Friday had come. Marley was trying to remain calm for most of the day, but she always remembered what day it was and what she was going to do at work. She had called all her close friends to be her moral support, also to protect her if this guy dared to make a move on her.
She was sitting in front of the mirror in her dressing room, five minutes before her performance, and she was taking deep breaths, telling herself nothing would go wrong. But she couldn't help but freak out. She was about to sing a duet with a guy that had made her feel uncomfortable since the first time they saw each other. He looked to be so confident that he was going to end up with her, which of course wasn't going to happen in a billion years. She was with Kitty after all, and the girl made her happy, she wouldn't change her for the world. The fact that she had to sing a love song with him in front of her girlfriend though, it was going to be awkward.
She heard a knock on the door. She stood up and opened the door, finding Kitty and Sam.
"Thank god you're both here, I'm kind of loosing it right now." She said as they entered the room.
"Don't worry, if he makes a move on you I'll kick his butt so hard he won't be able to sit in twenty years." Sam said with a serious expression, making Marley and Kitty chuckle.
"I second that." Kitty raised her hand to make her point. Marley walked up to her and side hugged her.
"I know you would do that, but I would punch him first straight in the face." Marley said. She walked to the mirror and looked at herself for the last time before turning to them. "Alright, let's get this over with."
They walked out and into the hallway. Sam wished her good luck and walked away. Kitty stayed behind with Marley.
"It's gonna be fine, don't worry." Kitty reassured her, she gave her a quick kiss on the lips before walking away the same way as Sam.
Marley took a deep breath and walked to the curtain that separated the stage from the dressing rooms. She found Gower leaning on a wall with a smirk and she restrained herself from rolling her eyes.
"We're about to go on stage, I hope you're ready." He said to her. A man came to them and told them they could go on stage now. They walked up the few stairs that lead to the stage and walked to the middle where there were microphones. Gower grabbed a guitar and sent her a wink before starting to play the first chords of the song. Marley looked into the crowd in search of her friends and locked eyes with Kitty, that made her a little calm. Then she started singing, without looking away.
" All I knew this morning when I woke
Is I know something now, know something now I didn't before.
And all I've seen since eighteen hours ago
Is green eyes and freckles and your smile
In the back of my mind making me feel like
I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now
I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now."
Then he joined her, getting close to her. To the surprise of Marley, he didn't sing so bad. She looked at him for a second before looking to the crowd.
"I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now
I just wanna know you, know you, know you better
'Cause all I know is we said hello
And your eyes look like coming home
All I know is a simple name, everything has changed
All I know is you held the door
You'll be mine and I'll be yours
All I know since yesterday is everything has changed."
He was looking at her the whole time, she tried not to show how awkward she felt.
While he sang his part he walked around her with his guitar, and every time, she looked to the other direction. She didn't care anymore if the public noticed her discomfort. Then she joined him in the chorus, he had stopped moving but he was still looking at her. For the next part, she sang looking at Kitty, trying to show her that the song was meant for her even though she was singing it with someone else. She found comfort in her green eyes and she let a little bit loose of the tension on her shoulders. And then the chorus hit again.
"Come back and tell me why
I'm feeling like I've missed you all this time, oh, oh, oh.
And meet me there tonight
And let me know that it's not all in my mind."
Kitty smiled at her, showing her that she understood the message of the song.
"I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now.
I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now."
The song finished, Marley was still looking at Kitty but the moment broke when he got close to her ear.
"They enjoyed us. It would be easier if we were together and believe me, we will." He said.
She moved away from him and quickly got out of stage. He stayed on stage acting like nothing had happened and began playing another song. She walked to her dressing room and closed the door. She began pacing around with her hand on her forehead. She sat down in a chair with her head between her hands.
I can't believe this guy! He's really getting into my nerves. She thought. The door swang open and Kitty was immediately by her side. She bend down and grabbed Marley's hands.
"He's so annoying! I can't spend another minute with him. I would rather kill myself." She said exasperated.
"Don't think that way, and don't let him get into you, Mar." Kitty whispered.
"It's just... He keeps saying stuff and I'm afraid that he'll make a move to try to break us apart." She was in the verge of tears. Kitty grabbed her head between her hands gently and looked into her eyes.
"Don't cry, he is not worth your tears. He is just a useless piece of garbage that has nothing other than his ego. Why don't you talk to your boss about it?"
Marley sighed loudly. "I'm scared, I mean, he is his nephew so I don't think that would end up in my favor."
"Well, you could try. And if it doesn't work then maybe this is not the place for you." Kitty said softly. Marley looked at her and nodded slowly.
Kitty let go of her and grabbed her hands again. "I'll be here for you, Mar. No matter what happens."
Marley smiled a little. "Thank you."
Kitty smiled back. "Now, you go out there and you show him that he can't mess with you."
"I have an idea," Marley said with a mischievous smile. "But I'm gonna need your help."
Kitty raised an eyebrow smirking. "Alright, what do you have in mind?"