City Lights

Chapter Three

Traffic was horrific amd it was all I could do to get through it. Roman refused to drive through the city, so I didn't have much of a choice. We decided to take my slightly more reliable cobalt as opposed to his beater.

We arrived at the Altar Bar around three, which gave me about four hours to prepare myself. It sounds like alot, but it isn't when your anxiety is through the roof. The rest of my band mates arrived shortly after me, and we spent the next three hours practicing each song over and over again. At six I made my routine stop in the bathroom to administer my relaxation, and began to get dressed. My getup was pretty elaborate, and by the time I was ready I had about ten minutes before showtime. Roman gave me the usual pep talk and assured me he'd be watching, and that I'd do great, and that he loved me. I'd do anything for that man.

And now, from Centralia, Shattered!

The crowd cheered. I was developing a pretty nice fan base. The stage began to fill up with fog as I made my entrance. I sang and danced my heart out through 7 songs before closing with my personal favorite. I saw the crowd move in slow motion, I watched camera flashes dance in mid air. I saw faces blend into one big, screaming mass before exploding into streams of grey glitter before my eyes. I waved goodbye and retreated backstage, where Roman caught me as I fell into his arms. He looked at me disappointedly and with understanding. He carried me to my studio and laid me on the couch. My band members followed and began to drink as they discussed the night's success. I put an ice pack on my head and tried to block everything out. Roman sat beside me on the floor and stroked my hair gently.

There was a knock at the door.

My bassist, Coby, opened the door and a man in a suit, looking down at his phone walked in. Coby shut the door and we all stared at him blankly, waiting to be addressed.

"Oh sorry. Yeah, I'm looking for Calista," he said, looking around. I was the only girl in the room and he soon came to that conclusion.

He reached out his hand and I sat up to shake it.

"Arthur Abell, from Caine and Abell Records. Here to discuss potential business," he said. He has a chipped front tooth and slicked back hair. Bad vibes. Real bad vibes.

But I still couldn't belive it.

"Oh, well, make yourself comfortable. Can I offer you a drink?" I asked.

"Yeah, Scotch if you have it," he replied. Good thing that Coby kept it on hand everywhere he went. He handed it to him and looked him up and down.

"So?" Arthur asked, "shall we discuss business?"

"Uhm, yes. Yeah we can," I replied. I never thought this moment would come, so I didn't know how to respond.

"Good, I'll cut to the chase. Let me sign you and send you on tour. Well work out the monetary aspects later, just give me a yes, and we'll get this process started. I need an answer tonight. You have real potential, " he said, and finished his drink.

There was a lump in my throat. I was dumbfounded. Absolutely stunned. I was starting to sober up but it still wasn't hitting me.

I looked at my band mates and they started back, wide-eyed.

"Yes sir, we accept, " I said, feeling as if I was the only one in the room having a bad feeling about it.

"Good, give me your personal number and we'll talk logistics in the morning," he said, taking a pen and business card out of his pocket. I scrawled my information down and handed them back. I almost lost my balance and Roman was discreetly holding me up.

He answered his phone and waived to all of us, walking out the door. We stared at eachother in shock and awe. We were getting signed. By a real label. Our dreams were becoming reality.

But my reality was going to turn into a nightmare.