Music From The Heart
Each note that escaped Brandon's lips seemed to pull the audience in tighter, wrapping them in the warmth of his voice.
Brandon's fingers glided effortlessly over the guitar strings, each pluck resonating with a sultry, velvety timbre.
"Fish in the sea, you know how I feel~"
His eyes traced the faces within the expanding crowd, making fleeting connections with each person as his voice filled the air.
A young woman at the forefront swayed gracefully, her eyes closed, a serene smile playing on her lips, utterly immersed in his melody.
"River running free, you know how I feel~"
The crowd's murmurs faded as Brandon's voice dipped lower, richer, as if caressing each word.
An elderly couple shared a knowing glance, their fingers entwining as the music transported them to another time.
"Blossoms on a tree, you know how I feel~"
He hit the high note effortlessly, drawing gasps from the audience. The obese street busker who had lent him the guitar watched with wide-eyed wonder, her earlier skepticism completely forgotten.
Brandon's voice took on a playful lilt as he sang the next lines, his eyebrows raising mischievously.
"Dragonfly out in the sun, you know what I mean, don't you know..."
He winked at a group of giggling teenagers, who blushed and nudged each other.
"Butterflies all havin' fun, you know what I mean..."
His voice dropped to a near-whisper, drawing the crowd in closer.
"Sleep in peace when day is done, that's what I mean..."
Suddenly, Brandon's voice soared, powerful and full of emotion.
"And this old world… is a new world, and a bold world for me... Fooooor me!"
As Brandon's voice soared higher, the crowd moved as if in sync with the music. Some wiped tears from their eyes, while others stood slack-jawed, overwhelmed by the raw emotion pouring from each note.
"Holy shit…?"
A young man in a business suit whispered to his companion.
"I've never heard anything like it," his friend replied, eyes wide.
"It's like... he's singing in colors I didn't know existed."
In the back, an elderly woman clutched her chest, her eyes glistening with emotion.
"It's been years since music made me feel like this," she murmured, as her hands trembled.
Even the children, usually so easily distracted, were silent, their wide eyes fixed on Brandon as if witnessing something extraordinary for the very first time.
"Mom, what's happening to me?" A little girl tugged at her mother's sleeve.
"I feel all tingly inside."
The mother smiled, her own eyes glistening.
"That's the power of real music, sweetheart. It's been so long since I've experienced it myself."
Two college students exchanged glances, their jaws slack.
"Dude, is this what they mean by 'soul' in music?" one asked.
"I didn't know voices could do that," a teenager marveled.
"It's so... raw and real. Not like the processed stuff we usually hear."
An older man nodded sagely.
"This, kids, is what music used to be like. Before it all became about image and autotune. This boy's bringing back the soul of music."
As Brandon continued to sing, the crowd grew, drawn by the unfamiliar yet captivating sound. People stood transfixed, many with tears in their eyes, rediscovering the emotional power of music they had long forgotten.
The crowd grew and grew, but Brandon wasn't done…
He launched into the next verse, his voice taking on a dreamy quality.
"Staaaaars when you shine, you knoow how I feel..."
He tilted his head back, as if gazing at the sky, his voice rich with wonder.
"Scent of the pine, you know how I feel..."
Brandon's eyes closed, his face a mask of pure joy as he belted out the next line.
"OOOOh! Freedom is MINEEE, and I know how I feel~"
The crowd was completely silent now, hanging on every note. Brandon opened his eyes, a smile spreading across his face as he built up to the finale.
"It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life..."
He repeated the lines, his voice growing stronger with each repetition.
"It's a new life for me~"
Brandon held the note, his voice powerful and unwavering.
Then, with a final strum of the guitar, he delivered the last line.
"AND I'M FEELING GOOOOOD~!"
As the final note faded, the crowd erupted into thunderous applause.
"WOHOOO!!!"
"THAT WAS AMAZING!"
"ENCORE!! ENCORE!! ENCORE!!!"
Brandon's heart pounded, adrenaline surging through him as the crowd's energy became almost tangible, their cheers reverberating off the storefronts.
The once-orderly crowd surged forward, hands reaching out, voices calling his name. Brandon's eyes widened as he realized the situation was spiraling out of control.
He quickly turned to the female busker, whose face was a mixture of awe and disbelief.
Brandon carefully handed her the guitar, flashing a grateful smile.
"Do you see now?"
Brandon asked, nodding toward the cheering throng.
"These are the people you thought wouldn't like music that comes from the heart."
Her fingers brushed the worn strings of the guitar, but her focus remained on the crowd, watching them respond to something she'd always believed was lost.
"I... I didn't know it was still possible," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
Before she could respond to Brandon, Gordon tugged at Brandon's sleeve.
"Young Master, we must depart immediately."
Gordon urged, his voice a low, urgent whisper as he deftly positioned himself between Brandon and the surging crowd.
The air crackled with tension, and Brandon could feel the energy radiating from the throng of excited onlookers.
Brandon nodded, his pulse quickening as he allowed Gordon to guide him away from the growing mass of people.
As they began to move, the crowd pressed closer, their voices rising in a deafening cacophony of requests for autographs, photos, and even… locks of his hair???
The clamor was overwhelming, threatening to engulf them.
Gordon's firm hand on Brandon's back propelled him forward, expertly weaving through the sea of bodies. Brandon's heart pounded in his ears, drowning out the individual voices as they navigated the chaotic scene.
Just as they were about to round the corner to safety, Brandon abruptly turned back, much to Gordon's visible dismay.
Cupping his hands around his mouth, he shouted over the din of the crowd, his voice carrying a mix of excitement and challenge.
"Blackstone Music Group Headquarters! Be there next Monday at noon sharp!"
Brandon's voice rang out, clear and commanding over the excited crowd.
"Tell 'em Brandon sent you! And bring your A-game!"
With his final, electrifying proclamation lingering in the air, Brandon offered a dazzling smile before allowing Gordon to lead him around the corner.
The sleek Rolls Royce stood ready, its engine humming softly—a stark contrast to the chaotic energy they were leaving behind.
As they slid into the vehicle, Brandon felt a surge of exhilaration mixed with a sense of purpose, knowing this was just the beginning.