Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen

Ren

I can sing, but not as well as Austin. I bring Andre to this place called Open Mic. It's a bar with a karaoke for anyone to use. Best part? No one from the UNI goes here. I found this place when I needed to catch some air after finals. I was walking outside the campus when I stumbled into this place.

A friend of mine, Rich, manages the place. I sit Andre down in front of the stage before walking backstage. I meet Rich and give him a hug. He leaves me and comes back with a guitar. "I thought you'd like to play," he smiles at me. "I'll back you up with the piano."

I nod and he gives me a thumbs up before walking out on stage. I grip tight onto the guitar and stare at the stage. What if Andre will not like the way I sing? And why do you care? The tiny voice inside my head asks. I take a deep breath and walk out to the stage. Andre is sitting at a table right in front of the stage. My breath hitches but reluctantly stand in front of the mic.

I look over my shoulder and mouth the title at Rich. I sling the strap of the guitar on before I start strumming the intro of Heart like Yours by Willamette Stone with Rich playing the piano at the background.

"Breath deep, breathe clear. Know that I'm here, know that I'm here...waiting," Andre smiles at me and I smile back, continuing. "Stay strong, stay gold. You don't have to fear, you don't have to fear. Waiting, I'll see you soon. I'll see you soon."

Something flashes in his eyes as he stares at me intently. He has his elbows propped on the table with his head resting on his hands. A ghost smile plasters on his face as he watches me.

"How could a heart like yours ever love a heart like mine? How could I live before? How could I have been so blind? You open up my eyes, you open up my eyes."

I finish the rest of the song and when it finally ends, everyone stands and claps. Andre smiles widely before standing up and cheering. I smile toothily at him as he makes his way to the stage.

I like him. I really do.

But does he feel the same way?

"You were amazing," he offers a hand and helps me down the stage. I turn back to Rich and thank him. Andre takes my hand in his and we walk hand-in-hand back to the table. We order our food and talk about our families while waiting for the food to arrive.

Our food arrives and we start digging in. "Hey Ren." I look up at Andre and see him looking at me, curiously. I grab my glass and take a sip.

"Yeah?"

"That song...what made you sing it?" he cocks his head at the side and he looks so adorable!

You. I like you, Andre, and I have no idea how to tell you.

I shrug, "I just felt like I needed to."

He takes a spoonful of his meal without breaking eye contact. He slowly chews and swallows his food. He points his fork at me, smirking. "You like someone," he says. "That's what the song was for," he adds.

I laugh and shake my head. Yes. "No," I tell him.

He grins and mimics his action when he was watching me sing; elbows propped on the table with his hands supporting his head. "Come on, tell me."

It's you. It's you. You!

I shake my head and look down at my food, "I don't know what you're talking about."

He rolls his eyes at me. "You are a horrible liar, Ren Harper."

"I'm going to make you a deal," he suggests. "I describe the girl I like after you describe the guy you like."

I narrow my eyes at him. "Why do I have to go first?"

"Ladies' first," he says in a 'duh' tone.

I sigh, "Fine."

"He's incredibly friendly. He loves to play sports, hang with friends, meet new people and he understands me. We didn't know each other very long, but he managed to know everything about me. We have our common likes and dislikes, it's outstanding, really." I tell him.

He nods and claps his hands together. "First things first, this girl is beautiful. She's breathtaking and she doesn't even know it. She's smart, funny, a great companion and she never fails to surprise me."

"That's one lucky girl," I say. He likes someone else. I mentally face palm myself. Of course, he's in love with someone else. She's probably prettier and smarter than me. She's probably lives back in Spain.

He chuckles, "Funny you should say that."

I furrow my brows. "What, why?"

He brings his hand behind his neck and starts rubbing his nape, nervously. "Because I was talking about you."

I blink. What? "I like you, Ren." He says. I open my mouth but no words come out. I completely and utterly speechless at the moment. He likes me. He likes me. Holy cow. When I haven't said anything his expression changes. He sighs, "Look Ren, I know you like someone else and I completely understand if-"

"I like you too."

"-you don't feel the same way and wait...what?" his eyes widen.

I chuckle lightly. Gosh, he's so cute. "I like you too, Andre." A smile slowly forms on his face.

"Say it again," he orders.

"I like you."

"Again."

I sigh and roll my eyes and he lightly slaps my hand and I laugh. "I like you, Andre."

"That sounds so good," he grins.

I like him and he likes me back. Can it be? Can Andre be my first real relationship? I smile. Well I know one thing for sure and that's me knowing that I'd want it to be me and him. Andre and Ren, sounds good, huh?