Free Sing to Me by Michelle Pennington

probably the hundredth time. My eyes swept the crowd and the stage, which was empty except for the microphone stands and instruments that lay ready there. Right now there was a DJ playing music, but the band would probably go on soon so he had to be around somewhere.
    Seeing my fruitless search, Olivia said, “Well, I know he’s here because I had to warm up with the band earlier. He seemed really on edge. This can’t be easy for him.”
    “What?”
    “Seeing you here with a guy you used to have a crush on – especially since you haven’t talked since your argument. He’s probably staying away as long as he can.”
    It made my heart hurt, but I knew she was probably right. If only I could talk to him before he went on stage, maybe I could tell him I was sorry for driving off on him that night – and that he was totally right about Brian.
    “Hey Rylie , let’s go dance, ” Brian said, coming up next to me, his voice more commanding than inviting.
    Speak of the devil . I tried to hide the grimace that was pulling at the corners of my eyes and mouth, but Olivia saw and looked sympathetic as Brian led me to the dance floor. I half-heartedly put my arms around him and hoped he wouldn’t want to talk as we danced. Thankfully, he didn’t seem to. A minute later, I looked over his shoulder and saw Colby watching us from the door by the stage.
    I couldn’t see his expression, but I could feel the intensity of his emotions from across the room. I was drawn to him, every part of me wanting to be with him. My arms slipped from Brian’s shoulders and I took a step towards him, but the music stopped and someone was talking over the microphone on stage. I didn’ t see or care who until I realized they were announcing the band . I glanced up and saw Princip al Duncan welcoming Micah out on stage. I g lanced quickly back to where Colby was standing, but he was gone.
    One by one, Mica h introduced the band as they join ed him on stage. Colby was the last one, and when he came out and stood in the spotlight near Micah, my heart lurched at how good looking he was. Brian looked like he belonged in a fashion magazine, but Colby had some magnetic, careless attraction that had nothing to do with what he was wearing.
    In fact, in a sea of sequins and tuxedos, he stood out in his black collared shirt with the sleeves rolled up and un-tucked over a pair of g rey slacks. He stood confident and relaxed as Micah talked a little bit about their band and their first song. I had moved closer to the stage without eve n noticing, only barely aware of Brian drifting along behind me.
    I was a little left of the stage, but Colby’s searching eyes found me. I knew it must be hard for him to see me with the lights in his face so I moved even closer. I touched the pendent he’d given me and mouthed the words, “Thank you,” to him. He nodded and his mouth twist ed in a half smile, but then he looked past me to where Brian stood behind my shoulder.
    Colby’s eyes flashed briefly before he bent over his guitar and traced the strings a moment before settling his fingers in position over the fret s. As the band began playing, I could sense Colby’s absorption in his music. The rest of us in the room might as well not have existed for all the attention he paid to us.
    I felt shut out and alone , cold and empty inside . Colby had gone somewhere I couldn’t follow, so I turned and left the dance floor. There was a crowd growing around the stage, mostly girls, so he would never miss me - even if he bothered to look again.
    “Where are you going?” Brian asked, catching up to me.
    “I want to get out of that crowd for a minute.” I found a chair in a dark corner of the room and sat down, not caring if Brian came or went.
    “Uh, we can go if you want. I’ve got more plans for tonight anyway.”
    I looked at him like he was speaking another language . Something in his tone set my suspicions flying. “You’ve got to be kidding.”
    Now it was his