What He Needs

by Nightly-XO

Raven's ex-friend-with-benefits, Trevor, signs her up to win back stage tickets to meet and watch The Weeknd perform without telling her. Winning the tickets, Raven takes her best friend, Aubrey, to the concert. At The Weeknd's requests, Raven performs one of his songs. After that one song, nothing is the same for Raven .

1. Chapter 1

"What am I going to do Bre? I lost my internship a week ago and I still don't know what I'm going to do".

I'm trying to relax by my indoor pool but it's not working out like I'd hoped it would. None of the internships I applied for called me back, and I'm getting desperate. I can't live off my parents forever.

"It's only been a week Rae, you have to give it time", Aubrey says pulling herself out the pool.

I roll my eyes, "Easy for you to say. You have a job"

She sits next to me toweling off her long mahogany hair. "It's temporary. I'm not going to be a waitress forever"

I sit up pulling my knees against my chest, "But it's still a job. Something I don't have"

Aubrey drops her towel on the foot of her recliner and stretches out drying her perfect tanned skin, "I told you you can work with me. Mike's is alway hiring"

I shake my head. I don't want to be a waitress, I don't have that kind of patience. "I'll get fired the same day they hire me".

We laugh knowing it's true, "Good point. I don't know Raven, keep looking. Hey, maybe your mom will let you intern for her business"

"What? Booking gigs?"

"Yeah! You love music"

"Yeah, singing it. Not finding and booking it", I point out.

Aubrey shrugs her shoulders as she gets comfortable, "Why do you ask for advice if you're not going to take it?"

I shake my head, "It's nice to hear outside opinions". Although her idea of working with my mom for a while sounds like a good idea I know it would be anything but what Aubrey thinks it is. "But I'll find something"

"I hope it's soon so you'll stop whining about it", she says putting her glasses on.

"You really suck ya know"

"So I've been told many times", she smiles with a wink.

I wrinkle my nose to her taking my statement the wrong way, "Ew".

That night I once again go through the classifieds to see if anyone is hiring. I feel like I've been doing this for ages and I still haven't found anything. Abandoning this task I grab my phone ready to text my friend Trevor, then decide against it.

Not talking to him is going to be harder than I thought. Trevor was a very close friend of mine. I met him my freshman year of college and we just kind of stuck together until we took it up a notch junior year. We agreed to stay friends the first time we slept together. Everything was fine, of course I sometimes wished we could be more than just friends but I knew I wasn't the only girl he spent his time with.

Sighing heavily, I drop my phone back on the bed. We broke things off a couple months ago, I can't even begin to explain how I felt knowing that not only did our fling end but so did our friendship. Every now and then I get the urge to text him but I don't have the courage to actually do it. He's probably fucking someone right now.

To distract myself from that thought I flip my TV on. Instantly a commercial pops up on the screen advertising last minute tickets for The Weeknd concert this Sunday. I really wanted to go see him but I'm broke.

Maybe I could see him in concert if my mom booked him. I should talk to her about that. I can help her with all the details and everything. Laughing at myself for such a crazy idea I flip to see what else is on tonight.

An hour into watching reruns of Jane The Virgin on Netflix, my mom comes in my room, "Hey Rae, how was your day?", she asks sitting next to me.

"I hate job hunting with a passion"

She laughs as she rubs my back, "Oh baby, you're going to find something. I promise". I look up to her with a small smile, she always knows how to make me feel better about hard situations, "Did you eat?"

"Not really hungry", I reply muting the TV.

"Okay, I'll order pizza. Here, this was in the mail for you", she hands me an envelope before leaving my room.

Curious what it is, I flip it over to see who it's from.

Republic Records, X'O Records.

What?

I open the envelope as fast as I can without getting a paper cut and pull out a piece of paper.

Congratulations Raven McKenna, You've won two backstage passes to The Weeknd's concert, November 15, 2015. You and your guest will get to meet The Weeknd before the concert then join the audience for a spectacular show. After, you're both welcome back to head to the after party.

