Back to You by Sia Wales

album Redemption , dedicated to my little girl. Happy anniversary, Stella.”
    He strikes the first chords, slowly, thoughtfully, but already full with emotion. The music builds to a crescendo and the tension in my body rises at the same pace as the emotion Vuk’s voice. It is low and rough, and a storm rages within me. Like lightning striking, it fires my skin and penetrates my bones, catching me off guard. I raise my eyebrows and perk my ears. I am so taken aback that I can’t even open my mouth. Vuk catches sight of me and throws me a tender, reassuring smile.
    Applause ripples through the crowd with a few encouraging shouts here and there. My father and Scott don’t join in. They sit in silence, taking in the scene.
    I watch Vuk anxiously, trying to remember to breathe, which is no easy feat. I realize that he has not taken his eyes off of me, his face intense and thoughtful. Blushing and flushed, I don’t make a sound, not wanting to miss a beat.
    He strums his guitar, his hair soaking wet and unkempt as it falls into his eyes. He shrugs his shoulders at me innocently, recognizing my reaction. His movements are in perfect harmony with the sounds of the guitar. The crowd feels the song reaching its peak, and I can feel it too. Vuk doesn’t let us down. His playing becomes even more skillful as the desolate chords carry the crowd away. I instinctively cover my mouth with my hand, my eyes now half-closed, still fixed on him. His fingers stroke the strings with the tenderness he uses to caress my face. He never takes his eyes off me, reveling in my reaction.
    Tears brim in my eyes, but I manage to blink them back before they flood out. The liquid emerald of his eyes seems to melt under my gaze, and I become dizzy, the blood rushing to my head. My breathing falters along in time with my irregular heartbeat. Sweat pours out and the troubled, carefully chosen words flow softly from his lips. He is beautiful under the white spotlight, as the words spill out and his vibe electrifies the crowd. The lyrics burn up my insides. My eyes are glued to him throughout his performance, tracing every contour of his face and the fluid movements of his fingers. Every time I feel my face flush, Vuk launches into another succession of notes, which blow me away on a rollercoaster ride of confusion and passion.
    His voice. His voice sings a husky melody that seems to float from the mouth of an angel. I listen, enchanted. Only when I see the droplets glistening on my fingertips do I realize that tears are streaming down my face.
    I close my eyes during the tormented, articulated closing bars. Pitch black surrounds me, his guitar caresses my every sense. I know that he is just a few feet away from me, watching me with his piercing eyes and his crooked smile.
    The intense, drawn-out final note fills the air, echoing throughout the bar with overwhelming power, and the song ends. The lights come back up and wild applause rings out.
    Vuk stares at me intensely, his gaze transmitting all the sincere, unconditional love he feels for me. Then he breaks into a coarse laugh. I beam at him.
    Our eyes dive into each other and a charge runs through both our bodies, bonding us. His lip curls up, and I immediately realize how things are going to end.
    I take a deep breath to compose myself, then turn to Bryan, who is marveling at Vuk’s talent.
    “Now I get why you raved about his music,” Bryan says.
    My eyes fall onto the program, with the opening act written as Another Alternative from the album Redemption by Vuk Wolf. I can’t stop smiling. Distracted, I suddenly realize that I didn’t even know Vuk had cut an album. I slice my finger open on the program.
    “Shoot! What an idiot!” I examine my finger for the damage done. A minute droplet of blood flows from the invisible cut.
    My eyes travel beyond my finger into the sea of people, and I see the last face I was expecting to see there. I recognize him, despite his back being turned to me, covered