Page 76 of Elusion

I nod, pushing in my chair. Just so he’s clear of our platonic friendship, I give her a fist bump on my way by. My phone vibrates by the time I get in my Jeep.

Felicia:Fedoras are hot.

Agree to disagree.

Thank you.

Anytime, Gibs.

I consider my repayment underway. Now to kill time until she tells me to come back. Luckily, only one place in town hosts an open mic night during the week. I flip on my blinker, turning out of the parking lot. I have a date to crash. One happening between my best friend and my … Callie.

A lot of people showed up for open mic night at the dive bar. I order a beer and scan over the tops of heads for Benji or Callie. A girl with an acoustic guitar wraps up a breakup ballad. An unenthusiastic round of applause follows.

I recognize the guy who hops up onstage from a few different music events around campus. I can’t remember his name though. He grabs the mic from the stand.

“Thanks, Savannah.” He waits for her to finish shuffling off before continuing, “Anyone familiar with the music scene on campus will know our next performer. He usually has three guys standing behind him. But the lead singer of Beta Void is going solo tonight. Let’s hear it for Benji Jones.”

Callie hollers from near the middle of the room. Benji climbs the stairs to the stage. He grins, taking the mic, and secures it in the stand by the electric keyboard as he sits down.

In the two-and-a-half years we’ve known each other, I’ve never once seen him perform without the band. A night filled with firsts for him. I pay for my beer and lean against the bar, not wanting to distract him by wandering through to find Callie.

“Hey, everybody,” he says. “As Mike pointed out, I’m used to having other people to blame a poor performance on, so bear with me.” He winks. I presume it’s at Callie since he does that sort of thing now. “Uh, this song’s called ‘Exquisite Twilight,’ and it’s for you, Calico. Here we go.”

On edge, Benji licks his lips and clears his throat. At our gigs, he exudes confidence, but an original song with just him up there seems as good a time as any for nerves. His eyes close as he plays a slow melody in a minor key.

A few measures in, his mouth turns up, and he looks out at the audience, ready for his performance. He leans closer to the microphone.

When our world seemed destined to break us,

She searched through the darkness for the stars,

And in spite of all the chaos and destruction in our lives,

She never once lost sight of who we are.

He sings the words in a lower, raspier voice than usual. It adds to the emotion on his face and those coming through the notes.

Each time, she saw the sunshine when it rained,

She knew the lines would soon begin to blur,

And hidden beyond black shadows and all doubts and absolutes,

She’d find what’s really beautiful to her.

Benji smiles, looking off the stage as the melody alters slightly. I anticipate the build that will bring us to the chorus. His eyes shut again.

Frantic beauty lies all around,

And sometimes what we seek should not be found.

All our lives, we strive and struggle for our truth

Because of this, we’ll always remain bound.

Frantic beauty? After giving me hell for writing it, he steals it? This guy.

The song slows, becoming more somber.

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