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Once Upon A Time...

Chapter 1

Rion's POV

My feet paddled on the ground as I walked with my backpack hanging on my shoulder, heading to school. The cold breeze made me shiver in the wind. My heart wrinkled in pain as I thought of what would happen in school today. I’d see him, and once again become reminded of what I can’t have.

“Hey, Rion!” A cheerful girl with two braids skipped towards me. I remember being like that when I was small; so happy and carefree.

“Yeah?” I tried my best to smile.

“Do you think you can perform tonight? The school’s holding a small gig near the soccer field after school.”

I shook my head hesitantly, “ I don’t know…”

Harry has soccer practice after school. I’ve always loved playing that sport, but I could never sign up for it. There’s no way I could catch Harry’s attention like that. He’s seen me a couple times, but he probably doesn’t even know my name. Well, technically speaking, he probably does, but still…

“Oh, come on! I bet the soccer coach will let you play a bit with the boys after you perform! He’s a big fan of your voice,”

It’s true, the coach had always complimented my singing, and I really don’t want to pass this chance of playing soccer with the guys in the team. But that includes Harry.

“I’ll think about it.”

******

“…. With these things I’ll never say…”

My fingers brushed the strings of the acoustic guitar I held in my hands.

It was lunchtime and if I choose to perform, I have to be ready in a few hours.

I grunted in exhaustion as I stood. I need a break. My eyes caught onto the soccer ball resting near the side of the bench. A few practice kicks could never hurt anyone, right?

*****

I grunted as I kicked another one into the goal. I had been playing for half an hour already and I was probably sweating like hell; lunch was always really long.

My head turned as I heard voices behind me. The ball I was about to kick stayed under my foot as I stopped and tried to listen to the noise.

“Do you really love Theresa?”

“I love Lizzy more.”

Lizzy? As in-

Just as I was about to make a run for it, the owners of the voices appeared from round the small corner and saw me.

They were wearing soccer uniforms – blue and white- our school colors- and they wore a shock on their face. There were two of them, and one happened to be Harry, and a black-haired guy. He had the number 10 and the word “James” on his uniform, making me realize he was the captain of the soccer team. – Brandon James.

Who’s Theresa? Isn’t she Lizzy’s best friend or something?

Connor stayed silent the whole time as Brandon spoke.

“Rion? What are you doing here?” Brandon eyes sparkled. I was pretty sure he had a small crush on me, but I didn’t like him. Guess he too knows what rejection feels like.

Shit. I probably look awful. I tried to ignore Connor’s stone gaze on me and looked at Bryan.

“Just practicing.”

He nodded, “I didn’t know you practiced,”

It was a barely audible and I’m pretty sure I wasn’t supposed to hear it, but I did, “I did,” Harry had mumbled.

It just kept rewinding.

I did.
I did.
I did.

How?

Brandon gave him a questioning look then glanced at me and waved as he left, claiming the coach was calling him.
My heart pounded as I realized what was happening. I was alone. With Harry.

I panicked and turned around, kicking the ball that I was holding underneath my foot this whole time.

It rolled and went straight to the goal. I was about to reach for another soccer ball from the net but the brunette teen I had a thing for for so long interrupted me.

“Nice shot,”

I nodded in thanks as I was in too much surprise to speak.

“So…are you going to perform tonight?”

I turned around, my eyes surprised.

“Wha-?”

I was about to ask him why he cares, but he started laughing and my face scrunched up in confusion. He held his stomach in laughter and huddled over.

“Your face! You looked so cute, with your eyes wide like that! Like a little…chipmunk!”

“Whaaaaat??!!”

“I’m sorry- I just- sorry.” His laughter died down and since I didn’t want to make myself look even dumber, I announced,

“Well, I’m going to go, sooo…bye, I guess,”

His eyes dropped down in disappointment? for some reason as he waved me goodbye.

As soon as I thought I was out of his sight, I ran towards the main building, thinking of how that was the first actual conversation I had with him. I have a few things to settle.

As soon as I found the girl from this morning, I stopped her and asked her, out of breath, “Do you think I can still perform tonight?”

****

I looked out into the crowd that had formed in the soccer field from behind the curtain. My eyes landed on Harry who was standing near Lizzy, but neither of them looked too happy.

The announcer spoke into the microphone,” And finally, since we save the best for last, give it up for the amazing, Rion!” Everyone cheered and clapped as I stepped onto the stage.

My heart beat fast, which was weird because I was normally used to the audience. Maybe this time it’s different because I had just ‘talked’ to Harry a bit earlier.

As I started singing, Harry’s eyes fell on me and he smiled, resulting in an eye roll from Lizzy, leaving me dumbfounded to what was going on between the two.

“I’m tugging at my hair,
I’m pulling at my clothes,
I’m trying to keep my cool,
I know it shows,

I’m staring at my feet,
My cheeks are turning red,
I’m searching for the words inside my head,

I’m feeling nervous, trying to be so perfect,
Cause I know you’re worth it; you’re worth it, yeah,

If I could say what I want to say,
I’d say I wanna blow you away…away,
Be with you every night,
Am I squeezing you too tight?

If I could say what I want to see,
I want to see you go down on one knee, marry me today,
Guess I’m wishing my life away,
With these things I’ll never say

I’m feeling nervous, trying to be so perfect,
Cause I know you’re worth it; you’re worth it, yeah,

If I could say what I want to say,
I’d say I wanna blow you away…away,
Be with you every night,
Am I squeezing you too tight?

If I could say what I want to see,
I want to see you go down on one knee, marry me today,
Guess I’m wishing my life away,
With these things I’ll never say,

What’s wrong with my tongue?
These words keep slipping away,
I stutter, I stumble,
Like I’ve got nothing to say,

I’m feeling nervous, trying to be so perfect,
Cause I know you’re worth it; you’re worth it, yeah

Guess I’m wishing my life away,
With these things I’ll never say,

If I could say what I want to say,
I’d say I wanna blow you away…away,
Be with you every night,
Am I squeezing you too tight?

If I could say what I want to see,
I want to see you go down on one knee, marry me today,
Guess I’m wishing my life away,
With these things I’ll never say

These things I’ll never say”

Once I finished, I was met with a cold stare from Lizzy who rolled her eyes once more and pulled at Harry, kissing him.

I bowed down my head like I always do after performances, but this time it wasn’t for the usual reason. I waved to the crowd and stepped off the small stage and walked away.

Today was too much. Even for me.

****