It was 8 p.m. on Friday night and Ayla was pumped. Her and her band, The Vortex, were backstage at the Sun's Club about to perform. This was like many shows they had done before but it was a big deal for Ayla because it was the first time Jesse would see her perform. She felt she had something to prove. To kill the nerves she jumped up and down backstage while trying to remember all the lyrics to their first set. She had a feeling that this would be one of the best performances of her life. Ayla slowly walked to the curtains and peaked out. They had drawn quite a crowd this night and she cant see Jesse but she could definitely feel him. She felt she had to do one last vocal warm up when the MC for the club announced,

"You know 'em, ya love 'em, its The Sun's Club's finest act of the year, 'The Vortex!"

At that the band emerged from behind the curtain and took there respective places on stage. As Ayla approached her crystal encrusted microphone and mic stand, all the nerves started to take over. she tried her best to hide it.

"How is everyone out there?" said Ayla as the crowd screamed. "We are going to start off with a song i wrote entitled, 'Bright Lights', and I wrote this song when i first moved to California. Hope you guys enjoy."

As the band started to play the opening chords of the song, Ayla spotted Jesse and his family in the crowd. When she saw him all her fear went away and she was focused on him.

"It's the bright lights and even bigger city. Full of dreamers and oceans that so pretty." sang Ayla along with the beat. With every note the she began to loosen up. By the end of the third song she was comfortable on stage again. She was receiving energy from the crowd and it felt so good.

"Ok you guys so now we are going to sing 'Mad Love' by Neon Trees. And Ray over here on the guitar will be helping me. Hope you enjoy and feel free to sing along." said Ayla as she moved closer to Ray.

As the beginning notes played Ray began to sing.

"Nothing you can say can ever stop my baby. Nothing you can do can tear us two apart."

Then came time for the chorus.

"We got all the stuff to break all of the rules yeah we got all the stuff to mess all of you up. We got a mad mad love. We got a mad mad love. We got a really really really really really really really mad love!" sang Ayla and Ray in perfect harmony.

The show continued like that for the rest of the night. They were electric and Ayla felt amazing. She couldn't wait till the show was over and she could talk to Jesse about the night. At about 10pm the announcer came back on stage,

"Give it up for 'The Vortex'. Weren't they awesome tonight? Listen theyll be back next week with some more rockin' music. Lets give it up one more time, shoo!"

Ayla and the band exited the stage while the curtain closed and the crew cleaned up the stage. She and Ray walked side by side to the dressing room. Ayla couldn't keep the smile off her face. And Ray couldn't keep his eyes off of Ayla.

"That was one of our best shows in years!" said Ayla as they approached the dressing room.

"Eh, it was alright." replied Ray.

"Alright?! That's all you can say is alright?" asked an astonished Ayla.

"Look A, we were good but we weren't great. I've been in this stitch before and just 'good' won't get you anywhere in this business." said Ray.

"Gosh you sound like Jimmy." said Ayla.

"Well that's be cause we know what we're talking about. Don't be so naive. Where is Jimmy anyways?" asked Ray.

"He had some other function to go to but don't change the subject. I'm not naive I just choose to look at the brighter side. I mean really can you stop being a downer and actually give us a compliment for once?" asked a furious Ayla.

Ray sighed and then smiled. "Fine we did really well out there. You're singing was spot on."

"Thank you." said Ayla. Just one smile from Ray could make her feel better. They had reached the dressing room now and when Ayla stepped inside, Jesse was standing there with a bouquet of roses.

"Hey beautiful." said Jesse as he walked closer to Ayla.

"Hey Jess." Ayla said as she ran to hug Jesse. "Thanks so much but you really didn't have to get me flower."

"You deserve them. You were really great out there." said Jesse as he softly kissed Ayla.

"Uh hum!" coughed Ray as he stared at Ayla and Jesse in disgust.

"Oh sorry. Ray this is my boyfriend Jesse. Jesse this is my best friend/guitar player, Ray." said Ayla.

"Hey man, how's it going?" asked Jesse as he extended his hand to shake Ray's.

"Whatever." Ray said as turned to walk away.

"Ray! Be nice!" screamed Ayla.

Ray stopped in his tracks. "Fine." he shake Jesse's hand roughly. "Happy now?"

"Quite." said Ayla as she watched Ray walk away. "I'm sorry about that."

"Yeah, what's his problem anyways?" asked Jesse as he stared after Ray.

"Oh he's just really protective. He's always skeptical about the guys I date. He can tell you're a rocker and he hates that." said Ayla.

"What? But his a rocker too." said a confused Jesse.

"Yeah so he knows what a rocker "acts" like and he doesn't like me dating them. He just doesn't want me to get hurt." explained Ayla.

"Well he doesn't have to worry about that. I'll never hurt you." Jesse said as he kissed her forehead.

"But I might hurt you." mumbled Ayla.

"What was that?" asked Jesse.

"Oh nothing." Ayla said as she hugged Jesse.

At that moment Ray ran into the room.

"Ayla let's go! You're going to be late for-the meeting with, uh, Jimmy."

"Oh right right. Sorry Jesse I gotta go back I'll call you later." said Ayla trying to downplay her panic.

"Wait but I thought we could hang out tonight. Catch a movie or something?" said Jesse with confusion.

"Maybe tomorrow Jesse. I really can't miss this meeting." said Ayla as she quickly kissed Jesse and run out of the room.

"Hey Jesse I was wondering if you and Ayla were hun-" Danny stopped when he realized Ayla was gone and saw the look on Jesse's face. "What's wrong man?"

"Something was really off about her tonight." said Jesse slowly.

"Maybe she was just so numb from the show tonight." offered Danny.

"Yeah maybe." said Jesse as he and Danny walked of the room to join the others. Deep in his heart he knew that something was seriously wrong with Ayla. He just couldn't tell what. He had a feeling that Ray had something to do with it.