Read Online Take a Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg - Free Book Online Page B

it was from meeting Emme. She never liked the fact that there was a girl in our band, especially after she saw what Emme looked like.
    Now there was an uncomfortable silence. I knew everybody was waiting for me to say something, but I couldn’t see how I was supposed to magically become this outgoing person onstage. I didn’t even feel comfortable talking in class, so I was sure the attention I received after the concert was from people who’d thought I was mute.
    Jack was glaring at Emme, motioning for her to say something. She let out a deep sigh and stood up.
    Her face matched the color of her hair. She closed her eyes and nodded to herself, her lips moving slightly. I tried to not smile; I knew exactly what was going on in her mind. I’d seen her do it a hundred times all semester. Usually she was trying to come up with a new lyric, but I wasn’t sure what was about to come out of her mouth would be music to my ears.
    She opened her eyes and approached me. She looked back at Jack and then crouched down so we were at eye level. “Ethan,” she whispered so nobody else could hear, “did I ever tell you what I thought when I first heard you sing?” She didn’t pause, as we both knew the answer to that. “I felt like I heard you for the first time. That your singing voice is your true voice. I was blown away with how strong and warm it is, like I was being wrapped up in a cozy blanket. I could never do what you do, and I don’t know how Sophie does it, either. But the thing is, I get the same feeling when I’m onstage with you that I do when I’m onstage with her. I don’t get as nervous, because we’re in it together and everything will turn out okay.”
    She got up and sat back down. Her eyes went back to the floor.
    “Okay,” I conceded. “I understand what you’re all saying. I do, and all I can really say is that I’ll work on it.”
    “That’s what I’m talking about!” Jack patted me on the back. “We’re in a band, which is supposed to be fun. Plus, it’s a great way to meet hot chicks.” He shot a look at Emme. “No offense.”
    Emme sighed and shook her head. “You know, I can always join an all-female group if I’m cramping your style.”
    “Aw, come on.” Jack wrapped his arms around her. “I’m just teasing. You know we’d be nothing without you, right, Red?”
    “Yeah, yeah,” she said as she pushed him away.
    While I wasn’t extremely confident that I’d be able to rise to the occasion onstage, there was one thing that I was one hundred percent sure of:
    I would be nothing without Emme.
     
    “Ethan?” I look up to see Emme now, blue highlighter (my color) in her hand.
    Jack shakes me. “Wake up, man. It isn’t that painful. Now that I’ve done my time, I’m out of here. I’ll see you guys later!” Jack leaves me alone with Emme.
    We haven’t really been alone lately. Not since …
    I can tell she realizes it, too, because she gives me a small smile and puts her arm on my elbow. “Everything okay?”
    I nod. I don’t think what I’m currently going through would be described as being “okay,” but I don’t know what to say or do around her anymore. I’ve always been a useless dork around girls. Emme was the first girl who I never really felt self-conscious around. She was the first person to talk to me at school. She’s one of my best friends. Actually, she is my best friend.
    Yet here I am, standing across from the one person who probably despises me more than anybody. And, believe me, that list is pretty long.
    “Listen,” she says softly, giving a quick look around the hallway. “I don’t want you to think … I’m really sorry if I …”
    I shake my head. “No, it needed to be said.”
    She bites the corner of her lip. Then she opens her mouth slightly and I pray that whatever comes out of her mouth will make me feel better about myself, will silence the voices that have been screaming at me since that day. “Ethan …”
    “EMME!”