Chapter 15: All The Love In The World
I'm not looking for someone to talk to
I've got my friends
I'm more than OK
I've got more than a girl could wish for
I live my dreams
But it's not all they say
Still I believe
I'm missing something real
I need someone who releases me
Don't want to wake up alone anymore
Still believing you'll walk through my door
All I need is to know it's for sure
Then I'll give
All the love in the world
All The Love In The World – The Corrs
Before she knew it, the 15th of December had arrived and she was standing in the Auditorium, putting the finishing touches on the concert decorations. The rest of the music class were spread through the building, putting up decorations, laying out refreshments and placing instruments in strategic places.
Aeris stepped back to look around and Cloud tapped her shoulder.
"Aeris, how's this?" She looked over and saw a large screen placed to one side of the stage, where the musicians would be performing. Cloud explained it to her.
"See, I'm going to be here with a camera and I can record the whole thing. Plus, anything I show through the camera will be projected straight onto the screen, so people will get a clear view."
"Cloud, I love you." Aeris smiled, hugging him. He grinned.
"I know, you just can't help it. I'm so loveable."
"Don't push it."
They looked around again.
"It looks good, doesn't it?" Aeris smiled. The whole class had put in a maximum effort to get the auditorium looking perfect, and it had really paid off.
A lot had happened in the last month. Mostly concerning the article. Her parents had decided to give a press conference in the New Year, so they could relax over the holidays. They were coming to the concert tonight, but were leaving for Cosmo Canyon the next morning, so they had to leave straight after the concert.
Cloud nodded.
"It's going to be great. When are you doing your solo?"
"I'm the very last person to perform. Yuffie and I are doing our duet fourth, though. I can't believe we outsold last year's concert!"
"500 tickets gone… it's gonna be packed in here! So, are you going to tell me what you're singing?"
"Nope. You'll see tonight, just like everybody else." Aeris said, straightening a sprig of holly.
Yuffie came over.
"Aeris, is the tree alright?"
"It's fantastic, Yuffie. Oh, what time is it?"
"6:30. We've got an hour and a half before the concert starts."
"Good… OK, everybody!"
They all gathered around.
"OK, we'll finish here. Meet in the changing room at 7:30 sharp. Do NOT be late! And remember, we're supposed to dress up tonight, so look gorgeous." There was a ripple of laughter. Aeris smiled. "Thanks so much you guys, the place looks fantastic. I'll meet you back here at 7:30."
Everyone dispersed, chatting and laughing as they went. Aeris turned back to the stage and made a final check of the auditorium. Cloud smiled as Yuffie poked Aeris.
"It's fine, OK? Come on, let's have a coffee."
Tifa was masking a fresh pot of coffee as they arrived. She smiled and put a plate of cakes and sandwiches in front of them. Yuffie reached for a donut, and then stopped.
"Maybe not… I don't want jam all down me again." She said, reaching for a sandwich instead.
"Nervous?" Tifa asked Aeris. She nodded.
"Yeah…"
"Don't be. It'll be great." Yuffie told her. She smiled.
"I know. I'm just a natural worrier." She looked at her watch.
"Tifa, can I make that a coffee to go? I need to pick up Mom and Dad."
"Sure thing."
Aeris smiled.
"I'll see you there, OK?"
Aeris waited on the platform, looking through the crowds anxiously for her parents. This was definitely the train they were getting, so where were they?"
"Aeris!"
She turned and saw them, trying to get past a crowd of tourists. She found herself running towards them and hugging them both tightly.
"Mom! Dad! How was the trip?"
"It was fine. How are you?" Matthew said, stroking her hair. She smiled.
"I'm great. Nervous, but great!"
"Don't be nervous, you'll be fantastic." Infalna said. But before Aeris could reply there was a flash. They turned to see a reporter with a camera.
"Mr and Mrs Gast? Would you care to comment on the recent events?"
"No, we wouldn't. And if you'll excuse us, we have places to be." Matthew said, walking past with an arm around his wife and daughter, leaving the reporter looking rather miffed.
Aeris took her parents straight to the café.
"Mom, Dad, this is Yuffie Kisaragi and my roommate Tifa Lockheart, who is also Cloud's girlfriend. Oh, and this is Barret. He owns the café."
