Chapter 13
(Italics inside like this.) = Inner thoughts
Bold like this = emphasized words.
[Stuff in these = actions while speaking]
*-*-*-* = Time passing
Aria's POV*I straighten my outfit as I walk up the stairs across the stage and stop at the mic stand. I look back at Ryan, the drummer and mouth wait I want to talk. He nods. I turn and speak into the mic. "Thank you. I would like to take a minute before I sing to say a few things. [I take a breath.] When I first heard this song I felt as if it was about my life. However today is not all about me. Today is one of my closest friends' birthday. I whish her all the best and dedicate this song to my best friends, her especially."
{Kacey Musgraves - Follow Your Arrow}
Spencer's POV*I watch Aria sing half in shock that she talked about me on stage and half in amazement of how good she sings. Emily, Hanna, and I listen and watch quietly.
Aria finishes singing and I get up and walk to meet her as she is walking to the table. I give her a big hug and say, "Thank you. That was way better than a happy birthday song."
Aria hugs back says, "You're welcome. A song says more sometimes than just words."
I release the hug but Aria won't let me go and says, "Hey Spence wait. I have to tell you that I invited Dean to the party later. Don't be mad. I can call and tell him not to come if you want."
I pull free look at her as I think and say, "I'm not mad. Aria I don't need a matchmaker. My parents are not Dean's biggest fans. I thought you knew that. I will call him."
Aria says, "I'm sorry I didn't know. Before you call there is more for you at the table I had to tell you about Dean to stall."
I say, "It's okay. More? Aria what more?" She turns my body and I see Emily and Hanna standing by the table with a cake with candles burning. We walk over.
Three together say, "Happy birthday." I blow out the candles sit and say, "Thanks."
Hanna hands me a box and says, "We got you something that best not be opened at the other party." I untie the ribbon and open the box to find a vibrator and plush material that looks like the robes that Aria and Emily have.
Aria says, "I remembered you said you wanted a robe and then when you and Hanna discovered what we left on the computer I recall you commenting that you didn't have one. Now you do."
Hanna says, "I'm like a professional shopper Spence and I find it hard to get gifts for you. I didn't know what color so I just got white. You can exchange it if you want."
I say, "Thank you guys. I love the robe. No comment on the other."
Aria's POV*I reply to Spencer, "As long as it's not open it can be returned."
Spencer says, "Obviously. I didn't mean that I don't like it. It is just not something I am comfortable talking about." She closes the box and sets it on one of the empty stools.
Hanna says, "I knew it. Ha! Pay up Em." She holds out her greedy hand.
Spencer asks, "Really? You bet on if I wanted it or not? I'll take that, batteries are not free." She grabs the cash from Emily.
I see Spencer's and Hanna's eyes open very wide and Spencer's mouth opens slightly as I hear a man's voice from behind me say, "Excuse me ladies. I see that it's someone's birthday. [Spencer's hand rises slowly] happy birthday. I really don't mean to intrude but may I sit with you?" before I can turn to look he is pulling up a stool. (Is that who I think it is? No way it can't be.) He speaks again, "Hello my name is Kenny and you are the birthday girl?" He offers his hand to Spencer. She shakes his had and says, "Sp..Spencer. And yes it's my birthday." Kenny reaches over to Hanna and she shakes his hand saying her name. He does the same with Emily and me.
(No. I am asleep. This can't be happening I'm dreaming. Did I just do that? I just shook Kenny Chesney's hand?)
I am brought out of my inner conflict by his voice, "Aria I just had to come over and talk to you. I'm here visiting an old friend you know Alex? [I nod] I heard you sing and wanted to come to tell you I'm impressed. I'm sorry if I intruded but I can offer y'all some tickets to a great show tomorrow in Philadelphia [he puts his hand to his face like he is whispering] I got great connections, if y'all would be interested?" We all nod unable to speak.
He says, "Also, Alex has convinced me to do a few songs here, in just a few minutes. I like to do 'you and tequila' in small places like this if I have someone to sing it with. Alex doesn't have the chops for that one. Aria would you be interested?"
I stare at him searching for my voice and say, "I'm no Grace Potter. (Or Matraca Berg or Deanna Carter) Thank you for the offer…" (I'm going to puk- Nope got it.)
