Chapter 2: Are you… Henry Lincoln?

Sarah’s POV.

Everyone in the club cheers and claps enthusiastically. I'm excited and stand up abruptly. Mia winks at me and I nod back at her. This is my chance! I step up to the stage and register my favorite song. It's a song that I wrote myself and saved up money to have someone arrange and compose the music. I send the beat and notes to the backup team, and it's finally ready to perform.

This is the first time I sing in front of so many people. My hands shake as I grab a drink and chug it down in one gulp. I pour another glass and drink it to gain courage.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Sarah Raven to perform her song 'Love on the Sand'."

As I walk towards the stage, I can feel my heart beating faster and faster. I take a deep breath and remind myself that I belong there, that I have something to say, and that I'm not going to let anyone stop me. I close my eyes for a moment, and then I step onto the stage.

The audience looks at me, waiting for me to start. I take another deep breath, and then I begin to sing. The first notes come out of my mouth, and I can hear murmurs in the audience.

(Music)

Love on the sand,

Is like the waves on the ocean grand.

It comes and goes,

Like the tides that ebb and flow.

It can be calm,

Like the stillness of a summer dawn.

But it can also rage,

Like the tempestuous storms of age.

Love on the sand,

Is like a dance on the wet strand.

It can be soft and gentle,

Or wild and tempestuous like the thunders rumble.

I know they don't like my voice. But I don't care. I keep singing, pouring my heart and soul into my song. However, the audience's faces twist in disgust, and I hear someone shout, "Get off the stage, you sound like a dying cat!"

It's a feeling that ignites,

Like the flame that burns bright.

It can lift you high,

Or bring you down with a sigh.

Love on the sand,

Is like the waves that never end.

It's a bond that can't be broken,

Like the ocean that can't be awoken.

So let your heart be free,

Like the waves on the endless sea.

Let love wash over you,

And let it take you where it's due.

After finishing my song, there is a moment of silence, and then the audience starts booing. I can feel their disgust, disappointment, and anger. But I refuse to let them get to me. I stand tall, smile, and bow.

You know, I believe that singers don’t need a good voice to be a singer.

That's when I see a guy standing in the back of the club, looking at me with a curious expression. He is tall, with dark hair and piercing blue eyes. He is wearing a suit, and he looks like he belongs in a different world. He is watching me, and I feel like he can see something in me that no one else can.

As I walk down from the stage, I get close to my friend Mia, who wraps her arms around my neck and cheers, “You did it! Rock on, girl.” Mia grins.

“Thank you, bestie,” I laugh with a happy face.

After doing a brave thing, I feel much better. I do not feel sad anymore, and I feel like I live in another world without any expectations from my parents.

“Hi there, I’m Henry,” a man speaks up with his glass in his hand, and his other hand extended towards me.

The guy that I have seen for a while catches my eye, and I can feel my heart skip a beat. I am impressed but also a little intimidated. He seems like he is out of my league. His ocean eyes catch my gaze while a beautiful voice lights up on the mic. But he doesn't seem to care about that.

“Hello, Henry. I’m Sarah.”

“That is quite a performance you give up there,” he whispers in my ear, making my thighs throb.

I close my thighs as his solid chest touched my biceps. I can’t help but feel intrigued by him. He is so different from anyone I had ever met before, and I find myself wanting to know more.

“Thank you, but I know my voice isn't great.”

His eyes turn to mystery as he puts out a slight smile. "I'm not looking for something great. I prefer something special."

As my bestie Mia blinks at me and says "Enjoy!", she waves her fingers towards me and goes with the man who's been dancing with her every time I look at her.

I nod and reply to Henry in the same way he did with me. "So, have you found out your special thing?"

Henry lets out a dangerous smile and gets close to me. He touches my arm and leans in to kiss me on the cheek. I feel a rush of warmth at his touch. I may not have the best voice, but maybe I have the best luck meeting my dreamy man today.

Damn! He’s so hot.

My face heats up as I put his solid chest away uselessly and say with a serious face, "Mr. Henry. It's too soon to do something like this."

I can’t fall for him too soon.

Henry looks at me with a raised eyebrow, and I feel my cheeks grow warmer. I realize I must have sounded too formal, too proper. Maybe he just looks at me as a joke or someone who he can sleep with tonight and forget tomorrow.

Henry giggles and then laughs so hard. "I love your confidence. And more, do you remember me, Sarah?"

I blush even more at his laughing. "I beg your pardon?"

He chuckles as he gets his face close to mine. "Look at me carefully, Sarah."

This face looks quite familiar, as we've known each other for a long time. But who is he? Memories of my first crush when I was six years old appear in my head. We were neighbors, and he suddenly moved away with his mom when his parents divorced.

Since that day, I've never seen him again.

"Are you... Henry Lincoln?" I ask, my heart racing, and my breathing becoming labored.