Try Hard
Here I am in school, wearing a plain red shirt, my black jeans and my pair of black and white converse shoes. They said Elle loves Red and Black when put together. I really want her to notice me. I think she saw me a lot of times now. I wish she knows me.
Elle is a popular girl in school. She is well-known in her beauty and brains. A lot of guys adore her and some popular girls envy her. She doesn't get along with those kind of people but instead, she's friends with a lot of average people in school. Her wavy Crimson hair, her chocolate colored orbs, her innocent looks, nice personality, modest, easy to get along with and not to mention, teachers' favorite. They said she has a dark side though like, she listens to a lot of bands, she loves black and red. She's totally different from those popular people who only listens to mainstreams.
How did I knew her favorite color? Well, one of my friends told me that. He knows Elle and Elle knows him. They're just friends but not really close. They barely talk. Why? It's because she's only 14 and I'm 16. Age gaps are hard. Well, they said"Age doesn't matter" so, I guess it's fine. I've been trying to impress her with all I've got but... nothing. And what also makes me down is that I feel like I'm not 'Me' anymore.
"So, what are you planning right now?" I overheard a girl just round the lockers. "I don't know. Maybe just study more. I want a bright future for me" That modest voice. Could it be?
I took a little peek. It was Elle. I've decided to eavesdrop. I know it's wrong but, I just want to know what her favorites are just to impress her. "There's gonna be a concert tonight. Do you want to come?" The girl asked "Is it a band?" Elle asked "Yup, do you know 5 Seconds Of Summer?" The girl asked once more "5 Seconds Of Summer is my jam!" Elle squealed. Well, someone's a fangirl. I should search about 5 Seconds Of Summer. "Cool! We're the same! I love Luke Hemmings" The girl squealed. Fangirl alert. "Well I love Ashton Irwin" Elle replied, confidently. "Aren't you into guitarists?" The girl asked.
Okay, I play the guitar. Be cool.
"No, I'm into drummers" She answered. Well Greyson, try hard to impress her once more. I actually suck at drums. Everytime I would play the drums, drumsticks will slip out of my hands and fly across the room. Then, the bell rang. It got me wondering, how can I impress her?
As I advance to go to my respective class, she saw me, and I saw her. Butterflies. Sparks. Electricity.
"Hi Elle" I greeted her with a smile but she half-smiled at me and quickly left me. It got me down.
So, I tried practicing the drums for almost a week. I swear, drumsticks will not slip out of my hands EVER AGAIN. So, I went to school, wearing my 'The Beatles' white T-shirt, black jeans and my pair of black and white converse. As I walk through the school hallway, my friend Hayden came up to me.
"So, ready to impress her again?" He asked. We planned this last night.
"I'm as ready as you are" I positively answered
So, we searched for Elle until we found her just at her locker. Hayden's locker is just beside hers. Elle's an 8th grader and beside her is the side of freshmen's lockers. We casually walked to Hayden's locker and pretending not to care about Elle.
"So, how's your drum practice?" Hayden asked while he opens his locker. He was biting his lip so he couldn't laugh.
"Well, it's going great, I just have to practice more tonight since I'm not doing anything" I casually answered, being serious at what we're doing.
"Oh, okay" Hayden replied
Elle closed her locker. "Oh, Hayden. You're here" Elle said with a radiant smile plastered on her face
"Hey Elle. Have you met my friend?" Hayden asked, pointing me using his thumb. He's trying to get me noticed
"Oh, um, I uh have to go, see you" She awkwardly answered then hurriedly left.
Why didn't it worked? I tried my best but why? I should try once more
So, now, I'm with Hayden on a sunny Saturday. We were walking down the sidewalk with Starbucks drinks on our hands, talking about Elle and how to impress her once more. We saw Elle crossing the street with Alice, her best friend.
"Speaking of Elle" Hayden said
"Let's follow her" I seriously said
"Are you kidding me?" Hayden said, a little bit irked "I'm not gonna be a stalker"
"Just for me please?" I begged
"Okay fine but this will be the last" Hayden said
"Sure" I answered with a smile
So, we followed Elle. We went everywhere. It almost seemed she likes the outdoors. We were casually walking behind them so they wouldn't suspect. We would take some other routes to make it look like we're not following them then shortly after taking that route, back to being behind them.
Then, Elle looked behind and saw us. The same with Alice.
"Oh, hey Hayden! We've seen you all day" Alice said
"Oh, yeah, G-greyson and I are just having this 'best bros' out" Hayden answered as he scratches his nape
I shot a quick glance on Elle. She was just looking at her feet.
"Hey, I heard there's a singing contest in school. Greyson you should join. Your voice is perfection" Alice said
"I already signed up" I answered
Alice suddenly giggled
"To be honest, it seemed that the both of you had been following us all day" Alice smirked, putting her hands on her pocket
I blushed to red. "No no we're not" I sheepishly answered
"Um, Alice, I have to go" Elle ran away.
Why did she left? Alice shouldn't have said that. Now I feel awkward and embarrassed when she sees me.
*Fast Forward [Greyson's at the park all alone]*
I was sitting at the bench, thinking whether I should continue impressing Elle or not. Even if I keep on impressing her, she just ignores me and it almost seemed she's thinking that I'm weird. In addition, I feel like I'm not me anymore. If I quit on impressing her, probably, she will not notice me. Besides, In that way, I am me.
I saw Elle standing beside the pond, motionless. She's quite mysterious to be honest. I approached her.
"Um, Elle?" I said to get her attention
She turned to look at me.
"So, did you followed me all the way here?" She was irked from the looks of it
"No, I - -" She cut me off
"I'm sorry, I don't talk to weirdos and stalkers" She replied, then she walked past by me.
I could say she was irritated by me. She just said I'm a weirdo. I know it's not really that offending but, It hurt me. Not just because she called me a weirdo but, because she was mad and irritated at me. I don't think she will never like me.
So, finally, today is the contest. I am now myself. I'm able to express what I am. I'm just an average student. I'm a nerd who loves music and playing the piano. Not some guy who has a dark side and loves playing the drums
"May I call Greyson Chance to perform Paparazzi"
I deeply breathed. I'm just so nervous. I went to the stage and saw a lot of people. And what surprised me is that...
Elle is in the front row. The perfect view. She was looking at me. It made me more nervous.
I breathed. I sat on the piano chair. Here goes nothing
I'm your biggest fan
I'll follow you until you love me
Paparazzi
Baby there's no other superstar
You know that I'll be your
Paparazzi
Promise I'll be kind
But I won't stop until that girl is mine
Baby you'll be famous
Chase you down until you love me
Paparazzi
I sang with all I've got and the people clapped. Right after my performance, I went outside the school and had some fresh air. I just can't believe that Elle was there.
"Um, Greyson?" That voice. I turned around to see who it was. I was right. It was Elle. "Greyson right?"
"Um, yeah" I answered with a half-smile
"I loved your performance earlier. I saw the real you. I mean, your true self" She answered with a smile
So that's why she had been ignoring me when I tried to impress her. She wanted a guy who is true to his self. Okay. Here's my chance.
"Um, thanks" I answered, provoking myself not to blush
"I came here to say I'm sorry about what I said yesterday. Can we start over?" She asked with hope in her eyes.
"Of course" I answered with a wide smile.
We both shook hands. Butterflies. Electricity. Sparks. Finally, she noticed me.