Rhythm of Heartbreak (COMPLETED)

Chapter 6

Jess hesitated at first when she arrived at the diner there was a flush of enthusiasm in the air. The biting wind cannot snuff out everyone's excitement. She didn't expect that there would be a lot of people who would watch their stunt but seeing this for herself made her even more apprehensive. She was standing there and gripping her necklace nervously as she tried to calm her senses, this was her first performance in public as an adult and she owed herself some credit. Going through the entrance, the dark environment and low volume of background music increase the mystique. They manage to indicate an elevation platform to set as a stage. Fred has exerted much effort to make this happen tonight. She felt proud. It only took a few days before their grand announcement; they didn't think that people would make it a big deal but the response that they got from their customers was overwhelming. A lot of their guests were vocal in their excitement to see a different side of the dinner and see what they could come up with. Everyone got more excited to do their best.

The first practice sessions were a nightmare. They can't even synchronize as a team and everyone has their take on the concept, but Fred has been very patient with all of them and has eventually formed a decent sound that they can agree upon. From then on, they finally worked as one, and Jess was happy with their hard work.

She tried to shake her jitters when cold hands tapped her shoulders.

"Are you ready?" It was Fred who asked. Jess took time to scan the crew's outfit. A small laugh erupted from her lips as she saw their looks. They look like a page from the 80's rockstar.

"You guys committed to this huh?" She mocked. Abby was also laughing alongside her.

Jess decided not to overdo it and selected a simple outfit, she wore black shorts that exposed her legs but since she knew that it might be chilly tonight, she put on some high-knee black socks and finished it with some boots. She wore her white shirt with a big print "You Rock". She also put on some accessories and let her hair fall like ringlets and she wore a cap on.

"No matter what happens, let's have fun tonight... We have practiced so much for this. I know we will do well." Fred uttered some words of encouragement.

Without warning, the lights went dark. The production and the lighting truly surprised Jess, how Fred planned it all was beyond her naked mind. This was the moment that Jess had been waiting for. Her adrenaline went through the roof. The time had finally come that she would get to see herself humiliated in a large crowd. She hit herself silently. Talking about positivity? Everyone has settled as they set up the preliminary instruments.

Fred took center stage and tested the mic "Ladies and gentlemen, it is a great honor that all of you are here today and be able to witness our hard work as we make history." Fred laughed understanding the humor of his statement.

"We have been blessed to have such sweet and loyal customers like yourselves and we won't be operating up until now without your endless support and patronage and in return, we would like to give back all of our appreciation. Here we are the staff and crew of this humble diner!" Fred's introduction made everyone roar and as the strum of the guitar started Jess to grip the microphone tightly.

When she heard that queue, she suddenly mumbled the words that they had practiced for a few days. Jess suddenly closed her eyes to feel the music even further. The lyrics of the song that Fred selected blew her away. It talks about the pain and sorrow of losing someone you love. The first time she heard it she was stunned by how the words confirmed the emotions that rolled through her deepest core. It was like a rhythm of her heartbreak, eerie and melancholic. Her heart bleeds as the music pounded into her head spilling her vulnerability, showing her weakness.

Her voice rolled over the hills in sorrowful waves. Swells of power rose in her throat. She was singing from deep within, each word was articulated delicately, she was lost to the rhythm and as she continued to burst it all, her audience was captivated joining her on the journey. Her voice was music and grace, and the haunting feeling of knowing that her voice was brought out in a fit of rage, of pain. Her hand went to her heart and her head rose as she belted out the final notes. It seems that everyone was in a trance for her music. When Jess slowly opened her eyes and saw how the audience reacted, her anxiety slipped away, and her confidence built. The enthusiasm and dedication seeped through Jess's microphone as the strumming guitars, beating drums, and pounding bass reverberated through the walls of the entire diner.