Congratulations again Raven McKenna, we can't wait to see you there!

Monte Lipman

Abel Tesfaye "The Weeknd"

X'O

Oh. My. God.

This can't be real. This has to be a sick joke. I look inside the envelop finding two tickets to the concert. I'm really freaking out now. Picking up my phone I call Aubrey.

"Hello little bird, what's up", she answers.

"I need you to come back as soon as possible. Bring clothes, you're spending the night"

There's a slight pause before she agrees saying she'll be over in twenty minutes.

Hanging up with her I rush down stairs to the kitchen, "Aubrey's spending the night. Do you mind?"

Mom looks at me with a slight smile, "No but don't you think you're a little too old for sleep overs?"

"Mmm, nope. Not at all", I reply sitting at the counter. "So when does Daddy get back?"

Mom places her phone on the counter then goes to the fridge for some wine. "I believe he said next Saturday. He may come back early"

My dad is in the Marines. He's been gone for a year now and I miss him terribly. He couldn't even make my graduation.

"Its okay Rae. When he gets here we'll have our own little graduation party okay?", she says handing me a glass.

"Thanks", I take a long sip wishing it was something stronger like Hennessy or something.

"I suppose she'll be here any minute"

I smile telling mom she's right.

"I'll be in the den", she says taking her glass and the entire bottle of wine with her. I sware my moms an alcoholic.

Aubrey walks into my room with a plate of pizza twenty minutes later, "I ran into the pizza guy"

"Oh yum", I say as she sits the plate on my dresser.

"So what's going on?", she asks dropping her bag on the floor. I reach inside my bed side table drawer pulling the envelope out and hand it to her. She takes it looking inside.

She takes out the little note and reads it. Her eyes pop open then she frowns, "Is this for real?"

I frown, "What? You have nothing to do with this?. There was a contest a couple months ago for these tickets. You didn't enter to win them?"

She shakes her head making me laugh, "I didn't enter the contest"

"And I'm not that big a fan to try for this", Aubrey puts in.

I stop laughing. How did I get these tickets?. I'm baffled, confused and excited, "Well you already know you're coming with me"

"I have to work Sunday"

I ignore the work part, "Ask someone to cover your shift. Come on please Aubrey, I can't see The Weeknd by myself"

"Of course you can. He's just like everyone else, only difference is he's known by the whole world"

"Please. Remember when I went to that Maroon 5 concert with you? I barely like them"

Aubrey rolls her eyes as she gets up to grab the pizza, "Oh my God fine. If it means that much to you"

I squeal throwing my arms around her neck, "Thank you, thank you, thank you. We're going have so much fun. What are we going to wear?"

She shrugs takes a bite of her pizza then holds it up for me to take a bite. "We have three days, we'll figure it out, but oh my gosh I'm going to meet The Weeknd. I can't believe this is happening", I go on swallowing my bite.

She starts laughing at me, "If I didn't know any better I'd think he's a drug for you"

I lay back on my bed looking at the ceiling fan, "His voice is a fucking drug. You don't understand"

She lays next to me on her stomach, "You're right, I don't understand and I don't think I want to"

Oh, well. At least she going to the concert with me. That's all that matters right now, that and the fact that I'm hungry. "Did you bring me a slice of pizza?"

SUNDAY MORNING when I woke up I immediately jumpe in the shower. Getting ready for this concert is going to be an all day project. Aubrey is suppose to be here around noon, then we'll decide what to wear.

After my shower I head down stairs for breakfast. I find a note on the fridge,

"Hey baby bird, I have to go to Maryland for a couple days. Have fun at the concert

Love Mom"

Hm, Maryland, that's not too far from D.C. Wonder why she's staying there.

Breakfast eaten and dishes washed I head back up to my room to look through my clothes.

