Rhythm of Heartbreak (COMPLETED)

Chapter 35

Suddenly, the rest of the customers were chanting in unison "Sing." Sing! Sing!"

Her eyes widen unable to process what's happening. "Are you seriously wanting me to do this right now?" she asked.

His eyes were adorable as he shoved her towards the stage. The acoustic band had been playing since they arrived, but she didn't know that guests could take the stage and perform.

"Don't embarrass me Liam" she pleaded. 

"Everybody, clap your hands for Jess!" he shouted even louder. Everyone did what was told, and Jess felt like he was scammed to perform. The guitarist smiled at her and with a sigh of defeat, she captured the stage.

Another roar was heard. This is absurd. She thought.

She whispered to the guitarist her song of choice and then he gave her a thumbs up. She went to center stage and took the microphone.

"Hi everybody, I'm Jess!" she greeted, and they responded enthusiastically, and Liam was rooting for her like a fanatic. She smiled. "So, since I didn't know about this rite of passage thing, let me offer you a song that has an ultimate meaning for me. I hope you like it." the patrons clap and howl at her.

She heard the soft strings of the guitar echo through the pub. They say that in the hands of an artist, the musical instruments became telegraphs from the divine, a message transmitted in the language of emotion. She closed her eyes.

Say something, I'm giving up on you
I'll be the one if you want me to
Anywhere, I would've followed you, hmmmmmm
Say something, I'm giving up on you, hmmmmmm

Jess noticed that silence descended from the audience, they were taking in her performance, not wanting to ruin this magical moment. Her voice was soft and breathy, it sounded melancholy, and sorrow combined.

And I am feeling so small
It was over my head
I know nothing at all
And I will stumble and fall
I'm still learning to love
Just starting to crawl

Her low register was working so well that she held on to the last words expertly. She inhaled some air quickly as she sang the chorus.

Say something, I'm giving up on you
And I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you
And anywhere, I would've followed you
Say something, I'm giving up on you

Her pitch was picking up as she uttered the Outro of the song, she's taking her time while continuing to conquer her audience's heart. She belted the chorus cleanly and beautifully as she felt herself lost in her music. She felt a stabbing pain in her heart that made her want to cry, the pain of losing someone and having to say goodbye for good is just a massive torment to anyone who experiences it, whether it's a parent, a child, a friend, or even a life partner. The agony of moving on and picking up the pieces together knowing that person will never be there to hold your hand anymore. That's the true meaning of pain.

Say something, I'm giving up on you... 

Just outside the tiny pub, Rick stopped in his tracks when he heard the musician playing a splendid it's song of A Great Big World, the arrangement was quite different, but it worked elegantly. When he went in, he saw her. Singing as if the bar was empty except for herself as if she was practicing alone and in her bedroom mirror. He remembered this moment with Jess, it was the very first time that his curiosity was heightened, and he was captivated by her voice and her music. It was as if her soul had become tangible in a way he'd never experienced before.

Music has been his healer ever since, but he can't deny Jess is his catharsis. It's cleaning his old soul full of hatred and regret. It's healing his heartbreak through her musical rhythm.