Chapter 9 - Stella's POV
I felt the lift jostle once turned on by the stage crew, I focused all my nerves and sweating palms onto the microphone. Usually I'm not one to be nervous especially since I've performed for outrageous amounts of people on more than a few occasions. But today in my mind it was different. People that I care about, that care about me and not because of my fame or anything like that are in the audience.
Yes, I know they won't know it's me, but I just don't know how I'm going to be able to perform knowing they're staring at me and not knowing it's me. It sounds stupid but things like this matter to me, especially since these friendships are so fresh.
Life is complicated, or at least mine is, but then again I did this to myself.
Shaking myself out of my thoughts I focused on the matter at hand which is performing and it being good. The music began and honestly once the lift started going up the nervous thoughts left my mind. I put the microphone to my mouth and smiled.
"Here we go everybody" I said into the microphone, I had now peeked over the stage floor and saw the raging crowds. The music had really started up once I was fully visible, I walked to the end of the stage really getting into the music.
"Oh yea, come on, you get the limo ride front, hottest styles every shoe every color. Yea, when you're famous it can be kind of fun, it's really you but no one ever discovers. In some ways you're just like all your friends, but on stage you're a star" I sang my little heart out as my eyes scanned through the crowd, it always amazes me to see what kind of people come to my concerts.
"You get the best of both worlds, chill it out take it slow then you rock out the show, you get the best of both worlds, mix it all together and you know that it's the best of both worlds" I took a breath as I walked back to the main stage area "the best of both worlds" the dancers came from the sides of the stage as I stood in the center.
"You go to movie premieres, hear your songs on the radio. Livin two lives is a little weird, but school's cool cause nobody knows" singing and dancing is a task, as I sang the lyrics I produced the dance moves that really weren't as good as when we practiced them beforehand, but everything was moving so quickly I made it look smooth, "yea you get to be a small time girl, but big time when you play your guitar. You get the best of both worlds, chill it out take it slow then you rock out the show, the best of both worlds. You get the best of both worlds, mix it all together and you know that it's the best of both worlds!" I finished the song and the crowds were roaring, I was catching my breath as I waved to the crowd and walked down to where I entered the stage in the first place.
"Thank you guys for being here tonight," I said into the microphone while catching my breath, "I hope you're all ready because today's concert is special because I'm going to be performing all new songs, along with a special performance from the winner of my singing competition!" I announced, the crowd erupted with cheers and as my eyes scanned the crowd I saw some familiar faces. Immediately that made me anxious, but I saw Sky give me a smile and I could practically hear him saying 'everything is fine'.
"Now please enjoy one of my newest songs which is inspired by someone special I've met recently" I smiled as I turned around and jogged to the back of the stage, then the stage went dark. I could see lights in the crowd lit up from cell phones and glow sticks, I could sense the dancers coming out from the sides of stages into their positions, then the music started. I was standing behind a star shaped shadow wall, which I thought was the coolest part of the concert because when lit up, the crowd would see, well, my shadow!
"Sometimes I walk a little faster in the school hallway just to get next to you, somedays I spend a little extra time in the morning just to impress you" I struck a pose and the bright lights of the shadow box turned on, the cheers of the crowd got louder, "guess you don't notice, guess you don't need this sad you're not seein' what you're missin', on the outside shyin' on the inside dyin' to say," that's when shadow wall spread into two pieces and I walked through it, I strutted down as I sung the chorus, "I'm unusual not so typical way too smart to be waiting around, tai chi practice and snowboard champion, I can fix the flat on your car. I might even be a rockstar, I might even be a rockstar" I bent down and gave some of the fans high fives, when I bent back up I noticed some girls with Brandon, it was Mitzi and her friends. I knew Mitzi had entered the competition but I'd never let her win, not in a million years so I guess she used Daddy's money to get some sold out tickets. I stood there kind of in shock, even Sky saw and he looked worried but I knew I couldn't worry about being Stella right now so I continued to sing even if it sounded monotone, "sometimes I wish when the phone rings it would be you saying let's hand out, then you confess that there's something special between us why don't we find out? You don't even know me, guess you don't need me, why you not seeing what you're missing, on the outside shyin' on the inside dyin' to say," some confetti cannons shot off behind me into the crowds once the beat changed,"I'm unusual not so typical way too smart to be waiting around, tai chi practice and snowboard champion, I can fix the flat on your car."
