Chapter 14: Familiair
Aria took a deep breath as she hunched over. Saying she was exhausted was an understatement. She had been working 48 hours straight in the studio, no air, no sleep. Tying her hair into a ponytail, she listened to the recording again, making sure it was perfect, no glitches. The past hour, she'd been editing small parts. Kelly was coming to listen to it soon and it needed to be perfect. Especially if Camille came along.
"Aria, you better be done." Kelly stormed in with her arms crossed.
"Yes Kelly. It's all done." She answered with an eye roll.
"About time," Camille responded as she walked in, "Lets hear it then, quick quick."
The brunette walked over, trying not to throw the mic stand at them and hit play as the music flooded through the speakers. Kelly took a seat, staring at her nails as she listened to the song. Aria looked between them, not knowing what they were thinking. Probably criticism again. As the song stopped, Camille and Kelly looked at each other, the same look on their face.
"Perfect." Camille commented.
"Really?" Aria raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Now, the performance has been set for two weeks ahead." Kelly replied, looking at her.
"What? Where is it?" She asked, furrowing her eyebrows.
"Not in Mystic Falls, that's for sure." Kelly smirked.
"We will be in touch Aria." They walked out, leaving her speechless.
"Uhh...why dad?" Falling back onto the couch, she glared at the ceiling.
Hearing her phone, she lifted it and seen Damon's face come up on the screen, making her smile. Even when they weren't together, he could make her smile. Shaking her head, she answered it with a smile.
"Hey handsome." Pushing her hair back, she closed her eyes.
"Hey beautiful, how did it go? All good?" His voice soothed through the phone.
"Surprisingly, they liked it. Still not appreciative, but what did I expect to be honest?"
"Are you all finished up now?" Damon questioned, searching through the fridge.
"Yes, for a couple of weeks anyway...at least."
"Wanna come home? I've missed you." He raised an eyebrow, smiling big.
"I'll be there as fast as I can."
"You better be and all."
Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and looked in the mirror. Her make-up was done, her hair was done. Everything was perfect. They'd left Mystic Falls a week ago and they were now in Los Angeles, believe it or not. Turns out Camille has a private jet, what a shock. Brushing herself down, she looked at the time, watching it tick by.
"Nearly time." Aria murmured nervously.
"Knock knock." Damon stepped in, grinning, "I think Kelly made a pass at me."
"What a shock." Smiling softly, she turned to him and crossed her arms.
"How are you feeling? It's still too late. I could compel her."
"No no," She laughed, "The sooner this is done, the sooner it's over and I've proved my dad wrong."
"Got your iPod then? They need to plug it in for this bitch."
"Oh," Lifting it, she handed it over, "It's already on the track."
"Okie dokie," He walked out, but poked his head back in, "Aria?"
"Hmm?" She turned to him, raising an eyebrow.
"You look phenomenal." He winked with a grin and walked out.
Blushing, she laughed and checked herself in the mirror one last time, before walking out. Moving down the hallway, she looked around, hearing the crowd cheering from the main room. Going backstage, she looked around, seeing Kelly and Camille. Walking over, she bit her lip as she seen them arguing with each other.
"Is something wrong?" She looked between them both.
"Yes. Technical difficulties unfortunately." Camille hissed at her.
"You are going to sing live!" Kelly snapped at her, getting worked up.
"What? No I'm not. That's impossible." Aria told them, getting annoyed.
"No, you'll sing backstage. Kelly was already going to mime with the song, but now she'll be miming with you, it's easily done."
"That wasn't the deal here!"
"You do it or you can kiss your future goodbye Aria."
"Think about it." Kelly told her, walking off with Camille.
"Unbelievable." The brunette whispered.
"Aria?"
Turning around, she seen Damon, Caroline, Elena and Stefan were standing behind her, confused looks on their faces. She let out a sigh and smiled softly, shaking her head, feeling tired.
"We heard. What are you going to do?" Caroline questioned her.
"I'm going to have to sing live I guess." Aria shrugged.
"She's being a real bitch." Elena responded with a frown, not liking her.
"Your telling me." Chewing her lip, she lifted the microphone.
"I got an idea," Stefan whispered to Elena, "Good luck Aria."
"Uh, thanks Stefan," She answered, watching him walk off.
"We'll go. Good luck Aria." Caroline and Elena walked off.
Clearing her throat, Aria gripped the microphone and hummed to herself. Damon smiled, wrapping his arms around her as he kissed her head with a soft smile, knowing she was exhausted.
"You're going to be amazing." He whispered to her.
"I don't know what I would do without you." She responded honestly with a smile.
"Hmm, I'd hate to think about it." Damon answered honestly.
