The auditorium buzzed with excitement as students filed in and the sound and lighting crew did their final checks before the performance.

Frazer was nowhere to be seen, yet as if he knew he was on my mind, my phone lit up with a message.

Frazer: Can we talk after the Battle? Sent at 1:20pm

Me: I thought you were giving me a ride home? Sent at 1:21pm

Frazer: Of course. Sent at 1:22pm

Me: Then we will talk? Sent at 1:22pm

Frazer: I meant in a more serious sense. Sent at 1:23pm

Me: Okay. I promise I won’t smile. Sent at 1:23pm

Frazer: Well… I hope you do smile. Sent at 1:24pm

Me: What’s so important that you have to so formally request a talk? Sent at 1:25pm

Frazer: The song. Sent at 1:25pm

Me: What song? Sent at 1:25pm

Frazer: The one you’re about to hear. Sent at 1:27pm

I started to type a message about what I should prepare myself for, but another text came through from him.

Frazer: It’s about to start. Wish me luck, Em. Sent at 1:28pm

Me: Break a leg. Sent at 1:29pm

And, on queue with Frazer’s text, the lights dimmed, the background music faded out. Then, shoes clacking against the wooden stage as she strutted across it, Mrs Baird—the Head of Arts and Frazer’s music teacher—arrived at the podium, microphone in hand as she said, “Everyone, please be seated.”

The remaining students, teachers, and parents found their way to empty spaces, and the room fell to a silence as we waited for the host to officially start the event.

“Welcome students, staff, and guests to our fifth Battle of the Bands. We’ve got two familiar favourites entering the competition again this year, but also three completely new acts. Before we get into the event though, first we need to get through some housekeeping.” After running through toilet locations, safety exits, and so on, she finally said, “Today we have five bands participating Battle of the Bands. And judging today’s competition is our panel of judges. Judges, please stand as I introduce you. First, we have myself, the Head of Arts and Senior Music teacher. My name is Carly Baird. Next we have self-proclaimed melomaniac, our Principal, Mr Watson. Joining our judges though is one of our school captains, Sarah Sullivan, voting on behalf of the students. Then, finally, we’ve got an outside guest on our panel as well: Arthur Masters, the owner of the local music shop, Artie’s. Our winner of today’s Battle of the Bands will have a photoshoot with Miss Rossi, and a professional poster made to be displayed at Arties. Furthermore, Artie’s will be giving the winner a one hundred dollar voucher! Now, without further ado… are we all ready to get this Battle started?”

The crowd went wild in response, most applauding, though some screaming in delight.

Then Mrs Baird announced, “Please help me welcome our first band today. You’ve heard them before, and they were our winners last year. It’s The Romans!”

As Mrs Baird walked Stage Left, running in from the right were a group of girls in the year below Frazer and I. They were geared up and ready, clearly unfazed by the crowd—which was no surprise considering they won last year.

They were quick to get into their first song.

The Romans were naturals at it. Their vocals were great, instruments in harmony, and everyone was loving them. 

Yet they were only doing covers.

While I didn’t know how others felt—and maybe I was a little biassed because of Frazer—but their rendition of these familiar songs didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

Eventually they performed their two songs, and the audience applauded for what seemed like forever—so long that I was partially worried Frazer didn’t stand a chance.

Though eventually everyone went quiet and Mrs Baird introduced another act.

Once again, the following band did covers. They weren’t as good as The Romans in stage-presence, but they changed up the arrangement of the songs they chose that I struggled for a moment to place the song. Nonetheless, the lead singer was pitchy at times.

Then came the third act.

“Next we have a new group. These boys only put in their application two weeks ago, but they’re keen to show you what they’ve been working on. Both songs this next group will perform are also originals. So I hope you will put your hands together with me and welcome Apollo!”

Then out he came.

Kevin and Caleb forwarded on with more confidence than Frazer. 

Even from my spot from the back of the auditorium, I could tell his hands were shaking. So much so, that as he picked up his guitar and positioned himself in front of the microphone, I was worried he might drop his pick… or worse the guitar. Even though it was strapped onto him.

