Authors Note: I own nothing. No ownership rights to Beverly Hills 90210. None to I Said Hi writer and singer Amy Shark produced by Dann Hume and M-Phazes.
Chapter One: I said Hi
"How good was Ray's set?" I chuckle to myself, crushes really do die hard for Kelly.
"Yeah, he was great." Especially considering this was the largest crowd he had ever played in front of. I know how nervous he was, but he did an amazing job.
"Mr Walsh these are awesome seats, probably the best in the whole place. Considering the concert sold out in thirty minutes are you finally going to admit that Raven is a client?" Steve gives Jim a persuasive look. "Come on big guy how else did you get so many seats for this?"
"Steve, if you finally admit that you covered the Hollywood Sign last week after your graduation, then I'll fill you in." The gang all look at each other. It was a secret we had decided to keep between us, well at least till our first high school reunion. Steve was the weak link in this secret keeping, especially as it was an epic brag, Jim knew this.
"Really?" He was actually weighing this up. Seriously, one week that's all he could hold it for. Brandon seeing Steve wavering steps in.
"I forgot to say earlier, Bren said Hi to everyone." I nearly lost it then. I turn to look at the massive crowd in an attempt to keep my face neutral.
"She's not going to be able to come out and see us?"
"No Donna. I asked but she said she'll be pretty busy tonight so she'll catch up with us another time. I guess she has a lot of backstage stuff to do."
Just then my arm gets playfully rammed by Camille in her less than subtle way to indicate she has arrived.
"Hey how's it going back there?"
"Fine. Everyone is a little nervous I think. Raven's quiet, she's focusing on getting her voice warmed up. It shouldn't be long." I nod and take a calming breath this was a big night for her. She will not only unmask herself tonight but it will also be her first ever show in front of an audience. There is a lot on her shoulders tonight. The iconic Hollywood Bowl currently had a seventeen thousand plus crowd, and with her recently being crowned Rolling Stone Number One Musical Artist for 1993 the expectations were crazy.
Camille looks at me and speaks a little quieter. "I'm sure you could of come backstage with me, wished them all luck." I look to make sure no one is listening to us.
"No I don't want to get in her head right now. She has a lot of emotions to go through tonight, stir up. It's going to be hard for her to channel the past to ground the songs. If I was there right now, well you know her she'll start worrying about me."
"You going to be okay?"
"Yeah, we've made peace with it. Don't get me wrong some of the songs will be hard to take, especially some of her most recent stuff, but it's her, our story, our truth. We can't change it." An arm comes around my shoulder and around Camille's, and then Roy sticks his head in between us.
"You ready for my girl to come out? She's going to be outstanding." I roll my eyes, I'm getting used to him taking great pleasure in using that epithet around me.
As he said it the lights on stage darken and we can see movement. The guys are getting into their positions. I give a quick glance to Jim and Cindy, she's squeezing his hand so tight- nervous for her daughter. Next to her my Mother is holding onto a crystal for dear life. As I turn back to the stage I clock the gang, they are all excited. Donna and surprisingly even Kelly are now bouncing up and down in anticipation.
Just then the music starts to play, followed by a voice coming out from the shadows behind Chris on the drums. She's walking slowly to the front singing the introduction. The lights are gradually rising, but it's not until she hits centre stage, at the exact moment she belts the chorus do the lights explode in brightness. At that moment Raven is finally introduced to the world.
"Holy Fuck!"