He interrupts me and says, "Aria don't make me beg you from the stage. I can see that you are nervous (Nervous? I'm terrified.) but I wouldn't ask if I didn't think you could do it well. I'll warm up the [he looks around] audience with one…then you and I do one?" He is looking at me for an answer. I can't move (Nod your head at least.) I manage to get voice to work and say, "Okay." (Why did I say that? Oh no here comes my lunch. Got it.)
He smiles and says, "Awesome. Ladies it has been my pleasure to meet you. I'll have a round sent to y'alls' table for the intrusion. And y'alls tickets will be at will call." He stands and walks over to the bar.
I feel my hand shaking as Emily says, "You are crushing my hand Aria." I let go.
I say, "I'm sorry I didn't even know I was holding it." (Why is everything blurry?)
Emily takes my face in her hands looks in to my eyes (I know those eyes) and says, "How terrified are you? Deep breath. Come on stay with me." I focus on her eyes and start to relax. I see her smile, lean in and kiss her. (Come on babe let's go to bed I'm tired.) She breaks the kiss looks into my eyes and says, "That's good. Wait nope that was reflex. Aria! Are you going to pass out?" (Not now. Why are you yelling at me?)
I say, "I think I did. Good morning babe I had the weirdest dream."
Lisa walks up to the table sets drinks in front of us and a glass of water with mine and says, "I have got to start hangn' with you guys." And walks away.
Spencer says, "That was no dream Aria. Kenny friken Chesney just asked you to sing with him." (What did she just say?)
Hanna says, "That's who that was. He is hot. I might just become a country music fan."
I pick up the glass of water take a drink and hold it with both shaking hands and say, "I don't think I can."
Emily says, "Not helping guys. She is freaked out," Emily takes the glass from me sets it on the table. I hear the drummer warming up and grab her hands, she says, "Aria. Please don't squeeze so hard. Look at me." I find her comforting eyes and loosen my grip. She says, "You can do this. Just think of it like you are singing to me. I'm the only one here. Relax. Breath."
I smile and say, "Freaked out is close but I'm not there yet." I hear the guitars start to warm up with the drummer and fight the urge to squeeze Emily's hand. I focus on her eyes again. (Come on lungs in, good, out, good. Slower.)
Emily smiles and says, "Good. Aria you didn't crush my hands when the drums started again. I'm not letting go but your grip is still a little too tight." I relax and reach for my water. I take a sip and set it back on the table. (Yuck that was not water.) I smile at Emily's smiling face reach for the water take a drink and set it back on the table. I inhale deep and exhale slow. I start to breath normal and wink.
I say, "I feel better. Thank you. Emily you're are the best." She hugs me. We release the hug when Alex introduces Kenny. Of course there is a roar from the crowd. (Crowd isn't really the correct word to describe the small amount of people but it sure feels like it to me. It's bigger now than it was when I sang before.)
Kenny quickly calms the crowd when he speaks into the mic "I'm not here so keep it down. My friend Alex here tells me that there is a birthday girl in the house and we would like to sing to her if that is all right with you." The crowd cheers.
Alex and Kenny sing and when they say Spencer's name she turned a dark red.
They finish the song and Kenny motions for the crowd to settle, picks up a guitar puts the strap over his head and sits in the chair in the center of the stage. He looks up as he speaks into the mic "My friend Shawn was kind enough to lend me a guitar. Let's see if I can play it as good as he does." He starts to play his song "The good stuff." The band joins in as if they had been playing together for years.
I start to sway my body with the music. I stand, wrap my arms around Emily and match her swaying as best I can with her sitting. About half way through the song a mic appears in front of me. I look to see Jeff. He hands the mic to me and motions for me to follow him. I walk behind him to the stage and stand to the side until Kenny finishes.
He calms the crowd again and speaks into his mic "I hope that some of y'all were here earlier to hear my new friend sing. She is kind enough to join me on this next one." He looks and me and mouths ready. I gulp, smile and nod. I turn on my mic as Kenny begins to play. I start to sing my part and he motions for me to come closer to him. I take a few steps and start to relax. He sings more to me than with me until I relax fully and concentrate on my singing. I see him smile and nod, as he no longer hears the tension in my voice. He looks at his guitar, back at me, and out to the crowd never missing a word.
We finish the song. Kenny gestures at me and says into the mic "Ladies and gentleman Miss Aria Montgomery. [He looks at me] Thank you." The crowd cheers. I think I said "Thank you." But I don't know for sure. I turn off my mic and step to hand it to Jeff.
