Harmony High

Jane Wills

This Lena girl was seriously awesome. She's strong and passionate, I can't believe I didn't know her before. I feel bad for her though, from the crying. She still hasn't told me why she shed those tears, but I need to find out. I'm caring for this girl like I care for Sarah.

Sarah picked us up in her creme colored Subaru Outback, all smiles. She had dyed her hair, yet again, but this time to a soft pink that can pass as a strawberry blonde. This against her tan skin was a bit odd, but I liked it. Suited her well.

"Hey, since the sun is setting, why don't we go clubbin'?" Sarah chimed, laying on the cool sand.

"Yeah, what do you say Lena?" I looked at her.

Her eyes were shut as she lay in between us, so at peace.

"Why not?" she asked, voice soft.

"Alright!" I smiled.

"Or no," Sarah stood up, pulling us both up next to her. "Jack's having a party. Those chill types we all love, let's bounce there."

Thinking for a few, I nodded. We both looked at Lena and she still thought about it. Just a beat later she nodded and we all smiled.

"Jack's it is!" Sarah jumped.

Then I remembered Emmett. I don't know. Every time there was a house party, I remembered him. Maybe 'cause I met him at one. Pushing that thought aside, we all got our stuff and walked up to her car.

"We need to get something to wear to that place. Thrift store first, the one on Belmont." Sarah said as we all got seated.

"Great idea Ara,"

"Does Jack go to our school?" Lena asked from the back seat.

"No," I looked at her through the rear view. "He's from my old school. Super hot but super high."

She nodded, looking back out the window, contemplating again. Sarah clicked on the radio and started to drive. The Smiths started to play.

"Your iPod again?" I asked.

"Mhm, now shut up. Good music."

I smiled, listening to Asleep.

Will Franco

Spoiler

I don't know what to write for him yet, I want Avery's reaction.

Ill post something later. Promise

Alright no problem Desti

Avery

I sit in shock. Will sit's in front of me breathing deeply, searching my eyes for something. Anything really. A phase...huh. Maybe he's actually telling the truth. Maybe not. I just don't know what to think right now. My heart is aching for what I thought we had. My heart wants me to believe what he's saying. But...I don't wanna get hurt again. I can't. I shake my head and look down.

" Will...I don't know why your telling me this." I say quietly.

"Because I love you Ave. Because if you left here...I just wouldn't know what to do." He says, his own voice shaking.

I shake my head again and raise my head, looking deeply into his eyes. "I don't want to stay with a guy who's willing to throw away a pretty good thing...for something he doesn't even want." I whisper, still looking into his eyes. He looks confused, and sits back down across from me.

"What I mean is...i think that your lying. I think that you truly love...her. Love...Lena." My voice cracks, and I feel tears coming back up, but I hold them back. Until I'm at least finished. " I think that your just scared of letting me go, after just getting me back from Allen. And thats not nice to me or Lena. So...I'm gonna give you a chance to see what you really want, Will. I'm gonna give you time with Lena to see...to see if she's who you want. My internship doesn't start for another two weeks, I was just planning on leaving sooner to get to know the area. But you have two weeks to find out who you really want. If that's Lena than...you can come visit me in L.A. But if it's me than, we can make that big jump we've been planning. I'll move in with you, and we can fix our relationship together. So please decide. And I'm gonna continue packing anyway, because in either case...i'm moving somewhere right?" I say with a tiny smile.

Is it possible that I could join this SB?

Omg omg omg!!!!! Of course you can mikmac :p I thought that you were kidding when you said you'd make an account! !!! PM me your profile later bunbuns

I'll post soon, been busy with work and school sorry.

Will Franco

I pounded on Chris's front door. Rang the doorbell. Then pounded again. Just a moment passed and the door opened. It was his sister.

"Jeez Will, no need to knock the door down."

"Right," I smirked.

"You want to see Chris, right?"

"Yeah, is he here?"

She glanced around her then back at me.

"Just upstairs, he's a little angry so don't tick him off even more. And can you find out why he's angry for me? I'm getting worried and he wont tell me."

I walked into the house, shutting the door behind her. The smell of laundry detergent flooded my nose with every step I took toward the staircase.

"No problem," I smiled.

"Thanks," she returned it, walking into the living room.

