Fragment #31 - Karaoke Machine

It's half seven, and I'm already at the bar. Waiting for Steve. I didn't want to be late. I miss him so much... I haven't seen him in two days, although he's still living in my flat. I wonder how I look. I didn't want to overdress, but at the same time, I wanted to be pretty and... well, I have to admit it, I wanted to be sexy as well.
Here he comes. With his broad shoulders. His unique body, so comfy. He is wearing a nice blue polo shirt, on top of blues jeans, and a light leather jacket. These colors stress so well the color of his eyes. Brown, like the warm color of dead leaves.
He sits down and points at my glass of Coke.
"Straight Coke, or did you start without me?"
"Only Coke."
I smile.
"Hi..."
"Hello, Charlie." He looks around. "So. Should we start that game?"
"Ok."
I go to the bar, and order our two first pints. The night is going to be looooooooong.

...

"And now, Charlie, it's your turn!"
I get up while the audience is clapping. The host smiles at me and gives me the microphone.
"This song is for Steve, over there..."
I've chosen my song a very long time ago: Tracy Chapman, Baby Can I Hold You, with some very little modifications. The music starts. I stick my eyes to Steve's. I want him to understand that I mean every single word of this song...

Sorry
Is all that I can't say
Years gone by and still
Words don't come easily
Like sorry like sorry
Forgive me
Is all that I can't say
Years gone by and still
Words don't come easily
Like forgive me forgive me

But I can say baby
Baby can I hold you tonight
Maybe if I told you the right words
At the right time you'd be mine

I love you
Is all that I can't say
Years gone by and still
Words don't come easily
Like I love you I love you
...

I don't even hear the other people in this room. The only person I see is Steve. Steve and the tears in his eyes...

...

It must be our fifth or sixh beer. I'm starting to be pretty drunk, but Steve seems still quite sober. He gets up and goes to the host, who soon grabs the microphone and says, before passing it on to Steve, "And now, ladies and gentlemen, Steve!"
"Thanks. This is for the lovely Charlie, sitting over there..."
The music starts... My heart misses a beat when I recognize Million faces of Paolo Nutini. We are alone. It's just him and me, now.

Oh the phone you know it never stops, it's the last thing I hear at night
And the first thing I hear in the morning.
And as I start to let it burn my head, you slowly creep into bed
And i'm done talking
You say you know how i'm feeling, I just need to try to settle down

Oh a million faces pass my way
Oh they're all the same, nothing seem to change anytime I look around
Oh who knows just what the future holds
All I want to know is if it's with you

Tired as hell and falling up the stairs, filled with a thousand cares as you walk out from the bedroom
Though it feels like all my fire has gone, you just turn me on
Can't believe how much I want you
You say you know how i'm feeling, I just need to try to settle down

Oh a million faces pass my way
Oh they're all the same, nothing seem to change anytime I look around
Oh who knows just what the future holds
All I want to know is if it's with you

We're distracted by the hard times, and the troubles that we make
Let us throw them in the ocean, let it wash our cares away
Oh the phone you know it never stops, it's the last thing I hear at night
And the first thing in the morning

Oh a million faces pass my way
Oh they're all the same, nothing seem to change anytime I look around
Oh who knows just what the future holds
All I want to know is if it's with you

We're distracted by the hard times, and the troubles that we make
Let us throw them in the ocean, let it wash our cares away
Oh the phone you know it never stops, it's the last thing I hear at night
And the first thing in the morning

Let it wash our cares away, let it wash our cares away...

We don't hear the clapping. He just comes back to the table. I stand up, and simply, because it's so obvious, I kiss him.