This is when the best slowed down some, "I might even be a rockstar, if you only knew the real me, I might even be a rockstar. I'm telling you that we are meant to be, that wouldn't it be nice if you could see that I really am a rockstar." I had dancers in front of and behind me, we were dancing, "yea, I really am a rockstar" I skipped back to the guitarist and he had his little solo, "I'm unusual not so typical way too smart to be waiting around, tai chi practice and snowboard champion, I can fix the flat on your car. Rockin it wherever we are, yea I really am a rockstar"
"I am a rockstar, yea!" In coordination with the last note the lights shut off and the stage went dark so that I could run backstage to get some water, as I headed back the crowd was cheering loud and chanting my name. I got behind stage and was immediately passed some water, then my makeup and hair team came running to touch me up, I looked around for Musa but I couldn't find her, probably because of all the commotion.
"Great job kid, only a couple more songs and you're done" Lilly said as I chugged the bottled water, Leonard touched up my red lipstick and carefully removed the sweat from my face, not messing up my makeup.
"Yea, so where is Musa?" I asked kind of worried due to her hysterical crying last night about being nervous, she pointed to the other side of the stage and saw her getting her microphone.
"Now go out there and blow them away" she said as I headed behind the center of the stage, I heard the crowd cheering and I skip-walked back out to the center of the stage waving to the audience.
"As most of you know I put on a competition to find the best singer in Los Angeles, and after thousands of submissions I believe we've found her!" I saw my little group of friends cheering, but now both Sky and Brandon were gone but so were Mitzi and her friends?
'Damn it Sky what did they do now?' I thought to myself as I kept a smile planted on my face.
"So please help give a warm welcome to Harmony!" I said as I used my empty hand to point to the side of the stage, the spot light hit there and Musa came out with the microphone in her hand along with a nervous smile on her face. I looked to the others and they looked confused, Musa waved to the crowd and they were excited.
"Tonight Harmony and I will be performing another song that I wrote about some new friends in my life, they don't know just how important they are to me" I smiled to Musa, "now hit it!"
"Driving down sunset on a Saturday night, it's getting kind of crazy under the lights and we don't care we're passing the time watching those LA boys roll by," I sang the first verse, that's when I looked to Musa. She looked more confident now that she was going to sing, that's when she started her verse.
"In their drop tops, Harleys, Escalades too, a hundred different flavors to vary your view. There's one for me and there's one for you, watching them LA boys roll through," Musa sang and she sounded awesome, I could tell she was calm because there was no crackling in her voice like when she was talking earlier.
We looked to each other and smiled, "Looking so hot down in Hollywood, you know they got, got the goods. So let's give it up for those LA boys. Riding the waves up in Malibu they really get, get to you, so let's give it up for those LA boys! Give it up, give it up, you don't have no choice. Give it up, give it up for those LA Boys,"
"West side, east side everywhere between, rockstars jam in the promenade for free," Musa continued
"Flipping their skateboards on Venice beach, LA boys, come play with me
Turn it up, turn it up and come play with me!" we both sang this verse, so that meant the chorus was next, "Looking so hot down in Hollywood, you know they got, got the goods. So let's give it up for those LA boys. Riding the waves up in Malibu they really get, get to you, so let's give it up for those LA boys! I put your number in my phone, maybe I'll call you maybe not. Whatcha you doing all alone? Come show me what you got boy, show me what you got got boy. What you got boy,
show me what you got! Looking so hot down in Hollywood, you know they got, got the goods. So let's give it up for those LA boys. Riding the waves up in Malibu they really get, get to you, so let's give it up for those LA boys!" Musa and I looked to each other as the music died down, she was catching her breath as I pulled her in for a hug.
I whispered into her ear, "great job Musa!" as she pulled away she gave me a smile.
"Let's give another applause for our contest winner Harmony!" I said with a smile as Musa waved to the crowd, I could tell she was proud of her performance and I was more than pleased, she and the others have made this one of my favorites concerts I have ever had. I looked to the others in the crowd and they were going crazy, Riven wasn't cheering too much but I could see that he was proud.
