So Contagious

Your smile, its contagious.

Anxious,

That's the first thing I felt when I was handed the microphone as I walked out onto the stage. My heart was beating a million miles a minute and my palms started to sweat.

I didn't sing in front of others.

I couldn't; I was too scared to, I will admit. I didn't like when they stared. Even though I thought I sung pretty well, the thought of others judging me for it made my stomach flip in all different directions.

But something happened, something crazy and possibly stupid. As I felt like I was going to kill over, he smiled at me. Him and his weird, obviously dyed red hair and sea green eyes. All he did was smile, and my shoulders instantly relaxed. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and the music started.

"..This couldn't be more unexpected.."

My voice was cracking, I noticed, so I tried to clear my throat. My grip on the microphone tightened.

"And I can tell you that I've been moving in so slow.. Don't let it throw you off too far, cause I'll be running right behind you.."

He tilted his head as he listened to me sing, and my knees felt weak. Everyone else at our table looked shocked, as if they didn't know I had a voice at all. Which wasn't too far off from the truth, I barely spoke.

"..Could this be out of line, could this be out of line? To say you're the only one, breaking me down like this. You're the only one, I would take a shot on.. Keep me hanging on, so contagiously.."

I started to get more into the song, more comfortable. My eyes swept over the crowd, but my eyes landed on his. He smiled again, and I almost smiled back.
Almost.

"Oh.. When I'm around you I'm predictable.."

I closed my eyes, and when I did I could imagine that no one was there. That I was in my room, just singing along to the song in the dark. No one would be there to listen, and only then would I have true confidence.

"Cause I believe in loving you at first sight, and I know it's crazy but I'm hoping to.. To take a hold of you.."

I imagined myself singing this to him, over and over again in my head. But I never imagined singing in front of everyone, all of our friends, who probably won't even remember half of this tomorrow morning. Though I guess that would be a good thing.

"Could this be out of line? Could this be out of line, to say you're the only one breaking me down like this. You're the only one, I would take a shot on.. Keep me hanging on, so contagiously.."

As I sang those last few lines, I looked at him again, and I felt my face flush red instantly. He looked so.. Focused on me, on my singing. I looked away, hoping no one would notice.

"Oh, you're everything I wanted, come to think of it I'm aching.. And on the count of my transgressions, will you welcome this confession..?"

In a way, this kind of was like my own confession. Though no one would really know, that I was explaining my feelings for him. I don't think I have the balls to actually say that I was practically in love.

"..could this be out of line? Could this be out of line? To say that you're the only one, breaking me down like this.. You're the only one, I would take a shot on..keep me hanging on, so contagiously.."

I couldn't help myself, I looked at him again. He caught my eyes, and for a moment we just looked at each other. I don't know what came over me, but suddenly I smiled, a tiny thing of a smile, and I could see it. Something in his eyes clicked.

"Could this be out of line, could this be out of line? To say you're the only one, breaking me down like this. You're the only one, I would take a shot on.. Keep me hanging on, so contagiously..."

And then, the song ended. The music dimmed out and suddenly, he shot up out of his seat and started clapping his hands. Everyone else followed suit, and started cheering. They even started chanting my name.

"Jackson! Jackson! Jackson!"

This made me smile, and I laughed under my breath. I put the microphone on the stand and walked off the stage, to which he ran up and hugged me.
"Woah there Freddy, don't squish him now."

Freddy smiled and let me go.

I smiled back at him, and the night continued. Drinks were ordered and more songs were sang, and before everyone knew it, it was around 1 in the morning and it was time to go. I myself had drank quite a bit, so we each called some cabs to take us home. We all said our goodbyes to each other, and that was that.

Or at least, so I thought.

"Jack, wait up!"
I turn to see Freddy jogging up to me, and my heart rate instantly picks up. He stuffs his hands in the pockets of his large coat. "Mind if I share a cab?" I shook my head, and he smiled in thanks. We stood there in silence for a while, just waiting.
"You have an amazing voice, you know that?" I blushed, shaking my head. "I think you sing.. Better." He started to laugh. "Dude, I sound like a beached whale." I winced. It was kind of true. He was handsome and kind, but signing wasn't on his talent list.
"Really though, you sing really well." He pushed my playfully with his shoulder, and I laughed quietly. I pushed back and he chuckled.

The cab soon arrived, and we were off on our way home. We both lived in the same apartment complex. That's how we met, actually. It's a funny story. Maybe for another time, however.
Once the cab dropped us off, we headed into the building. He ringed up the elevator, and we rode up to our floor in silence. I would glance at him every once in a while, but he seemed to be off in space. I wonder what's on his mind.

The elevator dinged, and the doors opened. We stepped out, and he turned to look at me. "I had a lot of fun. Maybe.. Maybe we could do that again, just you and me?" My eyes widened, but I tried not to show my shock. Was he.. Asking me out? Or just asking to hang out..as friends? All I did was nod. "Yeah.. Sure." He smiled widely, and he came closer to me. My face flushed as he wrapped his arms around me, and whispered in my ear. "..I'm looking forward to it.." He let go, and walked in his room. I stood there for a while, just staring at his door. My face was completely red, and I was shaking. I'm not sure when I finally got out of my trance and went in my own room.

Let's just say I didn't get a whole lot of sleep that night.