She's Not Cinderella

Red White and Black

Chapter 17

I sat as still as I could, trying not to blink. I tried to tune out of the voices around me, and focus on the songs I was going to sing.

"Black or brown?"

"Black."

"Is this enough?"

"A bit more."

"Hand me the curlers. Not these. The biggest."

Tsssssssss.

"Just a second, Adeline, and you can blink again."

Damn fake eyelashes.

"You look beautiful."

I smiled. This time it wasn't the makeup artists who spoke, but William. I gazed at his reflection in the mirror and had this urge to just go over and kiss him.

Obviously I couldn't, though, as half my hair would be torn off, and all this hard work the makeup artists had put in would fall off.

"I have to say, I prefer you without makeup though."

My heavy stage makeup hid my blush, and the makeup artists broke into a chorus of 'awww's.

"He's a keeper!" smiled the brunette, looking at William, leaving the curling tongs in my hair for a dangerously long time.

The moment before she could singe off my hair,she pulled away the curler leaving a beautiful spiral curl.

"Are you nervous?"

I gulped. I was really nervous, and I'm pretty sure William could see it in my eyes, because he came over and put a calming hand on my shoulder, careful not to disturb the makeup artist who looked like she was about to swoon.

"You'll be amazing. You are the best at what you do, and no matter what happens, I will love you."

I smiled at him, my heart fluttering at his words.

"Same goes to you. I know you'll make the sale."

William's dad was introducing William to large-scale sales for the first time, putting him in control of a huge project. I knew William felt really pressured about it. This sale would define his future, whichever way it meant, and we both knew it. Checking his wristwatch, he grimaced lightly.

"Adeline, I have to go. You know that you will be phenomenal. I will watch it over afterwards as well."

To the makeup artist's dismay, he leaned over and pressed his lips to mine. Before I could quite drown in his scent, he pulled away with decidedly pinker lips. I smiled at the sight, and sadly watched him leave.

"Good luck!"

"Good luck, Adeline."

The door swung shut behind him, and the brunette makeup artist, Kat squealed.

"You two are SO adorable. I remember when I first met my Clark, and I-"

"We've all heard this one before, Kat!" interrupted Jasmin, a coy dark-haired Indian girl who could tie a Dutch braid before you could say 'chignon'.

"So? You've watched the titanic a million times and you still cry at the end. And in the middle. And at the beginning."

"It's way too sad! And so romantic. I wish real life was like that."

"So you all die at the end?" snorted Beth, a rock-loving red-head who was a wiz at what she called 'face paint'. You see the most plain looking girls walking through her dressing room door, coming out looking like Disney princesses. Or sometimes, when she couldn't resist the temptation, goth princesses.

I tuned out of their chatter and focused on the concert ahead. It was the last concert of the tour, and William and I were in New York! Tomorrow, William promised to take me sightseeing, and tonight we were staying in his New York apartment. Staying in the same apartment! My heart fluttered with excitement. It wasn't like before - he loved me! I still couldn't get over it.

"Adeline, you're on in five."

After thanking the makeup staff, I paved my dressing room nervously. I was wearing the most gorgeous costume, a cute Alice in Wonderland themed dress covered in ruffles and layers, complete with candy-stripe tights and a little hat with bunny ears.

"Okay Adeline, just come with me."

I followed the stage assistant to behind the enormous screen which separated me and the audience. Some crew adjusted my microphone, whilst the makeup team put on some finishing touches. Music began to pump out of the stereo, and I heard the rush of the audience mixing with the pounding of my heart. Inch by inch, the screen opened revealing a huge crowd, flashes from every corner, a sea if glow sticks, smartphones and posters.

"I have seven marks on my heart,

For ev'ry year that we've been apart,

Thinking the days will pass so fast,

Hoping ev'ry one will be the last,

Hidden beneath the golden smile,

You really have been gone a while,

Now we've had a go at long-distance,

It doesn't seem like a normal romance,

So this is it, it's time to end,

This thing, we can't extend,

You might as well not come back,

I will leave with my dignity intact,

I have seven marks on my heart,

For ev'ry year that we've been apart,

Thinking the days will pass so fast,

Hoping ev'ry one will be the last..."

~~~

Moment after moment, hour after hour the concert was over in a flash. I smiled out at the audience as I finished my last song.

"Ride with me..."

I closed my eyes as the music drew to a close, and was just about to bend down for the final bow, when

BANG.

I stared out at the arena. The audience seemed to have hushed, the faces and flashes a blur of light. People, running towards me, calling my name, but it all seemed a million miles away.

"Adeline! Are you o-"

"Attention. No one is to leave the arena until furth..."

"Don't panic! Everything's under contr-"

"Call the paramedics! Quick! We're losing he-"

"Can you see who fired the bull-"

The arena seemed to spin and my face tilted towards the black, starless sky. Red, white, black, a cacophony of colours replacing the real world. Then just red, and black.

Then just black.

~~~~~~

Short chapter after a long wait :P sorry guys. Something pretty big happened, and you can probably guess what it was... The question is, who dunnit?

O_o that's for me to know, and you to find out...

Happy reading! Vote, comment, whatever <3

Xx Pavane