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She's been practicing for weeks, alone and afraid…
She didn't want anyone to find out what she was singing, it was a very special song that she held dear, it was a song no one else knew the words to, and it was a song that went well with her voice.
She didn't like admitting that she was an amazing singer, let alone a talent-worthy one. She didn't even want to join the school's talent show until N asked her about it. She just shrugged that day and said: “yeah sure…talent show…sure…”
And until she actually practiced, she didn't think much of it until she heard a random song on her Spotify playlist, she had never added it to her playlist nor did she even know the words to it. But that was until she fell in love with it and surprisingly, she fell in love with it.
N came into her room as he was looking for something, he knew she was singing and was aware she didn't want to be bothered but that thing he was looking for was really important.
Uzi's face turned red, she immediately paused the song and stared at him, “Oh hi N!” muttered Uzi, “I was just studying for a maths thing…”
N raised an eyebrow, “didn't we already do that together yesterday?”
“I was improving it!” Replied Uzi, N shrugged as he left Uzi alone for a bit. He didn't want to leave her alone but since she was practicing, he decided to leave her be.
But Uzi couldn't shake off her thoughts as it randomly popped in her head for whatever reason, and no matter how hard she tried to shake it off, things just got worse.
She played the song again, but this time, she sang in a more somber tone, her voice dropping and dropping, her tears falling through her shoulder like rain.
—---
A Week later, it was the day of the Talent Show, the room was packed with various people, including Uzi's parents.
“I heard Uzi's going to be in this one!” Cried Nori, “I'm so proud of my little bat!”
“Who?” replied Khan, while he just read a door magazine.
—---
And then the show started and Lizzy popped up.
She sighed, not wanting to do this, “Do I have to read this part dad?”
“I don't want to be here either but yes…” Sighed her dad.
Lizzy nodded, “Okay everyone, welcome to this crappy talent show where people do things, I hope you enjoy and feel free to take pictures or videos or something…god I hate this…”
Lizzy left the scene as the first one up was Uzi.
She took a deep breath as she walked on the stage, “okay deep breaths Uzi, like we rehearsed…” she thought to herself. She walked and walked until she was in the centre, and once the music started playing, those thoughts popped in her head again and again.
Uzi couldn't sing, and when she tried, no words came out…
Her vision started to blur for a few seconds, she started to see things differently, she heard laughing…laughing that no one else could hear.
Everyone was watching her struggle backstage, especially N and they didn't know how to react.
The teacher sighed, “I knew she couldn't do it, I'll go and tell them to just skip her and let Thad go next”.
Thad's eyes widened, “What?”
But that was when N got himself on track, so he ran and ran to the stage.
“N…N? Wait they-” The teacher tried to say before he got cut off by Thad.
“No, let him!” exclaimed Thad, “it's better than people leaving or sleeping out of boredom!”
And when Uzi thought she couldn't do it, N started singing to her.
♪the places i had gone with the one who i dearly loved
the scenery surrounding the two of us
unable to turn back, no choice but to continue
i wonder what i'm going to run into?
'till i come to an end
'till i can comprehend
i am sure that i have not really grown up yet
[ham] the things that I see
the people who i meet
In the end, i can only see what's right in front of me
dearest me in 10 years from now
are you happy with your life right now?
or are you buried in loneliness?
are you crying bitter tears right now?
but listen to what i have to say
there's something by your side that will never change
although you have yet to realize it
can you protect it for the rest of your days?♪
Uzi looked at N, and started to smile a bit, she nodded and mouthed out the words: “Thank you” and started smiling back, knowing that he's always here for her whenever they're near or far.
Uzi started singing the next part on her own:
♪and in the days that pass I leave my feelings behind
now all that’s left - i’m only chasing after time
Whose dream was it that i had carried all this way?
in the end, i wonder if it could still come true someday
dearest me in 10 years from now
Who is it that you're in love with right now?
or maybe your feelings haven’t changed
Do you still love the same person even now?
but listen to what I have to tell
before you can truly love someone else
there’s one more person you must learn to love
you have to learn to love and cherish yourself♪
Everyone watched backstage, some of them were smiling while others didn't care. They couldn't believe that someone like Uzi had such an angelic singing voice.
“Yes!” Cried Nori, “I can't believe it's her!”
Uzi mouthed something no one else could hear, “wanna join me on the final part?”
N nodded, as they started to sing it together:
♪and the people who were closest to you
are they still the same people you once knew?
or maybe you have all grown apart
how long’s it been since they’ve contacted you?
but listen to what I have to say
having met them has changed you in some way
so take a look at who you are right now
have you improved from the “me” from today?♪
Uzi: ♪dearest me in 10 years from now
if you’re happy with your life right now♪
N: ♪please don’t forget the person you once were
think back to me every then and now♪
Uzi: ♪because there have been hard times for me
and times when i cried a bit too easily♪
Uzi and N: ♪but surely those tears had meant something
so keep me safely within your memories♪
95% of the audience clapped, and Uzi wasn't expecting everyone to do that. Not even to someone like her.
“See?” Cheered N, “They like you!”
Uzi nodded as a single tear streak trickled down her face. She wrapped her arms around N as a silent “Thank you” and so, the two walked off the stage.