It's in the accent (Chris's story pt1)

Swallow the grapfruit

Mr. Sorenson held the door open as we got to the stage entrance that was busy with people running in and out setting up the stage. My hands were shaking and my palms were sweating as we walked inside.

"You okay?" Pete whispered slipping his arm round my waist. I could feel him trembling as much as I was.

"I can't believe we're here." I whispered back as Miranda linked her fingers with mine and gave my hand a squeeze.

"Christine." the unmistakable Russian accent of Elena cut through the air making us all jump. "You all made it." she came over and hugged me and the guys in turn as Lukas stood smiling behind her.

"Yeah." was about all I could get out.

"Excellent." she looked at the shirt I was wearing and grinned. "I see Dimitri got you his number." she chuckled putting her arm round me and leading me forward, grabbing Alfie's hand with her other hand.

"He gave it me about an hour ago." I said nervously looking round at all the packing cases all with NICKELBACK sprayed on them. "are we supposed to be backstage?" I whispered like a kids trying not to get caught telling a secret.

"Yes; yes you are supposed to be back here; I have these for all of you." Simon came over with a bunch of passes in his hand and put one round each of our necks. "Okay, Lukas can you take the others back to the dressing room while we go up to the stage."

"Sure." Lukas took the clothing bags from Emma and Miranda "You guys can come this way." they all walked off disappearing into the darkness. 

I swallowed hard and I could hear Kerion chanting 'don't puke breathe, don't puke breathe.' as we walked up some steps and out on to the stage. The house lights were up full and made me blink a couple of times after being backstage.

"And welcome to the world of Arena's." Simon threw out his arms. People were bustling around setting up lighting and sound and other equipment.

"I feel like I'm in a dream." I turned round on the spot trying to take it all in. I heard Elena laugh a little

"Well you guys need to get yourselves together a little and we'll come get you to do a sound check in about ten minutes." Simon laughed. "this is where you'll be playing tonight. We've also opened the doors to anyone who wants to come."  I looked at him and raised my eye brows. "We're hoping for at least two thousand people." I staggered back a little. As someone came over to him and started showing him some papers. "ten minutes okay. Elena you need to come look at these he held up the papers. "Chase will you take these guys down to the dressing room." a tall guy in his mid twenty's came over; his ball cap on his head backwards a tool belt round his waist.

"Sure." he smiled at us. "This way." he led us backstage "Mrs. C has been raving about you all day; you have us all waiting to hear you guys." he drawled in a heavy Canadian accent. "And I'm not just talking roadies." he pushed open a door.

"So what are you talking?." Pete asked putting his guitar case down.

"Oh everyone here and others." he laughed. "later." he walked out and closed the door the four of us looked at each other. I sank down into a chair. "I need someone to pinch me because this is."

"Insane, crazy, awesome." Alfie laughed as the door opened again and Miranda walked in with all of the others.

"Well you guys all look like you've seen a ghost." Emma smirked.

"You need to go out there and look out." Pete whistled. "it's scary."

"Oh we know rock stars." Miranda sang leaping round the room;  before she opened her bag and pulled out a red and white Wisconsin shirt. "I'm styling the band. I know you've got that football shirt but I thought you'd like a little bit of the real you."