"I'll be right back everyone so we can end this show right!" I said as the two of us jogged off stage, before I could even congratulate Musa again I was dragged away to do my quick change.
"Last song kid so let's make it the best" Lilly said as Leonard was fixing my makeup and some others were changing my outfit, I was now put into gold knee high gladiator heels and a white backless cami skater dress.
"Lily where did Sky go?" I asked checking myself out in the mirror, I looked good but I was worried about what happened to Sky and Brandon. One minute they were in the crowd having fun, then the next they were being confronted by Mitzi, then they were gone! I was getting pushed back towards the stage, but Lilly managed to answer back.
"They were kicked out, I couldn't do anything it was out of my power," Lilly explained I was handed back my microphone but I was still in shock when standing there. This was Mitzi's plan all along, she can't make my life a living hell so she's going to force all her anger out onto the guys. The stage crew shoved me back out towards the stage, but I don't know if I can perform knowing Sky isn't going to be out there. I hesitantly walked back out onto the stage, I only had one song left, one more song and this will all be over, for now at least. The lights were killed on the stage, I headed to the center and listened to the crowd, they were still loud as could be.
In my mind I wanted to run, I wanted to be just Stella. I didn't want to be Starr anymore, it was becoming too much, but I've come too far and I'll disappoint millions of people if I do that. I placed the microphone on the stage and the spotlights turned on the all female dancers who were posed on runway portion of the stage, the same spot where I started the show, and they were all wearing different dresses.
"Put on your coolest dress and your hottest pair of shoes come on let's go,oh, let's go," the beat went along with the music and the dancers repeatedly changed poses," get in my car turn the radio on up high, I said high. At the red light boys trying to get the digits but we stay by, uh buh bye. Cause we're heading to the club, nothing's gonna stop us now let's go, let's go- oh!" Suddenly the light flashed on the stage and I grabbed the microphone from the stand, I strutted down the stage and through the two sides of dancers.
"Are you ready, are you ready, are you ready let's go! Are you ready, are you ready, are you ready let's go! Are you ready, are you ready, are you-" I whipped my head to the beat, "-yea, coming up with all my girls, we're gonna party like there's never a worry cause good times rule so no curfew. We're showing off all the moves, the day is so cool. Let your hair down, tonight you get to be a superstar, you're living like a superstar." I turned around and skip-walked back to the main stage area, that's when a couple guys walked out from the side stage for the next verse. "So we're flirting with the dude at the door til he says we're okay, hey,"
"Say we're okay," the backup singers echoed through the stadium.
"Move the velvet ropes, back off, get out of our way! Hey, come on, come on! All the guys got their eyes on us as we're moving out to the floor, trying to waste the time but we're doing what we came here for. We're here to dance baby," I playfully pushed the boys away, just like we practiced, and I strutted down the runway part of the stage. The producers always complained I was never 'diva' enough, so, I'll give them a little diva. At the end of the stage, I did the famous 'diva whip' where a singer would dip and shimmy, which I think I did well?
I was actually starting to feel the beat, even with Sky gone. "Are you ready, are you ready, are you ready let's go! Are you ready, are you ready, are you ready let's go! Are you ready, are you yeah! I'm coming up with all my girls, we're gonna party like there's never a worry cause good times rule so no curfew. Were showing off our moves, the breeze so cool let your hair down. Tonight you get to be a superstar," I turned around allowing my hair to flip, the lights turned red to give the stage a red carpet affect, "we get red carpet love when we come stepping up, the boys keep dropping their jaws, can never give enough. We make em stop and stare, we see them everywhere and now you know who we are tonight you're living like a superstar!"
For the longer instrumental solo I had to do a little dance with the background dancers, a little hip swaying here, hair whipping there and just overall lots of fun dance moves.
"Are you ready, are you ready, are you ready let's go! Are you ready, are you ready, are you ready let's go! Are you ready, are you yeah! I'm coming up with all my girls, we're gonna party like there's never a worry cause good times rule so no curfew. Were showing off our moves, the breeze so cool let your hair down. Tonight you get to be a superstar, you're living like a superstar!" As the music died down and the cheers from the audience captivated the entire stadium, I could feel my head throbbing like never before. It had completely crossed my mind that I have a concussion, and probably causing some more damage than I intended.
