I practiced most of the day, only really taking breaks to eat. My phone started buzzing, I looked over at the screen to see who it was,

"Hey Kat" I said happily

"Hey girl, you're performing at Arabica tonight right?"

"Yeah why?"

"I am too! Also the boys were asking if we were doing the same show, they are all coming!" My stomach filled with butterflies.

"That's great! I'll see you there?"

"Yeah I'll be there in about an hour"

"Okay great, bye" I said and made kissy noises in the phone which she returned, then hung up.

I'm so glad I met Kat, she was the kind of person who was almost always positive. She was a great best friend, and I truly wouldn't be alive without her.

I took a deep breath as I got ready for the show, I decided to wear boyfriend jeans, a crop top, and a denim jacket with my yellow vans. I curled my hair in loose curls and did my makeup to look simple, but also a little edgy. I grabbed my ukulele and got in my car. It was only a 20 minute drive but I always had to be really early, or I would definitely panic. I would wait in my car until I saw someone I know walk in.

"Kat!" I yelled as I jogged up to her. She turned and smiled, "Hey Cora! Are you as excited as I am!?" She said with an enthusiastic grin. "Maybe not as much as you are" I said honestly and we walked in. I saw the guys already inside, I only recognized a couple of them. "Hey!" Colby said and pulled me into a hug, "these are some of the guys." He said gesturing to the group of people. "Guys this is Cora." He said to them. I recognized Sam, Jake, and Corey, but nobody else.

A guy with a lot of tattoos but a kind smile stepped up and waved, "hi I'm mike! It's nice to meet you" He said kindly. "Nice to meet you" I said with a soft smile.

A buff black man with the whitest teeth I have ever seen stepped up, "hello I'm father Kevin but you can just call me dad" he said making the group laugh, "will do dad" I said playing along.

A handsome guy with longish hair and green eyes waved, "I'm Brennen, I have heard so much about you" He said and darted his eyes to Colby to see his reaction. Does Colby talk about me? "I hope it's all good things" I said with a giggle trying to brush it off.

There was one girl here too, she had a small frame and her makeup was done to perfection, she was hand in hand with Corey, im assuming they are dating, "I'm Devyn" she said with a sweet quiet voice.

"It's nice to meet you, your makeup looks so good" I said which made her smile and thank me. "Yeah my girlfriend is pretty talented" Corey said and kissed her head. They were a very cute couple.

Kat and I went backstage as the group got a table close to the stage. My nerves were going crazy as I looked up at Kat. "I'm so nervous...nobody ever comes to my shows" I said and she put a reassuring hand on my shoulder, "you're gonna be okay, it's okay to be nervous but you are one of the most talented people I know! Plus my sets before you so you'll sound like a million bucks after me" She said and laughed, "you know THAT'S not true." Kat had a great voice, it was soft and delicate but crystal clear. Whereas mine had a little more edge to it. It was good having someone else in the show though, but as soon as Kat went on stage my stomach erupted in nerves. I watched her perform from offstage and she was killing it. Once her set was done I knew it was my turn. The audience had burst into cheers, especially from our table of friends. Sam appeared next to me as she walked off the stage. She ran to his arms and he spun her around. They shared a kiss and then I walked on stage, only my ukulele in hand. I avoided eye contact with anyone, especially everyone at the table for most of my set. I played mostly upbeat songs, but for my final song I wanted to sing something slow, and meaningful to me. As I started to strum the intro of Ocean Eyes by Billie Eilish I scanned the crowd, taking a deep breath.

I've been watching you for some time, can't stop staring at those ocean eyes.

Burning cities and napalm skies, fifteen flares inside those ocean eyes.

Your ocean eyes.

No fair, you really know how to make me cry when you give me those ocean eyes.

I'm scared, I've never fallen from quiet this high, falling into your ocean eyes.

Those ocean eyes.

During the song I would occasionally glance over at Colby, his expression was hard to read, but he looked mesmerized. Once I finished the crowd erupted in cheers. I smiled and bowed then quickly walked off the stage. Kat was waiting with Sam backstage to give me a huge hug. "You did SO good!" She said and Sam agreed. "Thank you guys!" I said as tears formed in my eyes.

For the first time in a while they were happy tears.