Chapter 160: [Sakura] [Not the One]
[Emery’s POV]
[Sakura]
"Everyone, let’s give a round of applause to the stunning Miss Emery Jansen as she graces us a lovely piece while we enjoy our dessert!"
I stood from my seat and nodded at the applauding cheering spectators. I made sure that my face was not stained with the pain in my heart as I sauntered towards the stage, making sure that my smile stayed on my lips.
I accepted the violin that was handed to me, and I instructed the accompaniment to play SAKURA by Ikimono[M1] -gakari violin version.
I closed my eyes, did not want to see Lance, who was just sitting in front of me as I poured my feelings into this piece.
This piece of my love and goodbye.
The first note silenced the audience, and soon, I lost myself as I poured my thoughts into the music.
~I’m dreaming the dream I have for us.
We went our separate ways and brought everything to
an end.
My future is in full bloom.
But it fills me with panic without you in it.
In my heart, I hear your voice.
I will get through these days without you
and I too will grow up.
Will I forget everything?
I really love you.
Now my love is wrapped in cherry blossom
the cherry blossom fell, fluttering down
embracing bit of my fluttering love.
Those days I dreamed of distant days
disappeared into the sky. ~
. . .
. . .
After I finished, I opened my eyes, and it zoomed on Lance, and I would forever engrave the look on his face in my heart.
That awestricken face and adoring eyes –– just for me.
His thin pink lips curved into a smile –– just for me.
At this moment, I was so glad I majored in music.
I’m so glad I’m standing on this stage.
I would do this again and again if it meant I could see his smile.
CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!
ENCORE!
Whiiistle~!
Claps and cheers like thunder and storm boomed in the spacious garden while Mrs. Lee’s awestruck voice roared above the rest.
"Emery, give us another one!"
I smiled at the kind woman’s request.
"Another one!"
"Yes! Another!"
"More!"
The cheers flowed one after the other.
"Emery! Give us a slow tune!" Mrs. Lee dragged her husband on the center floor and embraced him in a dancing position.
The crowd followed with their respective partners, and my smile grew wider –– until Jennifer dragged Lance by the arm to the center.
For a moment, I just stood there. My attention never leaving the awkward face of Lance, whose eyes were avoiding mine while the pretty Jennifer held a smug smile with face held high.
"Emery dear?"
Mrs. Lee’s worried voice woke me. I shot a smile her way, and pulled all my courage and asked the accompanist to play Sally’s Song and Corpse Bride violin version.
What I was feeling were exactly what those women felt.
----
[Emery’s POV}
[Not the One]
My eyes closed when Lance placed his arms around Jennifer’s waist.
Open it!
Burn this memory until you give up.
My eyelids fluttered open, and with a heavy heart, I watched as the boy of my dreams danced so intimate with a woman that was not me.
I watched and watched while I sang inside my head the lyrics I so wanted to tell him.
~Though I like to stand by him
can’t shake this feeling that I have
and does he notice my feelings for him?
And will he see
how much he means to me?
I think it’s not to be.
I made a vow within my gown
that love will come to me
And there he is and suddenly
I had been found
I adore him
What is this a painful twist
is this a better kiss?
There’s so much life left in his eyes
it should not end like this
My dreams were slain
my face was stained
with memories of my pain
but peace still came I’ll give him the same
I will be okay
Try as I may it doesn’t last
and will we ever
end up together?
No.
I think not
it’s never to become
For I am not . . .
the one. ~
EiiggnzzZ!!
The ear-shattering screeched of the violin stopped everyone on their feet. Curiosity and annoyance warped their faces, and the atmosphere froze still.
The seal in my eyes cracked and tears flowed on my cheeks beyond my control when Jennifer tiptoed and kissed Lance right before my very eyes. It felt like my heart was constricting so tight, my bones breaking and my lungs collapsing.
"I’m sorry."
The words escaped on its own, and I bolted down the stage and shoved the violin to Mrs. Lee, who was looking at me with a worried face.
Zoe followed me all the way to our table as I grabbed my purse.
"Emery, where are you going?"
I ignored her and sprinted to the exit.
