Chapter 4
Grace
Singing class had begun. Grace was very excited. She was eager to prove to Celeste that she could sing, and equally eager to prove to Shun how easy and fun singing was.
"Alright, class, I'd like to say something," Miss Raven announced. "This isn't as much a class as it is a showcase. I want to see your abilities and offer pointers if you need them."
"So it's like a talent show?" Grace verified. "Or karaoke?"
"Exactly." Miss Raven smiled. "Now, who would like to sing first?"
"Anyone but me," Kyoya called.
Grace's hand shot up. She wasn't shy like she normally was. She just needed to prove herself. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Blue raise his hand too. Desperate to see how he sang, Grace's hand dropped and Blue was called up. He turned and whispered with the band for a second before turning back to face his "audience". He took a deep breath.
"Yeah, Blue!" Crow cheered.
They must be good friends, Grace realized. Blue laughed. Suddenly, the music began to play. Grace instantly recognized the tune. "Is this...Secrets, by OneRepublic?" she whispered to Shun.
"You tell me," he said, shrugging.
Sure enough, Blue's low voice hit every note perfectly of the slow song. Grace closed her eyes and felt herself sway. Slowly, she heard her own voice flowing out of her mouth as she formed a harmony with Blue. The two voices blended together and every head turned to see which voice had joined in. Blue faltered once but recovered quickly and went on. Grace was dimly aware of Shun whacking her arm and of Jo's whispered warnings from her other side, but she ignored them and kept singing. When Blue finished, Grace allowed her last note to linger a little longer and everyone instantly knew who'd been singing. Grace smiled to herself.
"I love that song," she whispered.
"Grace!" Jo hissed. "You just harmonized practically an entire song!"
"So?" Grace prompted.
"So, you just displayed love for Blue on your first day here!"
Grace's eyes shot open. "Oh no," she whispered. "What do I do?"
Blue had stepped down from the stage. But instead of stopping at his chair, he continued towards the back, where Grace was sitting. Jo stood quickly and hurried to Blue's chair, next to Crow. Blue sat next to Grace. Grace tried to smile.
"Uh...hey," Blue said. "I heard you singing."
"I heard you singing too," Grace said, giggling. She looked away. "You did...really good."
"Your voice made it better," Blue admitted. "And I missed a couple notes."
"You did amazing!" Grace gasped. "I only heard you miss one note. And it was my fault."
"Did you harmonize on purpose?" Blue asked.
"Well...yeah," Grace said. "I mean...whenever anyone sings, it's on purpose, right?"
"No, I mean..." Blue trailed off. "You know...did you know you were doing it?"
"Not until you finished," Grace said softly.
"Would you...do it again?" Blue asked suddenly. Grace whirled towards him.
"Wh-What?!" she stammered. "W-Would I do it again?"
Blue blushed madly. "I just mean..." He trailed off again.
Grace sighed and moved her chair closer. Blue looked at her. "I think I probably will do it again," Grace said. "But...it'll be without realizing I'm doing it. I harmonize automatically."
"Oh...hey, why don't you go next?" Blue suggested.
Grace smiled warmly. "I intend to," she said.
"Who would like to sing next?" Miss Raven asked. Grace, preoccupied with Blue, didn't hear her, and Jo got chosen to sing instead of her. Grace noticed and grinned wider.
"Go Jo!" she cheered.
Jo whispered to the band quickly and then turned back to the others. She waited while the band prepared her song choice and Grace prepared to shoot her hand up when she'd finished, and then Jo opened her mouth to sing. Grace instantly recognized the tune and sang along (not harmonizing).
Jo had chosen St. John by We Are the Fallen. Grace smiled and sang and laughed and sang some more. Her sister hit every note, and Grace had never been prouder. She finished and got a standing ovation (by Grace and Crow), and then she laughed and skipped off the stage.
"You did great, Jo!" Grace called. Without thinking, she shot her hand up even before Miss Raven had finished speaking, and as a result was chosen to go next. Before she'd gone up, Blue grabbed her arm.
"You'll do amazing. I know it," he murmured softly. Grace blushed.
"Thanks," she said. Then she hurried onto the stage and turned to the band.
"What song are you singing?" the lead guitarist asked.
Grace looked out at Blue. "How about...The Light by Sara Bareilles?"
"Got it," the lead guitarist said. He glanced at the pianist and when Grace turned to start singing, the pianist began. Grace closed her eyes and began to sing. She did well until the end of the chorus. Her voice cracked and she faltered. Her eyes shot open. Celeste snickered.
"I knew she was too new for this," she whispered loud enough for Grace to hear. Grace was suddenly very nervous, and when she opened her mouth to sing the first note of the second verse, only a squeak came out. Embarrassed, Grace tried to continue, but her nerves wouldn't let her. Instead, she heard Jo's voice sing the next note, and filled with new courage Grace matched the next notes perfectly.
If Jo can do this, so can I, Grace thought. When harmony was possible, Grace heard Blue's voice. She could tell he'd actually wanted to harmonize with her. The thought made her blush and miss another note. But she quickly recovered and kept singing. Finally, the song and all its embarrassing moments were done. Grace stepped down off the stage and continued to the back. There was polite applause and Grace plopped down next to Blue.
"I did so awful," she muttered.
"When you were on key you did great," Blue said soothingly.
"When I was on key, yeah. But..." Grace trailed off. "Thanks. I heard you harmonize."
Blue shrugged. "Well...you seem nice enough...and you can sing, and...you're beautiful..."
"I am not!" Grace complained, burying her head in her hands. "Don't lie to me!"
Blue placed his arm around her shoulder. "I'm not lying," he whispered softly. "I...I think I have a crush on you."