Cool Off

MJ's POV

Despite of what happened earlier, I managed to compose myself and prepare for the presentation with the band.

Alam ko na naguguluhan sila Kevin dahil hindi kami umiimik ni Louie sa isa't-isa. At alam ko rin na nagtataka sila kung bakit mugtong-mugto yung mata ko..

"Oy, anong nangyayari? Bat ang bigat ng atmosphere?" Pagbibiro ni Angelo.

"Nag-away kayo noh? Nako, normal lang naman yan sa isang relasyon kada---" I cut him off.

"Let's stop talking shits here. We have performance to take care of instead talking shits." Pambabara ko kay Marco. Nagulat naman sila sa sinabi ko, kahit ako nagulat dahil lumabas na lang ito mismo sa bibig ko. Alam nila na hindi ako yung tipo ng tao na nagta-trashtalk, ngayon lang kaya siguro nagulat sila.

I heard them sigh. I went out of the music room to get ready. Sinuot ko na yung gagamitin ko mamaya. Black tshirt with ripped jeans and nilugay ko lang ang medyo mahaba ko nang buhok. Press powder and nude lipstick, sneakers and I'm ready.

Nagsimula na yung program. From introduction, opening message then yung cue na kakanta na kami.

First naming kinanta yung duet kami ni Louie. I tried not to feel awkward singing with him lalo na't may pinagdadaanan yung relasyon namin ngayon. At alam ko naman na napapansin na nang mga audience yung nangyayari saamin.

We survived the presentation together at nakatanggap pa rin kami ng palakpakan galing sa mga estudyante dito.

"Now, let's welcome again on stage, Ms. MJ Lewis.." I heard the cue and stepped in the stage again.

I heard once again the applauses and the cheers from the audience..

Umupo ako sa pianong nilagay nila Angelo sa may gitna ng stage.

"Hi everyone, I know you've known me as part of Louie's band. And now, I'll be performing alone here, in front of you. I hope you'll like this song as much as I do because this song is very close to me. Good morning again."

I started to play the piano then I close my eyes and started to sing the song.

That Arizona sky burning in your eyes

You look at me and, babe, I wanna catch on fire

It's buried in my soul like California gold

You found the light in me that I couldn't find

So when I'm all choked up

But I can't find the words

Every time we say goodbye

Baby, it hurts

When the sun goes down

And the band won't play

I'll always remember us this way

I opened my eyes and found out that Louie's staring at me. I looked back at him and continue the song.

Lovers in the night

Poets trying to write

We don't know how to rhyme

But, damn, we try

But all I really know

You're where I wanna go

The part of me that's you will never die

This song's for you, Louie. I don't know anything about love or about these things from the start, but you taught and showed me how these things work out.

So when I'm all choked up

But I can't find the words

Every time we say goodbye

Baby, it hurts

When the sun goes down

And the band won't play

I'll always remember us this way

Oh, yeah

I don't wanna be just a memory, baby, yeah

Just like the lyrics of the song, I don't want to be a memory to you, Louie... I don't want us to be a simple memory, but rather a wonderful memory just in case we'll end up like this. If ever we'll never be the same again, at least, I have those wonderful memories with you.

I close my eyes again as I continued singing..

When I'm all choked up

But I can't find the words

Every time we say goodbye

Baby, it hurts

When the sun goes down

And the band won't play

I'll always remember us this way, oh, yeah

At first I was hesitant that I may not be able to hit the highest note/s of this song, but thanks to what happened earlier, I did it. Yes, I did hit the highest note of the song.

Last three lines of the song, I opened my eyes and looked at him. I looked at the man I loved.

When you look at me

And the whole world fades

I'll always remember us this way

And it ended up with applauses and cheers from the audiences. I stared at Louie, and he smiled. I smiled back at him.

It was an afflicted and painful smile,

because,

We're both in pain..