I walked to the end of the runway and waved out to the crowd, I smiled and brought the microphone up to my mouth.
"Thank you!" I laughed catching my breath, I bent over and bowed, when I came back up I continued to wave to the audience, their cheers getting louder every second, "again I want to thank each and every one of you for coming out tonight, you've all made this the best concert I've had! But I want to make a special shoutout to a group of people in the audience, Harmony and her friends!" I looked to Musa and the others, the girls were freaking out because they were getting a shoutout even though, technically, they won't be able to claim the fame because then it will expose Musa's identity.
"You guys are amazing!" I smiled, "And I want to give one last thank you to everyone who helped make this concert perfect, the dancers, the band and most importantly the fans, without the fans I wouldn't be here!" Of course that made the fans go crazy, it always does. I stood on top of the lift, the same place where I entered at the beginning of the show ready to be taken back down.
"I'll see everyone soon, goodnight!" Suddenly the stadium went dark, I felt the lift bring me down, quicker than it did the first time around. I looked above me and saw the light flash back on, I crouched down and exited the stage from the bottom.
I walked to the back of the stage where all the crew were running around trying to get everything sorted out from the end of the show, I headed straight to my dressing room to get away from all the craziness. Reporters and photographers were trying to get through the security to ask me questions and get pictures, but I quickly opened my door and slammed it shut. I stood against the door, letting out a sigh of relief. I looked to the large vanity-like desk in the corner of the room, I saw my phone and it lit up. I jogged over and picked it up.
4 Missed calls from Sky
13 Texts from Sky
I pressed Sky's contact and called him back, I pushed the phone up against the ear and listened to the ringing on the other end. After a couple rings I got anxious because I didn't know if he was going to answer or not, but then the ringing cut out.
"Hello," Sky answered and on the other end I could hear Brandon talking, but then he stopped.
"What the hell happened Sky?" I asked sternly as I paced through the dressing room, even though the heels were killing me, I needed a way to express my emotions and this was how I was going to do that, "one second you guys were having a great time and the next thing I know I see that fucking girl next to you guys!"
"Stella calm down, it wasn't our fault. Mitzi was antagonizing Brandon the entire night, we both snapped when she starting talking about you, which inevitably got us kicked out," Sky explained his and Brandon's actions which made sense, I just don't understand what drives a girl to do this? Was she just that jealous of me?
"Damn it Sky, next time just leave it be. Don't be sucked into the drama she creates, even if it's talking about me," I ordered, the other line went silent and I heard him let out a little sigh, "now keep everyone away from the house for a while, invite them to go to the Frutti Music Bar or something, I need to get home still."
"I will Stella, just get home safe," replied Sky, I shook my head even though I knew he couldn't see it.
"I will Sky, I love you," I responded
"I love you too Stella, I'll see you later."
I hung the phone up and placed it back on the vanity, I placed my hands flat on top of the table and looked at myself in the mirror. The pink hair, the crazy outfits and the fake identity, how much longer did I want to put this charade on for? When I became Starr, I did it because I loved it and because I felt like part of me was missing if I didn't perform, but the girls and guys have filled that void like never before. They're amazing, and they love me for who I am, for being Stella!
I ripped the pink wig off my head and threw it into my duffle bag, I grabbed a moist makeup remover wipe and took off the sparkles, lip gloss and other makeup that covered my face. I threw the now covered towel into the trash bin and looked at myself once more.
This was me, the real me.
I smiled as I brushed my hair out, I set the hairbrush down and got up, I grabbed some clothes from the racks provided. I threw some ripped jeans on, I rolled them up once to make capris, then I slipped on some white converse and a plain hoodie, something that won't draw any attention to myself.
With my hood on, I didn't look like Starr one bit! I mean except for our identical facial features, but other than that, I'm Stella! I threw my duffle bag over my shoulder and slipped my phone in my hood pocket. I opened the door and peeked my head out, the hallway was empty so I made my exit and quickly at that.
I pushed myself out of the stadium doors allowing the cold air from the LA night to hit my body, immediately I crossed my arms in an attempt to keep myself warm, but that didn't work. So I unlocked my car and hopped in, after turning the car on the warm air hit me making me feel so much better. I pressed the gas and made my way towards my house, but I felt my feet aching from the heels as I pressed harder. But I ignored it until I got home.
