're up, 'Mari," my boss called softly.

Well, here goes. If I'm lucky, I won't embarrass myself too much.

I clutched my guitar tightly as I stepped out onto the stage. The spotlight blinded me for a few seconds, but after a few blinks, I could see again (well, as much as my limited vision allowed me to)…which might not have been a good thing. As soon as my eyes landed on the crowd, it suddenly seemed like their numbers had tripled. Uh-oh, here comes my lunch…

Whoa, now. Vomiting might not be the best decision, if you wanna keep your job…and your dignity.

…My inner self shouldn't have to tell me that.

I took a deep breath. Okay, Amari, keep it together…just imagine that they're all donkeys. Or your cat. You sing for Socks all the time. Surprisingly, that made my stomach get out of my throat, and I was capable of coherent thought.

"Hey there, how's everybody doin' tonight?" I said cheerfully into the microphone. A resounding "good" lifted my spirits even further. "Alright! For those of you that don't know me, I'm Amari Benett, and I'll be performing a song for you! Enjoy~"

Another deep breath filled my lungs. My eyes closed at the same time I began to strum my guitar, and my voice (although nice and smooth) rang throughout the room.

"I told you on the day we wed,

I was gonna love you till I's dead.

Made you wait till our weddin' night,

That's the first and the last time I'll wear white."

I opened my eyes. Their faces were starting to lift—I guess they think I'm good. That thought gave me a boost that showed in the volume of my voice…

"So if the ties that bind every do come loose,

Tie 'em in a knot like a hangman's noose.

Cuz I'll go to Heaven or I'll go to Hell,

Before I'll see you with someone else.

"Put me in the ground,

Put me six foot down,

And let the stone say,

'Here lies the girl whose only crutch

Was lovin' one man just a little too much.'

And if you go before I do,

I'm gonna tell the gravedigger that he better dig two."

It seems Lady Luck (or whatever entity you thank for good fortune) was smiling down at me today. The rest of the song went great, and the end brought deafening cheers and ear-splitting whistles…okay, maybe I was exaggerating a little. But there was definitely applause and whistles.

"Amari, my girl! Wonderful performance, I expected no less!" The Boss clapped me roughly on the back, making me yelp a bit. He chuckled. "Sorry, I guess I don't know my own strength." Ha, no kidding. "Your paycheck'll come in the mail. You've done well, lass. You earned it."

I felt myself start to grin. I feel like a five-year-old getting told the picture I drew was really good…maybe because it isn't always easy to get The Boss's praise. "Heehee, thanks."

"No problem. Now run on home, lass. It'll be gettin' dark soon." Oh, that's right. Ugh…I hate walking through the city when it's dark out.

"Yes, sir." My Irish employer gave me a smile and a pat on the head as I walked over to my guitar case. After securely encasing my precious instrument, I slid my arms through the straps and sauntered out the door.

You know how I said that I hate walking through the city when it's dark? Well, there's a good reason for that. I am VERY paranoid. If it wasn't for the usual fear of getting mugged or shot, I'd be worried about zombies stumbling out of the shadows, or a rabid animal jumping out and mauling me. Maybe I've seen too many horror movies?

A crashing noise from an alley to my right made me jump. "Jesus…" I took a deep breath and quickened my pace, trying to slow the erratic beating of my heart. C'mon, Amari, home is only a couple blocks away…

"'Bout time you got home."

"Gah!" I yelped when I opened the door, to find Daren sitting on the couch. "Good Lord, Daren! Don't DO that!" I said, setting my guitar against the wall and giving him a half-hearted glare. My reaction made him grin.

"What, did you think I was a robber or something?" He smirked. "You're such a wuss."

I stuck my tongue out like a child. "Shut up, you know I'm skittish at night!" I shut the door behind me and walked over to the couch.

"You're right, you're right. I'm sorry, babe."

I sat next to him and kicked off my shoes, snuggling closer to him. "No you're not. You thought it was hilarious." I pouted.

"Well…maybe a little." Daren laughed when I playfully smacked his arm. Kissing my forehead, he said, "You know I'm just messing with you." I rolled my eyes in mock-indignance.

Did I mention that Daren was my boyfriend? No? Well, now you know. We started dating three years ago.

"How was work?" I asked. Daren shrugged.

"It was…work."

I gave him an "are-you-kidding-me" look. "You know what I mean. Did you have a good day?"

"I guess so, yeah."

"Well, that didn't sound very convincing."

He sighed. "Look, babe, nothing abnormal happened. It was just a normal day at work, alright?" he snapped.

I blinked in surprise, then scowled. "Why are YOU getting so defensive?"

"I'm not!"

I rubbed my temples. Okay, this has got to stop. "You've been awfully touchy lately, Daren. What's up with you?"

"Nothing, I—"

BAMBAMBAMBAM.

Daren was suddenly interrupted by the sound of someone banging on my apartment door. Odd…I wasn't expecting anyone. I got to my feet and walked slowly over to the door. Opening it, I came face-to-face with a pretty, blonde-hair-blue-eyed woman in a tank top and jeans, her expression slightly contorted in an expression of anger. Whoa. Who shit on HER parade? "Can I…help you?" I asked warily.

She scowled at me. "Is Daren Watson here?"

I looked over my shoulder at Daren. His slightly tanned skin had gone pale, his bright green eyes wide and his shaggy brown hair starting to get wet with sweat. My eyes narrowed, and I felt a sinking feeling of dread in my gut. I have a feeling this isn't going to go down well… "Daren, honey…you have a visitor," I said, my tone sickly sweet. I saw his Adam's apple bob as he gulped. Standing up, he plastered an all-too-fake smile on his face and walked up to the Barbie girl.

"D-did you need something?" he stammered. Barbie looked at him in disbelief.

"You're KIDDING, right?!" She turned to me. "Are you aware that your boyfriend is a liar?"

I tilted my head. "…No, I wasn't. Care to elaborate?" I asked, shooting Daren a brief glare.

"Daren and I started dating about a month ago."

I felt all the blood leave my face. "…What?" I asked, my voice nothing but a squeak.

"That's right." Barbie glared at Daren. "I was talking to one of our old, mutual friends, and SHE mentioned that Daren's had a girlfriend for the past three years."

I snapped my attention to the panicking man next to me. "You've been CHEATING on me?!" I yelled, taking a step towards him.

He took a step back. "Amari, baby, I can explain—"

"Don't you 'baby' me! You ASSHOLE! We are SO through!"

Barbie's glare intensified. "So are we, obviously!" With that, she promptly bitch-slapped him and stormed away.

I stared at Daren, my demeanor suddenly becoming eerily calm. "Where's your key to my apartment?" I asked slowly. He silently dug it out of his pocket and placed it in my outstretched hand, sullen. "'Just a normal day at work', indeed…I bet you were working REAL hard, weren't you?" He opened his mouth to respond, but I cut him off by pointing into the hall. "Get the fuck out of my apartment."

With the look of a prideful, wounded beast, he walked out the door.

"Daren, wait." He turned around, looking hopeful, only to be shot down again when my fist connected with his face. "I almost forgot your parting gift," I snarled, before slamming the door in his now-injured face.

After the door shut loudly, I listened for a moment. When I could no longer hear the sound of Daren's footsteps, I sank to my knees, burying my face in my hands and weeping.

I wasn't usually one to cry, mind you. My mom raised me with the belief that crying made you look weak. But this is a special occasion, wouldn't you agree?

Y'know, this whole thing was rather cliché. A girl has a steady boyfriend, they drift apart, he ends up cheating on her with a busty blonde. Funny how you never imagine that those kinds of things could happen to you…