Once Upon A Time, A Thousand Tears Ago #Wattys2017

Chapter 39: First Public Performance

Zara's POV:

"Listen, No. we need to change the plan."

"No."

"Please understand. I am not ready."

"No."

"I will start crying, I know."

"That will improve your voice more."

"What if I faint on the stage?"

"Even better. We'll be in headlines."

"What if the public targets me with tomatoes?"

"Tomatoes are good for skin. You lucky girl."

We are rushing towards our backstage room while I am trying to convince my squad. But the boys are terribly firm. I had never planned out my debut singing but I was sure that it won't be like this.

"At least tell me which song should I sing?" I ask them

"Any song which is not sung by our band." Harry smirks.

"I don't know any such song." I say angrily. C'mon I am not going anywhere near the stage.

"How's that possible. Wait. You've seen Titanic?" Louis asks.

"Yup." I nod

"Perfect. Sing that song by Celine Dion "My heart will burn on."" Louis blinks.

"It's not 'burn on', it's 'go on'.... 'My heart will go on." I correct him.

"Exactly. That means you know the song. Song selected guys. Just change into your performance clothes and I think we are on the stage in five minutes."

I am just in shock. These guys can't do this with me. How am I supposed to face the public? No tips, no hacks given.

"You can't order me to do anything, Louis. I said I am not performing." I shout while he was trying to vacate the room for me to change.

He turns around and slowly makes his way towards me. I stare at him with full conviction, making sure that I don't lose my stand as he returns me the stare.

"What did you say?" Louis tries to intimidate me.

"I said, you can't order me to do anything." I hold my breath making myself look like I am not intimidated at all.

"Firstly, you are performing today by hook or by crook. Secondly, I can.... I repeat.... I can order you to do anything because tragically I appear to be your friend and friends can order you to do anything."

"I'd rather jump off a cliff than sing today."

"You can jump off the stage after singing."

He returns me the same solemn tone.

"Now you have wasted your time to change into your performance clothes, so you are performing in the ones that you are wearing." As soon as these words leave his mouth, I open my mouth to protest but he swiftly drags me outside the room and then near the stage.

"One minute to go." The Lady in the management chirps in the vicinity of the stage entrance and then disappears again. My heart is visibly pounding out of my rib cage and sweat is pouring down my spinal cord.

"All the best, Zara." The boys wish me luck. Yeah thanks for wishing me while I insult myself in front of thousands of people. So kind of you guys. I don't answer anyone. I practically hate them now.

In the mean time, Liam signals that he is moving towards the stage to explain the audience that they won't be performing today. Zayn approaches me and looks into my eyes. Not in the mood to look back into his, I turn my face to my right looking at the cleaning bucket.