Page 75 of Crash & Burn

And she’s right.

I want to see her up there again, smiling, singing, and having fun.

“I get to pick the song.”

“Fine by me,” I reply, walking over to the makeshift stage. The private room is dark, lit by the screen that shows the lyrics. The stage is about a foot higher than the floor, but it does the job.

Claps from our audience sound, and I have no idea what she is going to play.

After a few seconds, the opening beat of “(You Drive Me) Crazy” by Britney Spears starts, and I laugh out loud.

Mia starts singing with the lyrics, and she is expecting me to back down. What she doesn’t know is that those three sisters of mine never let me pick the music we listened to, so this song is one I have in my back pocket.

When it is my turn to sing, I don’t hold back, I sing my heart out to the chorus, and Mia’s jaw drops. Her eyes go wide, and her mouth curves into a smile that makes me want to fall to my knees and beg her to never stop smiling at me like that. Fired up from Mia’s reaction and the whoops and claps from our friends cheering me on, I sing at the top of my lungs, making a mental note to text Lucia, Carmen, and Isa that suffering through their love for Britney Spears just gave me the greatest reward ever.

My vocals are strong, but I only occasionally do back up, preferring to write the music and hold the beat rather than sing it. Mateo was made to be our lead singer, perfectly supported by Theo and Silas’ vocals.

“I didn’t know you had it in you, raindrop,” Mia says as the song finishes.

“I have three sisters.” It is enough of an answer to make sense to her.

“Ahh, so it’s in you against your will,” she replies.

“It was bound to happen whether I liked it or not, I’m just happy it paid off.”

“I never thought 90’s music would be your thing.”

“I told you, sunshine. I listen to everything.”

She laughs, but I don’t want this to end. “Who’s next?” She asks our audience.

“I don’t think so,” I tell her, and she turns to me. “It’s my turn to pick our next song.”

She shakes her head. “I don’t want to hog the mic,” she says, gesturing to everyone.

“Go right ahead, girly pop,” Annie says, giving Mia a wink and me a knowing glance.

“All you,” Drew adds from her seat next to Annie.

Emmett grunts his agreement while Theo and Silas hold up their drinks to us. Mateo and Luke are both playing DJ, and I plan on taking full advantage of this.

“Allus,” I say, grabbing Mia lightly by the arm to lead her back to the center of the stage. “Stay,” I tell her, holding up my hands. She crosses her arms and sticks her tongue out at me, but I know she will listen. I walk over to Luke and Mateo, “You picked a song from the 90’s, so I get the next decade.” I say over my shoulder. The speakers are in the back of the room, but the room itself isn’t too big.

“Who said this was a game?” She yells to me, and I can tell by her voice she is trying to hide her smile.

“Eddie did,” Annie playfully yells. “Now, get ready for your song.”

“You sure about this one?” Luke asks, after I pointed to my choice in the binder of songs.

“Of all the songs you could pick, that’s the one you pick?” Mateo asks before I can give Luke my answer.

My song choice is bound to be a crowd-pleaser, and it is my turn.

So yes, I am sure.

“Fuck off, both of you,” I laugh. “I’ll give you each fifty bucks if you can go the whole song without singing along.”

“You’re on,” they both say, but I know my pockets won’t be getting any lighter.

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