Track 14: Need You Now
"Need you Now" by Lady Antebellum
"And I wonder if I ever cross your mind
For me, it happens all the time"
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Summer's POV
After all the "necessary preparations" according to Nikola, we headed to the assembly hall. I chose the gray off-shoulder top and black shorts. It's the least revealing set of clothes among the three. I don't really want to wear something I am not. Then, Nikola braided my hair into a headband style. Then curled my short hair in big waves. She also put makeup on me. Good thing she listened that I only want a simple and light make up since I am just staff and not really an official student of the university.
When we arrived, we saw Summer Solstice playing an acoustic song for the students. I saw Shien looked at me, so I turned my eyes away. Then, Nikola pulled my hand to go over the ride side of the hall where the other staff where staying.
Then, I bumped my elbow to Gio who was currently biting his nails on his right hand. He also keeps on glancing on his phone. "Hey! Is there a problem?" He glanced my way and greeted me with a smile.
"No. It just that, Sass is not here yet. We were supposed to perform after their last song." Then he pointed his eyes on Summer Solstice. They are about to finish the song they are performing right now.
"Is that their last song?" I asked innocently.
"Yes," Gio said and called Sass on his phone. "She's not answering any of my calls."
"Then," I can feel the panic he was feeling right now. "Just sing the song alone."
"No. It was a duet song." He said then we both heard the loud sound of people cheering and clapping. Then, we heard Rainier who was the host of the program called Gio and Sass name.
"Crap!" I heard Gio shouted his frustration then grab my hands.
"Gio!" I can feel my panic as he held me towards the stage. I don't like what he was thinking.
When we entered the stage, all of the people fell silent as they saw me instead of Sass.
"Good evening everyone. Miss Saavedra had some emergency so she will not be able to sing with me." Gio said enthusiastically as nothing nerve-wracking have just happened. We heard loud disapproval from the students. So I shook my head slowly and give Gio a warning look.
"But the show must go on! So this beautiful woman beside me will sing with me tonight." Gio gave the crowd a smile and introduced the song to us. "This is 'Need you now' by Lady Antebellum."
Then, Gio strummed his guitar and looked at me. Good thing I know the song.
I held the mic and think of all the times I sang alone in our house in Batangas. I exhaled and closed my eyes to feel the song.
"Picture perfect memories
Scattered all around the floor"
I can't still hear any reaction from the crowd. So this time, I looked Gio to help me. He just mouthed 'just sing' and smiled at me.
"Reaching for the phone 'cause, I can't fight it anymore"
Then he joined me to sing the chorus part.
"And I wonder if I ever cross your mind
For me, it happens all the time"
Then we heard the crowd started to sing along with us. It boosts my confidence and enjoyed the song with him.
"It's a quarter after one, I'm all alone and I need you now
Said I wouldn't call but I lost all control and I need you now
And I don't know how I can do without, I just need you now"
Then he sang his part of the song. The crowd cheered at him. Gio really has a beautiful voice.
"Another shot of whiskey, can't stop looking at the door
Wishing you'd come sweepin' in the way you did before"
Then I joined him in the song. I'm starting to enjoy singing with him.
"And I wonder if I ever cross your mind
For me, it happens all the time
It's a quarter after one, I'm a little drunk, and I need you now
Said I wouldn't call but I lost all control and I need you now
And I don't know how I can do without, I just need you now"
Then I saw Shien crossing his arms and giving us an angry look. But I don't care. I'm having the time of my life.
"Whoa oh whoa"
Then I closed my eyes and prayed that I could be as brave as this song.
"Guess I'd rather hurt than feel nothing at all"
Then, I opened my eyes and get the mic on the stand.
"It's a quarter after one, I'm all alone and I need you now
And I said I wouldn't call but I'm a little drunk and I need you now
And I don't know how I can do without, I just need you now
I just need you now"
And then Gio left me to sing the last part of the song.
"Oh baby I need you now ooh ooh"
After that, I heard a loud cheer from the crowd. I feel so overwhelmed and Gio keeps on giving me an approving look.
Then, Rainier stepped on the stage and started introducing the next performer. It must be the spoken word artist, CJ from the IT department.
Gio helped me to get down the stage. When we reached the place where the other staff where staying, they all gave me a high five. I started to blush for all the compliments they are giving me.
"Thanks, guys," that's all I said and left them to get water in the food station. I wanted to breathe because it is my first time singing in front of so many people. Many have told me before that I can sing but I didn't pursue. I don't have the courage to sing in public.
As I drank the water from the bottle, I noticed Shien approaching me. I stopped and started closing the cap of the bottle. I don't want to talk to him yet. I turned my back and started to walk a few steps but I felt his hand on mine.
"Don't go anywhere. We need to talk." He said in a serious tone.
"Let me go," I told him and tried to remove his hand on me without looking at him. But he held me tighter.
"No." He said.
"Summer," I heard Gio called me. "I've been looking for you."
I can't explain anything to Gio so I just looked at him in the eye, asking for help. Shien was still holding my hand.
"I need to talk to Summer. Alone." I heard Shien said to Gio. That made me look at him. What is he saying? Is he crazy?
Then, Gio placed his hands on his pockets and walked towards me. "If you need to talk to my date, do it here."
"Date?" Shien said and sarcastically laugh.
"Yes," Gio said then get my other hand and tugged me towards him. But Shien was still holding me. "Summer is my date. Is there a problem?" I looked at both of them who keeps on giving sharp looks towards each other. What's really happening?