“You got this.” Em’s voice is confident. Meanwhile, I haven’t moved. I’m frozen to the spot.
Levi and I glance at each other.
“What song?” he asks both of them.
Oh, he’s pissed.
Jake’s lips tighten. “‘Lovely.’”
My roommate nods once. “You know it?” The question is directed at me.
“Um…” My voice cracks. “Yes.”
It’s a slow song. A sad and slow song that is not easy to sing. It’s also going to be a very different version than the original with my voice. I would’ve expected these two to choose something light and fun, but I was very, very wrong.
“Okay, then.” Levi stands and offers me his hand. “Come on, Stephanie. Let’s go conquer this stupid fucking fear we have together.”
My feet don’t move, my mind is still going haywire, and my breathing is ten times worse than it was when we first came in. How did he get this calm so quickly?
As if sensing how bad I’m doing, Levi bends down.
“Levi and Stevie, please come up. You have thirty more seconds to claim your spot before we move on,” the commercial-sounding person announces.
“Shit,” he mutters. “I know you’re nervous, but do you feel medically okay to go up there?” His voice is gentle and understanding. “If you do, please keep your eyes on me throughout the entire thing or close them if that helps.”
I nod, telling him that I’m not having any auras, which is surprising considering my anxiety and stress. Maybe I’ll end up passing out.
When my eyes meet his, I feel a sort of calmness, similar to the one when we’ve watched TV together or spoken like friends. My breathing instantly slows down, as does my heart rate.
“That’s it. Look at me.” Finally, I stand, and he guides me to the stage where he grabs my mic off the stand and hands it to me.
Taking it, I make the huge mistake of looking at the crowd, and my stomach drops. Levi quickly steps in front of me.
“Eyes on me.” His voice is so demanding, his eyes so dark that it knocks me straight out of my haze. I must be going crazy because those three words, in that deep voice, make me feel as if I have no choice but to do as he says. The craziest part is that I don’t mind because the fog of fear clears as my gaze follows his every step.
He hums approvingly. “That’s it. Good girl.”
The phrase surprises me, causing an involuntary shiver. Whether it’s nerves or something else, I’m unsure.
“Once we get up there, look at me or the lyrics, or shut your eyes. But whatever you do, do not forget to breathe, understood?” His voice is as demanding as it was seconds ago.
Usually, I’d playfully slap or push him, but again, I feel as if Ihaveto do as he says. I dip my chin.
“Good girl,” he says again.
The feeling of tranquility that washes over me with those same words is odd and confusing, but right now it’s also useful.
Then the notes of “Lovely” by Billie Eilish and Khalid begin to play, and I know I only have a few seconds before the lyrics commence.
Levi’s dark blue gaze doesn’t falter as he quickly takes our mic stands and places them in front of each other, silently telling me to put my mic back in its stand. It’s a smart move. A move that gives me no choice but to look at him.
Once we settle into our places, I take a deep breath and open my mouth. My voice is shaky, but it’s there. Levi’s eyes glimmer, and he smiles approvingly at the first time he’s ever really heard me sing. He backs me up, echoing some of the words with his voice, like on the original soundtrack, giving everyone a glimpse of his talent.
Then he joins me in the chorus, and our eyes widen as we realize that we both have extremely different styles, but here, they’re blending perfectly.
We still don’t look away, both knowing the lyrics by heart.
I place a palm directly on my diaphragm, closing my eyes while I reach the notes I’m less accustomed to, smiling when I hit them perfectly.
