Home is Where You are (Ally and Stevie)

6. Whistle Solo (They said)

*****
(Ally said)

I was having a panic attack minutes before showtime. I requested for Stevie and no one else. She showed up at my dressing room shortly.

"Hi! I think my amnesia just sucked out my confidence," I said. She forced me to sit while she sat next to me.

"You may not remember but during your first TV guesting, you told me you have stage fright. I laughed about it. How can you be a full-fledged artist if you will not perform to the public? But then I saw how scared you were. You were so pale--probably at the verge of collapsing. So I asked you to close your eyes," Stevie said as I followed her order. She held my hands.

She continued. "Now slowly inhale confidence... Then exhale fear... Inhale calmness... Exhale anxiety... Inhale greatness... exhale doubt." And just like that I was breathing normally.

"So what happened during the guesting?" I asked.

"When you started playing your guitar, it was as if you got a world of your own--you looked relaxed, at ease. It was pleasant to watch. From there, you overcame singing in other TV shows, in your mall tours, and in our gigs as a band. You have come along way, Ally," Stevie responded.

"Then what if I forget the lyrics or the chords?"

"We will all be singing along. I bet no one will ever notice. Plus the lyrics and the chords will be on the stageprompters."

"I hope to see you from the stage."

"You will. I will be your cheerleader on the sidelines. Danny will be there too. You belong to the stage you know. We are all proud of you for taking this bigger leap."

"Thanks, Stevie. Really."

"Break a leg!"

"I already did few weeks ago remember?"

Stevie laughed. "And I am really glad you are now fine."

"Stevie, about what I requested the other night--"

"Do not think about it. We can talk after the concert."

"Okay. I am looking forward to it."

Stevie gave me a big hug then left.

*****
(Stevie said)

I met Torey outside Ally's dressing room. She is beautiful and slightly shorter than Ally--as Ally described before, that was her ideal height difference. Of course Ally preferred being the taller one.

"You must be Stevie," Torey said.

"I am sorry but do we know each other?" I pretended not to know her. It would be awkward if I knew all along.

"How foolish I am for assuming you know me. I am Torey. I am Ally's--"

"Oh hi Torey!" I interjected. I did not want to hear that she is Ally's ex ex-girlfriend. I meant girlfriend.

"Thank you for bringing me here."

"Pab will do anything for Ally and its other artists. We should thank you for helping her recover fast. It was really nice knowing you but I have to go."