"It's good to meet you all." Matthew said. Infalna nodded and then handed Cloud a large bag.
"Christmas presents from your parents and from us."
"Oh, thanks!" Cloud said. He looked at the wrapped presents, clearly tempted. Aeris slapped his hand.
"No! Not until Christmas!"
They sat in the café for some time, discussing the concert. Aeris looked at her watch.
"Yuffie, we'd better go. We still need to dress. Tifa, Cloud can you look after my parents?"
"Of course. Go ahead."
Aeris headed straight back to her room to change into her outfit. Yuffie joined her and Aeris looked appreciatively at the dark green dress.
"That's lovely. Where'd you get it?"
"Dad sent it over. Early Christmas present I guess. Whoa, check you out!" Aeris blushed. She was wearing a pale pink dress. It was simple enough, but she looked better in it than she had guessed. Yuffie winked.
"You're sure to catch a certain someone's eye in that."
"I don't know who you're referring to. And we don't have time to discuss it. If we're later, I'll never hear the end of it!"
When they arrived in the changing room, nearly everyone was there. Aeris saw James watching her from the other side of the room but ignored him. That was what she had been doing ever since the article. He continually tried to make conversation, but she always walked away.
Shera came over.
"You both look wonderful. I think we're all here now. Cloud is getting the camera ready, and then I'll do an introduction. I'll introduce each performance as it comes, OK?"
"OK. Thanks Shera."
"Not a problem. You've all done a wonderful job. Aeris, it's time for your pep talk."
"Do I have to?" Aeris groaned. Shera nodded and then clapped her hands together.
"Everybody! We're about to start, but first Aeris has a few words to say."
Everyone quietened and looked towards Aeris. She smiled reassuringly.
"Hey. Well, I guess, I just want to say thanks to everyone, because you've really done a great job with this concert. You all sound incredible and you're going to be great. So… I don't know, just have fun, I guess! That's what we're all here for, isn't it? So do your best and let's give them a show to remember."
Applause rang through the small room. Aeris smiled and nodded. Yuffie grinned.
"You're good. Very inspiring."
"Yeah, apart from the fact I feel like vomiting!" Aeris chuckled. She excused herself and went to stand by the side of the stage, to watch Shera's introduction.
Tifa, Matthew and Infalna were sat in the third row back. As Shera walked onto the stage, the auditorium fell silent.
"Hello and welcome to the Midgar University Christmas Concert! We've got a stunning array of musical talents to show you tonight, so let's not waste anytime. Our first performer is James Winter with his original song entitled 'She's the One'."
James looked as if he were about to speak to her as he walked past but she pointedly ignored him and he walked straight onto the stage, carrying his guitar.
When it was time for 'Too Lost In You', Yuffie clutched Aeris' hand as Shera introduce them. Aeris squeezed her hand and then released it as there was tumultuous applause, indicating that they should walk on.
There were two microphones situated in the centre of the stage for them, with a single spotlight on it. Aeris and Yuffie took their places and as the two beat introduction sounded, Yuffie began to sing.
"You look into my eyes
I go out of my mind
I can't see anything
Cause this loves
Got me blind
I can't help myself
I can't break the spell
I can't even try"
Aeris held her head up straight as she began to sing her own section of the verse.
"I'm in over my head
You got under my skin
I've got no sense at all
In the state that I'm in
And my knees are weak
And my mouth can't speak
Fell too far this time."
They heard the drumbeat of the pre-recorded backing track and launched, in perfect synchronism, into the chorus.
"Baby I'm too lost in you
Caught in you
Lost in
Everything about you is so deep
I can't sleep
I can't think
I just think about the things that you do
I'm too lost in you."
They had never sung this well. The auditorium rang with the sound of their voices. Aeris marvelled at the sound of it. She felt so confident!
Tifa, Matthew and Infalna were all sat on the edges of the seats, mouths open. That couldn't be Aeris… Tifa knew that Yuffie was a confident singer, as she sounded incredible. But she never would have dreamed that that was Aeris Gainsborough.
