Chapter 59: Sing
Baby, you've been going so crazy
Lately nothing seems to be going right
Solo, why'd you have to so low
You're soul
You've been waiting in the sun too long
But if you sing
Sing
Sing
Sing, sing, sing
For the love you bring won't mean a thing
Unless you sing
Sing, sing, sing
Sing – Travis
The end of the year arrived, a month later. The concert was on that night, a Tuesday, and Aeris was terrified.
She had, as requested, written the song for the class. And they sounded good. But that didn't stop her thinking that nobody would like it and everyone would blame her for it.
They had divided into groups of the song. The instrumentalists and the singers. The singers were made up of Aeris, Yuffie, James, Sarah, Tom, Michael and Jenny. This left eight instrumentalists.
They spent the day decorating the auditorium. Yuffie and Bernadette were at the centre of it all and Aeris enjoyed watching them work. They worked well together, consulting each other on everything before making a decision.
"Aeris, can you get those flowers arranged around the stage?" Yuffie asked, gesturing at several flower arrangements. Aeris saluted her.
"Aye-aye captain." Yuffie laughed before turning back to Bernadette. Cloud was on stage, setting up the screen they had used for the Christmas concert. He smiled down at her as she placed the flowers along the edge of the stage.
"Ready for tonight?"
"Absolutely terrified. Couldn't be readier." She agreed. Cloud started to wire a plug, seated on the edge of the stage.
"So, what are you singing? I haven't seen the programme yet."
"I'm going an original one called Accidentally In Love. I also wrote Yuffie's, as well as the group one."
"Been busy then."
"Just slightly." Her wrist ached slightly and she rubbed it. She had had the cast removed just over a week earlier and it was still a little weak.
"What's Yuffie's called? It's a pity you're not doing one together again."
"I know, but we didn't have time really. Her song is called Ironic."
Cloud grinned and said,
"So… we've survived the first year of college."
"Don't curse it. We've still got four days to go." Aeris warned.
"I know. I just can't help but remember us as those innocent little kids who arrived here in September."
"Innocent? You?" Aeris mocked him. He grinned.
"Yeah, that's me. The first concert, in December. Before you and Vincent hooked up."
"Before I'll Be There for You." Aeris sighed.
"Before Palmer."
"Before Eric."
"Before insanity." Cloud said. Aeris laughed.
"Yeah. Do you want a drink?"
"Sure."
She crossed to the table where drinks had been set out. She bumped into James as she did.
"Sorry, James."
"No problem. Terrified?" He asked.
"Oh yeah. You?"
"Always am." He admitted. She smiled.
"How's your stomach?"
"Better. Got a lovely scar though. Want to see?" He grinned. Aeris laughed.
"I'll manage without, I think."
She sipped some water and sighed.
"James, I went to end the year on good terms."
"Same here. I know I screwed up on numerous occasions but I want to say sorry. I know it was wrong and everything. I just… went a little crazy."
"Join the club." Aeris said. James smiled.
"So we're friends?"
"Friends." Aeris agreed. James held up his arms.
"Do I get a hug?"
She laughed and hugged him. As she pulled away he winked.
"How about a kiss?" She gave him a look and he winked. "No? Maybe next time?"
"Don't push it, James." She warned with a smile, taking a drink to Cloud.
Vincent was sat in the Café, sketching quickly. Aeris smiled as she saw him. His arm was better now and the brace had been removed. He was still a little wobbly when walking but the more he moved the better his legs felt. Aeris got a coffee and joined him at the table. He kissed her.
"Ready for the concert?"
"Ready as I'll ever be. Mom and Dad are going to meet us here."
"Good." Aeris looked down at the sketch and smiled. He had been drawing Tifa as she sat behind the counter with her book. Vincent pressed a finger to his mouth.
"Don't tell her. If she finds out I'm drawing her she gets nervous and goes into the back." Aeris laughed and crossed her heart.
"Promise."
Tifa came over with a coffee pot.
"Refill, Vincent?"
"Thanks Tifa."
