Free Sing to Me by Michelle Pennington Page A

turn to look confused. “What?”
    “Look, I don’t know what you had in mind, but even if it was just going for ice cream before you took me home, I’m not going anywhere right now.”
    “Ok,” he said, drawing out the two syllables. “What’s your problem all of a sudden? ”
    I sighed. “ Look, Brian, I’m sorry. Can you just give me some time a lone? ”
    He looked at me for a second or two, trying to study my face in the dim light. “Did I do something wrong?”
    “Not really. You’re just the wrong guy.”
    His eyebrows went up. “Ah. Well then, I'll just…” He made a clicking sound with his tongue and pointed his thumb over his shoulder to show he was leaving. When he was a few feet away, he called back over his shoulder, “Be sure to s end me the pictures your mom took.”
    I nodded, relieved he wasn’ t too upset, and didn’t think about him again.
    I was too busy torturing myself, my eyes glued to Colby up on stage. Micah was sure putting on a show, but I knew I wasn’t the only girl in the place more interested in watching his lead guitarist. I was incredibly proud that their music was going over so well, but I knew I’d have a lot of competition for Colby’s attention from now on.
    Once Olivia took Micah’s place on stage and Colby began singing harmon y , I was sure of it. Some of the girls up by the stage were actually screaming. I didn’t blame them. The same thrill was running up and down my spine at the sweet, husky tones of his voice.
    Someone sat next to me and I looked over, startled. It was Sienna Whitfield, the girl who’d taken my picture for her blog and go t t en me my “dream” date to prom.
    “Wow. They’re amazing, aren’t they?”
    I nodded and tried to come up with something to say. “Incredible. They sound so good together.”
    “Yeah. They look good together too. Parker had better watch out. Want to see a picture I got earlier?”
    “Sure.”
    “I snuck backstage and got this.”
    I glanced at the screen on the back of her camera and saw a picture of Colby in silhouette again s t the s potlight. The light glanced off his profile as he looked into the crowd, and I was sure it had been taken when he’d been looking at me. It was an incredible picture, but that wasn’t why it held me silent.
    “So you’re going to tell him how you feel tonight, aren’t you?”
    I looked at Sienna in surprise. “How did you know?”
    “Olivia told me. I was asking how things turned out with you and that Brian guy, so she explained the situation to me. You know, I’m starting to figure out that people are better off if I leave them alone. Sorry if I made things difficult for you by putting you on my blog.”
    “No, it wasn’t your fault. You gave me what I wanted. I just wanted the wrong thing.”
    “Well, at least it’s not too late. Prom is just a moment of surreal craziness. Real life starts again tomorrow. Make sure he’s part of it.”
    A shadow blocked out the little light that found its way over to our corner and I looked up. And up. It was Sienna’s boyfriend, Lee. My heart might be aching over Colby, but I couldn’t help but appreciate what Lee did for a tuxedo. Dang.
    “Hey! Rylie , right?”
    I nodded, surprised he knew who I was.
    “Mind if I steal Sienna? This is kind of our song.”
    I smiled and shook my head as he took her hand and pulled her up. “Of course not ,”
I said . “ Want me to hold your camera, Sienna?”
    “You think there’s a chance she’s putting that thing down? I’ve learned to live with it , ” Lee said, his voice dry.
    Sienna paused and looked up at him. Without a word, she handed me the camera, and a look passed between them that nearly curled my toes. What I wouldn’t give to have that with Colby.
    Colby and Olivia were singing “Blown Away,” their voices rich with the passion of the song and the power of the lyrics. It was physically painful to listen to them, my heart aching with the hope that Colby sang with such