Cloud stared through the camcorder at the pair of them, taking in their every action, absorbing every note. A quick glance at the big screen confirmed what he was seeing. They were easily the best performers so far. Well, they were only fourth and both had their solos to come but still… wow.
"I'm too lost in you…" Aeris and Yuffie both sent out that final line with utter perfection. They took their bow and suddenly the auditorium was alive with the sound of cheers, hollers and applause. Aeris and Yuffie bowed again, smiling broadly. Then they left the stage.
"OH MY GAWD!" Yuffie cried as they re-entered the dressing room. Aeris breathed hard, clutching a hand to her breast.
"That was so incredible! It's going to take months for that adrenaline rush to come down!" She agreed, laughing weakly. Yuffie looked at her watch.
"I've got twenty minutes until my solo."
"Mine's not until the very end." Aeris said. Several people came over.
"You two were amazing!"
"I didn't know you sounded like that!"
"It was brilliant!"
The two went back out to watch the performers from back stage. Bernadette was playing a very complicated piece on the violin. You could barely see her fingers as they flew from note to note. Aeris smiled.
This playing in public wasn't so bad after all.
The interval arrived. Aeris slipped out of the changing room to find her parents. They were waiting with Cloud and Tifa.
"Aeris, you were WONDERFUL!" Infalna said, hugging her tightly. Aeris laughed.
"Thanks Mom."
"Hey, Aeris, you haven't got a song written down for your solo." Matthew said, waving a programme at her. Aeris grinned mischievously.
"It's a surprise. Well, actually, I didn't make the deadline for the programme. So they had to leave it off."
"Is it an original?" Infalna asked. Aeris nodded but before she said anything Tifa tapped her arm.
"Aeris."
She was looking in the opposite direction. Aeris turned and saw Vincent. She excused herself and went over to him.
"Hi." She said. He gave her a small smile and a nod.
"Hello. You were amazing."
"Thanks…" She said, breathlessly. How was it that he always managed to do that to her? He said,
"You've done really well, decorating the place."
"Thanks. Where have you been? I mean... I haven't seen you around much lately."
"I've been working on a new piece. I've had a lot of work to do, but it's nearly finished now."
"I wasn't sure if you were coming tonight."
His smile widened ever so slightly and his eyes softened a tiny bit.
"I wouldn't have missed this for anything."
Aeris felt her skin flushing.
"Where are you sitting?"
"Over there. The front row, right on the end." Vincent said, gesturing to his seat. He looked at her. "What are you singing for your solo?"
"It's an original one. I haven't played it to anyone yet." Aeris said. She looked at her watch.
"Oh, I have to get back to the changing room in a minute."
"Break a leg. I'll see you afterwards?"
"Yes. Oh, my parents are here. Why don't you come and say hello?"
"Well…"
But before he could object too much, she had pulled him over to them. Infalna and Matthew smiled.
"Hello Vincent."
"Mr Gast. Mrs Gast."
"Enjoying the concert?"
"Very much."
"Oh, I have to go. I'll see you afterwards." Aeris said, glancing at her watch again anxiously. She walked back to the changing room, with a smile imprinted on her face.
By the time her performance came around she felt sick. It was much easier to sing with someone else alongside you. But she was going to be alone out there.
"Aeris, breathe. You've gone pale." Yuffie whispered. Aeris nodded and smiled.
"See you later."
She went to the curtains and waited for Shera to introduce her.
"Our next and last performer is Aeris Gainsborough. Aeris did have another piece planned for the concert but had to change it, so this song is a surprise for everyone here tonight. Ladies and Gentlemen… Aeris Gainsborough!"
Applause rang through her head as she walked out to the piano. She sat down. The piano had been arranged so that it was on a diagonal, facing the audience but not too much. Aeris arranged her music and then spoke into the microphone.
"This is an original piece, called 'Your Song.'"
More applause. Aeris took a deep breath and started to play the piano. As her fingers danced across the keys she felt herself relax. She could do this, as she had a dozen times before in rehearsal. A smile touched her lips. Her eyes adjusted to the darkness of the audience. But she could just make out the figure on the end of the first row. That sight was more than enough to make her sing.