I pressed the garage button and allowed the large door to open, I pulled in and as I sat there I let out a sigh of relief because I was finally home and my secret stayed a secret.
For now at least.
I grabbed my stuff and as I exited the car I noticed that my parents vehicle was parked in the driveway, which was weird because they said they weren't going to be home until tomorrow? Entering the house it was silent, I placed the duffle bag on table and looked around, no sight of my parents.
"Mom. Dad!" My voice echoed through the house, I heard a faint response come from the kitchen. I walked into see my parents, my mom was sitting at the counter with her phone and my father was standing up.
"Stella, darling!" My mother stood up and greeted me with a hug, I was kind of hesitant because I didn't know why they were home early. Plus if they were home early then they could have came to my concert, "how was the concert? Did lilly make sure everything went smoothly?" She asked, I just shook my head with a blank face.
"It was fine," I replied, my voice was monotone, "why are you guys home? You said you were out for business until Sunday?" I opened the fridge and grabbed a water bottle, it felt good in my hand. I took a sip as my mother and father shared some concerning looks.
My mother placed her hands on top of mine, "Stella there have been some developments, with the company and everything," she looked to my father and he stepped closer.
"What do you mean?" I asked hesitantly, my mother sighed.
"Your father and I have decided to split," the words that came out of my mother's mouth shocked me, I never knew that my parents had issues so them splitting is a surprise to me.
"Wh-what?" I stuttered
"We are going to continue to work with each other within the company, but with the expansion of out company your father and I have decided that I'm going to stay here to run the business here and he's going to move to New York to run the business from there," my mother explained, I just laughed because I didn't want to believe that what she was saying was true.
"You're kidding right?" I yanked my hands away from my mother and stumbled back, I felt the tears form in my eyes, "what about Sky and I? Don't we deserve some kind of decision in this?"
"Stella this stuff is for the grown ups to worry about, you and Sky just need to worry about school," added my father.
"So you're just ignoring the fact that I have Starr to worry about?" I countered, they shook their heads.
"Starr is the least of our worries honey, we need to worry about your future and Sky's," I couldn't believe what my mother was saying, it's almost as if she wanted me to not be Starr anymore, which pissed me the hell off.
"You don't mean that?" I asked shocked, stepping backwards away from them.
"Stella honey our priorities have to be on the business, not some silly hobby of yours," she replied, I was actually taken aback, plus I was pissed.
"So what you're saying is your business is more important than your children?! More important than our hopes and dreams, because Starr is more than a hobby to me but you wouldn't know that because you never pay attention! Of course you only pay attention to things that benefit you, like all those years you kept me out of school, all those years I could've been making myself a life out of this," I waved my hands like a crazy person as I shouted at my parents, I never shout at my parents but this was driving me crazy.
"Stella this attitude needs to stop!" My dad yelled at me with strict, low voice, but i didn't care, "you wouldn't understand any of this, you're just a child!"
"Just a child? Just a child that you plan on marrying off to build your business, just a child that you guys leave every other week to go worry about your business? Seems to me that you're the ones who don't understand," I yelled, tears were now flowing down my face and my parents faces were shocked, they looked as if I had betrayed them and in a way I guess I did. Their mouths just stayed open, I turned around to see a group of people, the group of people I've been trying so hard to protect from all this drama to preserve our friendship that was still so fresh, so new to me. And standing in the front of them was Sky, he looked hurt, he must've heard everything I said.
'Shit' they all must've heard what I said, including the part about Starr. I looked to my parents then to my friends, tears still falling down my face.
"Stella honey that isn't what-" my mother began but I just shook my head, I didn't want to hear any of their excuses, they said what they said.
"Just forget it, you said what you said," I began, "and don't tell me that you didn't mean it, because you did." I turned around from them and pushed through all my friends, I headed straight for the door and opened it. As much as I wanted to stay here and hope we could make up, I knew what they said they meant. So I didn't hesitate to walk out and slam the door in the process.
A/N: Sorry it took so long for an update, I had it sitting on my computer halfway finished but it's hard writing singing/concert scenes! But here it it..
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