"Umm Nate, are you okay?", the person on his side shook him.
"Hmm? Oh, yeah-", he quickly wiped his tears. "Yeah I'm alright", he sighed.
He looked in front of him, Grace had a mixed expression of worry and nervousness on her face. Nate could tell his tears must have worried her. He hated it, but he was happy too that she's worried about him. Something was different, he couldn't guess what it was. In his heart, he just wanted to keep on looking at her. Just after hearing her sing, he has started behaving a little weird. He just wants to fall for her more and more.
Grace, on the other hand, was confused to the core. 'What's happening? Was I that bad? Did I do something wrong when I bumped into him? Should I just leave?'
Nate gave her a sense of relief as he showed her the sweetest smile. "That was amazing Miss Grace. I think you already know how moved I was from your singing.", he said in a soothing tone.
As soon as these words left his mouth a loud chatter spread throughout the room. Although Grace's singing was exceptional so it wasn't really a shock to anyone. But president's tears sure was.
Grace smiled back, "Thank you."
It was as if arrows were shooted on his chest. 'too bright! Too bright!', his internals was screaming. He really was head over heels for her.
"So, Grace, I would be honoured if you join my band as a singer.", Nate confessed. Even though he was keeping his cool, his heart was beating loud.
Grace's eyes sparkled. This was really happening. The start of her long-awaited dream. She could hear her heart beating loud. It was the first and most important step she's going to take.
"Yes! It would be an honour.", Grace replied. Her excitement was reflecting in her voice.
Nate came off from his seat. As soon he stepped forward, Mika's senses tingled. She knew something off was going to happen. He held Grace's hand gently and softly kissed her knuckles. "The pleasure's all mine Grace."
Grace��s reaction, on the other hand, was not what we usually expect. She was confused. Was this some kind of greeting? Is a royal?
Even though she was dumb when it comes to love and romance, she was blushing a little.
Nate was looking into Grace's eyes. Staring into them deeply. Searching through their depth. He had a little smile on his face with a little hint of a mischievous smirk. Nate could stay like this forever but-
BAM!
Mika kicked the president right off, leaving everyone standing there with their mouth open wide.
"Whoa, Mika! What are you doing?", Grace was astonished.
Mika stepped towards Nate. She smiled innocently as she said, "Sorry my leg slipped. Oh, by the way, I'm also waiting to audition"
Nate could read her expression. The innocent, 'stay away from her' smile was hitting him up.
"Oh, it's alright", Nate said getting up. "And please go ahead, I'll be happy to hear from you.", he smiled at Mika.
Mika was quick for reading expression too. It was Nate's way of saying 'who do you think you are'.
Both of them were smiling at each other like siblings do when they don't want their mother to find out that they were fighting. Grace could sense there was some weird tension between them, but the smile they both were having was starting to look creepy.
"Okay, let's start", Nate said crossing his legs as he was sitting on his chair, 'Let's see what you got.'
Mika's singing was no joke. it was mesmerizing. Even though Nate didn't want to, he felt some kind of soothing from her voice.
It took him a while to point out mistakes from her songs, most of which were reckless.
"So, I'm selected right?", Mika said as she clung on to Grace.
Nate was annoyed as hell. Even though he didn't know her at all, he knew she was doing it on purpose. He figured that Mika was very well aware that Nate had a thing for Grace.
"Y-Yeah, there's no doubt.", Nate sighed.
"So, would you like to watch further-", Nate was going to approach.
"Grace I'm hungry! Let's go now.", Mika pouted holding Grace's arm.
"Really? Now? Didn't you just have some chocolates?", Grace inquired.
"That was a long time ago!!"
"Okay okay fine.", Grace gave in.
"Alright! To the bakery right now!"
"Sorry Nate, I think we'll meet tomorrow.", Grace apologized.
"no, it's alright.", Nate insisted. "Oh, but the music club is having a fresher's party tonight, Why don't you come?"
"That would be great. We'll see you tonight then.", Grace's expressions lit up.
"We?", Nate was confused.
"Did you forget I'm in your band?", Mika peeked from Grace's back.
"Oh yeah, sure sure. Please come.", said with an expressionless face. "Grace let's exchange numbers.", Nate came forward.
"Oh yeah sure.", Grace got her phone out.
As soon as they left the music room, Nate had a big creepy smile on his face.
"Dude are you alright?", the guy next to him asked as he was startled by it.
Nate didn't reply. All he could think about was, 'I got her number!'
"did you hit your head when you fell off earlier?", the guy asked worriedly.
"Do you like this guy?", Mika asked as she was stuffing shortcake in her mouth.
"What do you mean?", Grace asked as she was playing with her half-filled ice-tea cup.
"You know, he definitely has a thing for you.", Mika said staring into her eyes.
"What are you imagining silly?" Grace chuckled.
"ugh, too pure. There's no good in talking to you.", Mika sighed.
"But I'm surprised by his change of attitude. He was a completely different person from the afternoon."
"I bet he is the same man inside.", Mika pouted. "Or literally "BLIND" in love", she whispered.
"What?"
"Nothing", Mika looked away.
'that prick is not coming near my pure Grace', Mika resolved.
Nate fled out of the music room. He looked at his phone, 'Alright', let's a text!'
-Hey, Nate this side.-
-Oh hi! What's up?-
-Nothing actually. Can't I just text my cute singer?-
-What?-
-What?-
-Well, whatever suits you. just don't call me cute like you are some kind of stalker.-
At that moment he came to know the eternal truth. "Don't tell me she has no clue!! Even after that gentle hand kiss?", he shouted in the middle of the seating area.
"What's wrong with that guy?" "Maybe he's some kind of stalker." "Na! He's definitely a freak."
Nate made his way out. He knew it won't be any good if he kept acting like an idiot in front of everyone.
-you-
-what?-
-Ah, nothing. Just wanted to make sure you are coming tonight.-
-Yeah, we are. Did you all select the place and time?-
-Yep! Let's meet at the 'Bloomers'. Around 8-ish?-
-Okay sounds great! Got a class. See ya!-
-Alright! See you soon.-
'I'll definitely make her mine', Nate resolved. Although he did look like some idiot student taking an oath in hot burning sunlight.