"It's a little bit funny, this feeling inside
I am not one of those who can easily hide
I don't have much money, but boy if I did
I'd buy a big house where we both could live."
The audience were transfixed. Infalna and Matthew were clutching each others hands, Cloud and Tifa were grinning inanely and Vincent… well, he couldn't take his eyes off her.
"If I were a sculptor, but then again no
Or a man who makes potions in a travelling show
I know it's not much but it's the best I can do
My gift is my song and this one's for you."
Aeris didn't take her eyes off the figure on the end. She didn't need to read the music. She knew the song and she knew she wouldn't slip up, if she kept watching him.
"And you can tell everybody, this is your song
It may be quite simple but now that it's done
I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind
That I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you're in the world."
She played a small interlude before the next verse. She pressed the keys confidently, letting the music play itself.
"I sat on the roof and kicked off the moss
Well a few of the verses, well they got me quite cross
But the sun's been quite kind, while I wrote this song
It's for people like you, that keep it turned on.
So excuse me forgetting, but these things I do
You see I've forgotten if they're green or they're blue
Anyway the thing is, what I really mean is
Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen."
And you can tell everybody, this is your song
It may be quite simple but now that it's done
I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind
That I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you're in the world.
This was it. She played the final part and sang her heart out, more than she ever had before.
I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind
That I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you're in the world."
She ended on a single quavering note and played the last few notes, bringing the song to a graceful finish. As the note died away she stood up and bowed.
For a few moments nothing happened. And then wave after wave of people stood up, all clapping and cheering. Aeris smiled and took another bow.
And then the rest of the class were with her on the stage. They linked hands and took a group bow. The applause continued for a long time. When it eventually died down, Shera came onto the stage and took the microphone.
"I believe that thanks are due. First of all, to everyone here who came to listen. These students have worked hard and I hope you enjoyed it. Second, to the students who performed. You were all fantastic and created a wonderful entertainment for us here tonight."
There was generous applause. As it died, Shera said,
"Thanks must also go to Cloud Strife, for the recording of the concert, and for coming up with the idea for the screen." Cloud was pulled up onto the stage where he grinned and bowed, revelling in the attention.
Shera looked out at the audience.
"And the last thank you goes to the person who made tonight possible. She's organised the whole concert and did it wonderfully. Thank you Aeris!"
Aeris blushed and grinned as she was passed a bouquet of flowers. She smiled and nodded. Shera grinned.
"And I think that's everything! Thank you for coming tonight and I hope you enjoyed it. Please help yourselves to refreshments at the back of the auditorium and have a good evening."
The crowds started to spread out. Aeris and Cloud found the others waiting by the front of the stage.
"And here was me thinking you couldn't have gotten any better!" Tifa laughed. Infalna was in tears as she hugged her daughter.
"Aeris, that was so… so…" She couldn't help it. She burst into tears. Matthew kissed his daughter's head.
"Well done Aeris. You were fantastic."
Someone touched her shoulder. Aeris turned and saw Vincent. He smiled gently at her.
"It was wonderful." He told her. She smiled.
"Thank you Vincent. We were going for a coffee. Do you want to come?"
Vincent hesitated. And then nodded. Aeris smiled as they left, still talking noisily.
She could definitely get used to playing in public.
A/N: OK, I realise this chapter is twice as long as usual. I just felt that so much had led up to the concert I should make it a special chapter. Especially since I've given you around ten chapters of filler altogether! Also, you probably want an explanation for me posting four chapters at once! Well, I kind of got into a fanfic writing frenzy. I just couldn't stop! So I wrote chapters 10-14 in one sitting. But the end of chapter 10 was such a cliff-hanger that I just had to post that first and see what the response was like! LOL, I'm so evil!
Anyway, thanks for all of the reviews. But don't worry, this fic is far from over! I've got a very large plot planned for this fic and I intend to carry it out! And for some reason I can't escape this fic even in my dreams. I dreamt that Aeris decided to go and visit her real father and he was Antonio Banderas! I need help…
Please review and give me feedback. Negative is good, but positive is better! Look – if you don't like something about the plot, please don't flame. It's a waste of internet space! Just tell me what's wrong and I will try to fix it! DON'T whine! No one likes a whiner!