I apologise if this chapter isn't that brilliant, I've been having a hard time recently so writing happy scenes like this is quite difficult when you can't put yourself into that mind frame. I was going to upload this yesterday but I went out and got a bit drunk instead so I came home and crashed out haha. But either way, I hope you guys enjoy it and let me know what you think.
Chapter 35
The sun was pounding down upon me as I jumped around to the music. My top was stuck to my body and my hair was damp, I was completely out of breath and burning up but I was too fucking into it to even care. We had only played a few covers but everyone was into it and we were building up to the good stuff. The guys had even created a mini mosh pit during the heavier songs but they mainly just fell over and started laughing due to being intoxicated, which made it hard to sing when I was trying so hard not to laugh at them.
The song ended and I led down on the sheets to try and catch my breath. It had cooled down a bit compared to how hot it was earlier but I was still exhausted and we were nowhere near the end. I was having a great time but I didn't realise how hard it would be to perform within the boiling heat. The guys obviously thought the same as they had all removed their t-shirts where as me and the girl's were still in our vest tops, which reminded me that I desperately needed to change out of the one I was currently wearing. I jumped back onto my feet and approached the microphone.
"We're gonna take a short break or I think I might die."
I chuckled and grabbed a bottle of water to wash the dryness from my throat. Emily bounded up to me and threw her arms around me with a bright smile on her face. I felt disgusting so I quickly pulled away from her and held her hand instead but I was pretty sure that my smile matched hers.
"You were amazing up there, baby." She appraised me, causing me to blush slightly.
"Thanks. I'm going to quickly go and change, I feel so gross." I kissed her lips briefly before shooting back inside.
I grabbed some white board shorts and a white vest top before I slipped into the bathroom so that I could freshen up. I pulled my hair into a rough ponytail and fixed my smudged make up before heading back outside so that I could continue. That was when I noticed that someone new had arrived since I had been away and was talking to Effy, Freddie and Emily. Even from the back, I recognised her straight away from the dark brown hair with pink streaks through the sides and her familiar tanned skin. I decided to approach them so that I could greet the newcomer when Mike jumped in front of me with wide eyes and his mouth hanging wide open.
"Who the hell is that?" He practically begged as he pointed towards the girl. I recognised the look on his face and smirked knowingly.
"That's Freddie's sister, Karen." I answered and his eyes widened more than what I thought was possible.
"Damn, you have to introduce me." He said eagerly. I chuckled and patted his broad chest then cringed when I realised just how much he had been sweating.
"Come on then."
Karen was squealing and hugging Effy, practically shaking her around like a rag doll, I guessed that she had taken their news well. I approached with Mike in tow and Emily smiled brightly when she saw us and that was when Karen finally turned and noticed me. Her eyes widened slightly and she smiled somewhat nervously, she was probably expecting me to be bitter towards her due to what happened between her and Emily.
"Naomi, it's good to see you…you look good." I rolled my eyes but grinned at the girl.
"I look like shit, but thank you, it's good to see you too, Karen. I wanted to thank you for looking after Emily whilst I was away." I couldn't help but smirk when Karen's face burned red, as did Emily's. I chuckled and stepped back to reveal Mike who was practically bouncing on the spot behind me.
"This is my friend, Mike." Karen's face lit up when she took in Mike's appearance and a flirtatious grin pulled up on her lips.
"Hi, I'm Karen McClair, Freddie's older sister." She introduced herself sweetly.
Freddie scoffed. "And the pain in my ass."
Karen shot him a warning glare before she turned back to Mike who was grinning like an idiot. I giggled and left them to it as I pulled Emily away and wrapped her up in my arms. I was gazing happily into her big brown eyes whilst we smiled at each other like love sick puppies when Keith approached us. He wore a big grin and he pulled me into a tight grip when I pulled away from Emily and lifted me up into the air with ease.
"I'm so fucking proud of you, kid." He said once he put me back down and I noticed that he had tears in his eyes.
"I'm so sorry for not being around to watch you grow into the beautiful young woman that you are." He sniffled as he took my hand in his. I was shocked and I felt my heart twinge slightly and I couldn't stop myself from hugging him again.
"It's okay, dad."
"No it isn't but I promise that I'm going to make it up to you. Whatever I can do, just let me know." I smiled warmly at his words and nodded.
"Good, now get back up there and rock this place." He patted my arm encouragingly and we chuckled.
I ran off to gather the others before we stepped back onto our makeshift stage. We had decided that we would start playing the songs that we had written this morning so they jumped straight into the music as I stepped up to the microphone once again.
"We're back and this next song is something that I wrote this morning after the way that a dream made me feel. This is called War of Change."
