On My Own

Aftertaste

Sean sat next to me on the bench, "You got this pumpkin."

The softness of his voice hurt.

I think that's what fueled me to start though.

Before I even pressed down on the first key I was rewriting the song mentally, making it fit around the situation better, but not giving anything away at the same time.

The song had a haunted feeling to it. I leaned into the keys as I played them, and then took in a deep breath as I began to play.

Re-rewind Friday night, never forget it

I heard one of the guys suck in a breath, but I ignored it and continued on.

How you let me go

No more lies I'll be fine, I know where I'm headed

Probably should have known

And now you're gunna say, "Pretty please forgive me"

Fool me once, told you twice you're going to regret it

Now you're all alone, yeah

The song picked up a little bit, and by this time the boys were all frozen around me, caught up in the song. Shock was displayed clearly on their faces, and I turned my eyes away, to the keyboard so that I wouldn't see it.

Turns out that no one can replace me

I'm permanent, you can't erase me

I'll help you remember me

One more kiss is all it takes

I'll leave you with the memory

and the Aftertaste

Close your eyes, but you can't hide

Try to forget me, but I'm everywhere

I'm the smell on your sheets

You weren't ready when you left me there

And now you're gunna say, "Pretty please forgive me"

Bet it hurts, it gets worse, you know nobody said it would be fair

oh

Turns out that no one can replace me

I'm permanent, you can't erase me

I'll help you remember me

One more kiss is all it takes

I'll leave you with the memory

and the Aftertaste

And now there's something in our way

'Cause you threw it all to waste

And you wonder if you could take back what you did that day

and it hurts, cause. . .

Turns out that no one can replace me

I'm permanent, you can't erase me

I'll help you remember me

One more kiss is all it takes

I'll leave you with the memory

and the Aftertaste

Truth is that no one can replace me

I'm permanent, you can't erase me

I'll help you remember me

One more kiss is all it takes

I'll leave you with the memory

and the Aftertaste

I played a few more notes, letting my voice and the music fade off into nothing. I could smell something burning in the kitchen, and when I dropped my hands from the piano I looked up, concocting the most innocent expression I could muster.

"Something's burning."

Somewhere among them, Clementine laughed, "of that I'm sure. Sang I didn't know that you had such a pretty voice!"

I smiled and turned towards her, finally getting a look at my little audience. They were staring at me with different expressions. I watched as Kota tripped over himself to figure out what was burning.

Nathan stepped forward, his eyebrows furrowed, "Sang.. do you.. do you.." he couldn't seem to spit out the words.

I didn't let myself look to Clementine this time, "Nah I don't give lessons."

Nathan's cheeks burned a bright red and he mumbled something before leaving the room. I clapped my hands together, breaking the spell that had been casted over the room.

"I'm starving! And I'm eating for two, so I'm doubly hungry," I laughed and thanked Sean as he helped me off the bench.

I don't think they noticed I saw, but I watched silently as Gabriel looked over to Kota in panic. He seemed to want to stop the whole charade, give it up. But Kota shook his head and turned away. I wasn't sure what it was about Kota giving that order, but Gabriel didn't look at me the rest of dinner.