The song continued without a single mistake. Beatriz finished with a final note on the keyboard. Ren was breathing heavily as he looked ahead and noticed that some people in the bar were actually watching them.
Beatriz stepped up to the microphone once again.
"Thank you, thank you. The next song is one that comes to us during our most vulnerable moments... but always to help us stand back up."
Numb - Linkin Park - LightBeat Cover
A few scattered applause echoed through the bar. It wasn't nearly as loud as the applause for a famous band, but at least they weren't being ignored. Several people at the tables began cheering them on, surprised that a local band had managed to capture their attention.
Ren lowered his guitar slightly while catching his breath. He glanced at Luz and noticed she was smiling too.
They had started well. Now they just had to keep that momentum going.
Beatriz returned to her keyboard while Majo adjusted her drumsticks. Sofía closed her eyes for a few seconds, taking a deep breath before picking up the microphone once again.
The melody began much more gently. The atmosphere changed completely; it no longer carried the explosive energy of the first song. It was something more intimate... more personal.
🎵 I'm tired of being what you want me to be
Feeling so faithless, lost under the surface
I don't know what you're expecting of me
Put under the pressure of walking in your shoes 🎵
Ren let his guitar accompany Sofía's voice without trying to draw attention to himself or stand out.
Every instrument had its place. Little by little, his movements became more natural. His hands simply followed the rhythm.
From a nearby table, Daniel smiled as he watched him. "He's doing great."
Oriol nodded. "Yeah... I have to admit, I was worried about him. But damn... he's doing amazing."
Eduardo crossed his arms with a proud smile. "He's always been like this ever since we were kids. All he ever needed was a little push to shine."
On stage, Ren listened as the song progressed, feeling more encouraged with every passing moment. It wasn't the excitement of winning a fight.
It was something much simpler. He was sharing a moment with other people.
As the song reached its final section, every member of LightBeat was perfectly synchronized.
The last note slowly faded into the air. Sofía smiled at the audience. Ren, still holding his guitar, smiled as well, the bar erupted into applause, this time, there was noticeably more. These weren't polite applause anymore, these were people who had genuinely enjoyed the performance.
Sofía stepped up to the microphone with a smile. Sweat lightly covered her face after the first two songs, yet her eyes were still filled with energy. "We're continuing our performance with a song about breaking the mold... freeing ourselves from who we used to be... and evolving."
The audience answered with another round of applause as the members of LightBeat took their positions once again.
Breaking the Habit - Linkin Park - LightBeat Cover
This time, Ren didn't feel the same nervousness he had at the beginning.
Beatriz started the keyboard melody, creating an atmosphere completely different from the previous songs. Deeper, more serious.
Ren looked at his hands for a brief moment before he began to play.
🎵 Memories consume like opening the wound
I'm picking me apart again
You all assume I'm safe here in my room
Unless I try to start again🎵
Sofía closed her eyes as she sang, letting every word carry a different emotion. Her voice no longer held only strength. It carried a vulnerability she hadn't shown before.
Ren watched her for a second. There it was. The true difference between playing a song... ...and feeling it.
Luz held the rhythm with her bass while Majo supported the song from behind the drums.
Ren's hands began moving with growing confidence.
From the audience, Daniel stopped smiling for a moment. Not because he was worried... But because he recognized that expression on Ren's face. "He's entered his own world... He's enjoying this," he whispered.
Oriol nodded. "I'm happy for him. This'll be a good time to ask for his autograph."
Christina let out an exasperated sigh. "You're impossible."
Even so, she couldn't take her eyes off the stage. Watching Ren like this... "It really is nice seeing him like this."
Hannah quietly nodded, her eyes fixed on Ren's hands.
On stage, Ren closed his eyes for a few seconds and let the music guide him. He was no longer thinking about replacing someone. He was simply playing.
The last note slowly faded away, leaving a brief silence throughout the bar.
By now, the audience was completely focused on the stage, wondering what the next song would be. Sofía's voice had captivated them.
The applause had barely begun to fade when the members of LightBeat discreetly gathered at the center of the stage. Sofía took a sip of water and smiled toward the audience while Bea took the opportunity to change the keyboard settings.
Ren took a deep breath before speaking. "...Can I ask you all a favor?"
All four girls turned toward him at the same time.
Luz raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
Ren held his guitar against his chest for a moment. "Would you mind if I sang the next one?"
For a second, no one answered. Majo looked at him, raising an eyebrow. "...You sing?"
Ren nodded with a nervous smile. "A little."
Luz remembered hearing him sing back at the plaza and immediately spoke up for him. "He can sing. But the vote is yours. I already vouched for him once by putting him on guitar."
Bea let out a small laugh. "After learning three songs in less than twenty minutes, I don't even know what 'a little' means when it comes to you anymore."
Sofía watched Ren for several seconds.
She didn't see arrogance, or someone trying to steal the spotlight. Simply someone who wanted to share music. "What song is next?"
Ren slowly lifted his gaze. "Monster."
Luz smiled immediately. "That's not an easy song, Ren."
Majo pointed one of her drumsticks right between Ren's eyes before lowering it again. "If Sofía doesn't have a problem with it..."
The vocalist looked at Ren for a few more seconds before taking a step back, moving away from the main microphone. "Then the stage is yours, Tempo."
Ren swallowed hard.
-----
Author Notes.
I gave u guys 4 chapters, can I get a comment :0