"Hopefully, we'll never have to." Leaning up, she kissed him softly.
"Mmhm." He murmured, "Good luck. I'll be cheering you on."
"Thank you. I love you." She pecked his lips again.
"I love you too Ar." He told her with a smile and walked off.
"And now we have Kelly Wild up next singing her own written song called Make you Believe, give it up for her!" The announcer cheered and clapped.
Aria closed her eyes, feeling sick. She was going to sing live and it had to be perfect. Being exhausted didn't help that fact She felt as if she were going to faint. Licking her lips, she moved to the right place and watched as Kelly walked onto the stage with her back dancers and posed, waiting for the music to start. Luckily Aria had made a separate backing track in case disaster struck. This was the kind of disaster that didn't come to mind. Hearing the music, she took a breath, waiting for the right moment and began singing.
Plug in the mic
Open the curtains
Turn on the lights
I'm through rehearsing
The feeing ignites
I'm in control
The crowds in the palm of my hands
All my fans stand
Aria breathed deeply, knowing she was going to have to stay strong, no matter how bad she felt. She could do this, for them. For the sake of her dad. She had to do this, she had to be the best that she could be and she was going to prove to everyone that she was.
What is the truth
What's an illusion
Your searching for proof
But are you certain
Whatever you see
Is what you get
If words paint a picture then I betcha I can getcha yet
Camille sat back in the crowd, watching Kelly on stage and smirked. Her plan was going well. Byron would never know what hit him. This is what he gets for thinking he can break up with her. She was showing him who was boss. She listened, knowing Aria was doing an extremely good job, it made her laugh. Poor girl didn't know what she was in for, only the little part of it.
I'll make you believe in me
I can be whatcha want me to be
Tonight is the night, where I'll make you see
That I can be anything, anything, anything
I'll make you believe in me
I can be whatcha wan-
Aria gasped as the microphone was taken off her by Caroline and she went wide-eyed as the microphone shrieked in the process. Booing could be heard from the area as she went wide-eyed. Rushing over to her, she grabbed her arm as she reached for the microphone and gasped as Caroline dropped to the ground, holding her head in her hands, pain seeping through her.
"Aria, what-" The blonde moaned in pain.
"Car, I didn't. I'm...n...not." Aria looked at her hands, scared and looked back at Caroline as she vanished at the speed of lightning. Aria quickly lifted the microphone as Camille walked round the corner.
I've got nothing to lose
I've been exposed
I'm paying my dues
Playing the role
I'm breaking the rules
Flowing the flow
I've got the whole world nodding yes
Like some bobble heads
Stefan rounded the corner, holding the camera that was directed at Kelly from the side of the stage, which was showing Aria on camera as she went wide-eyed, shaking her head at him.
Ill break the sweat
If you wanna
Confess all your sins
You know you got them
The rooms in a spin
The fevers pitched
I swear there's no doubt I'm legit
I'm no counterfeit
Elena came from behind her, pushing her onto stage as she tumbled onto stage, gasps emitting through the crowd as Kelly glared at her and Camille looked around in panic, not knowing what to do.
I'll make you believe in me
I can be what you want me to be
Tonight is the night
Where I make you see
That I can be anything
Anything, anything
I'll make you believe in me
I can be what you want me to be
Tonight is the night
Where I make you see
That I can be anything
Anything, anything
You want from me
Aria swallowed nervous as the crowd cheered her on and Kelly had stormed off stage, throwing a hissy fit in the process. Camille watched in horror, shooting daggers at her as she looked for Damon in the crowd, her brown eyes hitting the blue ocean ones as he gave her a comforting smile and gave her a thumbs up, nodding at her to continue what she was doing.
I'm not shy, boy
I can be what you want
Your bright shiny toy
You just have to respond
The clock never stops
But baby, it's time
There's no doubt in my mind
That I can make you believe
I can be what you want me to be
Tonight is the night
Where I make you see
That I can be anything
Anything, anything
I'll make you believe in me
I can be what you want me to be
Tonight is the night
Where I make you see
That I can be anything
Anything, anything
I'll make you believe in me
I can be what you want me to be
Tonight is the night
Where I make you see
That I can be anything
Anything, anything
I'll make you believe in me
I can be what you want me to be
Tonight is the night
Where I make you see
That I can be anything
Anything, anything
You want from me
The crowd burst into a round of applause as she looked around, breathless, her face flushed as she can't believe what just happened. All she knows, is that it wasn't something she was familiar with.
A/N: Hey everyone, so this is going to be a confusing chapter for some. Some things have happened that your thinking, wait, what? But it will all come together as we go more into the story. Hope you enjoyed.
Shauna
xx