Do You Know Indigo?

Chapter Twenty One

At the far back wall there was a small stage and alone in the middle of the amplifiers and technical equipment was a lone stool bathed in spotlight.

We approached the counter where a pixyish woman leaned over a magazine. Her many rings and studs caught the dull orange light, her rich dark skin blending into the decor. She looked reluctantly up from her magazine and took our order.

As the others ordered I glanced sheepishly up at the menu boards. Coffee wasn't my preferred drink. I was a child in the face of lattes and mochas. And as I ordered I couldn't help but get the feeling Mandy, Jude and Beth were making a special effort not to spill their coffees from laughing at me. I ignored them and handed over a crumpled five pound note.

As soon as we sat we sank into the couches we realised there was no getting up. I hugged my mug in my fingertips. Its warmth bruised but I already had enough blemishs of the stormy blue and purple not to mind.

Eventually Nate entered, his guitar slung over his shoulder. He was exactly how I remembered him, tattooed fingers and all. Although I felt nothing of particular attraction upon seeing Nate again, Beth had slipped to the edge of her seat - abandoning her coffee and conversation with Jude.

Nate's dark blue-black eyes twinkled under the blinding light of the overhead beam. He pulled up the stool, positioned his guitar over his lap and raised his head to acknowledge his audience. Before introducing himself he cleared his throat and plucked each string on his guitar.

"Hey I'm Nate. I'm going to just play some stuff while you mellow and drink your coffees. I'll start with something slow in tempo and then we'll see where the music takes us."

He focused, lowered his eyes and began plucking the introduction. His midnight black hair hid his face until he brought his lips to the microphone.

Beth was enthralled mouthing the words, in time with Nate. His eyes were closed, the passion drowning every word. The whole room was silent, wishing for only Nate to preach.

Only at one point during the song did his eyes open, firstly to search for my presence and to communicate his gratitude. Then they found Beth, eyes closed, lost in his seductive language. He stilled, fathoming the girl before him, his eyes unable to move from her. Slowly Beth's eyes opened, bright and alert. Seeing Nate was watching her intently, she blushed but let her smouldering eyes lure him in.

For the first time in my life, I was witness to love at first sight. 

During those short thirty minutes Nate had every girl in the place smitten. However, the rock star had eyes for only one girl.

After he'd finished he made no delay in hounding us out.

"Hey Chris! I'm so glad you came, I was worried you wouldn't." He was breathless after his performance, though bouncing on adrenaline. I watched his eyes flit from my face to Beth's in anticipation.

"I wouldn't have missed it for anything. I hope you don't mind but I brought some friends," I replied. Nate's eyes were engaged with Beth's but they returned to me quickly enough.

"Sure, sure. The more the merrier." His eyes shifted from Mandy to Jude and then settled on again Beth. He just couldn't help himself. 

"This is Mandy, Jude and Beth." I  said though my explanations were lost on him. Nate was only interested in one person and it wasn't me. Beth's smile widened. I couldn't quite believe she'd been rendered silent.

"It's nice to meet you. I hope I didn't bore you ladies too much. I'm sure you all had other, better things you could have been doing this evening." We all shook our heads.