The only performance that makes it--that makes it all the way--is the one that achieves madness


Violet


My bum was beginning to grow numb as I sat on a bar stool in the crowded tavern, awaiting The Underground's performance with anticipation. The hostess for the night introduced herself as Halsey, and it didn't take me long to make the connection that she was the one who spoke with Harry on the phone earlier today. I could tell Halsey had a natural gift for presenting by the way she made jokes about the crowd of starstruck females after they saw the male performers come onto the stage.


Hugo's nights off happened to be on Tuesdays, so he wasn't here to tend to all of the customers who wanted to be served an alcoholic beverage or keep me company. However, fountain soda machines and solo cup dispensers could be spotted in every corner of the room, and I found solace in the eye contact Harry and I were making with each other from time to time across the stage. While the boys checked their sound equipment and tested their mics, I decided to check my phone for any texts or missed calls before silencing it completely.


Right around the time when my phone screen went dark, I heard the faint strum of an E-minor7 chord and looked up to find four lads eager to get the show started. My eyes were mainly focused on a lovely pair of green orbs, but they darted over to the girl with bright blue hair and a booming voice once she began speaking again.


“How's everybody doin' tonight, still good I assume, yeah?” Halsey questioned the crowd, receiving a few upbeat ‘yeahs’ in response, which encouraged her to continue her speech. “I have to say...you're all in for a real treat tonight, ladies and gentlemen. The Dead Poet doesn't usually allow its employees to participate in the talent shows, but we're going to break some rules tonight. My good friend Harry and his band, The Underground, are about to perform their newest song “Drag Me Down” for the first time on this stage--well platform, actually. Anyway, let's give these boys a warm welcome and get this show on the road!” The girl exclaimed before handing her mic to Harry.

“I hope you all are enjoying yourselves tonight. If you start feeling the beat, don't hesitate to get out of your seat,” Harry spoke with a natural confidence to the large crowd of females gathering in front of him, unfazed by their girlish squeals and ogling eyes.

Silence filled the space following his statement before the opening chords of their song were strummed again from the blondie's guitar, and Harry's silky smooth voice captivated the room.


I've got a fire for a heart
I'm not scared of the dark
You've never seen it look so easy

I got a river for a soul,
And baby you're a boat
Baby you're my only reason...

If I didn't have you there would be nothing left
The shell of a man who could never be his best
If I didn't have you I'd never see the sun
You taught me how to be someone, yeah

All my life
You stood by me
When no one else was ever behind me
All these lights, they can't blind me
With your love nobody can drag me down

I found my lips rolled under the harsh restraint of my teeth as the boys repeated the lines from the chorus. Each of them looked unstoppable on stage, and I knew it was exactly where they all belonged. Harry never told me what he planned on doing after college, but I'd be shocked now if his plans didn't consist of entering the field of music. With a voice like his, it would be a travesty if no one outside of this room got to hear it.

If I didn't have you there would be nothing left
The shell of a man who could never be his best
If I didn't have you I'd never see the sun
You taught me how to be someone, yeah

All my life
You stood by me
When no one else was ever behind me
All these lights they can't blind me
With your love nobody can drag me down

Nobody, nobody

Nobody can drag me...down

Nobody, nobody

Nobody can drag me—

“Clap your hands.” Harry hummed into the mic whilst clapping his hands to mimic the beat of the drums.

All my life
You stood by me
When no one else was ever behind me
All these lights they can't blind me
With your love nobody can drag me down

All my life
You stood by me
When no one else was ever behind me
All these lights they can't blind me
With your love nobody can drag me down

When Harry started to harmonize with the boys, I was at a lost for words. To say that I was impressed by his vocal abilities would be an understatement. Once their performance ended, the crowd of females, myself included erupted in whistles and loud cheers. The look of pride on Harry's face only bolstered his ego, and I knew I'd hear him reminisce of his performance even hours after it ended.

“Thank you so much, you've all been such a ‘ovely crowd,” The blondie spoke into the mic, his Irish accent thickening his words.“G’night everybody!”

---

I waited for Harry outside of The Dead Poet with my hands stuffed inside the warmth of my pockets and head against the glass windows. It was damn near midnight, but Harry made me promise to wait for him while he closed up the bar for the night.

Despite the fact that it was October, I dressed in preparation for winter since my body couldn't handle the weather even when the temperatures were only below 60 degrees. The longer I stayed outside, the more my patience began to wear thin. I shivered when a gust of wind blew in my direction and buried my face underneath my scarf.

I was about to take the risk and walk home by myself in the harsh cold when I heard the front door swing open and saw Harry shrugging on his coat. He flashed me a dimpled smile once his leather jacket was zipped up and ushered me toward his car.

“Sorry for the long wait. I had to replace the trash bags, clean the tables with kleenex, and put up all of the stools. It takes a lot less time when there's more than one person doing the job,” Harry explained to me once we got situated in his car. “So where to little red?”

“Esther has company over tonight, so I'm willing to go anywhere besides my cabin right now,” I responded with a frown.

I've made it a point not to meet the infamous Rodney, for I don't think I'd be able to stop my knee from connecting to his crotch upon first glance. Esther hasn't come home with anymore bruises thankfully, but that doesn't mean I still don't worry for her safety. It's only a matter of time before that man's temper gets the best of him, and he'll end up doing something he regrets.

“What do you say we grab a bite to eat and then go back to my dorm?” The green eyed boy suggested while starting the car engine and backing out of his parking space. “I have a few books and movies I think you'd like to see.”

“Hmm...sounds tempting,” I whispered in my ponderance of the idea. “but I think I'll settle for just the bite to eat.”

Harry shook his head in a sigh as he refocused his attention back onto the road. I was satisfied that I had the ability to turn him down, for I was sure most girls wouldn't be able to resist his charm, but he was so persistent. With a slight smirk adorning his plump lips, Harry turned his head around to face me again and ran his tongue along his bottom lip. “One of these days...I'll get you to come. Just you wait.”

A rosy pink color tinted my cheeks due to his last remark. I knew what he meant, but I couldn't help the fact that my mind had gone to the gutter and processed his statement in a sexual context. Judging by the display of dimples in his cheeks, I figured Harry understood the effect of his words on me and smiled to tease me further.

“Cheeky bastard,” I jested under my breath as I looked out of the window, trying to hide my own smile.

“You love it, don't try and deny it,” He playfully mused while I rolled my eyes.

Notes

A/N:

It's been 3 months since I've been gone so I'm going to post 3 chapters I've been working on for this story in the meantime. I hope everyone is having a great New Years so far and thank you to those who have been actively reading this story despite the lack of updates. That should be changing soon though.

I was supposed to take my SATs Jan. 23rd but then Storm Jonas happened and now it's been postponed. Once I finish all of my standardized test, the updates will occur regularly.

Love
-M