How to Date a Nerd

Chapter 32 - We Rocked the Whole Town

The others stopped playing too, their gazes fixed on the floor. They knew I couldn’t do it. Not anymore. I pinched the bridge of my nose to push back my emotions, cussing at myself for acting so ridiculously dumb and weak.

Stop making a fool of yourself. Damn it.

The low rumble of the crowd made it harder to think. I just about decided to take off when I hear a familiar voice call my name.

“Leon,” she called again, this time clearer.

I turned to where the voice came from and then I could barely see her—Sarah making her way through the crowd. Becky was behind her, pushing her to the front. It took a few seconds before they made it through, Sarah’s face becoming more visible as the lights shone on her. There was a startled, almost embarrassed look about her. But when she met my gaze, her blue eyes were warm. A smile slowly lit up her face. Heartening, tender. And this time, I knew that smile was only for me.

“You can do it, Leon,” she said, not even having to raise her voice since the audience seemed so mute.

Beside her, Becky was laughing a bit. “Leon! Leon! Leon!” she chanted, gesturing the others to do the same.

It started off with a low murmur but soon, I could already hear my name echoing throughout the whole place. Familiar faces emerged from the crowd—Dad, Nate, Freddy, Drake, Larson, Leigh. Chuck and Reed’s many younger brothers and sisters. Ricky’s Gran. Moira was there too. Even my best friends—Chuck, Reed and Ricky—who’d always been with me through everything. They were all cheering for me.

No word could describe it. I was overjoyed yet something in me ached. These people were my crowd. My friends. Yet, I had to leave them.

I had to do it for them—for the people who believed in me. I inhaled deeply and nodded back to Sarah, feeling the frets of my guitar. Even without my cue, Reed started were we left off, plucking the strings of his guitar like there was no tomorrow. The rest of us joined him play.

“You once swore you didn’t need me but girl, I will make you see

So admit it, say you can feel it—that we were meant to be

I said I’ll stay, you said ‘go away’

Not a thing will change…”

As I sang, I tried to memorize their faces. I didn’t want to forget their smiles. Those were the best ones I’d seen. Because those smiles were real. At least to me.

“Words have been said, tears have been shed

Now it’s my turn to say, please don’t forget this day

When I’d be the one to turn around and walk away…”

The song ended with an applause that lasted for a minute. We played four more songs after the audience begged for more. After that, I knew it was really time to go.

It was difficult to get down the platform what with all the people trying to get to us. Dad and Freddy had to literally yank us down one by one. Together, we made a tight exit to the street while being pushed and pulled at every direction. Sarah was behind me, her fingers tightening the grip around mine.

By some miracle, we go through the crowd and found our way back in the parking lot. At last, we were alone again in the truck. As we headed home, I kept my eyes on the road, my heart still pounding with excitement until I’d remembered I’d soon be leaving.

“Y-you were great… back there,” she tried to smile, thoughtful.

I found it hard to pick the right words so I just murmured, “Thanks.”