The music behind me was heavier than anything that we had written or performed before but it felt so right and hit me on a whole new level. I was so nervous about singing something that held so much meaning to me because it was based on a feeling that I couldn't quite place. I took a deep breath and began to sing.
"It's a truth that in love and war, worlds collide and hearts get broken.
I want to live like I know I'm dying, take up my cross, not be afraid."
The pace of the song sped up as well as my singing which was something completely different to anything that I had done, it was a mix between fast talking and singing and I had to remember when I had to take a breath in case I messed it up.
"Is it true what they say, that words are weapons?
And if it is, then everybody best stop steppin'.
Cause I got ten in my pocket that'll bend ya locket,
I'm tired of all these rockers sayin' come with me."
I was relieved that I had managed to do it without messing it up and it made it so much easier to carry on as we broke into the chorus. Everybody was cheering and pumping their fists in the air, encouraging us even more. I felt my body begin to loosen its grip on the previous tension and I started jumping and threw my head around to the music.
"Wait, it's just about to break, it's more than I can take.
Everything's about to change.
I feel it in my veins, it's not going away.
Everything's about to change.
It creeps in like a thief in the night,
Without a sign, without a warning.
But we are ready and prepared to fight,
Raise up your swords, don't be afraid.
Is it true what they say, that words are weapons?
And if it is, then everybody best stop steppin'.
Cause I got ten in my pocket that'll bend ya locket,
I'm tired of all these rockers sayin' come with me
Wait, it's just about to break, it's more than I can take.
Everything's about to change.
I feel it in my veins, it's not going away.
Everything's about to change."
I was stood on top of the amplifier pumping my fist in the air and miming the lyrics whilst Ryan shouted the next verse and I glanced towards Emily. She was nodding her head along to the music but she had a slight frown on her face but she smiled when she realised that I was looking at her. Her eyes silently asked me to tell her what was going on, I had seen the expression so many times so I knew it well. She had obviously realised that I had lied to her this morning about the dream. But I gave her a smile and nodded my head to tell her that I would talk to her about it later.
Ryan: "This is a warning, like it or not.
I break down, like a record spinning.
Gotta get up, so back off.
This is a warning, like it or not.
I'm tired of listenin', I'm warning you.
Don't try to get up."
Naomi: "There's a war going on inside of me tonight, so don't be afraid.
There's a war going on inside of me tonight, don't be afraid.
Wait, it's just about to break, it's more than I can take.
Everything's about to change.
I feel it in my veins, it's not going away.
Everything's about to change."
Everybody burst into applause once we had finished and I sighed with relief that it had gone so fucking well. It definitely felt good to get something like that out even though I knew it was going to involve a load of questioning.
The dream that I had this morning was different to what it was usually like. Normally he would appear to me, beat me up, rape me, laugh at me and I'd be haunted by the sights and smells of the night. But never had it ever turned around, he always had the power over me because I was so afraid of him being in my life in case it happened again. When I had that dream, I felt as though something was going to change. Something big was about to happen, I didn't know what but I had a strong feeling in my gut that I was stronger than him now. I was prepared to fight, I felt like he couldn't scare me anymore.
"Fucking hell." I chuckled into the microphone and brushed my damp hair out of my face. "That went better than I expected and I'm glad to see that you all enjoyed it."
"You fookin' rock, Naomikins!" I heard Cook holler and everybody laughed including me.
"Cheers Cook, glad we've got our own little fan base going. This next song is actually for each and every one of you, it's something that we all wrote together this morning to show you all just how much we love and appreciate you all for everything that you've done for us, even when times have been hard. This song is called Be Somebody." I picked up my acoustic guitar and began strumming as Ryan burst into the first verse.
Ryan: "I'm just the boy inside the man, not exactly who you think I am.
Trying to trace my steps back here again, so many times.
I'm just a speck inside your head; you came and made me who I am.
I remember where it all began, so clearly.
I feel a million miles away; still you connect me in your way.
And you created me, something I would've never seen.
When I could only see the floor, you made my window a door.
So when they say they don't believe, I hope that they see you and me."
The song had a beautiful melody as it started fast paced but soft. Everyone was watching us with smiles on their faces that showed that this song was already going to mean a lot to them as it did to us. That's when I joined in and me and Ryan sang together in synchronisation.
Ryan and Naomi: "After all the lights go down, I'm just the words, you are the sound.
A strange type of chemistry, how you've become a part of me.
And when I sit alone at night, your words burn through me like a fire.
You're the only one who knows who I really am."