Making my way to the second floor, I noticed how silent it was. You could hear a pin drop. I kept walking and found myself before Chris's bedroom door. The pace my heart was racing at was unbelievable. Still, I took a deep breath and knocked on his door. Nothing. So, I tried again. Nothing. I opened the door and saw him at his desk.

I'm sure he had his headphones on. So, I walked up to him and tapped his shoulder. He got startled, jumping a bit. Turning around, he looked at me. The anger that filled his eyes, God, I couldn't believe it.

"Get out," he hissed.

"Chris, we need to ta-," he cut me off. "Get out,"

I swallowed hard, looking at him. There was nothing I could do. Nothing. Jesus, there had to be someway to talk to him.

"Come on. Talk to me!" I said sternly.

"There's nothing to talk about. I don't want to know you anymore."

That made me stop thinking. He didn't want to know me anymore. Understandable, but no. That's not fair.

"Chris..."

"I need space."

A pause.

"Alright."

Spoiler

That's all I have. For now. Gotta head to work.

My Goodness, Emmett needs more connections. :p He's so lonely when Jane leaves. Aren't they in Connenticut in October, by the way? Isn't the beach kind of cold? I mean, I'll go with it, but I'm just jaying.

Lacey Lopez

I gingerly place the bow in my hand, turning it up in the familiar way, so that it brushes the strings of the violin. The noise fills the silence; once it is there, no one can take away the soothing sounds of the blending eighth notes. The room around me fades to the black on the page, like one of those Scooby-Doo movies as the monster music starts playing. The strings are the strings of my heart, figerally being plucked until beautiful music will allow itself to be made. It takes me a moment to realize that my brother is still there, that he did not leave.

Once the music is gone, the Bandroom echoes with silence. Mr.Gills doesn't get here as early as I do, but trusts me enough to be alone by myself. Alone, of course, being the completely soiled word here.

Emmett takes his time, letting the musc resound into the room before speaking. "What's up?"

I place the violin- I called her Vivi when I was a kid, and still have to try not to- into her case. "Why does something have to be up?"

"You always play Mozart when you're up to something."

This is true; music is an extension of myself, my art, and that means every hyperactive, bullied moment goes into it as well. Emmett knows that, because Emmett knows everything. "This is the part where I yell 'YOLO' like an idiot and not tell you, you know that, right?"

Emmett grins, because he likes to see me all fired up. Depression scares him, as he doesn't know how to handle that aspect of me. "Yeah." He is awkward, having gotten here early to do homework, the excuse for 'keep an eye on Lacey while she practices'. "Just don't..." This is the part were he tells me 'do anything stupid', but I've already passed that point. "Be safe."

I close Vivi's case, tucking the instrument under my arm. I check my phone. 8:10. School starts in ten minutes, but I'll be gone by then. "Bye, Emmett! I'm off to do something completely and irrevocably dangerous, like jumping off a cliff because my vampire boyfriend left me! Ta-ta~!"

Emmett smiles at me, but it's as forced as my jokes are. He throws me his keys. "Put Vivi in the car and try not to miss last hour."

Emmett is doing the obligortory thing; my classes are either easy, practicing my Violin, or online. Skipping honestly doesn't hurt much. "Or what?"

I'm backing out the door, completely intending on never hearing a peep of the conversation agan when Emmett says; "Your new friends will be pronounced dead on the scene."

____

I rip off my shirt on the way to car, my pants after Vivi is safely in the back seat.

"Three-hundred more dollars, and art camp is all ours, girl. We've got this."

I throw on a sundress after correctly addressing the instrument. I'm still not showing, but I think of this as the last oppurtunity I have to wear my amazingly adorable music note bikini. There's no way I'm going to try it after the bump starts showing.

I drive Emmett's car to the meeting place, still not knowing why he trusted me with it. I see Allen and wave. I will have fun, I will have fun, I will have fun.

Jane Wills

We were a weird crew, Sarah and I, but we were one. I don't think Lena was fond with the fact that we went to the beach mid-October... even though it wasn't really that cold. You know? Just not used to going to the beach in this winter season. She'll get it soon enough though. Hopefully.

After the thrift shop, we ended up at Jack's. He lived in a mansion. Five acres of land which had a house that covered at least two. The place consisted of six bedrooms, five and a half bathrooms and an indoor and outdoor pool. Talk about two pools. You can swim anytime of the year. Anytime of day.

