Onstage, Josh read, “I’m so lucky.”
“Okay.” Amanda was staring at the stage, where Josh was reading, “I want to steer clear of opportunities and focus on dreams.”
The next act was Harrison Garcia in a wig and grass skirt. Two more before me. I might regret this.
But I’d definitely regret it if I didn’t do it.
When I got backstage, Amanda had texted me:
You’re missing the best part
I texted back:
The best part is coming
I hoped that was true.
Don’t leave
I texted that as the next act started. It would so suck if she got mad at me for leaving her alone and ditched.
Finally, it was my turn.
“Contestant number six,” Alex announced. “Chris Burke.”
I came onstage. I didn’t have a costume or anything, just jeans and a T-shirt. I’d spent all my energy on the other elements of the act. I looked out into the audience, and for a moment, the lights hit my eyes, and I couldn’t see anything. Then I did see, and it was so much worse. I’d done all sorts of scary things in my life, from oral presentations in class to starting in football to just showing up every day as a short, fat kid. But this was the bravest thing I’d ever done. If it didn’t work, I’d be totally humiliated.
I found Amanda in the audience. Sure enough, she was half standing, like she’d been about to leave, but now she was rooted to the spot. I met her eyes, saw her mouth, “What the—?”
I took the mic from Alex. “So I’m Chris.”
People cheered, which was encouraging.
“And I’m gonna sing. I wanted to dedicate this to a girl.” I couldn’t look at Amanda. “She’s my best friend, and she’s the most badass girl I know.”
Even though I was trying not to look, I saw Amanda do a facepalm in the audience.
Possibly bad, but it was too late. The music was starting up.
I’d thought about using karaoke, but then I’d have had to be onstage alone. So I decided to go all in, and I asked Matt’s garage-band guys to play. I’d had to promise to do a gig with them on a date of their choosing. Between practicing with them, writing lyrics, and making a slide show, I’d barely slept in two weeks.
Behind me, Matt was strumming his guitar. I couldn’t look at Amanda. She’d know the Boston song as soon as she heard the first notes.
I hadn’t changed the beginning, so I started with the first line: Babe, tomorrow’s so far away
There’s something I just have to say
Then I went into my version.
If I say where I’m at
Would you hit me with a bat?
Or would you let me
Tell you I love you?
I pressed the button to start the slide show with photos of me and Amanda, Amanda and me in baseball uniforms and zombie costumes, at fifth grade awards, the eighth grade dance. I looked at the screen while I sang. In the audience, people were clapping along.
I’m gonna make myself a fool
In front of the whole school, Amanda
I wanna be more than your friend Cause I hope it never ends, Amanda.
Just as a photo of her and me holding hands on a field trip to the zoo flashed on, I decided to sneak a glance down, just to make sure she hadn’t left.
She hadn’t left. She was smiling. But she still had her face in her hand. Was she laughing at me?
Or was she crying?
I sang:
I’m gonna take a chance
And ask you to the dance Amanda
I love you!
She was shaking her head, like in disbelief. At least, that’s what I hoped it was. We were at the little musical interlude part where I didn’t have anything to do but look into her eyes. But I was scared. What was she thinking?
At that point, I realized almost everyone else was looking at her too. God, she’d kill me.
Finally, the music part was over, and I sang: You and I
We’ve been together through the years.
Softball, football, and baseball,
Through the laughter and the tears.
You can tell I’m really trying
Because I’ve got to admit I’m dying.
I hope you’ll answer
Because Saturday will be too late.
Out in the audience, Amanda was nodding yes.
Yes? I mouthed.
She put her hands over her heart and mouthed, yes. “Yes!”
Matt had been right about the big gesture. It had worked.
I finished the song with a dramatic “I’m in love with you!” The crowd was going crazy. I called her onstage.
She gestured no. I should come down.
I did. People cheered even more. I heard a girl tell her friend I was “the cutest thing ever.”
Then I found her, and the world blurred. She said, “Shit, you really went to a lot of trouble to prove me wrong.”
“I really did.”
She was too beautiful not to kiss, but this time, I knew she wouldn’t want to hit me. I put my arms around her and kissed her, kissed her like I’d been wanting for months, maybe years.
Which I did all through David Castillo’s tap dance routine and Jacob’s rap about the school. Then it was time for me to go back onstage for the interview portion.
I don’t remember what the question was, so I’m pretty sure I was incoherent.
I won anyway.
19
Kendra