Listen To Your Heart ~ Book One.

The Countdown Begins part 2

(Later that night, I'm the opening act for Billie. I open with the song Shake Me.)

(Claudia is watching me from backstage, as we rock the crowd. Finneas is still in Billie's dressing room with his parents, pacing back and forth.)

"Where the hell is she? Billie should've been here an hour ago!"

"We've all tried calling her cellphone. She's not answering." (Maggie replies.)

(Suddenly Billie comes strolling in, hand in hand with their new manager. Her hair is a mess, and his shirt is slightly unbuttoned.)

"Sorry I'm late. We were...discussing business."(Billie giggles.)

"My apologies to all. I will let you get ready, Billie."

"Hey! Wait a minute!"

(Billie grabs him and gives him a long kiss goodbye as he grabs her ass. Her parents and Finneas look on in shock. He leaves as Billie gets ready.)

"Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O'Connell just where the hell have you been?"(Her father asks.)

"Like I said, Dad. We were discussing business."

"Why were you kissing someone you've just meant? What about you and David?" (Maggie asks.)

"Who? Oh...him. Ancient history. Besides, James and I talked. Everything's going to be great. I'm so much in love. I'm truly happier than ever!"

(Finneas and his parents exchange a worried look. They leave so Billie can finish getting ready. Meanwhile David is on stage playing his music. A blonde comes walking out onto the stage unexpectedly, as the crowd cheers. She walks up to David.)

"Hi ya,big boy."

"Miley Cyrus? What are you doing here?"

"What do you think? We're going to do a song together."

"We are?"

"Uh-huh. You wouldn't want to disappoint your fans...would you?"

"No....but...what song?"

"What else? Black Dog."

(After the song, Miley gives David a hug.)

"See you backstage after your show. We have things to discuss."

(She slaps David's ass as the crowd cheers. He watches her go, wondering what the hell she was talking about.)

(David goes over to the piano.)

"I'd like to do a song now. Dedicated to those who have experienced love, and heartbreak...and sometimes...you might feel a bit of regret over breaking up in the first place. This song is for you."

(I sit and wait for Billie to come out. She doesn't show. I continue to wait, wondering what the hell is going on. Finneas approaches Claudia backstage.)

"Billie just now arrived. She's claiming she's in love with our new manager. How is that possible? She just meant him earlier today! How is this going to affect David claiming paternity for the baby?"

"I don't know, but he is waiting for Billie onstage now."

"But she's not ready yet!"

"What are we supposed to do?"

"You take her place."

"Me?"

(Claudia comes walking out on the stage, and waves as the crowd cheers. She sits beside me at the piano. I put my hand over the microphone.)

"Where's Billie?" I whisper.

"She's not ready yet. Guess you'll have to sing to me instead." Claudia replies.

"A love song? To you? What's Finneas gonna say?"

"It was his idea. People are waiting!"

"Damn it."

(I begin singing the song, I Need You.)

(The crowd cheers. Claudia and I lock eyes. We were both thinking the same thing. She quickly gets up and waves to the crowd, as she leaves. I exhale a deep breath.)

(I continue rocking the crowd. Claudia goes backstage, smiles at Finneas and then rushes into the nearest bathroom. She splashes cold water on her face, as she stares at her reflection in the mirror. David's words echo in her mind.)

'Do you want to have a baby with me?'(Claudia couldn't believe David had said that, although it was true, Claudia had asked him first. She couldn't deny the fact that she wanted a child of her own someday, but to who? David? Finneas? Finneas was trying really hard to prove his love and devotion to her...but there was still the matter of the big lie concerning Billie's baby, and there was another issue now. The new manager/producer. Claudia knew Billie's parents and Finneas weren't happy that Billie was going along with everything this guy said without consulting with them first.)