Never Again

I am late

Rachel told Judy that the singer was standing in front of her . Both Judy and Emily were confused . And Emily was a bit irritated because Rachel was not letting her speak .

" What are you talking Rach ? I can only see you and Emily not a singer . "

Oh God Emily suspected what was going in Rachel's mind she whispered her to back off but Rachel didn't listened to her " Exactly Judy you are right ! Emily . . .Emily is the singer . "

" What ? " Judy said , she was not able to get what Rachel was pointing out .

" Exactly what ? " Emily whispered to Rachel . Rachel ignored her , again . No wonder why Emily was irritated " Judy , Emily is a fantastic singer and you will see it yourself just give her a chance . "

Judy stood up " I appreciate your sentiments but we don't need a bathroom singer we need a professional singer . "

" Judy , Emily is very good , trust me . She won't let you down , try her . "

Judy turns to Emily " What do you say Emily ? Do you think you can handle this ? I must tell you that it is not a joke or a party they you guys go to . Some of the people here are very short tempered . "

" Yes what do you say Emily ? " Rachel also joins Judy . Emily wanted to hit Rachel even Rachel knew that Emily was furious at her .

Emily's stammers " I don't know . . . I mean I can sing but I am not prepared . "

" But you could give it a shot . " Rachel keeps her hand on Emily's shoulder . Emily gives her a creepy stare and she slowly takes her hand back . "

Emily was all confused . She was getting mixed feelings . Of course she was angry with Rach for dragging her into it but it was such a big opportunity for her . It could help her get rid of her stage fright .

Finally Emily agreed she was very sacred but sometimes Rachel could be very pushy and in that times it is not easy to win from her .

Judy went on the stage and announced that the singer that was supposed to perform today got stuck some where and she wont be able to make it . People got upset and few of them walked out . Judy assured everyone that in place of herb a new singer will perform who is as good as her .

Emily's heart started ponding in her chest for a second she felt like it will pop out . She was very scared . She has never performed before in front of live audience . Generally she used to lock herself in her room and then record her voice .

She went to get some warm coffee to relax her throat . She thought of her mother because this was her first performance . Today she will get a step closer to fulfil her mother's wish and this thought was very comforting .

Rachel came and sat beside Emily . She knew that Emily was very nervous . She gave her a few suggestions of songs that she could sing . Suddenly Matt's song came into her mind . It was so beautiful and soothing . it was simple to play and she was familiar with the tune . And since she and Matt were friends now he won't mind her playing his song .

Rachel came and sat beside Emily . She knew that Emily was very nervous . She gave her a few suggestions of songs that she could sing . Suddenly Matt's song came into her mind . It was so beautiful and soothing . It was simple to play and she was familiar with the tune . Some people may also find it relatable . And since she and Matt were friends now he won't mind her playing his song .

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

" I may not be your first date , kiss or love . . . but I want to be your last everything ,

Come back to me , come back to me baby . . . . I will still be waiting ,

When the evening shadows and stars disappear and there is no one to wipe your tears ,

Come back to me , come back to me baby . . . . without any fear ,

I will hold you for a million years , to make you feel my love . . . . . . . . " She sang to Rachel . Something was wrong . She was unable to sing this song properly because her voice was so full of emotions .

" Rachel it was terrible ! "

" Not terrible Emily but you could do better . "

" Something is going wrong . I don't know what it is . "

" May be you are not able to relate with the lyrics . "

" The lyrics may not fully relate to my life but when I listen and read them it feels as though I am living through the melody . As though I am experiencing it . This could not be it . Something else is wrong . May be I am too nervous . "

" Try again . "

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It took her while to actually be able to sing the song properly , but not perfectly . First couple of tries made her tear up . But then she managed to suppress her feelings , At least not to let it lose wild for a while . The song was so beautiful she wanted to do justice to it . She wanted to make sure that if she was singing this song then it should come from her heart . She knew that she was exceptional at singing but she was quite tensed .

At least one problem was solved . Judy called Emily on stage . She took a deep breath and went on stage . Judy handed her the guitar . She looked down to the crowd it could be clearly observed from their faces that they had very low expectations from her .

Her heart started to beat fast , her eyes started to swell , her voice cracked as she introduced herself . She felt like a 1000 butterflies invaded her stomach . It was the first time that she was singing on stage so she was extremely nervous . But the music started playing so she had to sing . She sang . Judy signed her to stop in the middle of the song . She was not able to understand what was going on !

She stopped singing . She was not able to read audience's expressions . They just stared . She got down and went to Rachel . " Rachel what went wrong . I think I was going good . Why did Judy ask me to stop ? And why is everyone giving me such a weird look . "

" I am so sorry Emily but you were not audible . Nobody heard you . "

" What ? "

" Something with the microphone . "

She was not able to believe what Rachel just told her . Nobody heard her voice . She was so embarrassed and just wanted to crawl into a hole and die . Apparently she wasn't facing the microphone properly so the audio didn't reached audience's ears .

" I want to go Rachel . "

" Wait where are you going , Emily ? " Judy stopped her .

" I messed up so bad . How can I stay here now . Every one must be thinking that I am an i***t . "

" No . . . no one thought that in fact people in the front heard you and they really liked your voice . And it was your first performance , so it is fine . It takes a while to learn . You can't expect yourself to be perfect in the first try . So go back on the stage and set it on fire . "

Rachel whispered to Emily " Didn't I tell you that Judy is awesome . "

Emily sighs . . . She was wracked with self conscious thoughts that she was going to mess up again . And that she will forget the chords and play wrong notes .

" You know what will help you ? " Judy asked Emily .

" I don't know may be another cup of coffee . It will make my throat feel better . "

" No . " Judy stood up and went to the kitchen . She came out with a bottle of wine " Let's celebrate before the performance begins . We have ten minutes why waste . "