Chapter Four

"Sydney-Rae, I will kiss this cloth if you can tell me everything I just said to you." My head snapped up at Piper who was standing, hands on hips, looking at me expectantly.

"Pipe, I-."

"What is with you today?" she asked, "You broke a glass this morning and-."

"I'm just off, Pipe," I lied, sighing as I ran a hand through my hair, "It's been almost three years since Pat and I'm just out of it."

"Babe, I know more than anyone that you loved his seventeen-year-old self and you miss the hell out of him, but life goes on."

"That's prolly the bitchiest thing you've said to me this month." Piper grinned and I smiled weakly. "I just ran into . . . the past I guess."

"Why, what happened?" immediately she was worried. Go figure.

"Nothing," I laughed, "How was your date with Race last night."

"Very subtle Syd," she smirked, "It was nice. I just wish-."

"You lived closer, I know," I smiled sympathetically. She nodded, sighing and I looked around. We were pretty full tonight. "You gonna sing tonight?"

"I dunno," she shrugged, "Prolly not."

"Why?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Believe it or not Syd, you're a tough act to follow."

"Oh I highly doubt that," I muttered but before she could respond, Carter told me to get ready to go onstage. "Aw, crap."

"You'll be amazing Syd, like always." I wrinkled but she laughed, pushing me towards the small stage. "Go ya goose."

"Fine," I sighed, walking the rest of the way up the stairs and onto the platform, "Hey everyone. This one's for the believers:

I was walking down the street


In my blue jeans and my bare feet

I saw old Mrs. Mayo in her garden so high



She got her prize azaleas

And her big ole fat tomatoes


She invited me in to have a piece of her pie



And later on I thought I'd head on down

By the Caley River to the old rope swing


There was a bunch of kids laughin' and jumpin' in

I sat down on the grass and I just watched them play


And all my worries seemed to wash away

Oh it's a magical thing


When the sun is shining down on me


And this is such a beautiful place

Don't wanna miss a minute of today it's

So magical



Tonight I'll go home and write myself a letter


Tell myself to live a little freer and love a little better


Gonna soak it in like there's no tomorrow


And drink up every second like a big ole glass of water



Oh it's a magical thing


When the sun is shining down on me

And this is such a beautiful place

Don't wanna miss a minute of today it's

So magical



Oh I feel like I could fly


When I see the world through these eyes


Oh it's a magical thing

When the sun is shining down on me


And this is such a beautiful place


Don't wanna miss a minute of today it's


So magical

Oh, It's so magical."

"Damn girl," Piper grinned as I walked through the roaring applaud back to the bar where we hung out, "See!"

"Piper," I warned but she only smiled, hugging me.

"I believe," she laughed.

"I, you're a dork," I ended up laughing with her.

"Girls," Carter smiled, "Good job Sydney-Rae, as usual, but you've got a visitor."

"Ooo, a suitor," Piper grinned but I rolled my eyes, growling when I saw Jaws standing by the door.

"Not again," I whined but neither heard me because I had already started walking towards him, "You followed me."

"I did no such thing," he smirked but I glared at him, "Loosen up, huh?"

"You're following me. I have a Newsie from Queens following me and you're telling me to loosen up? Jaws, you better learn how to talk to me if you expect me to go through with this." He perked up, his head snapping in my direction.

"You're gonna do it?"

"Deaf and stupid?" I questioned, "Yes I'm gonna do it. If Patrick wanted me to, then, I guess he has his reasons and I trust him but so help me god, if you've tricked me, I'll kill you."

"I'm not tricking you!" he said defensively, "You'll have to move into the lodging house."

"This is not normal," I pointed out, "Have you ever heard of a Leader being asked?"

"Well, you're going to be great." I rolled my eyes, shaking my head.

"I'll be out in a few minutes. Don't do anything stupid."

"Hey Stretch."

"What," I snapped.

"You've got a nice voice."

"Thanks Jaws."