"It is true. I did say that. Quite clever of you to think of that loophole Mr. Morgan. I approve of your joint performance with Ms. Kentwell. However, since you are a performer, your standards are a little higher. Think you can manage, Ms. Kentwell?"
"I-I'll try, sir."
"Very well then. Proceed."
Cato smiled brightly before he proceeded with the brief intro. He's probably used to doing that before performing since his band does it all the time. "Okay before we begin, I would just like everyone to know that this song is an original, written by my partner and I. I hope you like it."
Then he looked at me before asking, "Ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be."
He nodded. He then started playing his guitar.
I couldn't do it. Here it was again. The words were there but they wouldn't come out. Cato must have sensed something was wrong because he was looking at me but he didn't stop playing. He just kept repeating the chords so as not to raise suspicion.
I turned away from the crowd, feeling the tears already building up in my eyes. "I can't do it Cato."
"Yes you can. Just look at me." I did as I was told. "We're the only ones in the room. Just you and me." I kept repeating that mantra in my head. I nodded, as if saying I understood what he was trying to do and that he should start again. He seemed to have understood because he started playing the intro again. This time, I was able to get the words out.
[Clove:]
When you're on your own
Drowning alone
And you need a rope that can pull you in
Someone will throw it
[Cato:]
And when you're afraid
That you're gonna break
And you need a way to feel strong again
Someone will know it
[Both:]
And even when it hurts the most
Try to have a little hope
That someone's gonna be there when you don't
When you don't
If you wanna cry, I'll be your shoulder
If you wanna laugh, I'll be your smile
If you wanna fly, I will be your sky
Anything you need that's what I'll be
You can come to me
[Clove:]
You struggle inside
Losing your mind
Fighting and trying to be yourself
When somebody lets you
[Cato:]
Out in the cold
But no where to go
Feeling like no one could understand
Then somebody gets you
[Both:]
So take a breath and let it go
And try to have a little hope
'Cause someone's gonna be there when you don't
When you don't
If you wanna cry, I'll be your shoulder
If you wanna laugh, I'll be your smile
If you wanna fly, I will be your sky
Anything you need, that's what I'll be
You can come to me
[Clove:]
Like a chain that never breaks
Like a truth that never bends
Like a glue that takes a broken heart and puts it back again
It's the feeling that you get
It's the moment that you know
That no matter what the future holds
You'll never be alone
[Both:]
If you wanna cry, I'll be your shoulder
If you wanna laugh, I'll be your smile
If you wanna fly, I will be your sky
Anything you need, that's what I'll be
If you wanna climb, I'll be your ladder
If you wanna run, I'll be your road
If you want a friend, doesn't matter when
Anything you need, that's what I'll be
You can come to me
[Clove:]
You can come to me,
Yeah
During the whole song, I was just staring at Cato as if we were the only ones in the world. Nothing else mattered. Until, of course, we heard applause from the audience. That snapped me back to reality. I looked back at the audience and saw that it grew. Not only were my classmates there but other students as well. I didn't even hear the bell ring signaling the start of lunch. Oh my gosh. I can't believe I just did that. I can't believe I actually sung in front of all these people! I glanced back at Cato and saw him smiling at me. Just seeing that was reassurance enough that I didn't disappoint him. Mr. Anderson stood up, still clapping. Pretty soon everyone else was doing it as well. They gave us a standing ovation. Cato grabbed my hand, lifted it and took a bow. I followed suit.
"That was excellent! Absolutely outstanding! Clove Kentwell, you are remarkable! That goes for you too, Mr. Morgan but we already know of your talent. Ms. Kentwell why don't you perform that with Mr. Morgan at lunch seeing as they give a performance every now and again. Everyone deserves to see you shine and shine you will!"
I didn't know what to say. I don't think I'd be able to do that again. Before I could decline his offer, Cato stepped up and said, "That's a great idea sir! We won't disappoint you!" Then he proceeded to drag me off the stage as Mr. Anderson dismissed us for lunch.
"What are you doing? I barely made it through one performance! Now you're going to make me do it again in front of even more people and with lighting I can actually see them in?! Are you crazy?"
He grinned at me mischievously. "Maybe I am, Ms. Kentwell."
Before I could stop him, he had pulled me all the way to the stage. I really had no choice in the matter. I was just so weak compared to him.
"Hey everyone! Can I have your attention?" Obviously no one can defy Cato so everyone stopped in their tracks, watched and listened. "Great. So, first off, I would like to introduce you guys to my partner, Clove Kentwell." I gave a small smile and waved a bit in their direction as a greeting. "We will be performing for you all this afternoon. At first, we wrote this song to perform for Mr. Anderson's drama class but he suggested we perform it for the rest of you too so that everyone's on equal ground. Is that cool?" Collective approvals answered his question. "Alright, awesome. This one's for you guys. Hope you like it." And with that, we began round two of You Can Come To Me. I sort of felt bad for my classmates cause they had to hear the same song twice. They seemed to have enjoyed the song the first time so I hope it still has the same effect now.
After the performance, I was greeted by a hoard of people. Most were congratulatory. I couldn't believe this was actually happening. People actually like me. I didn't know I was capable of being this happy. I spared a glance at Cato who was greeted by his own crowd. He spotted me, smiled and winked. A felt a blush creep to my cheeks. All these compliments were making me feel a bit weak on the knees. When it finally died down a bit, we were able to eat.
After school we were once again at Peeta's bakery.
"That was incredible, Clove! I always knew you'd be able to do it!"
"Yeah! You totally nailed it this afternoon!"
"Aww. Thanks guys. I wouldn't have been able to do it without you."
"What did we do?"
"You were all there for me when I needed you. That's all a girl could ever ask for."
Things got a bit sentimental after that. A whole lot of hugging was involved. After about 2 hours of just talking and hanging out, Cato's phone started buzzing.
"Hello? What? Seriously? Can't you do it? Fine. I'll be right there. Yeah I'm going. Yeah yeah whatever. Bye." He hung up the phone before sighing. "That was Coleen. Apparently, the twins have a party to attend to but she already left to go to the grocery with Charlie so I have to take them. I have to go. See you guys later"
An assortment of "bye's" "see ya's" and "later, dude's" were what he received.
Everyone else started to leave one by one afterwards. Before we left, however, the girls had a short meeting. "Why don't we have a girl's night out tonight? It is Friday after all!"
"That's a great idea, Jackie!"
"Yeah! We haven't had one since last year. Quite frankly, I'm beginning to miss spending time with my girls."
"It's settled then. How about we meet back at my house at around 7?" Jackie suggested.
With that, we all went out separate ways to our houses. Katniss was kind enough to drop me off at my house first since I didn't have a car of my own yet. She waited for me to get ready so we could head to Jackie's house together, after getting her stuff first of course.
I can't believe how my life has changed in a span of a year. Could this get any better?
Sorry for the late update! School's starting to catch up to me.
Reviews make my day! Oh and suggestions are also welcome. It'll make the updating process faster since I'd have ideas on what to write about. Please and thank you! :)
Disclaimer: The only thing that belongs to me is the plot.
Song: You Can Come To Me - Ross Lynch and Laura Marano