"How's Yuffie doing?" Tifa asked, sitting down as Vincent hastily closed the sketchbook.
"Loving every minute. She's a born leader." Aeris told her. Tifa laughed and settled back with a sigh of satisfaction.
"Seen Elena and Reno?"
"Not since last weekend. They were fighting about something and Reno kept making her stop talking by kissing her. It's actually quite effective." Aeris told them. They all laughed at that and Cloud came in. He sat down next to Tifa and stretched.
"This concert is going to be great. Who do we know whose coming?"
"Well, Mom and Dad, your parents, you guys, El, Reno, Rude, Marlene, Mike and Tseng's got to go. Shera said she might bring Faith along." Aeris said, counting them off on her fingers.
Yuffie and Reeve arrived a few minutes later. Yuffie sat down and looked over at Aeris.
"How did you do it by yourself, Aeris? I'm sharing the work and I'm exhausted."
"You're doing a great job, Yuffie." Aeris assured her. She smiled.
"Thanks. The song is great, by the way."
"Which one? Mine, yours or the groups?"
"All three. I actually meant mine, but they all rock." Yuffie laughed.
Barret came out and yelled at Tifa.
"I'm not paying you to sit around, Lockheart! Get to work!" Tifa looked around the empty café.
"There's no one to serve."
"Not to point."
"Plus it's my break." Tifa pointed out. Barret checked his watch and shrugged.
"Fine. Looking forward to the concert, Yuffie."
"Thanks Barret. You're gonna love it! We've got nearly 800 people coming. I knew shamelessly advertising Aeris would pay off!" Yuffie grinned.
Yuffie and Aeris prepared for the concert at 7 that night. They waited in the changing room for the others. Yuffie paced the room in her yellow dress. She looked really good in it. Aeris herself was wearing a green dress, the same colour as her eyes. She had tied her hair back in a simple ponytail.
Bernadette came in, wearing a black dress. Aeris smiled at her. With her short, dark red hair and blue eyes, she looked great.
"You look wonderful, Bernadette."
"Thanks Aeris. There are some people outside who want to talk to you. Shall I let them in?"
"Sure… who is it?" Aeris asked, curiously. Bernadette smiled and pushed open the door. Elena, Reno, Rude and Tseng poured in.
"Had to wish you luck! You're going to be great." Reno grinned. Aeris laughed and then narrowed her eyes. The four of them were wearing their trademark blue suits, usually what they wore for performances.
"Why are you…? Oh no…" Aeris got to her feet in shock. Tseng smiled innocently.
"I had a word with Yuffie and Bernadette and we want to do I'll be there for you as an opening number."
"When were you planning on telling me this?" Aeris cried. Elena giggled.
"Right about now, actually."
"And you two were in on this?" She cried, turning on Yuffie and Bernadette who shrugged.
"Sure."
"Of course."
Aeris sank into a chair and groaned.
"Well, I'll have to won't I?"
"Yes." They said in unison. Aeris giggled, albeit slightly shrilly.
"OK… fine. I need to warm up. Does everyone else know about this?"
"The whole class does." Yuffie admitted. Aeris closed her eyes and then stood up.
"Warm up. And tea. I need tea."
The curtains were drawn across the front of the stage as the Turks and Aeris waited for the show to start. Aeris could hear the people talking and bit her lip. Elena smiled.
"Calm down. We'll be fine."
"How are you so relaxed?"
"I'm not. I just don't show it." Elena said, drinking from a water bottle. They heard applause as Yuffie and Bernadette walked out onto the stage. They listened carefully.
"Hi and welcome to the Midgar University Summer Concert. It's been hard work but we've got a great show for you." Bernadette began. Yuffie said,
"But before we begin, we've got a special treat for you. As you may know, one of our students recently released a song with the world famous Turks. And here, for one night only, to perform I'll be there for you is Aeris Gainsborough and the Turks!"
The curtain opened as Rude and Elena began to hit the opening chords. Aeris didn't have time to look at the crowd before she launched into the opening verse.
