Cigarettes & Coffee Hearts

Concert #2

We ended up going to Olive Garden. I ordered a ravioli portobello, and Derek ordered a fettuccine alfredo.

"You think we'll make it through tonight's concert?" I asked him. He paused, then shrugged. "You doubt yourself, don't you?" he asked back. I flinched since his words had never been so true, but to Hell if I would let him know it. "Me? Doubting myself? If I doubted myself I wouldn't be in this band." I responded, taking a drink of my Sprite.

"You're lying. I can practically read it in your eyes." He grinned. 'This jerk' I instanly thought. I rolled my eyes at him. "Did you read that?" I smirked when he scowled at me. "But seriously - I don't doubt myself... as much as you think I do anyways. When I was on that stage last night, and I saw all those people singing and enjoying our covers, it made me really happy. I didn't have to doubt myself after that, I just knew I would be okay. So no, I don't exactly doubt myself anymore."

He was quiet for a little while before letting a little laugh slip past his lips.

"I knew you were interesting". He grabbed his credit card back from the receipt. "Let's go, buttercup".

The ride to the Band Jam was silent. I rolled down the window of Derek's black jeep, and felt the wind blow through my hair. My hand glided through the wind, and the feeling calmed my pounding heart. I wasn't going to lie; I was terrified. Each compeition could be our last, and I was scared that night may be tonight, and all of our hard work would go to waste.

"Okay we're here." Derek announced, pulling into a parking spot. I rolled up the window and Derek turned off the radio. "Hey, Alex?" I turned to face him. "Yeah?"

"You ready for this?"

I grinned at him and nodded my head. "Let's do this."

When we got backstage everyone was already there. Sam popped up and gave me a hug when she saw me, and a chorus of greetings from the group. I hugged Sam back and took a seat next to Amy, who was practicing the song we were doing tonight. Derek sat on a couch next to David, and began playing around with his guitar. Hunter did the same with his bass guitar. We all listened to the performing band on the stage in the midst of our wait.

We had about 5 minutes until we go on. And I was counting

Every.

Single.

Second.

And before I new it, the same boy from yesterday ushered us onto the stage. I cleared my throat. "Hey guys, how are you all holding up?" I said into the microphone, and the audience screamed. "Nice, I like the sound of that. Now, we're more of a rock concert, so we aren't too into country. But we're going to sing some Rascal Flatts for you guys - our style." I adjusted the height of the microphone to my height. "Here's "What Hurts the Most".

The instruments started up in unison and I felt the familiar happiness crawl into my stomach. I loved this adrenaline. I loved everything about this. And I showed that happiness and love in every lyric I sung. And by the end of the song, as the last note tuned out, the crowed cheered. I barely noticed the man who came up on stage to continue the show. We waved at everyone and took our position on the stage since the other bands were already coming onto the stage. The crowed shushed and the man pulled out the paper from his usual envelope. The atmosphere was tense as we waited for the name to be revealed. "And tonights losing team sadly is...Daydreams. Sorry guys, but you are out of Band Jam".

I sighed in relief. Oh thank god. We walked off stage with the remaining bands, and wishing Daydreams a goodbye one last time.

Amy and David stated they were going out to eat and it probably meant they were going on a date. Sam had left right after the Jam, saying that she was too tired to do anything. Hunter, Derek, and I all stayed after for a little bit.

At around 1:20 AM, Hunter got up and grabbed his guitar before saying his goodbye. "I'm off too." Derek muttered and got up. I grabbed his wrist before he could walk away. "Derek. Don'tchya think you're forgetting something?". He looked at me questioningly, and I rolled my eyes. I got up and dusted off my pants before brushing past him. "You were my ride here you idiot, I need a ride back". He laughed and accepted, dragging me to the Jeep.

(Guys, I'm sorry. This sucks so bad, but I feel like I have to update. I feel bad that this story is so bad, but I'll try to make it more interesting. See you next chapter!)