A New Hope

Chapter 12: My Lucky Day

It was 5:00. One hour before my big debut in the music world. I was getting my makeup on, doing my hair, finding the perfect outfit, and... freaking out. I was really scared. I didn't want to mess up. On the other hand, I was really excited. I couldn't wait for people to know who Chloe Michelle Urie was. "Chloe, you better get ready soon. We need to be in the venue in half an hour for soundcheck," Brendon called to me.

"Ok, be there in a sec. I just need to find my one Panic! shirt..." I said, checking the closet. I found the light blue tie-dye-ish shirt and quickly rushed into the vacant bathroom to change. I quickly changed, did my makeup, curled my hair, and sprayed it with about half a can of hairspray before exiting the bathroom, coughing up a storm. "Don't go in there until it airs out. I used about five tons of hairspray," I announced between coughs.

"Why'd you use that much?" Dallon asked.

"My hair doesn't like to stay curled, that's why," I said.

"Next time don't use as much."

"If I don't, my hair won't stay curled for the show."

"So?"

"So, I want my hair to be curly."

"Guys, time to go in for soundcheck," Kenny said.

I flipped my curly hair and walked out into the hot Arizonian sun. "Why not use gel?" Dallon continued.

"Are you crazy?! Gel would completely ruin the curls!" I yelled.

"Ok, ok, jeez," Dallon said, backing away.

Brendon locked the bus, walked over to me, and put his arm around my shoulder. "You ok kiddo? You look kinda nervous," he asked.

I bit my lip. "I am nervous. I just... the only time I've ever been on stage like this was my fifth grade talent show, and I ended up getting rotten tomatoes all over my clothes."

"Don't worry, you're gonna do fine. The people are gonna love you," he said.

"You really think so? I mean, I've never done anything like this before. My palms are sweaty, my heart is racing..."

"You'll do amazing. Don't worry about it."

I took a deep breath and walked up to the back door of the venue. I followed the guys into the backstage area. A guy with a pass around his neck walked up to us. "Welcome. We're glad to have you here. My name is Luke. I'll help you with anything you need. Now, the dressing room is right over there," he said, pointing down the hall.

We all nodded. We all said thank you and walked down the hallway until we found the door marked "Panic! at the Disco". I followed the guys into the room and sat down on the couch, pulling my phone and earbuds out of my pocket. I plugged my earbuds in and went into Spotify. I turned on "The Ghost of You" and closed my eyes. I let the sound pour into my ears. This is how I usually got into the zone before something. Music always calmed my nerves. I sang along under my breath. After a while (I don't even know how many times I listened to that song) Brendon took one of my earbuds out of my ear and told me it was show time. I nodded. "Ok, so I'll introduce you after we do Ballad of Mona Lisa, ok?" he asked, and I nodded.

Before I knew it, I was humming along to the familiar tune of Ballad of Mona Lisa. I took a deep breath as they finished the song. "Ok, Arizona, we've got a little surprise for you guys! You wanna know what it is?" Brendon said, trying to hype up the crowd. Everyone cheered. "Ok, ok. We have a special guest singer! Anyone wanna guess who it is?" he said, and once again everyone cheered.

Brendon walked to the front of the stage and knelt down. He pointed to a girl in the front and asked her what her name was. She replied with Zoey, and her valley girl accent was totally fake. It honestly kinda reminded me of Darla. Brendon asked her who she thought it was. "My guess is Gerard Way. I mean, you would think you two would be good friends, and we haven't heard from him for a while."