all eyes on you - carlos sainz jr F1

14

I'm standing backstage going through my pre-show ritual to try and stop my jitters.

I'd been a performer for years, and i'd done many, many shows. When I performed in Hamilton it was much easier to prep because it was a cast of 20 verse just me, by myself waiting to be introduced.

The crowd was buzzing on the boat, and I was snuck in to make it seem like I had been there the whole time.

Performing here was different to a show though, people who had come to my shows had paid to be there, the people on the boat had a package that included ana after show. They could hate my music and boo me off stage and I wouldn't be able to do anything about it.

Lando and Oscar had said that he would be in the crowd somewhere and Charles had promised the same.  I was just hoping that when I went out I would be able to see them somewhere.

I had decided to play one surprise song for the night, something I had picked up from Taylor. It was an easy way to get the crowd more hyped if they like my music. 

The set list for the night was, reputation!, ready for it, dress, call it what you want, Style, the surprise song of You're in Love and then closing with get him back! The show was going to be about an hour which I was okay with because the sooner I got off the stage the better.

Sarah comes up from behind me and gives me a big hug. "Charles, Lando and Oscar are in the middle of the crowd. I just saw them." She whispers in my ear and I smile. Sarah pats her hand on my shoulder and runs back to join them in the crowd.

I take one last deep breath before i'm given all the clear to go on stage.

I shake off my nerves one last time before going onstage. The crowd roars as I walk into the spotlight.

"How are you all doing tonight?" I ask in the microphone and they roar in response. I spot Charles, Lando and Oscar immediately. I send Charles a wink and he smiles. "I'm going to sing a couple songs for you, is that okay?" I ask and people yell and applaud chasing me to smile. "Let's start off with a good one! This is reputation!" I yell and my guitarists starts playing the intro.

-

"And that's the end of my set tonight! I hope you all enjoyed! Shoutout to McLaren for having me today!" I say, blowing a kiss before waving and leave the stage.

As soon as i'm away from the light my shoulders drop and sigh.

I'm sitting on the small seat backstage and my guitarist and drummer follow me out patting me on the shoulder with a small smile before leaving.

After my show I normally take a good five minutes to just relax and calm down. It's the only way that I go home and don't feel like i'm loosing it. Leaving and going back to a hotel after performing in-front of a crowd who loves you to being completely alone with nothing but silence and my own thoughts wasn't good for me. I had learnt that at an early age. Taking five minutes to appreciate what happened and take a breath to focus on what matters.

While i'm doing this Sarah, Lando, Oscar and Charles join me backstage.

"Good job!" Sarah says, giving me a hug.

I smile up at her. "Thanks babe! That was hard." I say.

Lando gives me a hug. "You did it!" He says and I smile. "You conquered two of your biggest fears! I'm so proud of you!" He says and I realise that's he's a little bit tipsy. I laugh and hug him again.

Charles and Oscar are grinning ear to ear. Lily runs up behind them and laughs. "You were-you were amazing! That was the most fun i've ever had in my life!"

I give her a hug and she smiles so wide it makes me laugh.

"You guys are amazing." I say, almost tearing up.

"Oh my god, are you crying?" Sarah says laughing. "Girl, come here." She says giving me a hug.

"You know how I get after shows! I can't help it!" I say, through tears. "It's all the emotions afterwards they just build up."

Sarah keeps laughing. "You're so precious Cami, let's go home."

"No, no!" Charles says holding up his hands. "We should go out. Please can we go out." He says and I snort.

"Know any good places?" I ask and Charles laughs as he extended his hands.

"I'm home! Of course I do." He says and I smile.

"Okay then, let's do it." I say and Sarah nods in agreement.

"You have to go out in that! It's so perfect for a club." Lily says gesturing to what i'm wearing.

I look down and it's pretty much a typical concert getup for me. I'm wearing a white sheer long sleeve shirt with puff sleeves and a white bikini type top underneath paired with a white mini skirt and my go-go boots.

"I don't know, isn't it a bit much?" I ask and Sarah gapes at me.

"No, it's perfect." She says and drags me out of the room. Charles leas the way alongside her and Oscar and Lando follow behind us with Lily.

-

another one thank you. agin this has been in drafts for months ( no spelling mistakes recognised thanks )