I burst into the chorus with a lot of power to emphasize the meaning behind the lyrics whilst Ryan sang quietly with me as Sam finally started bashing the drums to join in.
Naomi: "We all want to be somebody; we just need a taste of who we are.
We all want to be somebody; we're willing to go but not that far.
And we're all see through just like glass,
And we can shatter just as fast.
This light's been burned out for a while; I still see it every time I pass.
It was lost in the coldness of my mind, behind a box of reasons why.
I never doubted it was there, just took a little time to find.
And even when,"
Ryan and Naomi: "I feel a million miles away; still you connect me in your way.
And you created me, something I would've never seen.
When I could only see the floor, you made my window a door.
So when they say they don't believe, I hope that they see you and me.
After all the lights go down, I'm just the words, you are the sound.
A strange type of chemistry, how you've become a part of me.
And when I sit alone at night, your words burn through me like a fire.
You're the only one who knows who I really am.
We all want to be somebody; we just need a taste of who we are.
We all want to be somebody; we're willing to go but not that far."
Ryan: "I'm just the boy inside the man, not exactly who you think I am.
Trying to trace my steps back here again, so many times.
When I could only see the floor, you made my window a door.
So when they say they don't believe, I hope that they see you and me."
Another round of applause and this time I had tears in my eyes as I watched some of my friends who were smiling brightly whilst crying. They were touched by the words and that was exactly what I was going for. I placed my guitar back down.
"That song was for all of you. We love you so much and we could never truly show you just how much but I think that did a good enough job." I giggled as they all shouted "we love you too!" in unison.
"This is the last song that we've got for now, and this song is about looking towards the future. This is called New Horizons."
The tune to this song was a lot happier compared to the others but it was just as meaningful. I jumped around and danced with a smile on my face.
"So you're tired but you're alive, so open up your eyes.
And you can get your sleep when you are dead,
Kill the clock inside your head.
Bring your normalcy to the edge,
And watch it drown in new horizons, new horizons.
You said I'd only have to wait until I die, and that's no time.
How did we come to thinking this was funny?
Cheering and laughing at the dying, while we're riding the light in you."
The smile on my face was so large that I was almost worried that my lips would split as I sung the chorus. I didn't care, I felt so light and carefree like nothing could get to me, and all I had to look forward to was the future with all of these beautiful people in front of me.
"Wait, you said I'd only have to wait until I die.
(Ryan: New horizons.)
There is no such thing as time,
Inside this moment, no sun rises.
Wait until I fly (new horizons.)
Wait until I fly (new horizons.)
Life floods in with a new conquest,
Life floods in with a new quest.
Here's a voice for the voiceless,
And a song for the soulless,
Life floods in."
As we burst back into the chorus, I was so full of adrenaline that I decided to run and jump on top of the bench where everyone was sitting and threw my hand up into the air as I sung and everyone clapped and cheered.
"Wait, you said I'd only have to wait until I die.
(Ryan: New horizons.)
There is no such thing as time,
Inside this moment, no sun rises.
Wait until I fly (new horizons.)
Wait until I fly (new horizons.)"
I kneeled down quickly as I sung to the smiling faces in front of me with a grin of my own that matched theirs. I felt so good that I just wanted to laugh and hug them all.
"When the times keep going wrong and we go right.
When the times keep going wrong and we go right."
I jumped off the table and ran to the stage as we got into the chorus for the last time. The song ended and I nearly launched my microphone up into the air as I threw my hands up. I burst out laughing as Sally put her guitar down and jumped onto Sam's lap just as Katie ran up and engulfed Ryan into a hug. But I tried to run out of shock when I saw everyone else run towards me and Mike and dog piled us onto the ground. We all laughed with happiness as we rolled around and hugged each other as well as playfully hitting one another. Emily smothered me with kisses and praised me on how good it was and I felt within that moment that my heart was going to burst. I didn't care for anything in that moment, because nothing else mattered. For the first time in so long, I was well and truly happy and nothing in the world could change that.
.x.
Forget what I said at the beginning, as soon as I got into writing this chapter, I couldn't stop until it was finished. I think it went pretty well, but I'll leave it down to you guys to decide on that one. So please let me know what you think. Also, I know that I said Freddie's surprise would be in this chapter, well I decided to cut it in half but it will definitely be in the next!
The songs in this chapter are by two of my favourite bands. The first two are by Thousand Foot Krutch and the last was by Flyleaf. I do not own anything about these songs, I just love them a lot and I felt that they went well to how Naomi was feeling and progressing with her life. I hope to have the next chapter up soon as there are only a few left unfortunately; I'll be so gutted once this story is over!
I hope you all enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it, so please let me know! :)