So no one told you life was gonna be this way
Your job's a joke, you're broke
Your love life's D.O.A
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
And when it hasn't been your day
Your week, your month
It hasn't been your year but
In perfect unison Elena joined in and they sang the chorus
I'll be there for you
When the rain starts to fall
I'll be there for you
Like I've been there before
I'll be there for you
Because you're there for me too
Aeris felt that little thrill she got every time she sang in front of a crowd, the feel of people smiling and enjoying her music. They reached her favourite part of the song and she sang her heart out.
No one could ever know me
No one could ever see me
Seems you're the only one who knows
What it's like to be me
Someone to face the day with
Make it through all the mess with
Someone I can always laugh with
Even at my worst I'm best with you
Yeah
She found him as she was singing. Sat in the front row, smiling at her. Vincent. She smiled as she and Elena sang the last line together.
Because you're there for me too…
The applause was deafening. Cheers and screams rang through Aeris' head as she hugged Elena.
"Thanks for making me do this." She whispered in her ear. Elena winked.
"No problem, honey. Come on; let's get the next guy on."
The concert was just as good, if not better than the winter concert. Yuffie was the last singer before the interval and Aeris was the first after. Yuffie winked over at Aeris as she began to sing the first strains of Ironic.
An
old man turned ninety-eight
He won the lottery and died the next day
It's a black fly in your Chardonnay
It's a death row pardon two minutes too late
And isn't it ironic...dontcha think
It's like rain on your wedding day
It's a free ride when you've already paid
It's the good advice that you just didn't take
Who would've thought...it figures
They joined their friends for the interval.
"That was incredible, Aeris!" Tifa squealed, hugging her friend tightly. Aeris laughed.
"They told me about an hour before the concert was starting."
"Harsh! Still, you sang great. And you too, Yuffie, that song was so cool!" Cloud smiled and turned to Vincent. He kissed her.
"You were amazing."
"Thanks."
Infalna and Matthew greeted their daughter.
"You get better every time I hear you." Matthew smiled at her. She hugged him tightly.
"Thanks Dad. I'm so glad you guys came!"
"Can't wait to hear your new song." Infalna said, kissing her. Aeris smiled.
"I hope you like it."
"Of course we will. And if we don't, we'll lie." Cloud said, smiling brightly. Aeris punched him lightly and returned to the dressing room with Yuffie.
Aeris took the microphone and smiled at the audience. Each artist was introducing their song so she said,
"Hi everyone. I'm Aeris Gainsborough and I'm going to be singing an original song tonight called Accidentally in Love. I hope you like it."
Someone cheered and Aeris laughed slightly, nodding to the technician for the backing track. The bouncy tune began to play and Aeris took a deep breath.
So he said what's the problem baby
What's the problem
I don't know
Well maybe I'm in love
Think about it every time
I think about it
Can't stop thinking 'bout it
How much longer will it take to cure this
Just to cure it cause I can't ignore it if it's love
Makes me wanna turn around and face me
But I don't know nothing 'bout love
Come on, come on
Turn a little faster
Come on, come on
The world will follow after
Come on, come on
Cause
everybody's after love
Aeris had been nervous about this song, since it was quite different from her usual piano/guitar songs. She had spent an afternoon with Tseng in the music studio, playing around with the controls. But it was being well received. As the song ended they cheered her and she bowed.
"Thanks everyone. Enjoy the rest of the show."
When the time arrived for the final number, Aeris felt slightly sick.
"Yuffie, what if they hate it? Everyone will blame me!"
"Aeris, it's a great song. Why would they hate it?"
"I don't know!"
Bernadette grinned at her.
"They're going to love it. Come on, we want you to introduce it, since you wrote it."
"Stop springing things on me!" Aeris cried as they pushed towards the stage. The class settled around her, ready to start. Aeris smiled nervously.
"Hi everyone. This is the last song tonight and it's going to be performed by all of us. This is called With a Little Help from my Friends."
The musicians began to play as the seven singers lined up with their microphones. They had split the song to a boy/girl theme. The girls began.
What would you think if I sang out of tune?
Would you stand up and walk out on me?
Then the boys sang.
Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song
And I'll try not to sing out of key
Then they all sang in unison. To her delight Aeris couldn't her anyone yelling for them to get off the stage.
Oh I get by with a little help from my friends
Oh, get high with a little help from my friends
Oh, I'm gonna try with a little help from my friends
Aeris risked a glance across at Yuffie who was standing next to her. She caught her eye and Yuffie winked as she sang. So Aeris decided to take Elena's advice and calm down. After all, they'd worked hard at this concert. She was damn well going to enjoy it!
At Barret's afterwards, the air of excitement and happiness was contagious. Barret put the closed sign up and brought out an array of food and drinks.
"Figured we'd end up here." He said, putting down a plate of sandwiches. Infalna laughed.
"They must keep you in business!"
"Actually I think we stopped charging these guys in December." Barret winked.
Aeris was sat on the window seat with Vincent.
"I can't believe we got through the concert!"
"You were all wonderful." Vincent assured her. She smiled and kissed him.
"I love you so much. What would I do without you?"
"I really don't know." He replied with a smile. Reno and Elena were talking quietly in the corner, little smiles on their faces. Reeve was talking with Cloud and Tifa. Yuffie went to sit with Aeris.
"Oh, my gawd, Aeris, it was so good! We rocked!"
"I know, it was so much fun! I don't know what I was so nervous about!" Aeris replied as Vincent got up.
After a while she saw him talking quietly with Matthew. They looked busy so she didn't want to interrupt. Instead she joined her mother.
"Honey, I can't believe how good you were." Infalna smiled, kissing her cheek. Aeris smiled.
"Thanks Mom. I'm so ready for the summer right now. We've got Vincent's graduation ceremony on Thursday. And then on Friday we can leave."
"Why don't you come to Kalm before you go to Fort Condor? It's on the way and we can spend a couple of days together."
"That sounds good." Aeris smiled.
Aeris and Vincent sat in the apartment late that night, with her head in his lap. Vincent stroked her hair idly.
"Tired yet?"
"A little. I'm kinda buzzed from the concert." Aeris replied with a smile. Vincent looked down at her and said,
"Aeris?"
"Hmm?"
"I was thinking… about what I said when we were in the garden in Fort Condor."
She looked at him curiously.
"Yes?"
"I forgot to mention something."
"What is it?"
"I know where I want to marry you." Aeris sat up, staring at him.
"Where?"
"It's… it's the church where my parents got married. It's in Fort Condor. It's this tiny church, with stained glass windows and… and there are these flowers all around it. I haven't seen it in a while, so I don't know what condition it's in. But that's where I want to marry you." He said, almost hesitatingly. Aeris looked at him for a moment and then smiled.
"That sounds perfect."
"It doesn't matter when. I could wait forever. But I want to do it there." Vincent told her. Aeris kissed him in reply.
"There. We'll get married there."
She rested her head back in his lap, a smile on her face, closing her eyes. His hand returned to stroking her hair. In a casual voice he said,
"If… if we're officially engaged then I suppose I should give you this." She opened her eyes sharply and saw his hand in front of her face, a ring lying in his palm. She stared at it for a moment and then up at him. He was watching her closely. She sat up, a smile brightening her face.
"Oh my god… Vincent…"
He took her left hand and slipped the ring on, kissing her fingers. She stared down at the ring. It was simple enough, a gold band with three jewels set on top. A diamond with an emerald on either side.
"It's so beautiful…" She whispered, feeling tears in her eyes. One leaked down her cheek and she brushed it away. Vincent kissed her.
"Aeris, I love you. More than I can tell you."
"I love you. I love you, Vincent." She replied, her voice choking as she kissed him. More tears slid down her face and she laughed, wiping them away. Vincent smiled, kissing her wet cheeks.
"Don't cry."
"I can't help it! I'm so happy!" Aeris laughed, pressing her face against his. He smiled too and held her close to him as she cried in joy.
(A/N: It's official! They are engaged! WOOHOO! Hope it makes you go SQUEE because it makes me do it! Lol, please leave a review. Love Katie)