I had bought a nice sleeveless dress which was short in the front and had a long tail in the back. It was navy with black sequins on the very bottom of both ends. Lena had a three-quarter sleeve dress, teal, reached just passed her knees. Sarah was the most extravagant with a sleeveless dress that was burgundy and reached just mid-thigh. She was in love with Jack so she wanted to show some off. Well, try.

"If you don't want to go, you don't have to." I told Lena.

"No, it's fine." she smiled.

We were in the sun room of the house. It contained a hot tub, a flat screen TV and an eight person tan leather couch. I believe it was the 'man cave' of the whole damn house. There was a ping-pong table just against the windows on our right and a Foosball table just next to it.

"Hot tub?" Sarah asked.

People were scattered all over the house, doing whatever. This place was so big that you didn't even realize it was a party because everyone got lost somewhere. There were a bunch of people when we came in, but they all scattered around.We were the only ones in this room, or part of the house.

"You can go, I am not really in the mood." I said.

"Me neither," Lena smiled.

"Oh you guys are party poopers."

Just a beat later and Sarah was out of her dress, hopping into the hot tub. It was a small one, but it was meant to be in a house, so yeah. Small was the right fit. Wood covered the outside of it and creme tile was on the floor around it. The rest if the room was a distressed cement.

Lena walked to the couch and sat down. She was somehow lost again. I walked up to her and sat down, handing her the beer that was in my hand.

"We might not be the best crowd you can hang out with, but we care. So, drink up." I said.

She looked at me with a shy smile, but her eyes said something else.

"I don't need to hear your story, just drink. You'll feel better. trust me, sometimes you just gotta because you can't fix what's already broken." my voice cracked.

Emmett.

Without hesitation, she grabbed the bottle and chugged.

"Not so quickly! Save me some!" I laughed.

"I need it more than you do honey," She smiled.

Standing up, she started to walk out of the room, I followed after her to see what she was going to do. She just kept on walking, through the house, looking for something... or someone. How should I know?

The wooden floors, Mahogany, were shinning beneath us. The tall windows that stood every five feet showed the beautiful stars. They brought in a bunch of light so these expensive crystal chandeliers were just here for looks.

"Lena..." I was concerned. "Where are you going?"

She sped up her pace, searching and searching.


Once we reached the kitchen she stopped. There was a handsome guy standing at the granite island, chugging down a beer. He looked familiar with his ruffled blonde hair and blue eyes, but I knew he meant nothing to me. But by the look on Lena's face, I could tell he was more than what I could ever expect.

"Lena?" he asked, placing the empty bottle onto the island.

"Will," she huffed.

What was going on?

Lena

Jane... Somehow, I felt so content with her after what she was trying to do. She was so caring, so worried if I was going to be alright that she encouraged me to do stuff that I didn't want to do. Even after acting lousy and crying like a baby in front of her, she understood. I had the feeling that she had gone through the same some time back, but I didn't want to ask and spoil her happy mood. If that happened, I wouldn't have anyone to cry on and who I needed most now was Jane. Not that I'm using her just to cry on, she's an awesome friend.

I sat drinking a bottle, unknowingly but I knew it would help me. Jane's smile was mesmerizing which always told me "Go for it, Lena!" and that was enough for me to do it. She had a lot of confidence that I wanted to hug her and tell her the party was so much fun and I wanted to thank her more than anyone else in the World.

Just then I saw someone with blonde hair, someone who looked so much like Will that I was lost. I wasn't listening to Jane anymore, I just wanted to find out. If it was really him and what he was doing here. I think I may have made Jane upset but the next thing I knew was that I was walking, following that blonde-haired guy, Will or not. He was a lot more front than me so I speeded up to catch up.

"Lena..." I head Jane's voice, distantly. "Where are you going?"

I stopped dead on the tracks, surprised/shocked/sad, I didn't know. It was like all those feelings just came over me. I didn't know what to feel. He was drunk, holding on to a bottle even more, looking just as surprised as I was. Why? Why was it that he had to get drunk? Its me. I started the whole thing.

"Lena?" he asked, finally placing the bottle on the island. I felt a relief over me.

"Will," I said in a small voice.

Jane looked at both of us but I didn't care.

"What're you doing here?!" I ask him, frowning and unable to control my anger and depression at the same time that he was drinking.