Twelve o'clock on the dot Aubrey walks into my room with some of her clothes, "I'm actually getting excited about this. I've never met a celebrity before"

"There's my party girl", I say looking over the clothes she brought. "Oh let me wear this top!", I pick up a long sleeve navy blue long in the back, short in the front shirt with a lace white back

"Oh, someone's going braless?"

I smile as I match the shirt with my light grey skinny jeans and navy blue wedges. "I think I'll wear my hair down"

"It's going to be hot in there"

I shrug going through my make up, "I just won't straighten my hair. Problem solved"

Aubrey sits down on my bed so she can try on a pair of heals, "Your super curly hair and shit, I bet The Weeknd will love it"

I roll my eyes settling on eye liner and mascara. I'm not trying to dress up too much. I love The Weeknd but I'm not sure if I'll like him in person. It's easy to like someone through their music and nothing else.

Aubrey decides to wear a turquoise and white strapless jumper with her gold sandle wedges and cherry red jean jacket, "Do you think he'll like us?", she asks combing her hair out.

"I don't know. I'm sure every girl that's met him as thought the same thing. This is only for a night then tomorrow everything goes back to normal and we get to live with the memory of partying with The Weeknd"

Aubrey begins to apply her eye shadow, "What's his name?"

I run my fingers through my curls to loosen them, "Abel Tesfaye"

"Where's he from?"

"Toronto"

"Another star from Canada?"

"Yes. Another star from Canada"

"Why do they all come here? It's not that great here"

"I guess because Hollywood is here. There's nothing better than Hollywood". I use to dream of becoming a star to live in Hollywood when I was a little girl.

"There's Bollywood", she points out.

"Yes. All the way in India"

She begins to apply her cherry red lipstick, "Still known for great movies though"

"What else do you think you need to know so you don't look like an idiot?"

"Does he have a girlfriend?"

What a weird question, "Yeah, I think so"

Sucking her lips together to make them pop she says, "Who?"

Putting on deep red lipstick, I try to think of her name, I really don't pay that much attention to who he spends his time with, "Bella something I think"

"What does she do?", Aubrey asks putting on her ear rings.

"Model, I think"

"There are a lot of models named Bella. Narrow it down"

"Damn Aubrey, I don't know. Look it up", I said getting annoyed.

"I thought you didn't want me to look stupid?"

"Keep your mouth closed and we won't have to worry about anything", I said as sweetly as possible.

"You are such a bitch", she laughs

I smile satisfied with my appearance, "Thank you. Thank you very much".

"He is black right?"

I roll my eyes, "He's Ethiopian decent"

She smiles twirling her finger around one of my curls, "Which makes him black. See, you know more about him then you really want to admit. I bet you know the name of his girlfriend"

Shaking my head and reaching for my purse I say, "Are you ready? It's almost four"

"Yes, let us go party with the biggest drug addict in the world"

"Oh, you didn't need me to know that I see".

We're walk down the stairs and out to my car, "I mean, it's obvious what his songs are about. You make me listen to it enough for me to catch on"

I drive to Verizon Center, while blasting 'Initiation'. Pulling into the parking lot I find my reserved parking spot. "Wow, they really know how to pamper a contest winner"

I say as we walk to the ticket counter. The retail smiles as us, "Hi, how can I help you?"

I show her my backstage pass, "Ah yes, Raven Harrison. Just go inside and security will lead you backstage"

I smile my thanks and head inside. I've never been to the Verizon Center. It sure is big.

It wasn't hard to find a security guard who takes us backstage. I grab Aubrey's hand the moment we pass through the backstage door. This is really happening. I steal myself so I don't look too excited for this moment, it's not everyday you meet a famous person.

The first person we meet is the man who puts this all together, "Hey, I'm Danny. Everyone calls me Dannyboy"

I smile holding out my hand, "I'm Raven. It's great to meet you. This is my best friend Aubrey"

Danny smiles, "Oh you two are like yin and yang"

I look to Aubrey confused then it hits me what he's referring to, "Oh. Oh wow", I laugh.

