Today was finally the big day, Sectionals. Crawford Country Day was going to be the host school. I arrived at Carmel that morning and Coach Goolsby had us all sign in for the day to send our names to our teachers to let us know we'd be on a field trip. We finally went in the dressing room and picked up the garment bags with our names on them and then filed out to the bus. I took a front seat due to the fact that I do get motion sickness if I'm not careful. I got my costume bag situated on the floor and then opened my thermos of green tea that Dad had brewed me last night.
I was still really nervous and Jesse looked at me. "You okay sweetheart" he asked, putting his hand on my knee. "I don't know Jesse. I'm really nervous" I answered. "It's normal to be nervous when it's your first competition Gabriella. I remember my first competition and I was leading and my first solo. I saw the audience and thought I was going to pass out" Jesse told me. "What did you do to stop being nervous" I asked.
"I kept two things in mind; winning that trophy and just paying attention to the song and choreography. I learned not to pay attention to the audience" Jesse answered. "I guess that could work" I told him. "You could think of me. After all; I'll be thinking of you while we're out there" Jesse added. I blushed softly as the bus finally stopped and we grabbed our costume bags and got off the bus. I took my thermos and followed the others to the school's dance classroom so we could change and stretch. I finally changed into the white dress and shoes and put on a little makeup. When all of us were ready; we left to take our seats. I saw my dad come in and I got to hug him before going to sit with the others. Now it was time to wait for our turn to take the stage.
It seemed like forever but it was finally time for us to head backstage and wait for our turn. We got up, filed backstage, and prepared to go on. I silently said my prayers before the lights went dim and the curtains were closed. I watched as the others took their places since I was not part of this number. The host finally said "Please welcome our final group today, the two time Nationals champs from Carmel High, Vocal Adrenaline. I smiled as the curtains opened and I watched Jesse as he performed 'Ready for Love'.
Thought that I would never love another Are you ready for love, do you have enough? I'm counting every minute till I get another
Till the day my eyes saw you
No I yeah I'm feeling like a giddy little kid in a candy store and I,
I want more, thinking that you feel it
But I need to be sure
I can take it all can you give it up
Baby are you ready for love?
Are you picking up what I'm throwing down?
Cause if you ain't you better tell me now
Baby are you ready for love?
Kiss from you, I admit it I'm a little bit afraid but I'm gonna try
Cause this is just so right
Don't waste another moment baby tell me tonight
You better listen cause I'm serious
Are you ready for love, do you have enough?
I can take it all can you give it up
Baby are you ready for love?
Are you picking up what I'm throwing down?
Cause if you ain't you better tell me now
Baby are you ready for love?
The song made me smile and I applauded when it was over. I knew then that it was time to get ready for the duet that Jesse and I had worked so hard on. My heart was beginning to race. It was time to take my place in my first Sectionals and show what I had learned.
Jesse's P.O.V
I finished my solo and then waited for the applause to slow. Gabriella was waiting off to the side and she gave me a smile. The lights changed as the others joined their partners. Now I had to bring Gabriella out on stage. "Ready" I mouthed as music began. She nodded and I walked over to her and held my hand out. She took my hand and we walked on stage, singing our duet and following the choreography. I turned to face her and began singing.
Gabriella:
Lyin' here with you so close to me
It's hard to fight these feelings when it feels so hard to breathe
I'm caught up in this moment, caught up in your smile
Jesse:
I've never opened up to anyone
So hard to hold back when I'm holding you in my arms
We don't need to rush this, let's just take it slow
Together:
Just a kiss on your lips in the moonlight
Just a touch of the fire burning so bright
And I don't want to mess this thing up
No, I don't want to push too far
Just a shot in the dark that you just might
Be the one I've been waiting for my whole life
So baby, I'm alright with just a kiss goodnight
Gabriella:
I know that if we give this a little time
It'll only bring us closer to the love we wanna find
It's never felt so real, no, it's never felt so right
Together:
Just a kiss on your lips in the moonlight
Just a touch of the fire burning so bright
No, I don't want to mess this thing up
I don't want to push too far
Just a shot in the dark that you just might
Be the one I've been waiting for my whole life
So baby, I'm alright with just a kiss goodnight
No, I don't want to say goodnight
Jesse:
I know it's time to leave
But you'll be in my dreams
Tonight, tonight, tonight
Together:
Just a kiss on your lips in the moonlight
Just a touch of the fire burning so bright
And I don't want to mess this thing up
I don't want to push too far
Just a shot in the dark that you just might
Be the one I've been waiting for my whole life
So baby, I'm alright
Oh, let's do this right with just a kiss goodnight
With a kiss goodnight, kiss goodnight
After singing; everyone applauded us and we left the stage. I hugged Gabriella and the judges left to deliberate while the audience got up and the groups went to the areas where they had gotten ready. We had just gotten backstage and I saw Gabriella with her dad. "Hello Mr. Ellis" I greeted. "Hello Jesse; I take it you are coming to take Gabriella to 'Nutcracker' practice tonight" her dad asked. "Yes sir and I'll make sure she's back home safely" I answered. "Alright then; break a leg and I'll see you later" he dad told her before he hugged her again and returned to his seat.
Deliberations were up and it was time to return to the stage. The other groups returned to the stage after us and I stood beside Gabriella. The host finally got the envelope and said "Here are our results. In third place we have the Cantata Angels from Crawford Country Day. Second place goes to Aural Intensity. That means our Sectionals champions are Vocal Adrenaline from Carmel High!" We were all jumping for joy and left the stage. Coach Goolsby was most pleased and we hurried to pick up our bags of clothes and I grabbed my thermos. We didn't care that we were still in uniform and returned to school. When we got back to school; we hurried in and picked up our school work and left. I could only hope now that nothing would fall apart but I would soon learn that I was wrong.