"I could ask you the same thing," he said and from his voice I knew, he had drunk more than one bottle. "you know Jake?"

I shook my head. Why is he changing the subject?

"Will, stop it. Stop drinking!" I exclaim, trying to take the bottle from his hand but he wouldn't give in.

"What's gotten over you?" Will says, still gentle. "If you can drink, why can't I?"

"That's different!" I defend.

"No, its not."

There's a small silence. Jane's standing there in a corner, watching what was happening. She was curious. But then, like as if she was forced to, she wanted to leave us alone.

"Ookaay. I'm going to check up on Sarah." Jane says, smiling and leaves the kitchen.

"No, Jane, its-" I start but Will cuts me off.

"Lena, truthfully, do you love me?" Will asks that leaves me astounded.

Of course, I do. But you don't. You like Avery... Its better that way, right?"

"I have to go." I say, turning back but his grabs my hand. I look at him and shake my head.

"I knew you would ignore me." Will says, letting go. He walks in closer and tucks a lock of hair behind my ear. I can't do this.

"Will," I say, taking a few steps back. "its not going to work. You and I...Its impossible when we both know we're hurting our best friends."

Allen

The guys and I are in full-swing. We're playing beach volley-ball, lots of girls are goggling and eyeing us but we return them by winking. Well, at least, the guys do. There are so many people running and falling over the sand. It was a big hit. The sun's rays was falling over us which made it the perfect beach day. I wondered where Lacey was that she still wasn't here.

I see Lacey from far and see that she's in her sundress. Frankly, I was waiting to see her in a bikini but... Oh well, I'll just have to wait. I wave and jog up to her.

"Hey, beach girl." I say, smiling. "All set?"

"I guess." she says, a little nervous. I lead her to my friends and I see them all surprised and so much more jealous.

"Lacey, meet the guys. Guys, meet Lacey." I say introducing eachother.

There are a few "Hey" 's and "Hi" 's. My best friend-Max, drags me to a corner and looks at me. It seems that he has a question to ask and pretty much in a perverted way, by the way he's smirking.

"Hot stuff, huh?" Max, nudges.

"Shut up. I ain't going to do anything to her." I glare at Max.

"You can't. Though, dude. Does she..." Max looks at Lacey's belly. I wanted to slap him but then, I controlled myself. "Does she have a bump?"

I shake my head. These guys. They really have to get a hold upon themselves. I walk to Lacey and give her a smile. I take her by the back, and I knew she was growing nervous beside me but that was just natural of every girl.

"Take it easy, okay?" I say and lead her to the shade. "Do you want a cold drink?"

I toss her a can and she looks at it, scared. I wonder what's wrong but maybe its just my imagination. "So, do you want to play some beach-volleyball?"

She shrugs. "You know what? I'll be okay here."

This just makes me feel more guilty. I think I didn't say the right thing. I decide to stay with her. After all, it was me who invited her and I needed her to feel comfortable around us.

"Well, you can't do anything just standing around. We'll go for a walk." I say as she nods.

The next thing I knew, we're walking along the sides of the beach. "So, what do you do when you come to the beach with your friends?" I ask.

"Ah, well the usual stuff. We squeak over guys and gossip around." she says.

"Man, all girls are the same. Squeaking and blushing. Just like you are now." I look down to her.

"I-I am not blushing!"

I laugh. "You can be a disaster at lying."

"Well, how about you guys? All you guys do is stare at our butts or chest. That's all your interested in. Figure. Nothing about the girl's personality."

"I don't do that." I shoot.

"Didn't you just get annoyed now? That's just the way I felt when you criticized girls. The thing with guys is they think girls always blush when they're around- Wooah.."

Lacey trips over a rock and I catch her by the waist. That was close. She could have been seriously injured.

"Are you okay?"

Lacey sighs deeply, catching her belly. "Somehow... Somehow I'm feeling exhausted."

She falls on her legs, and closes her eyes. I knew something was wrong. Out of the blue, she falls unconscious. My heart freezes and I don't know what to do. I'm all panicky. I have to help her out. I pick her up, and carry her back to the beach house. After all, my uncle owns it and they might be of some help.

Jane Wills

Of course. William Franco. He was one of those hot guys that weren't so popular, just had a small group and kept to himself. What brought my curiosity towards him was the fact that Lena knew him. I didn't even know they were on the same planet.

