Chapter Four

Ada

Lila bends down to where I’m seated, pulls me into her chest, and wraps her arms around me. “You did so well.”

“Really, I literally sang to the side of the stage.” I look up so I’m not smothered by her sizable rack.

“Only for a couple bars,” she lets me go and swats her hand like it was no big deal.

My breathing starts to speed up again. “I can’t believe I just did that.”

“Don’t have a post-panic attack, it’s over,” Lila says noticing my anxiety.

“Okay you’re right, I just need to breathe a bit.”

“The offer is still good on that flask,” Lila says winking at me.

“Thank you for being here. I am so happy to have such a good friend on my side.”

Lila suddenly shifts nervously from one foot to the other. She tugs her bottom lip between her teeth and looks at me.

I frown, feeling anxiety beginning to creep into my body.

“Now, don’t be mad,” Lila says and moves slowly away from me.

My frown deepens, and there’s a heaviness in the pit of my stomach. “Why would I be mad? Lila? Liiiila?”

“Remember, I did it because I love you and I think you deserve a chance.”

“You did what?” I feel the panic rising up again.

“So, you know how I said I was seeing that talent agent? And you know how I said he had a client looking for a singing partner?”

“Lila, what did you do?” Okay, now I’m certain I’m going to be sick. I’m torn between wanting to punch her in the nose and wanting to puke on her shoes.

“They’re here, they heard you sing, and that’s them headed this way.”

I turn around and see a man in a full suit and a shaved head walking up to me. It isn’t the overdressed guy who catches my attention however, it’s the very familiar face walking up with him. I jump up from the chair knocking it over.

“Lila,” I say through clenched teeth. “Is the singer who I think it is?”

The suit man stops and gives Lila a hug. “Hi honey, gotta run.” In true Lila fashion, she takes off before I can glare at her.

"Hi Ada, I’m Thomas. Lila has told me so much about you.” He reaches out and shakes my hand, “Charlie, this is Ada Springfield. Ada this is Charlie.”

“Maxwell," I interrupt him.

"Oh, you know each other?" Thomas asks confused.

I look over and see the same confusion in Charlie’s eyes. Of course, he doesn’t remember.

“We’ve actually met,” I say with a lot more courage than I feel. “We dated, well you took me out a couple times and never called.”

“I did,” Charlie looks like I slapped him.

“Awkward,” Thomas says but stays there looking at us. I am suddenly aware that his tie has kittens on it and they’re cute but one is holding what looks like Jupiter in its mouth. It’s a weird picture for this strange moment.

“Addy?” Charlie says with a question in his voice.

I see something in his eyes like recognition and then he goes back to his cool devil may care ways. He looks around the room like he has somewhere to be. He still looks the same. His long brown hair styled so it sticks up in the front, his deep green eyes still gorgeous, and the little-crooked smile he has when he’s embarrassed or flattered. I shouldn’t be thinking of any of those things.

I should be thinking about how I waited for days for him to call me. I had gone out of my way trying to see him at school and he’d avoided me. It had been a week since our second date and I saw him at Denise Adam’s locker. She was a girl who’d dated pretty much everyone in her grade so she was moving on to mine. I didn’t stand a chance against a sophomore cheerleader who definitely put out.

“So, Miss Springfield, we have a proposition for you,” Thomas says. All I can see is the tie.

“Charlie needs a singing partner, he’s great as a solo act. We just think a partner will give him some more soul.”

“You mean bringing along a charity case will make him more appealing to a wider audience,” I say. I can’t help but be proud of myself. I know exactly what they’re trying to do.

I’ve shocked him. Thomas doesn’t know what to say. Good, put that in your pipe and smoke it douche bag.

“Ada, listen. I need someone with talent to be the other half of my thing. I need someone who can sing like you. I think you have true, raw, talent. I never knew you could sing like that.” Charlie says having the decency to look embarrassed.

“Well, had you taken the time to call or find out anything about me, then maybe you would have known.

He may not have known that I sang, but I noticed his talent. He sang or hummed all the time. I just preferred to keep my talents to myself back then. The choir was for losers. Man, I hated my high school self now. It was a miracle I actually pursued music after high school.

“I knew you did. I actually came to the talent show where you sang My Girl.” Why did I bring that up?

“Oh yeah, I’d forgotten about that one.”

“This is a good opportunity, haven’t you always wondered if you could be a star?” Thomas asks me trying a different angle.

“I haven’t,” I say and that’s the truth. Up until today, I didn’t think I could sing outside of my classroom and my shower.

“So, are you going to try singing with me or what? I think it could be cool, or whatever.”

“Thank you for the offer Charlie, but no,” I tell him confidently and walk out into the seats where the students from my music class are waiting for me. One sweet boy named Mitchell hands me flowers.

“You were just wonderful Miss Springfield. The voice of an angel.”

“Now Mitchell. Let’s not over-exaggerate,” I say embarrassed. The kid has never had a bad thing to say about anyone.

I notice Charlie has followed me off stage. I wonder if I shocked him with my no.

“He’s not over-exaggerating Miss Springfield,” another girl Sarah, one of the brightest in my class, says.

“Thank you so much, everyone. It means a lot to me that you’re here, and that we’ve raised so much for the school and Everyone Sings, but I won’t be making it a habit.”

Everyone Sings is a wonderful charity and they help bring music into the lives of chronically ill and handicapped children. To be able to contribute to something that brings such joy is a good feeling.

I have raised money for them in one way or another each year but this year I turned it over to my students. They planned the charity concert, percentage nights at local restaurants and the silent auction going on during the concert. I am so proud of them and surprised with myself that I never thought to let it be a student project before. It definitely will be after this year.

“Yes, you will,” Charlie says as he comes towards me.

“No, I won’t.” I don’t like where this is going. I cross my arms over my chest and set my jaw. I plan on fighting him on this and standing up for myself. Especially, in front of my students.