Cantrell: The Early Years, Part Two

Out Of Nowhere, Part Two, a Cantrell: The Early Years, Part Two Update

 

Erik lined up a Fan Meet & Greet at a bar in Oasis Spring, called Stone’s Throw. He was rather intrigued with the theme of the place looking as if it was a watering hole for Space bandits or something. The invited guests, and his family gathered as the Event began. Erik made certain to speak to each of the people who arrived, light chit-chat and thanking them for coming.

The Paparazzi were there, too. He spent time posing for them, and also for his fans. I have fans! He signed autographs, took Selfies and mingled as best he could. Troubled by just how overwhelming all of this was to him. Surreal, he decided. This was all so very surreal. I’m here and yet not here. Most of his movements were by rote. In fact, he fully expected to awaken and realize he was still just Erik. Anonymous, dorky, Erik.

Glancing around the room, Erik found himself intrigued by a very pretty teen girl, with long, silky blonde hair and big blue eyes that haunted him. Fan?  After the Event ended and he got home again, Erik laid awake in his bed for a long while. Partly wound up from the evening, but mostly he kept seeing those blue eyes of hers. Then he was filled with a very odd sensation. Do I know you? Have me met somewhere? I think it’s possible I know you. At least on some level.

His Event was so successful that Erik’s status shot up to B-Lister. Not one to sit on his laurels he decided to take part in the Karaoke Contest the following evening. 

He brought his family along and discovered the very same  enchanting girl in the audience. Slowly, he approached her. “I remember your eyes,” he said, when she turned to look at him.  “I’ve been thinking about it all night. I have to ask, is it possible I know you?” he said.

She smiled, “That’s a rather creative first line, I must say, but I hardly think so,” she said, gazing up at his face, she crinkled her forehead.  “Yet, your eyes look rather familiar, too. And your glasses, do you attend Copperdale?”

 

“No, I graduated early from Province High, on Vulcan.”

“Province High? No way.”

“Way. Why would I lie about a thing like that?”

“I met a boy there once, in Province on Vulcan. At a park. His name was Erik Cantr--- Wait, isn’t your name Erik Cantrell? Oh, my God, it is you.” Taking out his driver’s license he handed it to her. She stared at it long and hard.

 

Leaning down he said quietly, "Do you ever wish you could roll back time a little and start again?’ Erik asked.

Looking nervous she said, “Oh, please don’t bring that up. I’d like to change our first meeting, if that’s what you mean — I still can’t believe I shouted at you like that. Worst, most humiliating day of my life.” She leaned her head into her hand, the way he’d seen her do, a few short standard Earth years ago, as he walked away from the pirate ship.

 

“That’s why your eyes looked so familiar,” Erik said. “You’re that girl. For a moment I thought I was going crazy. You know, I’ve never forgotten you. Not for a minute. If it’s okay with you, could we start again? I would still like a chance to get to know you.”

“I . . .”

Hearing his name over the speaker, Erik said, “Hold that thought, if you will, it’s my turn to compete.” With that he took the small stage, took up the microphone, pointed at the mic, and then at the girl, smiling largely, before he began to sing along with the machine, “Hotter Than Sin.”

 

Returning to the table, he said, “So, how did I do?”

“I’ve heard your voice on the radio. I just had no idea that was you. You know you’re really very good. I think you just won.”

“Oh, no,” Erik said, sounding dismayed.

“What, you’re not competing to win?”

“It’s not that. Look,” he said, gesturing toward the stage as Aaron stood in front of the Karaoke machine, microphone in hand. “Don’t do it, Aaron,” he whispered.

 

“I take it he’s a rival?”
“He shouldn’t be. He’s my older brother. He just suffers from bouts of jealousy, sometimes.”
“Oh,” she said. “Well, rival or not he certainly looks as if he’s about to steal your thunder.”

 

"I hope not. I’ve heard him in the shower, he’ll only make a fool of himself and I’ll have to help him pick up the pieces of his shattered ego.”

“You would do that for him? Curious.”

“Well, sure. He’s my older brother, we may not always get along, but I care about him. Don’t do it, please.”

A moment later, Aaron shook his head replaced the mic and said, “Erik, that was for you.” He left the stage snickering.

 

“What a tease,” Kayleigh said, “reminds me of one of my sisters. He’s just so pleased with himself.”

 

“That’s Aaron, on most days," Erik said. His phone chimed in his pocket. “Excuse me, I have to take this,” he said as he withdrew it from the inner pocket in his black leather jacket. He nodded as he read the text message. “I have another invitation for a photoshoot, but it can wait until eleven pm, when the Karaoke Contest has ended.”

“Oh, good, because those are the rules. If you’re not here at the end, you don’t win.”

 

“This is my first contest, ever. So, thanks for that. You come here often?”

“I love music and yes, I enjoy the Karaoke Contests. Sh. wait, wait, wait, here is the announcement,” she cautioned.

 “And tonight’s winner is . . . Erik Cantrell with a stunning eighty-two out of one hundred points! Way to go, Erik. Be sure to come back Sunday to defend your title.”

 

As Erik headed back to the stage, Kayleigh stood up. “See, did I call it, or what?”

“You did. Maybe I should make you my manager or something.” Erik smiled as Kayleigh merely blinked her eyes and smiled back. “Oh, you wouldn’t like that, I’d be strict. You won’t get away with nothing, buddy.”

 

At the close of the contest, the Cantrell family headed back home. “Can we drop you somewhere?” Erik asked. “And by the way, what is your name?”

“What, you don’t remember?”

“How could I, you never gave it to me.”

“Oh, I guess I really was upset. It’s Kayleigh. Kayleigh Golden.”

“I’m very glad to make your acquaintance, Miss Kayleigh Golden. It is miss, right? You are single.”

 

 

All for now. Thanks for reading . . .