An Angel's Tail

Chapter 28

Well, St. Patrick's Day arrived, and it was finally time for our first real concert. We'd managed to sell all our tickets, which meant it would be a full house. Our costumes were made and ready. Our hair and makeup was done. All instruments were tuned, and everything was set up. We did a quick soundcheck, and we were ready to start.

In the lobby, we'd set up a table where we would sell copies of our album that we'd finally finished. The CDs were only $5 a piece. We were going to sell them for the full $10, but we decided that it would be too much for a brand new, unknown band to charge. We made sure there were plenty of copies for everyone and their dog. They weren't all prettied up with disc art and a fancy CD booklet, but we hoped that wouldn't bother anyone. Hey, we couldn't afford to do that quite yet. We were just starting out.

The concert was an afternoon matinée, and the auditorium was packed. We were all a little nervous but very excited. We warmed up our voices and instruments, and soon, it was time to begin.

Our very first song was an original group number. I was rather nervous, but as soon as I started to sing, it all melted away. I was in heaven! I looked out into the crowd, and seeing the audience clapping along brought so much joy. Then, as the song finished, I caught a glimpse of a familiar face, and my heart jumped out of my chest. I managed to keep going as if nothing was bothering me, but as soon as we exited the stage, I began to panic a bit. Thankfully, the next four songs were individual solos from each vocalist, and my solo was last.

"Hey," Kelly said, noticing my panicked face, "you okay?"

"Yeah, I... I'm good," I stuttered. "I just need a minute."

"I know what it is," Honey said. "You saw Liana, didn't you?"

I nodded.

"Who's Liana?" Kelly asked.

"She was one of Maddie's biggest bullies in middle school."

"Oh, shit." Kelly remembered the slumber party story that I told in the support group a few years ago.

"What is she doing here?" I panted. "Why does she wanna see me in concert? Does she wanna see me fail, so she can film it, and put it on YouTube again? Is she trying to ruin my life again?"

Honey placed a calming hand on my shoulder. "Hey, hey, it's okay. Come here, Baby. Come here." She pulled me into a big hug. "Take a deep breath."

I did so, in through my nose and out my mouth.

"It's gonna be okay, Baby," Honey said lovingly as she wrapped her tail around me. "I know how awful she was to you. Seeing her again is triggering all those painful memories, and you're so scared it'll happen again. But, Sweetie, look how far you've come. You're not that thirteen-year-old girl anymore. You're older and wiser and so much stronger. It's okay that you feel triggered, but don't let her ruin this moment for you. You've worked so hard on this song that you wrote. It's so beautiful and meaningful and special. Just get out there, and sing your heart out. Put your heart and soul into that song. If you're scared or triggered, channel that into your song. Whatever you're feeling, channel that into your song, and you will show her that you're not that little girl that she can walk all over anymore. Besides, Baby, it's been ten years. She was just a child, too, but she's all grown up now. She very well might've changed. She might be a better person now. If not, well, that's on her, and if that's the case, I feel so sorry for her."

"Yeah, Kelly agreed, "you're an amazing singer and performer, and you have a story to tell. You wrote an amazing song. This is your moment to shine, and don't let that conniving bitch take that away from you. You get out there, and show her she can't fuck with you anymore. Show her that you're stronger and better now, and that will be the best 'fuck you' she could ever get from you."