Concert

Forever isn't for everyone. We merely... fill a chapter or even a page, in someone's life. We already know how this will end. And Aaron... He always laughed just a little to hard for just a little long, and that's when I realized he wasn't okay at all.

So when I knew about his secret, I figured it will be the most memorable 365 days of my life. Just one look at you and flowers bloom in my chest.

I looked over the crowd. There must have been at least one thousand people watching me, bathing in the dim purple light of the venue, as I clutched tightly to my red velvet gown. Nerves were trying to take over my body, but it only improved the pizzicato of my performance. My heart kept time with the orchestra, pumping the music through my veins as I lost myself in the performance. Eventually, I lost all sense of everything except for the music.

After the orchestra playing for the introduction, many pieces followed. Then the solo came. The audience were quiet as I prepare my piece in front of the orchestra and in front of a thousand people. And I began, a piece composed by Liszt — Liebestraum No. 3. A fascinating piece which means "love dream" or "dream love" in German which is a romantic piece. It is pleasing to the ear while listening to this song. It's a way expressing my love for I can't express it in any other way aside through music. I had been through some painful things but it was Aaron that saved me. When I was over thinking things about Blythe and him.

I love playing the piano. There is always silent and peaceful moment, a concealed passion before I play it alone in my dimly lit room. I sit on the edge of my old chair, close my eyes and smell the night air. I put my fingers on the keys and feel their cold and smooth touch like marble. My energy, which is normally hiding deep in my heart, gradually spills out and travels excitedly to the tips of my fingers. I love listening to the echo of simple chords filling my small room. I feel my heart fills with joy and sadness with the movement of the melodies.These times are some of the precious moments in my life. It allows me to imagine anything --- I can see the tears on the cheek of beautiful swan, or I can even become a part of the harsh mountain winds --- in other words, it enables me to make my own world. It puts me back to a blank slate. The moment I put all my energy to play a tune is the only time when I feel my heart is completely released from struggle. Nothing else can make me so honest, as I can calmly and objectively see what is happening in my mind just by playing a simple song. It is for these feelings; those that always cheer me up and give me energy to live even in tough times that I love playing my piano.

As soon as I finished playing, thousand of claps were heard all throughout the venue. I gasped at how the orchestra was so amazing but the only thing that occupied my mind was... If Aaron got the message. I stare at him while he gave me a smile. Whenever I play the piano, I no longer feel the suffocation, what I feel now is, excitement.

The concert continued and we played pieces with the solos of Aaron and Blythe. The last note was played that ended the concert. A round of applause were heard as the maestro bow and we exit the stage. The night was still long, enough for a confession to be made.

"Lou..." he called.

"Yeah?"

"The orchestra planned to go somewhere to celebrate the concert. Do you want to come?" Jax smiled. I tried to find Aaron, and there he is, talking with the members of the orchestra. We all got closer to the members as we had plenty of weeks and months to be together.

Aaron looked in my way and waved, mouthing, "Stay there" I chuckled as I wait for him.

"I think..." I stare at Jax, "I won't be able to come. Aaron and I..."

his mouth widen, "...I see" he already knew what was going on.

"Good luck" he wink as he gets over to Blythe.

"They'll be having a party" he panted.

"I won't be joining them" I turned my back with my arms in my back.

"Why?"

I started walking outside the venue with him following me, "Just because" I grinned.

"...Are you going to follow me everywhere...?" I asked as I got inside the train.

He just shrugged, "Where are we going?"

"You don't even know" I sighed.

"Just tell me"

"Well... To the Amusement Park"

He raised his brow, "Isn't it close already?"

"Almost" I whisper. he just stared at me.

And so we arrived at the place.

"Oh! I remember when we first got here, you were so scared riding roller coaster and rides that relate to high places" he laughed to which I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, you just laughed when I was vomiting. Thanks a bunch"

He laughed hard again. "I remember!"

He finally stopped laughing and held my hands, the reason we stopped walking.

"Hmm? What is it?"

"Uh...I have something to tell you" he says.

I run my fingers along the tendons in his hand and look back at him..

"I'm in love with you" he smiles a little.

"Are you sure about that?" I say, smiling too. "I'm not dreaming, am I?"

I feel his laughter against my side, his nose sliding along my jaw, his lips pressing behind my ear.

"I love you" he says, "and I don't want to frighten you because I'm afraid, Lou. I'll leave you" he sniffed, "And I don't want that"

I laugh a little. "I told you before, didn't I? I'll be with you till the end"

"I haven't heard your answer yet"

"Oh, do I have to?"

He whispered to my ear, "Say it"

I trembled and smiled, "I love you too, I'm here no matter what"

He suddenly kissed me. Without warning, without permission. Without even deciding to do it. I really love him. With all the shattered pieces of my heart, I love him. And the shattered pieces that he slowly compiled and put it back together, how can I not love him?

"Congratulations!" Uncle and Mom cheered as they both clasped their hands.

I smile at both of them, "Thank you"

Aaron pats my head, "I'll take good care of your daughter" he bows.

"I know you will. Thank you." my mom gave him a smile.

"Let's eat the cake!" Aaron's father said as he sliced the cake.

"Oh, that's right! I have something to give you, Louella. Aaron, where is it?"

"In my room. I'll get it" Aaron stood and went upstairs.

"You didn't really have to, Uncle" I murmured.

"Hush now. I was supposed to give it to you before but I keep forgetting it" he laughed as he continues eating.

It took a while and Aaron wasn't coming down yet. My hands suddenly got sweaty as I imagined the worst thing that can happen.

"Uncle..."

"Yeah?"

"Can I go upstairs? Aaron hasn't come down yet"

He stopped eating. "It seemed so. I'll get the car ready in case something happened. Go upstairs" he got outside with my mom. I hurriedly went upstairs to see no Aaron there.

I searched in his bathroom, his bed, he wasn't there. My eyes suddenly caught his book of bucket list. I look at it and see the title "Things to do before I die" which made my heart ache more.

Things to do before I die:

✓ Go to the Amusement Park

✓ Beach and sunset

✓ Travel with Lou

✓ Secret Place with Lou

✓ Watch basketball with Dad

✓ Meet my old friends

✓ Tell my dad I'm sorry for everything and that I love him

✓ Tell Lou I love her

✓ Go out with Lou

Marry Lou

There was only one left to be checked in his bucket list. My grip tightened as I read it. He wants to marry me. I put back the notebook where it was left and searched for Aaron.

"What are doing, Lou?" I got up.

"I was looking for you"

"Under the bed?" he crossed his arms.

I shrugged.

"Come here, let's go downstairs"

I went closer to him as he wraps his arms around me.

"Don't frighten us like that?" I punched him.

He groaned, "I was searching for the gift in Dad's room. I'm sorry"

"I hate you"

He laughed, "I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that"

We went downstairs and Aaron went outside to talk to his Dad. He was panicking as hell while my Mom still didn't know what was going on. Aaron figured she didn't have to find out but it will eventually be known.

"What's going to happen to them?" My Mom cried.

Aaron's Dad smile at both of us, "Nothing we can change"