Chapter 10

Theodore's POV

"C'mon Eric! They say you sing very well. C'mon, sing a song for us!" Mr Alberty calls out to Eric through the mic while Eric laughs and shakes his head, sitting beside me.

"C'mon dude, don't be shy!" Some dude shouts. Another group of people start cheering for Eric.

"E-ric! E-ric! E-ric! E-ric! E-ric! E-ric!"

At last, Eric gets up from beside me, laughing. "Okay, okay calm down guys. I'll sing!" People cheer and clap and eventually, everyone goes silent as Eric gets the mic from Mr Alberty and goes to the center. He starts singing the song 'For You' and everybody queitly listens to him. He was actually singing pretty well.

So, currently, we are all sitting around the night fire in an open ground, singing, dancing and playing games after having dinner. Earlier in the evening, we together made 14 tents for us to sleep at night and after that Mr Alberty and some guys together made the night fire in the center. Apparently, Eric is Adonis's tent mate tonight, together with another guy called Stephen. And I guess Adonis hasn't liked it.

By the way, I got another really bad news. I've to stay inside a tent with two girls tonight. Anyway, I decided I'm not sleeping. I'll just lie down and stay awake. I can't afford to have the girls find out my real identity.

Eric finishes his song and everybody gives him loud cheers and claps. He gives the mic back to Mr Alberty and comes back to sit near me where he has been sitting since the whole program started.

"Who's gonna perform next?" Mr Alberty shouts through the mic as Eric slumps down beside me. "Is anyone ready to dance?"

Soon some girls shout back 'Yes' and cheerfully gets onto their feet, excited to dance. "We want BTS!" They shout to Miss Huxley and she laughs and complies, playing 'Blood Sweat Tears.'

"How was my song?" Eric asks me during the dance performance.

"It was great! You got a really nice voice," I say and smile at him.

"Everyone says that," he laughs. Out of the corner of my eyes, I notice Adonis who is sitting on my right frowning at him.

"So, Elena, who is your favourite singer?" Eric asks

"I like Taylor Swift," I reply

"Oh! She is my favourite too! Who is your favourite male singer?"

"Uhm..I like Ed Sheeran, also Justin Bieber."

"I see. I also like them," he smiles and looks back at the girls who were dancing. "Do you like BTS?"

"Yeah, I like them," I nod.

"Oh, you too like them? Why??" He asks, immediately tilting his face back to me. I frown at him. He instantly lets out an awkward chuckle. "Yeah, of course, because they are..er..good." And he tilts his face back again. He is starting to become kinda annoying.

Soon the dance performance ends and the girls all go back to sit down whilst panting and giggling. Miss Huxley takes the mic and clears her throat. "We've got a guitar here. Is there anyone who can play a guitar?"

"Do you like Adele?" Adonis suddenly whispers near my ear.

"Yeah," I say and tilt my face to notice his lips spread into a beautiful smile. Then to my surprise, he raises his hand and then gets on to his feet, going towards Miss Huxley.

I watch in amusement as he gets the guitar from Mr Alberty and then moves to stand a little away from the fire. Then without saying anything, he taps the strings and starts singing the song 'Someone like you', totally taking me aback.

When he asked me if I liked Adele, I didn't think he was going to play this song on guitar! And I didn't know he could sing and play guitar so well!

His voice was really deep and soothing. He looks at me as he expertly plays the chords whilst singing with emotion. I couldn't help but stare back at him in wonder. Then the girls also start singing along with him.

Never mind, I'll find someone like you

I wish nothing but the best for you, too

'Don't forget me,' I beg

I remember you said

'Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead'

Adonis keeps on staring at me as he plays the guitar and I feel my heartbeat increase, I can hear it pound along with his beats. Is this song meant for me? Does he mean anything?

Suddenly, Eric wraps his arm around my shoulder. The guitar's beat and Adonis's deep melodious voice ceases the very instant. Abruptly, I pull myself away from Eric, feeling terrified. The next second, I hear the soothing voice again.

Nobody actually seemed to notice Adonis paused for a moment, as they were all singing along. But I don't look up at his face again. My chest feels heavy.

My heart only starts thudding more rapidly once Adonis finishes the song and returns to my side. As soon as he sits back, he wraps his hand around my shoulder and pulls me closer to him, only causing my chest to play drums. "It's okay, little one. I'm back. Did you get scared?" He whispers in my ear.

"No, I'm fine," I almost stutter and squirm away, trying to calm my heart. I didn't want him to hear it beating like that. But there was no space to move. If I moved any further, I'd be on Eric's lap. To make things worse, I then notice Eric looking really awkward and I tilt my face, only to see Adonis glaring at him.

What is happening?