"Sarah, you will not believe..." I walked into the 'man cave' and saw her making out with someone in the hot tub. Well, what else would I expect from her. "Never mind," I huffed.

She pulled away, looking toward my direction. Job well done, I would say. She had Jack right there.

I smiled, giving her a thumbs-up.

"What happened?" she asked anyway, her brown eyes so curious.

"Lena," I walked up to the hot tub, waving at Jack. He waved back awkwardly. "She knows that guy, Will, that you met at that one party. Um, you hooked up with him or something like that... last year?"

Thinking, she pushed Jack away and got out of the hot tub. Water dripped from her as it hit the cement floors. Pulling on a towel, she grabbed her clothes and started to change.

"Tell me more,"

"There's really nothing more to say here."

"Then why would you tell me in the first place?" suddenly, she was furious.

I pulled back, swallowing hard. "I just wanted to let you know that she knows him and that there's something going on with them. I thought you'd be more enthusiastic about this. Not angry,"

"Oh, I'm enthusiastic alright."

Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.

"No!"

I held onto to her shoulders so she wouldn't move. Even with her clothes back on, she was still wet. The water clinged to my hands as I held onto her.

"You are not ruining this for her." I hissed.

"Ruining what exactly?"

Her eyes were like fire pits, ready to pull you in to burn your life away. Jesus, I didn't know what got her to be so... angry.

"Sarah, what's going on with you? You should be grateful that she has a guy that's really good."

"I just met her. She's your friend. I don't give a shit about her."

Pulling away, I couldn't believe what she had just said. With a look of pride shadowing her face, she turned back to the hot tub. Jack left, the pool vacant. A whispered shit flew from her mouth and she pushed past me, looking for him.

"Sarah," I said, not turning around.

"What?" she hissed.

Now I turned around, looking at her straight in her eyes. Dangerous, but I had to.

"Why are you aggravated with her being with Will?"

"Why wouldn't I be?!"

That's when I saw it, that one sad emotion springing into her face, over shadowing her anger. It flooded her face, but she kept at it strong, trying to hide it. It wasn't that she was mad that she got no one tonight but Lena did, it was that Lena got Will.

"After all this time?" I whispered.

"Always," she looked down at the ground, walking away/

God, we just had to did it Harry Potter style, didn't we?


William Franco

"Can I just kiss you once more?" I asked.

She looked at me, trying not to smile or cry. I knew her too well, it sometimes scared me. No matter how drunk I was, I never forgot who she was.

"I don't think so," she whispered.

I held her hand, feeling her warmth. Letting her go would make me very upset, I just couldn't. This really wasn't fair. At all.

"I really love you Lena. Let's just get out of here. Run away to Canada! Start new lives!" I smiled.

She started to laugh softly, still looking at me.

"I care about Avery and Chris too... and it hurts me to know that we hurt them. And I feel so sorry. But I just can't imagine that I can't be with you, ever."

"Maybe in the future. If we're meant to be, we'll find each other." her voice cracked.

"I guess so,"

We just kept looking at each other, all our emotions erupted with each other even though we only stared. It was toxic, to be here with her. But so addictive that I just couldn't leave. By now I should be packing.

Packing? Why should I be packing?

"Will," I heard a girl whisper and I knew it wasn't Lena.

Both of us turned our heads to see who it was. Oh Jesus Christ. It's like Satan himself decided to just ruin my life even more. Sarah Gregory. This bitch, I swear. SHe just couldn't keep to herself any longer.

"What do you want?" I hissed.

"What do I want?" she returned the attitude.

"Yes, that's why I asked to find out."

"Instead of begging for her damned love, why don't you just come to me. I'll never reject you. It would be such a waste to just leave you like this, alone. Oh such a pity." I smiled wickedly.

Pulling away from Lena, I started my way towards Sarah, ready to tell her off. I didn't need this right now. Over and done.

"Look," I stopped two feet away from her.

"Can't come any closer?" she giggled, pointing at herself.

"You stay away from me. I told you this before. Stay away. You're a bitch and I don't need you in my life."

"On the contrary. You do."

Rolling my eyes, I tried again. "Sarah, find yourself a great guy, alright. It's not going to be me. You ca't have me anymore. So, goodbye."