Kenny stands and walks over to me and asks, "One more? Let's rock a little." He walks over to Alex then moves the mic stand away from the chair and speaks into it as he raises it, "One more then I have to go." I try to sneak off stage but Shawn stops me with the neck of his bass guitar and grins at me.
I jump a little when the drums start. I start to tap my foot to the beat I turn on my mic happy that my singing part is small in Kenny's song American Kids. I dance in place a little before I make my way around the stage and dance with the other members avoiding Kenny but he manages to stop me with the neck of his guitar and sings the third chorus into my mic with me. I hear a voice from the crowd say, "Kiss him." It may have been Hanna but I don't know.
Kenny walks to his mic stand places his mic back as the song finishes and says, "Thank you but remember I was never here. I got to go." He pulls the strap over his head and sets the guitar in a stand as he talks to Alex.
I turn off my mic and step over to hand it to Jeff. I turn to walk off the stage and hear Kenny say, "Aria wait." I stop, and turn as he walks over and says, "You did great thank you. I really have to go but I will see you at the show tomorrow? Do y'all need more than 4 tickets?"
I say, "Thanks. 4 is more than generous."
He smiles and says, "Be ready to sing in front of a real crowd Grace can't be there tomorrow...Whoa relax I was joking. Thank you again. You did great once you relaxed." He turns and walks over to the drum stand. I manage to get my mouth to closed and wobble walk my way to the table. I hope people don't think I'm rude I'm trying to smile and nod at them as I walk but I can barely walk. I get to the table and hear my friends talking but can't understand them.
I reach one had off the stool I'm leaning on grab my drink and drink it all. I set the glass on the table and reach for the full one I see but a hand takes it from me. I look and Emily is looking at me. I smile and reach for the drink. She moves it out of my reach and says, "Aria. Are you in there?" I look into those magic eyes and say, "I…Yes. May I have that now?" Emily hands me the drink and as I put it to my lips I taste whisky and move the glass away. I swallow the small amount of the liquid in my mouth set the drink on the table and say, "Oops. That was your drink. Yuck." I smile at Emily. She smiles back and guides me to a stool and helps me sit. I sigh big as she says, "You were awesome. What happened? Why are you more freaked than before you killed it up there?"
I say, "Kenny said for me to be ready to sing in front of a real crowd tomorrow and I lost it…don't get excited he was joking but that didn't stop the initial freak out."
Spencer says, "Aria you were awesome. This is the coolest birthday ever. Kenny friken Chesney sang happy birthday to me." She comes over hugs me and says, "Em told me that you planed this party for me. Thank you."
I say, "I had nothing to do with Kenny. You are welcome for the rest." She stands out of the hug and says, "We got time for one more drink before we have to go."
Hanna says, "I got it. Aria I told you this morning ROCK STAR. And your girlfriend hurt my arm. Do something to control her would ya." She walks to the bar.
I look at Emily and she says before I could ask, "She deserved it. She told you to kiss Kenny on stage. I had to."
I laugh and say, "I thought that was her. Are you trying to be cute when you are jealous over nothing? You are beyond cute just so you know. Although violence is not your style." Hanna returns with drinks and we quietly toast to an awesome beginning to life after High School.
*-*-*-*At the country club after dinner.
Emily's POV*"That designated driver service is a really great idea. Where did you hear about it?" I ask Hanna slurring my words a little as she puts her phone away.
She answers, "Sorry I was just texting Caleb. He is editing all the video from the mini concert. Yea it is so cool that they come and drive you in your car. Tina one of the other bartenders told me about it one night when I was hiding from Caleb. I try to contribute to the extra fund the bar has to help support the service when I have some extra."
Aria trudges back to the table takes her seat, rubs my back and says, "I'm so ready for bed. The food made me sleepy but at least I don't feel as drunk now."
I look around reach into my bra and press the buttons on the controller and say, "Wake up!" I feel her playfully hit my back and then a quick buzz. She says, "That just makes me want to go to bed more. I almost forgot about those."
Spencer walks up with a slight stager, "Hey. Sorry I had to make the rounds. It is so hard to not brag about what happened." She sits folds her arms on the table and lays her head on them. She asks, "Can you guys get alternative transport tonight? I will come get you tomorrow and take you to get your car. I guess Melissa could drive us all but I don't want you to subject you to that much unpleasantness."
Hanna looks up from her phone and says, "On it. Caleb will be here soon. And check your e-mail in private he sent a video to all of us that best not be viewed by parents."