Running into the diner at the start of a performance was just his luck. Blake had been busting tables at another small diner down the road but got out a bit later than he had first expected. The pianist wanted to get in as soon as possible to play and listen to others, hoping that while he and the rest of the audience were listening to the vast majority of musicians they would forget his performance. He tried his best to sneak in without making a sound, but like when you try to do the best you can something always seems to go wrong. The sound of the door slamming shut sounded obnoxiously loud, causing Blake to bite his lips has he tip-toed away to an empty table. He hoped that the door wasn't a big deal, and felt that it wasn't as the singer was going through his song magnificently.
"
I actually know this song!" His head whispered, listening to the piano play in the background. The young man didn't know the actual song, as he has only heard the piano version of it, having become fascinated with knowing that it was a rock band's song turned into a simpler more pretty version.
As the singer finished his song Blake clapped his hands wildly and loudly. The guy got brownie points from Blake too, with the usage of a piano version, he always gave extra loud claps to those who did songs with the piano or a piano cover. Blake, without confidence, walked up to a blonde MC as the last performer rushed off the stage. "I... Err, I'd like to perform next if that's cool?"
The blonde MC gave Blake an examination, scanning him from head to toe, before raising and eyebrow and muttering, "OK, you're up next then. Name, and what equipment did you need?"
"My name's Blake." He bowed, giving thanks to the man. Pointing at a piano in the corner he went on, "Can I use the piano?"
"Of course," he stated monotonously. Snapping his fingers and pointing at the piano another stage tech hopped onto the piano, checking everything before giving Blake the go ahead. "Alright buddy, you're up." He patted Blake on the back as the MC on stage had already began his introduction.
"Up next is Blake!"
The pianist hesitantly skipped onto the stage, waving to the crowd. With an awkward smile on his face he tried his best to look at the various eyes that were now on him. "Evening, I'm Blake..." He restated, waving his hand again nervously. Creeping his way to the piano he slid in place and tested out the sound of the piano, hitting random keys as he belted out a quick song.
"
Here we go," he whispered to himself, trying to create and boost his own confidence and morale. "
You got this, you got this!" He hit the first key and began his song. With the first note gone he felt things were going smooth.
"You tell me that you're sorry, you didn't think I'd turn around..." Blake confidently sang, preparing himself for a bigger part of the song, it's chorus. "And say... It's too late to apologize..." With what he considered a simpler and hopefully emotional take on the OneRepublic song he swiftly and proudly circled around to the last line.
"I'm holdin' on your rope, got me ten feet off... the ground." As he ended the song, Blake sat for a few moments, taking everything in. He muted out the crowd and whatever claps (if any) he got, just reeling in the feeling of actually performing. He stood and nervously and awkwardly bowed before hopping off the stage, rushing back to his table. The musician had a big smile on his face as he felt some confidence rise in his chest. He felt proud of himself, something he hadn't felt in a long time.