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Langa felt so out of place. He stood in the corner of some bar holding a cup of coke. His neatly ironed white shirt and skinny black jeans were drastically different from casual clothing most people wore. It was his first time in this kind of place.
Some time ago he saw an indie rap singer will be performing for free in his area. When he came home he decided to check up on his music and he fell in love with upbeat music and a sharp voice. Langa always thought rap had to be aggressive yelling really fast but this artist's songs were different.
Music live was even more beautiful than recordings. Not only that but the singer was beautiful himself, red wild hair, freckles all over his face and arms, crooked teeth, pink cheeks and lips. Everything in this performance was breathtaking. Then for just a few seconds he made eye contact with the boy on stage. He could be just imagining things but somehow singers face got reader than it already was. Redhead closed his eyes and sang even louder. After the show Langa left the bar, music still loud in his head and bright pictures of a pretty boy singing.
Few weeks later was his piano competition. He played piano since he was very little and won multiple awards but still not enough to consider himself famous.
“Are you okay, hun?” asked his mother while fixing his tie
“Just nervous”
“Hmm you look more lost in thoughts than anxious”
“well, Remember when you caught me sneaking in after whole night out few weeks ago?” when his mum nodded he continued “I went to the concert and i still have vivid\d memories of it. Songs were amazing, singer was gorgeous…”
“oh dear! I get it! That's how I felt after seeing your father on stage for the first time ever!” she beamed “oh how romantic! Did you talk to her?”
“No!” he hid his face in his handles “I wouldn't dare to! I'm pretty sure he had a line of girls wanting to do the same…”
“…he?” Nanako asked not sure if her son just came out to her
“…yeah” oh so he did came out
There was silence, not a weird one but rather a “no need to explain yourself” one. It broke when his name was called out on the stage.
“Break a leg! love you” his mum kissed his cheeks good luck
Langa entered the stage, he took a deep breath. This always looked the same, he stood alone in bright light that hurt his eyes, in the middle was a huge piano and stool to sit on. He made his way there but something told him to look at the audience. It was hard to see anything with multiple headlights flashing straight at him but in the back sat someone very distinctive. Langa didn't think that much of that and took his position. He started playing, keys skipping under his fingers making different sounds. He loved music, especially creating it. Simple sound could transfer emotions he didn't know how to describe with words, no matter in english or japanese. It was way easier that way.
Langa played his very own piece, one he worked so hard on. His mind was flooded with different thoughts lately so the music he made was complex, he made sure it was soft in some parts, loud and aggressive in others. He could feel sweat on his forehead but he played until his hands were sore. When he finished audience started clapping, he stood up bowed and when he raised his head and his heart stopped, in the back stood a red haired boy, THE red haired boy! The one who didn't leave his mind for a moment in the last three weeks. Why is he here? Did he like his music? He must have, he is clapping louder than anyone else.
Langa could feel his face getting hot.
He quickly left the stage and the second bright light couldn't reach him anymore his legs collapsed.What did he think of music composed with his face in mind?
“Langa sweetie are you alright?” familiar voice ask worryingly
He looked up to see mother's terrified face and instantly feelt guilty for making this poor woman worry that much.
“Sorry mum, I'm alright” he stood up, still on shaky legs “can we go home?”
“ofc honey, here” she handed him car keys “go wait in the car, i’ll tell director that we are leaving”
He nodded and started heading in the direction of the exit. He pushed the door and stopped. On the curb sat the red haired boy in an absurdly big yellow suit and pink shirt underneath. When the door slammed behind Langa he looked in his direction and smiled.
“I loved your performance”
He actually loved it? Would he still love it if he found out that that's what Langa feels towards him?
“Can I get an autograph? I’m a huge fan. I go to every show you play in,sometimes they throw me out because they say i'm not dressed formal enough, but look at me” he did a little spin “ I’m wearing a suit and a shirt!”
Langa was still shocked and forced a few words out of himself.
“it suits you, very cute”
The boy's face got red but he didn't seem to mind. He started looking for something in his pockets and after a few seconds he took out black graffiti marker.
“Oh bugger i don’t have paper on me” he stopped and then his eyes brighten, he jumped in bush that was outside of the building and took out skateboard, “can you sign this for me?”
“But are you sure? it look expensive i don’t want to ruin it”
“That's the stupidest thing i ever heard, just do it, please”
Langa couldn't help but smile, he took the marker out of his hand and sat on the ground. Opened it and signed it, he also doodled a small heart next to it.
“Here” he said, giving it back and smiled when he saw sparkles in the eyes of the boy.
“Thanks! and you?”
“Me?”
“You were at my show three weeks ago, right? I’m pretty sure i didn't imagine it this time. Do you want my autograph?”
“More than anything!” Langa bit his tongue which made other laugh. His heart fluttered. “but i don’t have anything you can sign… or wait” he started unbuttoning his jacket.
“what are you doing?”
“I really want that autograph.” Langa took off his jacket and spun around “can you sign my shirt?”
“bro, you are insane, and i’m totally into it” Then Langa felt hot hands on his back and flinched. He really hope boy did not felt that . Hands were gentle and rough at the same time, he couldn't describe it now, when he get home he’ll make a song about this. “finished!”
“thank you” said Langa, putting his jacket back on, then he heard main door slamming and his mother started walking in their direction.
“I'm gonna go, thank you so much!” boy hugged him and seconds later he was on his skateboard meters away.
“Was that your friend?” asked Nanako when she stood next to him
“Mum, do you remember when I told you about the gorgeous singer?”
“omg that was him?” She was getting more excited with every second. “Did you ask him about his number this time?”
His world crashed. How could he forget! There was so much going on, he could swear he was flirting with him so why did he forget to ask about that stupid number!
The way home was quiet, when they finally arrived Langa went straight into his room, took off his jacket and shirt only to gasp. On the back of his shirt was an autograph and right under it 9 numbers. He also made out 5 hidden hearts in there but wasn’t sure if it was intentional or just by chance.
He didn’t waste any second, he grabbed this phone and sent a text message.
*Do you always draw hearts on your autographs?*
response showed up almost immediately
*only for special fans ;)*