Bands Before Friends || c.t.h.

Chap 30 - Show Time

"We were kissing. Not having sexual intercourse," I said as a matter of factly.
"Soon," this brainiac answered back. I laughed. "Come on, we don't have much time," he informed me. I sighed, "Fine."
"I'll wait for you next to the stage opening," he said with a smile. "Okay," I smiled back and turned around to find a staff and get myself a mic.
"Hood?" He said, observing my top. Damn it. "Hood could literally be anyone or even anything," I called back, walking away as fast as I could. "96?!" He called back. "It's just a number!" I shouted back to him. I heard a faint chuckle from him.
"Hailey Stainfield?" A woman asked me in the middle of me snaking around the backstage mindlessly. "Yes?" "Come with me," Again, I followed a complete stranger through a dark backstage (the complete opposite of what my parents taught me) but this time, I knew what was my purpose.
They set me up with those ear microphone thingies (lol idk what those are called) and stuck this bulky thing that was linked to the microphone into my back pocket.
"Okay, Calum and the boys are waiting for you at the entrance of the stage just over there," she pointed to a direction behind me over to the right.
"Thanks," I muttered nervously. I peeked out into the open where the boys could see me. Michael, Luke and Calum had their guitar straps around their necks. Ashton has both drumsticks in his hands.
Luke was the first to notice. He shook Calum's hand and as if he shook everyone's hand, everyone looked at me. It feels like you know how for homecoming prom, you walk down your parents staircase in a gown or a cocktail dress, awaiting for Prince Charming who was having a little interview session with your dad to see if he was worthy enough to be you soulmate.
"Lookin' good," he winked. "Can't wait to see you kill it out there," Michael commented. "I don't even know if I'm close to killing it right now. I feel like puking."
"We've all been there. There's always a start," said Ashton. "Just breathe," said Luke after that. I did as told. "We're going up in about 30 seconds now," Calum said.
"Okay, here's what you're gonna do. You stay here, until we call you up, can you do that?" Calum asked. I nodded like a little girl. I feel like a little girl. Helpless, nervous and timid. I always have to feel things at the wrong times.
All 4 of them ran back to their respective places. Luke in the middle, Calum a little to the back on his left, Michael on his right and Ashton was placed the furthest from them with his drums.
Cheers and woos filled the hall over and over again. "Okay okay guys, we have a special guest today. And I hope you can welcome her with a round of applause for... HAILEE STEINFELD."
Show time. Mom used to tell me, fake my confidence until I got it. I've been doing just that my whole life. So I hope I have enough for just this one night.
I ran in onto the stage and they all cheered. "Real Identity," I heard them cheer over and over again. This isnt YouTube anymore. Where I sang only to the camera or myself. No editing, no redoing my singing 'cause it sucked, no fixing any mistakes. This is it. But It's nice to see that people here actually recognize me.
"Whattap, it's your girl Hailee S.!!!" Hoping this little confidence will stay for the night, I shouted to fake it.
They cheered louder than expected. This is when I realize it's actually time for the actual show.
I ran to Calum's position.
"What am I here for?"
"Oh right, Jet Black Heart?"
"Sounds good."
He signaled the rest and they started playing. I got a grip of my falling voice and life and dignity and decided to finally shine under the spotlight.