"Come away with me and we'll kiss
On a mountain top
Come away with me
And I'll never stop loving you"
– Norah Jones
Alex stared at the concert tickets he held in his hands. It was to the Norah Jones concert on Valentine's Day. He'd invited Susan, but she wouldn't be attending. She decided to break his heart by telling him a week before Valentine's Day that she was in love with another guy. Alex was heartbroken and felt his life was practically over. He stared sadly at the tickets thinking he shouldn't go. After all Norah Jones was a part of his and Susan's life. Her songs were theirs. They'd slow danced and made love to her soft music. There were too many memories. The tickets were going to be a present for Susan but now there he was stuck with two concert tickets and dateless.
That Saturday morning Alex lay in bed and put the tickets down on his nightstand. He'd written a few letters to Ms. Jones about how big of a fan he was. He'd sent her pictures of him and Susan together smiling just for her to let her know how much they both loved her music and how it had been a part of their lives.
Now all of that was shattered and it seemed that everything Alex believed love should be had vanished. He groaned and squinted his blue eyes as the sun peered into this window. As she turned his face towards the pillow next to him, he could smell Susan's scent and that only made him more depressed.
Why did you have to do this to me Susan?
He asked himself.
I miss you so much and I still love. I would take you back any day.
He would miss seeing her pretty face and hearing her cheerful voice when she would call him up. But all of that was gone. He had to start over. Starting over was the hardest thing to do.
As he lay down in bed he thought more and more about going to the concert. He had to go. Even though the songs would bring back so much heartache and memories, he had to go. He loved Norah's music. It was part of his life.
I'm going to that concert. Alone. All alone but I'm still going,
Alex thought.
He grabbed his remote and turned on his stereo. Ms. Jones' CD was in the CD player and her music came on. Alex closed his eyes for a moment and felt the music move him. He smiled remembering the good times he once shared with a special lady. The song "Come Away With Me" had been his and Susan's song. He'd always tell her to come away with him and that he'd never stop loving her, just like the song. Tears filled his eyes as he remembered she'd sing the song back to him but it was all lies. She
had
stopped loving him.
Alex sobbed a bit before he turned off the music and got up to take a long warm shower. He missed waking up next to Susan and having her there in the shower with him. How their naked bodies would press up against each other as they kissed.
Ok stop thinking about her. She broke your heart you big dummy!
Alex scolded himself.
* * *
It was Saturday night. Valentine's Day. Alex was dressed and ready to go to the concert. He'd slicked his blonde hair back. He decided to put on a nice black long sleeve sweater and a pair of khaki colored slacks. His black Doc Marten boots completed his look. It was chilly outside but the night looked amazing. Silver stars covered the sky and he saw so many couples walking outside holding their significant others.
Alex felt lonely but continued to get in his car and drive off to the concert. He took the extra ticket with him in case for some miracle Susan would happen to call him. As he drove his thoughts went now to Norah.
He remembered seeing her on TV for the first time ever. He felt his heart race just looking at the gorgeous brunette. With her long way brown hair and big brown eyes and softy pouty lips, what guy wouldn't fall in love with her? She was different than other women singers too. She had a mystery to her. She was classy. Probably the classiest woman he'd ever laid his eyes on. Immediately he fell in love with her music and voice. He had joked with Susan once by telling her that he'd runaway with Ms. Jones if she'd asked him too. Susan had just laughed and told him to dream on.
He laughed to himself as the thought about it. But deep down in his heart he knew it was true. He'd leave everything behind just to be with Norah. She had this powerful hold over him. Many normal people have crushes on celebrities but he felt something more than just a crush. For some odd reason he felt a real connection with her. Like if they were fated lovers that were destined to be together.
Oh you're such a dreamer,
Alex said out loud.
* * *
Once at the concert he saw many people standing outside waiting to go in the concert hall. Most of them were couples of course celebrating their love with one another. He saw them holding hands and kissing. It made him sick to his stomach knowing he once shared that with someone.
While Alex stood in line, he heard a young woman behind him telling her boyfriend something. She sounded sad.
"What if they don't have anymore tickets? I'm going to miss seeing Norah Jones!" The young lady squealed.
"Don't worry baby, I'll give you my ticket and I'll wait for you until the concert is over," her boyfriend said comforting her.
Alex turned to see the young couple holding hands. The girl was beautiful and her face looked so sad. Her eye met with Alex's.
"Hi. Did I hear you say you needed an extra ticket?" Alex asked the couple.
"Yes!" They both answered in unison.
Alex smiled and pulled the extra ticket from his wallet. "Here. I was supposed to come with someone tonight but I guess I didn't get lucky."
