The Spotlight Effect(SAMPLE)

Two: The Concert End

Grayson Archer

The crowd cheers as our band logo flashes over the stage, closing out our concert. The stage goes dark, letting one more flood of red glowing water strike down with silver confetti falling, the curtains shutting.

Finally, I take my guitar off and sit in its stand. "I can eat now," Charlie says, pulling out his earpiece and turning it off. I remove my earpiece along with everyone else, but my ears feel slightly sore from the two hours of wearing them.

"I can finally take this tight skirt off," Scarlett says, shimmying a bit to adjust.

"You choose to wear it," Kenan states, and Scarlett rolls her eyes, probably thinking he responded just like a boy would.

While we close the stage down and put our instruments in their cases, Austin's wife, Bridgett, welcomes the VIP's backstage to the greeting room. I make sure to tell the staff my guitar needs to be put in my car so I can take it home as I walk off the stage.

"Good job tonight, guys. Meeting in my dressing room after meet and greets," Austin, our manager, calls out while making his way across the stage.

Great, another meeting. Lately it's like we have three meetings a week about something. Most of it is because of our great success: everyone wants to interview us, have us on their show or want tours placed somewhere else. Austin and Golden Star are demanding a lot recently. 

"Have you finished the new song?" Charlie asks me as he slings his arm over my shoulders and starts to walk with me off the stage.

"I'm working on it. Just gotta get the last verse down, and then it'll be good," I answer.

"Alright, remember we need it in two days, but no pressure," Charlie reminds me.

"I remember. Two days..." I say. Charlie pats my shoulder and walks off. I head to my dressing room to finally catch my breath.

I run my fingers through my sweaty hair and mark another show off my calendar. Before I leave to go to the meet and greet, I take a seat on my black leather couch, letting out a deep sigh. I need a break.

Another show, another check. Another lonely night is coming up. No time for a pity party, I have fans waiting to meet the great Grayson Archer. I pull myself together, put some cologne on, rinse my mouth with mouthwash, and apply some lip balm before heading to the VIP rooms. Time to put on a happy face.

I get up and make my way out of my dressing room. Legend Hall is famous not only for having the biggest music legends playing here but also for being one of the biggest concert halls in all of America.

I breathe in and walk into the room of screaming fans. It never gets old. The adrenaline and life rushing into me because I know I'm being loved for my music. My music makes people happy and that's all I ever wanted to do. Getting to see my fans and knowing I make a difference for some people makes all this worth it. Even the hard parts.

After the meet and greet, autographs having been signed and thousands of pictures having been taken, I'm finally done. I'm free to do whatever I please for the rest of the night.  I love my fans, don't get me wrong, but sometimes, all of it can be too much for me. Overstimulating even. I'm not the biggest fan of being surrounded by people, which may make you wonder why I'm a rockstar.

It's time for the band meeting and I know it, but I don't want to go just yet. I decided taking my time and letting my brain calm down is the best thing for now. I'll go in five minutes.

-

"Last as always, Charlie and Gray," Austin says as we enter the room, almost ten minutes late.