Rhythm of Love

Nora’s Point of View

“Alright,” I asked, my foot tapping to an unknown rhythm, my arms crossed over my chest, and my brow lifted at the five males in front of me. “What the hell was that all about?”

After our performance, I’d left the stage with the rest of Behind the Unknown following behind me and Nicolette skipping on my right. Noah asked if I wanted to go out to get some ice cream quickly before the results were announced, but, with a small smile, I refused the offer and said I needed some sleep. None of them tried to convince me to go, they just nodded and left from the back door and I entered the band’s room. Laying on the bed, I began thinking about everything that’s happened up to now and how my life had taken definite plunges in and out of the gutter at least two thousand times. As I closed my eyes, a noise filled my ears and I winced at the sound. It sounded like the result nails on a chalkboard and bombs being thrown overhead. It took me a moment to realize that the sounds were that of a guitar and a drum, but that could only mean one thing. Those idiots… I thought to myself with a groan. If those idiots are fricken throwing the competition, I’ll personally ring all their necks! As I exited the room, my eyes landed on someone walking by.

At first, I didn’t recognize her because I never had taken the chance to really look at her. However, I knew that smug grin anywhere; there was only two people in the world who I knew could pull it off well enough. One of those people were Damien, but it was unlikely that he went to all the trouble of disguising himself into a Devil spawn. Our eyes met for a moment as I passed Adele in the hall, not even thinking to ask why she was even in there in the first place. She continued walking down the halls, that devious grin still on her lips until she exited from the backdoors. She didn’t reenter, but I found myself staring at where I’d last saw her as if she’d reappear. What was she doing? What was it she was planning? I wasn’t able to think of an answer because the music filled my ears again and frustration boiled inside of me. I couldn’t help but yell, “Damn it, you guys! What the hell are you doing?”

By the time I reached the left entrance to the stage, Welcome to Paradise was already done playing and talking about something off stage. I noticed Eli had a guitar strung around his neck and I felt a vein pop in my forehead from obsessive brow-lifting. It was only until I was directly in front of them, frowning, tapping my foot, arms across chest, and brow raised did they notice I was there. Which brings me to where we are now.

“Well?” I asked. “Don’t play dumb with me; I could hear it from all the way in my band’s room.” I decided it wasn’t best to mention my little meeting with Adele, thinking that might start something and I didn’t want that to happen. Not when they were all laughing and smiling; I would feel like a killjoy.

Eli was the first to speak, grinning at me. “We threw the competition and now we’re going to get a record deal from Adele’s dad!” It to a lot of strength not to flinch at that comment. My eyes flickered over to Xavier, who I’d see joyous with them before butting into the conversation.

“And you’re back in the band?” I asked him, curiosity evident in my tone. He sent me a smile and nodded. Without hesitation, I began to congratulate them on getting a record deal, saying how awesome that was and how I was so happy for them. What I didn’t say, was that I wasn’t happy; how that I was going to miss their company here even if it was fighting or anger or sadness.

What I didn’t say, was ‘Don’t Go.’



In the end, Welcome to Paradise’s ploy ended up working for they achieved sixth place out of the ten finalists. Not even my band achieved first place, but instead a band from a town a few over from where we lived. From what I heard, they’d been doing the competition for a few years and this was their first time winning. That made being the runner ups a bit nicer, knowing that we were able to be second to a band such as that. As the days passed by quickly, the date for Welcome to Paradise’s leave for Paris drew closer. I tried distracting myself by going to all of Nicolette’s performances but nothing could get the date out of my mind. However, that wasn’t the only thing that was pounding in my head.

I stood with Eli at the airport as everyone said their goodbyes. Already, I’d pulled Nicolette, Ivan, Conner, Xavier, and Alex into bear hugs, hugging Alex a few seconds longer to remember that smell that lingered off his warm body. Obviously, I disregarded Adele’s presence as she stood with the group. Now, as I stood with Eli alone while everyone chatted, I began to morph the words I already planned to say to Eli. Taking a deep breath, I turned around and stared him straight in the eyes. He stared back and the look reflecting in his eyes made me realize he knew big news was coming.

“Eli,” I whispered, pulling his face closer to mine to keep anyone from listening. “What I’m about to tell you is confidential information. Do you understand?” He nodded and I felt my heart hammer in my chest. “First, before I get into that, I just wanted to say that… I don’t do long-distance very well and please understand that it isn’t you. It’s just… you’ll be far, far away and I’ll be stuck here so I think that if anything we should at least take a break. Who knows how long you’ll be out in Paris, if you’ll even return. So, it’s for the better.” Eli’s face showed heartbreak and I felt myself nuzzle my head into his chest and apologize.

“But that’s not the important thing is it?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. I was silent; he knew me better than I thought.

Again, I pulled him close to me. This time, I held a look of utter seriousness. “Eli, I’m done. Singing, I mean. I –” Quickly, I threw a hand over Eli’s mouth before he could yell in shock whatever he was going to say. Sending him a stern look, I waited for him to calm down before continuing, “Don’t look at me like that; it’s not like I just decided this. I told Damien and Noah a few days ago.”

“But why?”

“Because,” I muttered, stepping back a little. “Something Xavier had told me really stuck: he told me he was thinking about getting a job, a real job, and this whole thing was a story he would tell his kids one day.”

“Yeah, but now –”

“I know what he’s doing now. But… you don’t understand how my mind has been working; deciding on whether this was right for me or not. And, I don’t know if this is the right decision or not but it’s what I want to do. Please understand that. And please, don’t repeat any of this to anyone. Okay?” He didn’t say anything for awhile, and I stared at him, begged him with only my eyes. Finally, he nodded slowly and promised me. Smiling at him, I gave him one last hug and a peck on the cheek before watching them leave up the escalator. They all turned back and waved at me, and I waved back while rubbing my eyes.

Yeah, you’ve got me begging, begging baby please don't go.

Their plane set off at exactly ten in the morning, and with them, they took not only my love for music, but my heart.