Nina (Two Days Later)
I bit my lip as I adjusted my new concert outfit. It was the night of the concert, and Tracy was making some last minute touches to my hair, which, according to her, was the death of her. I stood up and checked my appearance one last time in the mirror.
I was wearing a black tank top with sequins in the shape of a bow in the center. I wore white shorts that ended a quarter ways down my thighs, and black wedges. My hair was straightened and braided to the side, and my makeup made my eyes look huge, my face more rounded. I wore a simple silver locket in the shape of an oval.
"What do you think, darling?" Tracy asked, smacking on some gum. "I love it," I said, turning around. "Five minutes to show time," a voice called over the intercom. I took a deep breath, nodded at Tracy, and started walking towards the stage entrance.
"Nina Martin to backstage. Thirty seconds to show time," the robotic voice intoned. I sucked in a deep breath and started humming to myself to contain my jitters. I counted down in my head. Twenty seconds…fifteen…five…three…oh god, HERE WE GO! I jogged out to be greeted by a roar of people. "HELLO, FRANCE, HOW ARE YOU TONIGHT?!" I yelled to the crowd as soon as I got to the microphone. Everyone yelled back 'great', and I smiled. "ALL RIGHT! Now…I love you too! Anyway, settle down. This first song is dedicated to my grandmother, who died about a month ago. I love you, gran!" Everyone sighed collectively when I said that, as if they were sorry for me.
I took a deep breath, and began to sing:
Hmmm, mmm
All my life I've waited for the right moment to let you know
I don't want to let you go
But now I realize there's just no perfect time
To confess how I feel
This much I know is real
So I refuse to waste one more second without you knowing my heart!
Baby, cause I don't need anything else but your love
Nothing but you means a thing to me
I'm incomplete when you're not there, holding me touching me
I swear, all of the rest could just disappear
And I wouldn't even care, as long as you're there!
I poured all of my sadness and pain that had been held back without me even realizing it, into the song. It was one of those few times that I was completely into the song, without even acknowledging the crowd.
Take these words, don't let them go unheard
This is me reaching out
I hope you can hear me now
Cause baby my heart's at stake, take it it's yours to break
I'd rather try and lose than keep this love from you, yeah
So I refuse to waste one more second without you knowing my heart!
Baby, cause I don't need anything else but your love
Nothing but you means a thing to me
I'm incomplete, when you're not there, holding me touching me
I swear, all of the rest could just disappear
And I wouldn't even care, as long as you're there!
Each day and night that I kept this a secret it killed me
It's time to share what I feel inside!
I don't need anything else but your love
Nothing but you means a thing to me
I'm incomplete, when you're not there, holding me touching me
I swear, all of the rest could just disappear
And I wouldn't even care, as long as you're there!
As long as you're there!
I didn't realize I was singing to a silent crowd until I stopped. Usually there are whoops and hollers, a few babies crying from the loud noise. But perfect quiet took over the audience. I was uneasy. Did they like it? I replaced the microphone, and it crackled as it was being adjusted. Then, there was clapping. Someone was slowly clapping. I stared as it grew, until the hand slapping made my ears ring, and everyone was standing, screaming my name, and suddenly I was crying, waving as I made my way backstage.
Harris got to me with an amazed expression. "That was the best you've ever done," he said, "And that was LIVE. I've never even heard you sing that song. That isn't what we rehearsed," he finished, but he didn't look angry. "I wrote the song two days ago, and I told the band my plan today and gave them the music. I knew you wouldn't condone it, so I didn't tell you…" He hugged me hard. "Your grandmother would've been so proud of you," he whispered into my ear. "Thank you, Harris. Thank you," I smiled into his hug.
oOoOoOo
"Wow, Neens. That was a kick-butt performance," Amber complimented me as she redid my hair. It was a little thing we did whenever something important happened. Right now she was putting it into a French braid, or as she called it, 'plait'. I just love British accents.
"Thanks," I said sheepishly. I was so glad she was doing better. She seemed genuinely happy now, and she wasn't so obsessed with her weight. I mean, she would always be wary of the scale now, but she could accept that and was trying to recover. I was so proud of Amber. We did have a slight tiff about the whole alcohol thing, but I really couldn't get mad at her when I wasn't drunk.
"I mean seriously, it was the best you've done, and that's something," Amber continued. "Thanks so much, but now I want to rest," I sighed, ready for bed. "Oh. Sorry, then…" the doorbell rang. "Amber…" I turned towards her. "What'd you do?" "I might've invited all of Anubis house to play 'Spin the Bottle'," Amber grinned, unrepentant of her actions. I groaned, and stood up. "Let's get this over with."
The next chapter should be coming soon!