I know I hurt her, no doubt. Her eyes couldn't hide the pain, but she had to understand for once that I can't be with her. That I don't want to be with her, ever. It's hard, and that I understand. But sometimes, you just have to pick yourself up and move on.

Walking back to Lena, I saw the shock in her eyes. I pulled her into a hug, letting her know that I really care. Sarah left, probably to Jane.

"I'm moving," I whispered.

Nike- the reference kind of made my day. See, Jane is more than nerdy enough for Emmett!
Lacey


I don't know where I am, and that sends the shock of panic running up through me. My nails dig into my skin, my typical response. GodGodGodGodGod, Emmett'sgonnakillmeandohgodwhathappened? My brain is jolting panic, my eyes watering with faint worry: there is no comfort in the wood ceiling, calm and tall above me. Something is going to happen, something always happens.

I'm on my back, a defenseless position. I try to push myself up, but the ice bag falls into my eyes and I collapse back onto the cushions.

"Woah, there. Lacey, you need to be careful."

The ice bag over my eyes is cooling, an the effect brings a trace of sanity back to my head. The voice is one I recongnize, not the crude one of nightmares. My hand goes up to grab the ice bag, and I turn on my side to face the voice. Allen. I went to the beach with him, didn't I? Or...something like that?

"Oh. Am I... doing something wrong? I don't... faint a lot, you know..."

He smiles at this. He's so much taller from here- he's a very tall guy, but I'm no short young woman. He's really quiete handsome. The smile relaxes me a bit deeper, but my nails still dig deep into my palms, sending a seering through the second layer of my skin.

"I'll admit, I'm a little impressed with your sense of wit after just fainting. Seriously, though, are you okay?"

My hip starts to hurt, and I turn back on my back. My conciousness is drifting, the cloudy state of confusion where everything around th edges starts to blur. My breathe seems not to use the complete airway; I am much to weak, much to shallow. I forget that Allen asked me a question, I have my own sense of direction at this point.

"Where are we?"

I can't see his face, but somehow I doubt he's pleased with me. I must back a terrible date. "My Uncle's beach house. Seriously, Lacey, do you need a Doctor?"

The clouds get even fuzzier. "A Doctor...? That doesn't seem... like...a ...good idea....cons...idering..."

The clouds black out again, but I think I hear singing, weaving in and out of the clouds. Words binding together to make music that I won't remember, because I'm not really here in the first place.




When I wake up again, the clouds are gone, but Allen isn't. This time, he has friends and I know where am. What the hell happened?

"Good, you're awake." This is not Allen, but a bearded older gent with the usual beachy appearance. "Can you get up?"

"Yeah, I think so." I push myself up, without much diffulty. Allen's other friend, a young guy, suddenly seems to be paying attention. "So...Um, what happened?"

Allen answers me, and I can't help but blush. I don't know how long I've been out, but I know that he's been here the whole time. There aren't a lot of guys who would do that. "We were walking and you fainted. I carried you here, and you woke up after an hour or so. You've only been back out for another half-an-hour, in which I went to get my Uncle Richie and Max showed up."

I'm happy to be right, but also happy to have dark skin that hides my reddening embarassment. It isn't like me to faint. This is, what, the second time in my life? The first time was as a child, due to a panic attack, which this could not be due to. Could it be because of...?

My hands go to my stomach. I've always had Latino hips, but I've kept myself too skinny to be heathy enough to hide. All for the sake of trying to be attractive, and look where that's got me.

Max takes me in, his predatory eyes not nearly as nice as Allen's. I used to not mind, or at least pretend I didn't, but I can't do that anymore. "Good to see your 'friend' is feeling better, Allen, but I'm going back to the beach. See ya'."

He leaves, and I put my feet on the ground. "Wow. Um. I'm a sucky date, aren't I?"

Allen's concern doesn't leave his face as he helps me up. His Uncle, a silent figure, moves to the other side of the room.

"So, what happened?"

His question leaves me stiff. What excuse do I use? I'm fairly sure I know why, but I like Allen to much to chase him away like that.

"I don't know for certain. Maybe it was the sun." It's the worst excuse for a Latino-Native American, but Allen's worried enough to buy it. I think, instead, of the singng I heard before I blacked out again. "Thanks for sticking around, Allen. It was good of you." I pause before the next comment. "Were you snging, maybe?"