<h4>Chapter 43 - Music Under the Stars</h4>


    The crowd grew as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting golden light across the waves. Tiki torches flickered to life, and the beachside restaurant buzzed with chatter and anticipation. A local MC stepped up to the mic and weed everyone with a bright smile.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, wee to our Music Under the Starspetition! We''ve got an exciting lineup tonight—so sit back, rx, and enjoy the talent!"


    The first few performers were adults—most strummed guitars, some sang covers, others yed instruments. A couple of acts were actually pretty impressive. A steel drum trio got the audience pping, and an older man singing Bob Marley had the whole restaurant humming along.


    Then came the girl I''d met earlier—Rihanna. She stepped up onto the stage, a bit nervous but clearly holding it together. The crowd quieted.


    She strummed the first chords on her guitar and began singing—a soft, clear voice that stunned everyone into silence. It wasn''t showy or loud, but it had this kind of soulful honesty that made people lean in. A few lines in, and you could hear murmurs: "She''s amazing."


    When she finished, the apuse was loud and enthusiastic. I pped hard, too.


    Charlie leaned toward me. "You''re gonna have to bring your A-game now, kid."


    I grinned. "Was already nning on it."


    The MC stepped back up. "Next up—Jake Harper!"


    Phoebe gave me a wink as she picked up her guitar and followed me toward the stage. I climbed the couple of steps and adjusted the mic. The lights warmed my face, and the sound of the ocean filled the silent pause.


    "Hey everyone," I began, "this song is about... normal life."


    That got a fewughs from the crowd.


    "...and Friends," I added with a smile.


    Phoebe shed a thumbs-up and got into position. Behind her, a hotel drummer I''d spoken to earlier was ready, and I''d told him to just follow along and keep a steady rhythm.


    The stage was set. Now it was time to y.


    (I''ll Be There for You – The Rembrandts)


    ? So no one told you life was gonna be this way, Your job''s a joke, you''re broke, your love life''s D.O.A. It''s like you''re always stuck in second gear, And it hasn''t been your day, your week, your month, or even your year But... ?


    "Wow, that''s so nice!" said Monica. Then she added, "I feel such a strange resonance with this song... is that weird?"


    "No, I feel the same!" Chandler chimed in, followed by Ross, Joey and Rachel nodding in agreement.


    The others at the table nced around, slightly confused but amused.


    ? I''ll be there for you, When the rain starts to pour, I''ll be there for you, Like I''ve been there, before I''ll be there for you, ''Cuz you''re there for me too... You''re still in bed at ten And work began at eight You''ve burned your breakfast So far... things are goin'' great ?


    Rachel, Chandler, Monica, Ross, and Joey stood up and began singing along (the ''I''ll be there for you'' part), their voices blending with mine. Phoebe smiled mid-chord, clearly enjoying the moment as much as the rest of us. The crowd was pping to the beat, and the energy was incredible.


    As we reached the final chorus, I gave a small gesture with my head toward the stage, and the five of them understood instantly. They made their way up as the audience cheered louder, recognizing what was happening.


    Now all six of them—Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe—were on stage, standing behind me as I sang thest verse. It felt surreal.


    ? I''ll be there for you, I''ll be there for you, I''ll be there for you, ''Cuz you''re there for me too... ?


    The crowd went wild.


    I looked over at them, and for a second, it felt like I wasn''t just singing a theme song—I was part of something timeless.


    And man, what a moment to be at the center of it.


    ———


    The next morning, I woke up with a sore voice (we had an encore) and a head full of memories. Last night felt like a dream—one of those you try to cling to before it fades. I rolled over and saw a photo on the nightstand. Someone had already printed it: me in the center, with all six of them—Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe—posing behind me under a handmade banner that simply said: <i>Friends.</i>


    I couldn''t help but smile.


    There were other photos too—me with Charlie, with n, even Judith smiling for once. A picture of Evelyn with a cocktail in hand, looking surprisingly proud.


    It had alle together somehow. Even Ross and Joey made up in the end. I remembered watching Ross approach Joey after the performance, offering a sincere apology. Joey had hesitated at first, but then gave him a solid bro-hug that got a few ps from the crowd.


    Everything had ended inughter, drinks, and that strange butforting feeling that maybe, just maybe, things were okay.


    And here I was, staring at the proof in Proid form.


    As I held the photo, I couldn''t help but think about the song itself. I had introduced it as <i>Friends</i>—not even realizing untilter that The Rembrandts had never named it that. They had written it for the show, sure, but somehow it never carried the title everyone associated with it. That night, I gave it that name.


    It felt fitting.


    ———


    I got up, threw on a T-shirt, and made my way down to breakfast. The restaurant was already buzzing with chatter and clinking silverware. As I stepped in, I spotted the whole group gathered at a long table by the windows.


    Rachel saw me first and waved me over.


    "There he is!" she called. "Our little champion!"


    Everyone turned to look, smiling, pping lightly as I approached.


    Charlie raised his ss with a smirk. "Told you the kid was born for showbiz."


    I couldn''t help but grin. Yeah,st night had been something special. And by the looks of it, it was just the beginning.


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