"Emery, wait! Your gift!"
"Burn it."
I did not glance back.
I did not care if I made a scene.
Right now, I just wanted to get away from this place.
----
Lance tried hard not to frown when the emcee announced Emery Jansen to perform on stage.
He knew why he was annoyed. He may be a kid, but the woman made it so obvious that she fancied him. And he didn’t like it. He was not even flattered that a stunning older woman had a crush on him.
He didn’t fancy her and thought she was too much of a Princess for his taste.
He liked someone like his sister.
Pretty.
Kind.
Smart.
Caring.
Strong.
Gentle.
That’s right . . .
Just like Jennifer.
He looked at the pretty girl beside him, and his lips kicked in a smile. She was pouting. Her moist lips were adorable as they jut out while looking at Emery from opposite our table.
He wanted to hold her hand and tell her that she’s the most beautiful of all the women in here.
But he restrained himself.
Jennifer came from a wealthy and well-known family in their province. He courted her when he first laid eyes on her. It was already months after that, yet he didn’t have any luck with her. Though he was happy that she sometimes gave him hints that she also likes him back, she never acknowledged their status nor told him when she’d give him an answer.
Not that I mind.
He was already happy whenever he saw her smile.
His eyes then slid to the gorgeous woman when a soothing yet powerful sound echoed in his heart –– stirring it to life.
It caught his attention.
The whole time he listened to her play, he was holding his breath. Afraid that the breathing noises would mix with her music.
Her beautiful white-blonde hair was dancing with the wind in rhythm with her melody. Her long lashes were fluttering. Her red lips were quivering as if she remembered something. Her body swayed with the tune. She was like a Goddess given by the Gods to stabilized the hearts of mortals. She was simply mesmerizing.
And he never felt so proud that she likes him.
. . .
. . .
It wasn’t until the resounding applauses pulled him from his trance that he noticed he was staring at her with a smile on his face. Their eyes met, and his smile widened –– until Jennifer nudged him out of it.
He cleared his throat and lowered his eyes, feeling a bit guilty for some reason.
When Jennifer led him to dance, he didn’t protest even though he hated slow dances. He preferred pop and hip-hop and other modern dances since his sister loves to watch those kinds.
He kept himself under control when Jennifer’s hands wrapped around his neck –– but in all oddity . . . he was not thrilled as he thought he’d be.
Avoiding Emery’s gaze, his eyes shot to his feet. He didn’t know why he acted like he was caught cheating.
The music resonated, and he placed his hands on Jennifer’s waist as they glided on the dance floor. He should feel happy for he was so close to her, but instead, he was too busy to not step on her foot that all other thoughts disappeared.
Gradually, he was lost in Emery’s sorrowful music that he imagined himself running to her, embracing her in a comforting hug.
He didn’t like that the prim, proper, pompous Princess was sad.
I don’t like it?
He was bewildered by his thoughts that he didn’t even notice something was pressing his lips. Something soft and warm and . . .
Slimy.
Like a lip gloss.
EiiggnzzZ!!
He was pulled out from his thoughts at the violent screeching sound of a violin, and his eyes widened when he realized Jennifer was kissing him!
Shock, he recoiled. Without thinking, he was about to wipe his lips when out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Emery ran to their table, grabbed her purse, and sprinted into the exit.
Worry flooded him, pushing through his throat in the form of a scream.
"Em!"
Adrenaline shot to his limbs, and he bolted after her but was pulled back. Annoyed, he snapped at the one who held him, and his frown loosened when he saw Jennifer clinging to his arm. Her pretty face was red as her lips puckered in a pout.
"Lance," she called with an aggrieved cutesy voice, "I gave you my present. Aren’t you happy?"
She was so adorable with her big misty puppy brown eyes, reminding him so much of his sister. The hard lines on his face softened, and the nagging image of Emery’s crying face vanished from his mind.
"Lance, I just gave you my reply. Aren’t you the least bit happy that I finally became your girlfriend?" she said when he didn’t react.
. . .
. . .
Eh?
----
*Sally’s Song and Corpse Bride by Danny Elfman
*Corpse Bride lyrics by Trickwyi