The girl's blue eyes widened and her boyfriend smiled. "Oh my God! Are you serious?" She shrilled.
Alex laughed and nodded. "Yes. Please take it. It's front row though."
The girl grabbed the extra ticket and sighed holding it against her chest. Her boyfriend began to pull out his wallet. "Thanks man, how much do we owe you?"
Alex waved his hand in the air. "Nothing at all. Just take it. Think of it as a Valentine's Day present."
The girl bit her lower lip and snuggled against her boyfriend. "Thank you so much. I originally bought two tickets, but one ticket got lost and we couldn't find it anywhere in the house. I had promised her that I'd bring her to see her favorite singer. I felt so guilty when I'd lost the other ticket. You really saved our night. I'll try to trade with someone in our row for a front row ticket so we can sit together." The boyfriend said holding his girlfriend tight.
"My pleasure. I love Norah Jones too so I know how your girlfriend feels." Alex responded feeling his hear touched by the glow of the girlfriends face.
* * *
Alex walked into the concert hall, which was already crowded with fans. He'd been lucky to buy front row tickets. He knew he'd have a really good view of Norah Jones as she sang her beautiful songs. He made his way down to the front and found his seat number. There were couples surrounding him and a few single people that had come with friends. He knew going to the concert was a good idea. He couldn't let Susan interfere with his fun. She was going to be his past now. It was time for a new beginning.
His heart raced as the lights went out and everyone clapped. When the stage curtain rose, Alex felt his breath go short as he got a perfect view of the beautiful Norah Jones sitting by her piano. She was wearing a gorgeous tight dark red sweater and snug black pants. Her brown hair was loose and flowing so beautifully. Alex just sat there mesmerized at the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.
"Hi everyone," Ms. Jones said softly. "Thank you for coming tonight to see me. Before I begin, I want to say that Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday. It's about showing your love for one another. I'm happy to see many couples out here tonight. And those of you who are single, just know you're not alone. I'm here with you."
With that, she began to play. Her opening was her new song called "Sunrise" from her up and coming album. Alex watched her play and sing. Her eyes met with his almost immediately. He swears she had smiled at him for a brief moment.
No it was probably just your imagination,
Alex thought.
The entire night was filled with the enchanting sounds of Norah Jones' music. Alex had found himself singing along and smiling up at her each time she glanced down to the audience. Some of the songs had made him teary eyed as thoughts of Susan crept in his mind but he pushed those thoughts away and concentrated on Norah. Her voice, her face, her passion for singing.
It felt like only an hour but it had been really almost two hours before the concert ended. Alex had been lost in the music and thoughts. His eyes never left Norah.
"Thank you!" Norah announced standing up and waving to everyone as they did a standing ovation for her.
Alex stood up to and smiled up at her. Her eyes met with his again. He saw her mouth a "hi" to him and his heart almost stopped. She blew kisses into the audience and one directly at Alex. Alex was speechless for a moment. He felt like he couldn't breathe. He watched her walk off stage and then his sad reality hit him again.
He waited for a while to let the big crowd go first. A girl walking around selling roses caught his eye. She was tall and blonde with beautiful brown eyes. "Would you like to buy a rose? It's only two dollars."
Alex looked up at the pretty girl. He shrugged. "What for? I don't have a date."
She made a sad face. "I'm sorry. I hope I didn't get you upset?"
Alex scoffed. "No you didn't. I'm the one who should be sorry. Look I'll go ahead and buy a rose from you."
The girls face lit up and Alex handed her two dollars. She looked at all the roses and handed him one. It was a single rose with a red bow tied to the stem. "Here you go. You never know, maybe you'll meet a girl outside."
Alex laughed. "Yeah right. But thanks anyway. Take care and I hope you sell a lot."
The young girl winked at him and continued to try selling her roses. Alex took a whiff of the rose. It smelled so fresh. He really wished there was a girl he could give the rose to. He grabbed his leather jacket putting the rose on the inside pocket and began to make his way out the door. By the time he reached the front, most of the people were gone. He walked to his car, which was parked far. The cold air hit his face so he walked faster hoping to get to his car fast.
"Hey there," Alex heard a soft female voice speak to him.
Alex jumped up and turned around. He froze for a moment not believing his eyes. It was Norah Jones inside of her limo. She had rolled the window down and was smiling up at him.
"N-Norah J-Jones?" Alex said nervously.
She laughed softly. "Yes that's me. Are you Alex?"
Alex felt as if this was all a dream. "Y-yes I'm Alex."
"I thought you looked familiar. I read all of your fan letters that you sent me. I remember your face from the pictures."
Alex sighed. "Oh you did read them?"
