Tomorrow Never Dies

Chapter 15 - "You were fan-bloody-tastic"

This was it. The day of the showcase was here. I was opening the show with Tomorrow Never Dies, and closing it with Proud Mary. Michael and the band were backstage somewhere, as they were also performing Jet Black Heart, my mum was in the audience with Matty, Grace was there, Kiri was in my dressing room giving me endless words of encouragement and comfort.

Kiri was doing my stage makeup, which consisted of thick but not cakey foundation, grey smokey eyes and bright red lips. I was pouting as she applied my lip stain when there was a knock at the door. I signalled for her to get it, and she returned with a massive bunch of flowers. She handed it to me and I read the note attached.

To my beautiful girlfriend,
Good luck! You don't need it because I know you'll smash it but you'd probably kill me if I didn't wish you luck so yeah... I love you, now go dance your little socks off x

I smiled as I read the message, then texted Michael quickly.
you little cutie you xx
I didn't check my phone again as it was time for me to change. I pulled off my sweat pants and top and replaced it with my Tomorrow Never Dies outfit, which was a fiery red and orange catsuit with matching material attached to my arms which would create the illusion of flickering flames. I shoved my feet into my trusty black jazz sneakers and made my way to the wings. The university chairman was stood on stage, talking about the acts.

"The students you are about to watch are some of the most talented that the university have to offer. We have our dancers, our musicians, and even a band that is gaining popularity on a worldwide level. But first, opening the show with a dance to Tomorrow Never Dies, Miss Flora Lighthawk." I heard a few cheers from the audience, and the lights went down. I crept on the stage into my starting position, and the music started as a spotlight fell on my body.

I closed my eyes as I began dancing, facing the back, pretending I was still in the studio. The hot stage lights made me sweat, but I poured every ounce of energy into the routine I had spent so long perfecting. I moved as perfectly as I could, and soon enough came the flip that marked the end of the routine. I crouched, my head bowed, and I heard massive applause. I stood up, turned round, took a bow, and looked up to see a standing ovation. I grinned, alughing slightly, as the chairman came on stage, patting my back.

"Thank you, Miss Lighthawk, that was lovely," he smiled, and I walked off stage after taking another bow. As soon as I was in the wings, out of sight, I sighed and shook my head, regaining my breath. Suddenly, a pair of arms were around me."

"That was incredible," my boyfriend whispered into my hair. "You're so amazing."

"Says you," I replied. "When are you on?"

"After this dance," he told me, nodding at the lyrical modern group currently on stage. "Our instruments are behind the curtain."

"Good luck babe," I told him, kissing his nose. I squeezed his hand and returned to my dressing room.

"Flora, everyone is saying that you were fan-bloody-tastic," exclaimed Kiri as soon as I walked in. "I'm so proud of you." I laughed nervously and thanked her, before peeling off the slightly damp costume and replacing it with my Proud Mary outfit - essentially what a 1920's flapper would have worn. I slipped my feet into my New Yorkers and stood up, waiting for Kiri to reapply my red lips. She did, and I wandered backstage for a little while, trying to find the band's dressing room. As I did, I knocked and walked in. It was empty, but I decided to wait for the boys to return, however, as I sat on the couch, Georgina walked in.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I could say the same to you."

"I'm waiting for my boyfriend."

"Me too," she said, and I laughed. "I'm going out with Ashton."

"Well you're not, because he and Grace are together."

"Oh really?" she asked as the boys walked in. She stalked up to Ashton and grabbed him, kissing him, and quickly snapping a photo of them. He looked at me in horror, pulling away.

"What the fuck?" he said, wiping his mouth.

"Oh, Ash, I've just got a beautiful picture of us making out!" she exclaimed, her voice a fake, high, unpleasant sound.

"Get out," Michael said, pointing in the direction of the door, and she left, throwing me the middle finger.

"If that photo gets out Grace will think I've cheated," Ash whispered, and I put my hands on his shoulders.

"Listen, me and the boys all know that's not the case, and we'll tell Grace that, okay?" He nodded. "It'll be okay."

"What are you doing in here?" he asked me.

"Oh, I was waiting for Michael, I wanted a cuddle," I laughed, then looked at the clock. "Shit, I'm due on stage in two minutes. I'll see you soon." I gave them all a wave then raced to the stage. The Proud Mary music started right as I arrived, and I ran on stage, a grin plastered on my face. I danced, and when my duet with Lucy arrived, it ran without a hitch. As the dance finished, all of us close to collapse, the audience cheered so loudly it ramg in my ears for minutes afterwards. We took a massive bow and left the stage, ready to mingle with audience members. I spotted my mum and my brother almost immediately and approached them quickly. I wrapped my arms around Matty and he picked me up the way he always used to. Matty had been a rugby player on the Australian under 18's team back in the day, but since an injury he had moved from nationals to the New South Wales Waratahs - still a prestigious position. He was huge, not at all like Toby, his twin, who was a biologist and at that point studying ecosystems in the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador. I jumped out of his arms and hugged my mother, a small woman who had done an incredible job of raising the three of us on her own since our dad left just after I was born. We were chatting when Michael came up to me, kissing me quickly.

"Michael, this is my big brother Matty and my mum Pam," I told him. "Mum, Matty, this is Michael, my boyfriend." Michael shook Matty's hand, then my mum's.

"Lovely to meet you both," he said.

"You, too," said Matty. "I hope you know if you hurt my little sister I won't hesitate to hurt you." Michael nodded quickly.

"Understood." I laughed, and continued to talk to my family and Michael.

*****
helloooo
not much to say today except @fallon2000 is bae
if youre wondering, flora etc go to sydney uni

song of the chapter: colors by halsey