Eleonor maze

As the conversation with Jake continues to flow smoothly, you suddenly notice a familiar face from your history class approaching. It's Lola, my close friend, and she looks visibly upset. She interrupts your conversation with Jake, clearly needing your attention.

"Eleonor, can I talk to you for a minute?" Lola asks, her voice quivering. Her eyes dart to Jake, a hint of concern in her expression.

I exchange a quick glance with Jake, silently apologizing for the interruption, and then turn to Lola. "Of course, Lola. What's wrong?"

Sarah pulls me aside, away from the lively atmosphere of the glamorous gym. Her voice drops to a whisper as she confides in me. "It's about the live band, the main singer isn't coming for some fucked up reason. I just found out that none of the organizers have a plan to care for it. Principal Murphy has me clean up this mess before we end the night , and I don't have a backup. Please Eleonor your the only sober people I know here"

Panic sets in as I realize the gravity of the situation. This school dance is a significant part of our grade, and the timing couldn't be worse. "Okay, let's figure this out," I say, trying to reassure her. She's already overwhelmed, and it's evident that she's counting on my help.

Taking a deep breath, you glance back at Jake, who's patiently waiting for you to return to your conversation. His smile has faded, replaced by a quizzical look. You can tell that he's curious about what's going on.

"I'm really sorry, Jake," I say apologetically. "It seems there's a bit of an emergency with the school dance, and I need to help Sarah out. Can we continue our conversation later?"

Jake nods understandingly, though a hint of disappointment flickers across his face. "Of course, Eleonor. Priorities first. I hope everything works out for you both."

I exchange a brief smile with Jake before turning your full attention back to Sarah. Together, we brainstorm ideas on how to salvage the situation with the live band and ensure the school dance remains a memorable event.

it's disappointing to temporarily leave behind the enchanting atmosphere of the glamorous gym, I know that being there for Lola in her time of need is the right choice. But girl I'm trying to grab my chance with this guy because I don't know where my confidence is coming from to speak with this so called Jake Collins that many people seems to know of including my best friend Alex, maybe the dress or the makeup. I could say that the night may take an unexpected turn, but I'm determined to make it a success, both for my friend and for myself .

Sarah's voice trembles as she explains the complexity of the problem. "Eleonor, I've called everyone I can think of, but we're running out of time. The main singer was supposed to be the highlight of the night. We need a solution, and we need it fast."

As we explore different options and contingency plans, I can't help but feel the pull of the glamorous gym behind me, where Jake Collins is patiently waiting. It's disappointing to temporarily leave that enchanting atmosphere and the chance to get to know Jake better.

Feeling a surge of anxiety, I abruptly suggest, "I could sing!?"

Lola's gaze locks onto mine, her expression a mix of surprise and hesitation. She finally responds, "El, I love you, but you sing like a dying rat."

Her bluntness stings a little, but I expected as much. I rack my brain, trying to think of alternatives. Just then, my best friend Alex, sensing our distress from the corner, approaches us. He pats both of us on the back and says, "You know who else is a singer? Why don't you ask your conversation mate if he's interested in replacing the lead singer? I heard he's good, based on my boyfriend's recommendation."

I glance back at Jake, who's still patiently waiting nearby, a thoughtful expression on his face. The idea of him potentially stepping in as the lead singer opens up a new possibility, and I can't help but wonder how he'd react to the proposal. As the night unfolds, it seems that every twist and turn is leading to unexpected and intriguing opportunities.

Amidst the chaos and the background hum of excited chatter, Alex leans in closer to us, intrigued by the unfolding drama. "So, what's the plan, guys? We need to find a solution quickly."

Lola nods in agreement. "We're thinking of asking Jake here," she says, nodding toward him, "if he'd be interested in stepping in as the lead singer for the band. It's a long shot, but we're running out of options."

Alex's eyes widen with anticipation. "Jake Collins? Seriously? That's a bold move. But you never know until you ask, right?"

With a determined nod, I decide to approach Jake and present our unconventional proposal. As I walk back towards him, I can feel the eyes of curious onlookers following me. This school dance has truly taken on a life of its own, and the unexpected twists keep coming.

"Jake," I begin, my voice laced with a mix of hope and uncertainty, "we've got a bit of a crisis with the live band, and we heard from a reliable source that you might have some serious vocal skills. Any chance you'd consider stepping in as the lead singer?"

Jake's eyes widen in surprise, and he glances around at the commotion. The attention of the entire gym seems to be focused on this impromptu conversation. With a thoughtful expression, he finally responds, "Well, this is unexpected. I've never performed in front of a crowd like this, but if it helps save the night, I'm willing to give it a shot."

As Jake agrees to take on the role of the lead singer, a wave of relief washes over us. It's as if the entire gym exhales collectively, the tension dissipating as a newfound sense of hope emerges. The unexpected turn of events has not only captured the attention of the gym's attendees but also of the online viewers following the live broadcast.

I can't help but smile at Jake's willingness to step out of his comfort zone. "That's incredible, Jake! You have no idea how much this means to us and to the success of the school dance."

———

love songs.
these songs i wrote,
the chorus intertwined with thoughts of you,
you sing along without a clue.

-lilac