"She is a softy", Aubrey teases

"And you're hard to deal with some times ", I counter

Danny laughs, "You two act like sisters"

"That's because we are", Aubrey laughs hugging me.

"Okay ladies let's get you your wristbands and then we can find where Abel is"

We follow him to a room where he gives us white wristbands with X'O on them.

"Alright let's find Abel"

Aubrey and I follow him. I can't help looking around at the the action. So much is happening to get this show ready.

After about ten minutes and Danny stopping to talk to people he finally opens a door peaking his head inside, "Here he is. Hey Abel that contest winner is here"

I press my lips together then stop remembering the lipstick. I can't have messed up lipstick in front of The Weeknd. Danny moves back from the door to let us in. I'm nervous but I swallow it and walk inside.

The Weeknd is standing in front of a mirror putting on his jacket with the X'O label on the back. "Hey. Raven right?"

Bitting my tongue I say, "Yeah, this is my friend Aubrey"

He turns to us with a slight smile.

Oh my God I'm talking to The Weeknd. I surpress the excitement building up inside me as he approaches us. "It's great to meet you two. And congratulations on winning the contest Raven"

He holds his hand out for me to shake. I take it hoping my hand isn't sweaty, "Thanks Weeknd", my skin is a couple shades darker compared to his.

He smiles widely, "Call me Abel. Weeknd is my stage name and we're not on stage"

I smile as I look back up to his eyes, wondering what next. What do you talk about with a R&B star?. He let's go of my hand moving onto Aubrey. I take the time to look around his dressing room.

"So are you guys from around D.C?", he asks continuing to prepare for his show, "Yes. Born and raised", I answer.

"I'm from Seattle", Aubrey nods.

"Oh that's cool. I haven't been there yet but it's on my list of places to go", Abel says. "You guys can take a seat ya know", he laughs.

I smile as I sink into a near by chair. Aubrey sits next to me on the arm.

"So do you like America?", she asks.

He scratches his chin as if he's thinking about that, "Uh... yeah. Yeah I like it here. It's cool"

"Better than Toronto?", Aubrey presses

He laughs at her, "No. Nothings better than home"

A knock comes to the door, "Come in!"

I look to the door to see who's coming in and my blood runs cold. Trevor walks in with Dannyboy and a few other people, he's laughing when his eyes fall on me. He doesn't seem surprised to see me like I am to see him.

"Abel, my man", he greets giving him dap.

"What's good Tre".

Why does it sound like they know each other?"

"Hey Rae. Glad you could make it", Trevor says to me.

I force a smile, "What do you mean?"

Abel and Trevor look between each other, Abel licks his lips before saying "So... I know you didn't sign up for that contest. Actually no one won that contest, I shut it down when this guy got in contact with me"

I'm very confused. What is he saying exactly.

Abel comes up to me holding his hand out. I take it standing up, "Tre told me you sing, he gave me a clip of you singing one of my songs. What's your favorite song?"

Staring at Trevor unsure how to feel about this I answer, "Ever or currently?"

Abel shrugs, "Currently"

"Shameless", I answer still looking at Trevor.

"Oh cool. Want to do something for me?", Abel asks getting my attention.

"Like what?"

"Sing it for me. Just the chorus"

Staring up into Abel's eyes I feel a sudden calm. Rubbing my lips together not looking away I sing:

"I don't wanna hurt you, but you live for the pain

I'm not tryna say it, but it's what you became

You want me to fix you, but it's never enough

That's why you always call me, cause you're scared to be loved

But I'll always be there for you, I'll always be there for you

I'll always be there for you, girl, I have no shame

I'll always be there for you, I'll always be there for you

I'll always be there for you, girl, I have no shame"

Singing is as effortless as breathing. It's something that comes naturally to me. Growing up watching my mom pull all those great artist I wanted to know how it felt to be wanted by the world. How it felt to be on stage giving them your heart and soul just so they'll love you.

