Freaks & Geek

Chapter 2: Small Things

Harlow stood center stage and breathed in and out. It had been a long while since she sang in front of a crowd. She never liked it when she did, but she couldn't help but be addicted to the rush she received every time she had. The level of adrenaline that ran through her seemed unhealthy but she just breathed through it.

She took a deep breath before turning around to the band and nodding. She slowly turned her head back and looked out into the crowd. You got this. She thought as she took another breath. The music began and she allowed herself to get lost like so many times before.

The instrumental to 'Stay' by Emmy Rossum began playing and Harlow let out an airy harmony before singing. This was one of her happy places. When Harlow sang, she felt as though her emotions magnified. She looked out into the crowd and found that they all seemed to share in her current feeling of satiated happiness. She belted out the words as her eyes scanned the crowd to make sure everyone was enjoying themselves and saw nothing but transfixed eyes all on her. It seemed to feed her high.

When her eyes landed on three men in the middle of the room, she couldn't help but falter for a millisecond at the sight of them. They were gorgeous in their own ways and it made her want to catalog their faces to memory. The man on the left had long sandy blond hair with a full beard that just begged to be stroked and pulled. Harlow didn't know if her eyes were playing tricks on her, but it seemed as though his eyes went from a vibrant blue to a glowing amber.

The man in the middle had medium length blond hair with a clean-shaven face that she just knew for some strange reason would showcase dimples. His eyes seemed to flicker from a rich hazel green to red and she knew it should've frightened her, but it didn't for some reason. It oddly enough brought her comfort. The man on the right, like the rest, seemed to call to her. His dark brown hair was styled in such a way that seemed effortless and meant for him. She couldn't help but be captivated by his vibrant green eyes, but soon she realized they were black. All black. The whites of his eyes just disappeared.

She closed her eyes before opening them back up and looking into blue, hazel and green eyes once more. As she sang out the end of the song her eyes watched them intently. Harlow couldn't explain the feelings that washed over her, but for the first time in her 25 years she felt whole. She also felt crazy though. Harlow had to be seeing things when it came to their eyes, but chalked it up to the two tequila shots she downed before getting on stage.

She snapped out of her staring when she noticed the audience on their feet clapping. She smiled shyly before finding Ian to the right of the stage. "One more, dearie." He whispered loudly before she nodded her head and chuckled. Harlow turned to the band and whispered the song she'd be singing next before turning back around. The instrumental to 'De Una Vez' by Selena Gomez began playing and Harlow couldn't help but rock to the beat. Like the first time the crowd was mesmerized. She sang with such passion and found herself willing everyone to just let go of their cares and worries and enjoy the night.

She noticed couples cuddling up and kissing, while others either found someone to speak to or dance with. As the song came to a close, Harlow wasn't sure if it was the tequila or what but she felt warm all of a sudden. Her head seemed like it wanted to spin and she knew she needed to sit down and collect herself. The crowd again stood for a round of applause which she thanked them for before getting off stage. Ian walked up to her as she descended the last step. "One more, dearie." Harlow shook her head no.

"I'm good, Mr. Ian. I don't really feel up to it." She said giving a tight-lipped smile trying not to fall over. She was never drinking tequila again, but she knew that was a lie. That was her drink of choice before performing despite always having this effect. "Please," he begged, but Harlow could feel her irritation building. She had provided the allotted break for the real singer of the lounge to handle her business and now she was done.