Love Hurts

Chapter 1

“Thank you so much, London! You’ve been wonderful!” I cry, waving to the crowd. “It’s been so great to be able to travel around the country and perform for you all. I’m so honored and can’t believe that it’s over. This is my last few seconds on stage for the Right Place, Right Time tour! Ack!” The screams grew louder and I paused. I didn’t like talking while the crowd was screaming so loud I couldn’t hear what I was saying. “Thank you. Your support mean so much to me. Now, onto the guy you all really came here to see… Olly Murs!”

The lights blacked out and I felt the ground beneath me disappear as the trapdoor opened while a platform pushed Olly up to the stage. I landed with a soft thud onto a pile of mats and heard the opening of Olly Murs’ Heart Skips A Beat playing above me. It would appear to the crowd as though he and I traded places in a matter of seconds, which was a really cool effect. Our bands had switched during my final speech to the fans, introducing Olly to the crowd.

“Great job, Abriella!” Jerry crushed me in a hug and handed me a water bottle. “You rocked it out there tonight!”

“Thanks,” I breathed out heavily. “It’s so fun, I can’t believe it’s over!”

“No kidding! We won’t be able to see that hot bod anymore,” Jerry sighed, looking across the stage at Olly.

“Sure we will. He’s really close to the lads, and I’m sure we’ll keep in tough,” I laughed.

“Okay. But we won’t be able to see him dancing every night…” he pouted.

“I’m sure we can get him to dance,” I patted Jerry on the shoulder. “Shouldn’t I be the one who’s sad it’s over, not you?”

He nudged me, “Yeah. So get to it!”

I laughed.

His phone rang and he pulled it out of his pocket. “It’s your father, gotta take this.”

“Course,” I replied and he darted away to find a quieter area of the venue.

I meandered about backstage and was promptly pulled aside by my redheaded friend, Riley. “Hey, you! Are we going to the end-of-tour-party tonight?”

“I suppose. Who’s hosting it?”

“Simon. Everyone’s gonna be there! And by everyone, I mean you, the band, Olly, One Direction, and your dad. So just everyone we care about.”

“Sounds good,” I shrugged.

“Great! James, Aedin, and Tony are on their way to help Simon and everyone else set up. You, me, and Olly are headed over there after the concert. I guess Olly’s band would rather get wasted at some ratty pub than come to an awesome party with us. Oh well. Whatever. Their loss,” she scoffed.

“Well, show should be over in forty minutes. That gives me time to clean up,” I huffed, still breathing heavily from my performance.

I slipped into the dressing room and looked in the mirror. My side-swept fringe was plastered to my forehead with sweat and my skin also had a sweaty sheen. I leaned over the sink and splashed my face with cold water, removing what makeup was left on my face in the process. I ran my fingers through my hair, pulling it out of its style and sprinkling no-wash hair-shampoo into it. It restored some of the shine and removed the grime.

Then I changed into a more comfortable outfit and reapplied my makeup lightly. Some mascara, blush, and eye liner to bring out my eyes. When I exited the dressing room, Olly was finishing up Troublemaker. I leaned against the wall next to his room and checked my phone. Riley had sent me a text saying she decided not to wait and was headed to the party to help get ready. Impatient child.