Chapter 47: Chapter 47

Rylie's POV

I walked into the slightly busy cafe and my eyes fell on Sky who sat in a corner, a milkshake in hand. He looked up and his eyes locked on me as he waved me over. I smiled and walked over to him.

After making my order, I turned to him and returned his grin.

"So— I hope it wasn't too much trouble to get away from Blake?"

"Geez Sky, you make it sound as though he's my keeper. I'm not a pet, you know. I can make my own decisions and I have every right to see anyone I want to see," I remarked a bit tersely.

Sky raised his hands up in surrender. "Pardon my language. I know you're independent. That's one of the things I like about you so much," he smiled warmly.

I gazed into his warm caramel eyes and sighed. "I'm sorry if I sounded upset, Sky. It's just- a lot has happened since I last saw you and, well, let's just say, it's been a bit much."

"Whatever it is, you can tell me," he placed a hand on mine. I looked up at him and surprisingly, felt strangely comforted by the look in his eyes.

Taking a deep breath, I relayed everything that had been going on including the fact that Blake and I had been pretending all along. Despite being surprised and such, Sky didn't speak once until I finished. Once I was done, he looked away and stared at his hands for a while. I kinda felt ashamed and took a sip from my iced coffee.

"Sky, aren't you gonna say something?" I mumbled, when his silence dragged on for too long.

He looked up and grinned. "I'm sorry. It's just that— after listening to you, I was just thinking about the fact that I spent all this time pining after you but I told myself you belonged to somebody else. Now you're telling me that you were never his in the first place," he chuckled softly.

"I hope you're not hurt I lied to you though."

"Hurt? Far from it actually. I understand why you did it and I am genuinely sorry about Grandma Nellie's death," he placed a warm hand on mine and gripped it tenderly.

"Thanks Sky. I really needed that," my eyes watered. There was a moment between us just then and I thought we would kiss but I couldn't do it so I hastily pulled away. Sky was obviously hurt but he didn't show it.

"I take it you're not in the market then?" he whispered a bit gravely.

"I'm sorry, Sky. I really am. But while a large part of my relationship with Blake was fake, I did feel something for him and I just can't jump into a relationship with you so fast. It wouldn't be fair to you."

"I get that. And I'll wait for you, okay? You're worth it, Rylie Myers."

I gazed into his hopeful brown eyes and I could feel my heart twist as I pulled away once more. It would be so easy to move on with him but that would be unfair to me and to him. It would be so easy to love him but I can't. Why? Because my heart still beats for another.

I sighed sadly and took a long sip of my iced coffee.

*Night Of The Talent Show*

I paced the floor, anxiously wringing my hands, a million thoughts buzzing through my head.

It was the night of the talent show, I was up in a few minutes and I was freaked out of my mind!

I couldn't do this. Whatever convinced me I could in the first place? I couldn't do it. Standing in front of all those people, I was bound to mess up and what happened last time would happen again. Oh God! What do I do?

I continued to pace anxiously, running my hands through my hair in frustration. A sudden voice caused me to jump in fright. I looked over to the origin of the voice and managed a small unconvincing smile.

"Rylie, what are you doing here? You're almost up," Sky said urgently. His eyes met mine and softened, probably realising what was going on. "Do you have stage fright?"

"I'm not sure. I thought it was gone but now...now I don't know again. I don't know what to do! My head's just so blank!" I yelled frustratedly.

Sky gripped my hand and turned me to face him. He met my gaze with a warm smile and said, "You'll be fine. Rylie, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Why? Because you're an amazing singer and everyone out there will love you, okay? Rylie, look at me! You'll do great!"

He pulled me into a hug which I gladly accepted. It was warm and welcome and while it did offer me some form of comfort, I still longed for a particular someone. Someone I couldn't have. Instead, I concentrated on the person I did have and hugged him tight.

"And now we welcome Rylie Myers!" came the call. I pulled away, my heart hammering in my chest. Still Sky held my hand and gave me that million dollar smile. "You'll do great."

I took a deep breath to reassure myself and let him lead me to the stage, ignoring the pricking feeling that I was being watched.

I arrived on stage and gulped fearfully as I approached the microphone. My eyes surveyed the crowd seated and I gulped again. My heart was beating so fast, I feared it would burst out of my chest. By now, I'd been quiet for so long, people were starting to murmur.

I opened up my mouth to sing but only a croak came out, right into the microphone. Someone snorted and soon more than half the crowd was laughing.

Tears burned in my eyes and I gripped my hands tight, struggling to keep the tears from spilling over. My eyes fell on an empty chair just beside Ava where I supposed Blake was supposed to be seated. He wasn't there though and I felt all my resolve crash at this realisation.

What was I doing here anyway? Blake was the reason I was even here in the first place and without him, it just didn't make sense anymore.

I turned to leave the stage when a sudden clapping sound attracted my attention. I glanced out at the crowd and my eyes fell on him.

Right there, seated three seats behind where Blake was supposed to be was Sky, clapping for me when I hadn't even done anything yet. He didn't seem to mind that everyone's eyes were on him. His eyes were fixed on me, urging me on. They were filled with so much faith and warmth, I feared my heart would burst with joy.

"You can do this!" he mouthed.

He was right. I could do this.

With that thought in mind, I stepped back to the microphone and cleared my throat to sing. There were still a few murmurs and chuckles but I didn't mind that anymore. Instead I focused on the one person in the crowd I actually wanted to sing for.

I started to sing Rewrite the Stars, my voice low but I was determined to follow through. By the time I was halfway done, I didn't care about anything else. All I could think about was the joy that performing gave me. Being on that stage, it was what I wanted. I could feel it.

When I was done, I stepped away from the microphone and started to make my way backstage when a sound of clapping caught my attention, only this time it was quickly followed by more applause. I couldn't believe my ears. I did. I actually performed and people loved it.

Still feeling on air, I made my way off the stage, a bit breathless. I was still trying to get over myself when someone twirled me around and pulled me into a hug. I knew instantly who it was and wrapped my arms around him even tighter.

"You did great out there," he mumbled into my neck.

"Only because of you."

"No. That was all you, rockstar."

I giggled into his shoulder and tried not to cry. It was perfect. This was perfect...at least, it would have been but for the absence of one person.

I brushed thoughts of him away and focused on the now, the present because that was all that mattered...