Never As It Seems

Chapter 27

The party was already in full swing when they arrived. Amber wasn't sure why, because the band were only arriving now. She wondered who all these people were. Her eyes searched for Jay, although she knew he wouldn't be there for a while. He had asked her to wait at the arena so they could go together when he finished work but she decided to go with the original plan and travel with Rob and Dessa after the concert finished.

She cringed at the cameras outside the hotel but knew there was nothing that could incriminate her. The function room was split on two levels. There was a massive room on the lower level, where they had entered and then a balcony all the way around, where it seemed the bar was located. Gazing up at the massive chandelier that presided over the room, her attention was caught by Rob's voice.

"I have to go and schmooze for a while but I'll be back." He was talking to Dessa. "Enjoy yourselves!" He looked at Amber, winked and then walked confidently away.

The girls watched him as person after person vied for his attention. After a couple of minutes Amber looked at her friend's concerned face and chuckled.

"It's okay Dess, he only has eyes for you."

Linking arms, they headed deeper into the room and the crowd. There were a few people around that Amber recognised and a couple of times Dessa got excited pointing out a famous face. Amber didn't really know who they were but smiled anyway. It was obvious that Dessa was enjoying herself but Amber knew she was holding her friend back a bit. Her nerves were getting the better of her and she couldn't help but keep looking at the door to see if Jay was arriving yet.

A DJ welcomed everyone and music started. The crowd, who were milling around on the dance floor, separated. Some stayed so that they could dance and others moved to the side to continue their conversations. The two girls began in the direction of the stairs and the bar but we're stopped by Rob who grabbed Dessa by the hand and drew her back towards the dance floor. She looked at Amber with a concerned expression but she smiled back and nodded to signal that she would be fine. She watched the two dancing for a minute and then decided to find somewhere to sit down. Not seeing any free chairs, she sat on the stairs, halfway up, so that she could watch the party unfold.

She thought on the irony of how she had come to be there. She was so set on her decision to put the limelight behind her but looking at the crowd, she realised that her life with her mother was nothing like the glitz and glam of 'real' fame. This was on a whole different level and yet she couldn't help but note that people were the same wherever you went. She watched as some flaunted themselves, trying to get noticed by the cameras, others were trying to get close to the celebrities. And then there were the guys from the tour. The band themselves, the musicians and some of the backstage team, who were slowly arriving. These were the ones who were just themselves. Amber couldn't help but feel a sense of respect for them. Having got to know them over the months, they seemed to know how to remain 'normal'. She recalled a conversation she had once had with Jay when he told her it hadn't always been this way. When the band were younger and fame found them, the first time around, all five of the members had had their moments. One of the guys had spent some time in rehab, battling an alcohol addiction. Another had struggled with self-image issues, which led to bouts of depression. When the idea of reuniting was put to them, Jay had told her they had to seriously consider the idea. It seemed though that they had come back into the celebrity world with a different outlook and knowing this time what to expect. Those who now had family were able to balance their lives between work and home and this made the whole thing more relaxed for those who were still single... Matt and Rob.

Amber became aware of someone sitting down next to her. She turned to see Connor grinning widely at her.

"You look amazing!" He called over the music.