"Damn. That was great. Have you performed in front of a crow?"

"I did some karaoke in college", I shrug

"So no stage fright?"

I shake my head no.

He claps his hands together, "I want you to perform that song. I was going to sing it but I think you and Trevor should do it. You're good at acting right?"

Wait what?

"She's very believable", Aubrey answers for me.

He wants me to perform Shameless with Trevor? In front of a million people. How ironic that the song is about a friends with benefits relationship gone wrong. Just like our relationship.

"So will you do it Rae?", Abel asks taking my shoulders. His hands are so warm and against my shoulders. I wasn't expecting that.

"Yes", is my answer. How do you say no to The Weeknd?.

He looks to Danny, "Can we get them ear pieces and get them into sound check?"

"Yeah sure Abe". Danny ushers us out and takes us to a room where someone puts a ear piece in my ear. I'm watching Trevor as they do this. What the hell was he thinking setting me like this in front of Abel no less.

I think he feels me watching him, his eyes cut to me and he smiles. I return it not wanting to lay into him in front of these people. Maybe at the after party where no one is paying attention.

We follow Danny to sound check where he asks how we're doing the song.

"Rae should sing the first verse and chorus then I'll sing the second and we come together to end it".

Danny looks to me to confirm this. I nod my head. "Okay, sing for me Raven"

By the time we get our parts down we're told the show is ready to begin. Aubrey, Trevor and I don't have to join the audience. We get to watch Abel from back stage.

When it's our turn I walk out on stage ready to get this over with. Abel is sitting on a stoll in the back holding a guitar ready to begin. I look out on the crowd feeling a rush. I can do this

"Say it louder, say it louder

Who's gonna love you like me?

Say it louder, say it louder

Who's gonna touch you like me

Ooh, said you wanna be good, but you couldn't keep your composure

Ooh, said you wanna be good, but you're begging me to come over

Ooh, come over, ooh

Saying, who's gonna fuck you like me? Yeah "

Singing the chorus I think of all the times Trevor called me to hook up. I never failed to say yes, he was impossible to say no to at the time.

Trevor walks onto stage singing the second verse. I watch him like I practiced, I watch him as he sings to me how I wanted closure, how I was begging him to come over.

He's touching my face as he sings that I live for pain, that I'm afraid to be loved, that he'll always be there for me. I'm lost in his eyes as I absorb what he's saying to me. I'm starting to think he's using this song against me and it's a powerful feeling radiating off him.

When the guitar solo comes up I'm prepared to walk away like instructed but Trevor grabs my hand pulling me to him. His lips descend on mine and I really hear this solo as he kisses me.

I feel the music through his lips and I want to cry.

Guitar solo over, Trevor pulls back so I can singing my part of the final chorus

"I don't wanna hurt you, but you live for the pain",

I sing to him. I've completely forgotten about the audience

"I'm not tryna say it, but it's what you became",

he sings back smoothing his thumb over my cheek.

"You want me to fix you, but it's never enough",

it's almost like we're having a conversation now as we sing back and forth

"That's why you always call me, cause you're scared to be loved",

He sings. I now wonder if I'm afraid to be loved like these lyrics are saying.

"But I'll always be there for you, I'll always be there for you

I'll always be there for you, girl, I have no shame "

"I'll always be there for you, I'll always be there for you

I'll always be there for you, boy, I have no shame",

I finish the song.

The audience erupts into applause ending the moment. Abel comes between us to introduce us. "This is Raven McKenna and Trevor Brooks, my new openers. Lets give them another round of applause!"

Did he just say new openers?

This is my very first fanfiction story about someone famous. I've written other stories such as "The Deal", which is work still in progress but in the mean time I hope you guys enjoy this fanfiction about The Weeknd!.

X'O❤