Frazer glanced back at his mates who gave him a nod of assurance.

His beautiful green gaze swept over the crowd, pausing once it locked with me. 

I gave him a smile—even though I wasn’t sure if he could see it—then held a thumbs up.

And it seemed to be enough. He took a deep breath, leaned into the microphone and said, “My name is Frazer Young. On the drums we have Kevin Rodgers, and on the bass is Caleb Donnelly. Together, we are Apollo. This first song is one I wrote about my father, who passed away a little over a year ago. I hope you like it. It’s called ‘One More’.”

Not long after, his fingers strummed over his guitar, and the familiar melody filled the room.’

“Early mornings, they were always the best time…” 

Watching him on that stage was even more mesmerising than the first time I saw him sing. Or even in his spare room recording the songs.

It was as if he was where he was always meant to be.

Even better were the backing instruments, his song elevated with a band to it.

Forcing my eyes away from him, I finally glanced around the room. I wanted to tell him later how everyone reacted. 

And as my gaze swept around, a warmth filled me. Pride consumed me. They were all just as enamoured with him—the undiscovered gem now known.

All too soon, Frazer sang the last lines and the instruments played their last notes. 

Then the crowd erupted.

It was deafening. Consuming. Kids were out of chairs, and girls were screaming for his attention. And his journey to the limelight was only starting.

“Thank you,” he said when they finally quietened enough to let him speak. Though once he did speak, a silence fell over the crowd, all of them hanging onto every syllable that left his musical mouth. “I guess you liked that one… Shall I play another?”

The audience went wild again, chanting, screaming for more.

“Okay, okay… But can I tell you a little about it first?”

A roar sounded through the auditorium again, and while what they were saying was indistinguishable, Frazer laughed and took it as a yes. 

“This is a newer song. I probably still have some kinks to work out, but my friends and I have been slaving over it the past two weeks. I’m a little nervous about playing it because… well… I wrote it for my best friend. And she hasn’t heard it yet. So… I hope she likes it. This is ‘Wanted to Say’.”

The crowd was silent as Kevin tapped his drum sticks together, counting the band in. And then they all began.

An upbeat melody filled the auditorium, and my heart pounded in anticipation while my mind raced with unanswered questions.

Best friend? She? He didn’t let me hear it… Is it because it’s for me? Surely I’m not his best friend though… But he did say he wanted to talk about it after. What—

My thoughts were cut short though the moment the lyrics started to come out of his mouth… and then they were consumed with a whole new set of  worries.

“There’s something ‘bout the way you look at me. That makes me act just so insensibly. Your gold gaze makes it hard for me to think, that my mind and my mouth become unsynced.”

Gold gaze? My eyes are brown… is he referring to me? 

But unsynced? He always seems like he knows what he’s saying.

“So I couldn’t help but stutter.”

He never stutters with me.

“I couldn’t help but stumble.”

He’s not even looking at me.

“You gave me a chance to confess, yet my words created a mess.”

That never happened with us…

“When I wanted to say…”

He hasn’t broken eye contact with that spot in the room since he started singing.

My head turned, glancing over to where he was so intently staring.

“You look good tonight. No, you look beautiful. You’re a shining star; when you’re in a room all I see is you.”

A group of girls swayed to the music, starry-eyed.

They clutched at their chests.

“You are all I need.”

I glanced back at Frazer.

“You’re everything to me.”

His eyes were still locked on them. On someone in that group.

“I hope you never leave.”

A pain, so searing, so agonising consumed me. I had accepted he didn’t like me back.

“But most importantly, I-, I-, I… Oh,, please don’t mess this up, I-... I better get this right, I-... There’s so much to lose.”

Though nothing could prepare me for this bombshell. 

“Oh I am falling for you.”

As the sting burned at my eyes, as my chest tightened impossibly further, and as the air in my lungs seemed to disappear, I acted on instinct.

I rose from my seat.

I slipped through the crowd towards the back exit.

Then I ran towards the admin office as fast as my legs could take me as the tears started to stream down my face and the final shreds of my composure shattered.