COLE
You know when you're watching those cheesy girly movies and how all the sudden the frame stops?
How everything stops between the couple as they stare at each other for the first time?
That's exactly what's going on right now.
Dylan and I just finished our last set for the night when I turned my head to say farewell to the audience. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a familiar head in the crowd. I looked directly at the person until everything stopped.
Those haunting brown eyes were staring right back at me.
It couldn't be....
She's real.
My heart started to race and my stomach exploded from the emotions raging through me.
It's the girl from my dream. That's impossible. She's from my head. Did I drink too much? Accidentally snorted something? There's absolute-
"Okay, ladies and gentlemen! One of your peers from the audience will be selected at random to sing whatever song the DJ gives us! Who's ready?!" Dylan shouted into the microphone. My eyes stayed on hers as the crowd started going crazy.
"Our lucky person is...." I vaguely heard the drumroll until one of the lights hit a person. And you won't believe who was picked.
Her.
"Come on up young lady and you can sing with our buddy Cole over here". I wasn't paying attention to Dylan. My focus was entirely on the beauty that was walking hesitantly towards the stage. As she got closer and closer, the more nervous I became.
Do I look okay?
How do I look?
Did I put deodorant on today?
I was on the verge of panicking until Dylan slapped me on the shoulder, asking if I was okay. With a stiff nod, I walk over to the microphone.
"What's your name, darling?" I asked into the microphone. Even I notice the huskiness in my voice. I feel my Adam's apple bob up and down when her eyes got darker.
"Rochelle." said in her sweet voice. I swear I can listen to it forever.
Rochelle. I liked it. A lot. I mouth it slowly and her eyes move to my lips. This girl is going to be kissed in front of everyone here if she didn't stop.
Shaking myself out of it, I look at the DJ and nod my head, gesturing him to start the song. When the song starts, I almost die.
Everything Has Changed, by Taylor Swift ft. Ed Sheeran, started blasting through the speakers. I looked at Lauren, gesturing her to start. Taking a deep breath, she walked grabbed the other microphone and started the first lyric.
All I knew, this morning when I woke....
Damn. She's amazing just like in the dream. She was a little shaky at first but as the song went on, she gained some confidence.
When I joined in, I couldn't help but think how great our voices harmonized together, like they were the right notes to a perfect song. It was unbelievable. Unfortunately, the song had to end, which had a huge roar of applause from the audience. Rochelle started to blush, making me want to awe at her.
Focus Cole!
I was about to speak to her, but she jumped off the stage and got swallowed by the crowd. I couldn't help but panic. Something in me just couldn't let her out of my sight.
Without my permission, my body moved off the stage to find her, ignoring Dylan's shouts.
I searched the crowd for her, desperately looking for the girl I have been thinking of for weeks. She can't disappear from me now. But of course, fate wasn't on my side today.
"Cole baby! That was amazing! Well, besides that performance with that girl. Her singing was terrible. I should've brought some tomatoes to throw at her." Victoria laughed and wrapped her arms around me.
"Victoria let go!" I said, annoyed. I tried to pull her off but she kept her claws on me. She looked up at me with an awkward look that I assume was seductive.
"Baby, let's go have some fun..." she purred.
"No! Get the hell off me! You're drunk and acting insane right now!" I glared at her.
"For you!" She sang and puckered her lips, looking at me expectantly to meet her lips.
I rolled my eyes and finally pushed her off me, running like hell to get away from her.
Find her. Rochelle. Rochelle.
I look at the exit and see two heads walking out the door. Sorrow consumes me. Who's with her? Her boyfriend? The mere idea brings my heart to shreds.
I remember Dylan mentioning new students in town and how there was going to be a couple. We're they the couple?
I started to see red. Why am I feeling this way? I try to walk up to talk with Rochelle and the other figure, but by the time I got there, they were gone.
***
I stormed up to my room and slammed the door closed.
All these emotions were out of control. Anger, anxiety, sorrow, and pain. I had no idea what to do about this. She's real. Real. Real. Real.
Anxiety was replaced by giddiness and I couldn't help the goofy grin that spread scrolls my face.
Rochelle Smith.
That's my dream girl's name. It's beautiful and fits her perfectly. Then again, everything about her is perfect. She looked amazing tonight in her little dress. She was different than the other girls at the club. While all the girls dressed up with a sign that said 'bang me', she had a simple and more conservative outfit.
I sigh and rub my face. I'm starting to sound like a lovesick puppy. With a groan, I get ready for bed. While I get ready, I can't help but feel anxiety return. Now that I met her, would the dreams stop? I hoped not. Those dreams are my paradise. It makes sleeping even better than it already was.
Getting comfortable in bed, I closed my eyes and went to sleep.
***
I was by the stream in the woods again. I looked around. I guess this is our new meeting spot? I shrugged. It doesn't matter as long as Rochelle was here.
"You found me."
Turning around, I see Rochelle in her club outfit with a cheeky grin on her lips. I ran my eyes up and down her body. Damn, she's gorgeous.
Snapping myself out of it, I said in disbelief, "You're real".
She laughed.
"Of course I'm real. And I'm sorry about what's going to happen next." She smiled sadly.
"What are you talking about?"
"Things are going to change and I need help. I need you." She looked up at me with her brown orbs and I see adoration and awe filled in them.
My heart swells at the thought. This beautiful creature needs my help? How is that possible? But that didn't matter. I would do anything for her. I looked at her as she fiddled with her long thin fingers. She looked so sad and vulnerable. But I don't miss the sparkle in those dark orbs.
"Tell me about yourself," I say into the silent night.
She looked up at me, shocked.
"You want to know more about me?" Rochelle said curiously as she tilted her head in confusion. I smile at her and nod my head. Of course, I want to know more about her. I didn't know why, but I wanted to know everything about her.
She stares at me for a few minutes before smiling. She walks over and sits on a nearby log on the stream. I sit right next to her. For what felt like hours, we talked to each other.
I learned her favorite color was blue, that Chicken Alfredo was her favorite meal, she loves the beach, and her middle name was Marie. She hates it, but I think it's adorable.
"Tell me then, Roberts, what's your middle name then?" she challenges.
I couldn't help the heat that rose in my cheeks.
"Are you blushing?" Rochelle grins, amused.
"N-no! It's just cold outside." I mumbled, my cheeks getting hotter.
"Mhm, whatever you say" she replies, rolling her eyes.
"Tell me your middle name!" She demands mockingly.
I'm finding it hard to resist her adorable face, so I decide to tell her.
With a sigh, I mumble my name. Apparently, she didn't hear the first time and asked me to repeat it.
"Bernie! Okay! It's Bernie!" I say a little louder, hoping she couldn't hear me. However, luck wasn't on my side because I could tell she heard my answer.
It's silent between the two of us for a good five seconds before she begins to laugh hysterically.
After she calms down, she smiles at me. I smile back. I can't help it when I'm with her. All the sudden, she frowned.
"Shoot. You're waking up! All I have to say is...don't give up on me. I need you to know that it isn't what you think. Please." her voice cracks at the end, tearing me in half.
"It's okay, I won't give up on you," I promised her.
Then I do another thing I've been wanting to do for a very long time. I hugged her. Warmth and sparks ran throughout my body, making me shudder. I can hear her breath stop and pulled back to look at me. I stare at her brown eyes until I see nothing again.