I clutched my microphone tightly in my hand as I peered out at the crowd from backstage. My eyes grew wide when I saw how many people were out there. The realization of what I was about to do hit me and I quicky backed away from behind the curtain to join my band. I could feel my face go white as my hands began to shake. I have always been nervous before a performance, but this was a new level. It had finally hit me that this was not a local club any more, this was the Warped Tour, so many amazing successful bands have probably performed on this very stage.
When I reached the band, Kenney pulled me in and I burried my face in his chest. Soon I felt two other sets of arms wrap around us. I smiled and the nerves faded a bit. I sighed as our group hug was interupted by the announcer.
"Ladies and gentelmen give it up for REJECTS UNITE!" he screamed into his microphone.
"Well this it guys" Jason said twirling his drumsticks.
We piled our hands on top of eachothers and started our chant, "Ready set rock!" we chanted before breaking apart.
Jason smiled at us, before turning and walking up the ramp to the stage and taking his place at his drumset. He started his drum solo, giving Kenney the cue that it was his turn.
Kenney pulled me in for a hug and kissed the top of my head, "You are going to be amazing Harley, you got this" he said before pulling away and strapping his bass on. He walked up the ramp and started playing with Jason as he took his place.
Levi nodded at me and lightly punched my shoulder as he walked past me to the ramp. I heard his guitar join Kenney and Jason, and knew it was my cue.
I closed my eyes and flipped on my microphone. I opened my eyes and walked up the ramp. I hesitantly stepped out on the stage, "well this is it, no going back now," I told myself. I smiled slightly as the boys started the intro to the first song on the night. It was a song I wrote a few years back right before the band started.
*Flashback*
"Hey emo!" I heard a group of girls call.
I tensed up and began to walk faster.
"Where you going emo, don't you want to hang with alive people!"
"Hey come back fag, we are talking to you!"
I kept pushing myself to go faster down the school hallway. Fighting the urge to turn around and punch one of them. I have been bullied most of my life for being different, so I tried to not let a few words set me off. Normally, Kenney would be with me, but he had a doctors appointment, so I was on my own this time.
I felt someone grab my hair and yank me back. I fell back unable to catch myself and landed on the hard tile floor. I groaned and held back a scream as one of the girls pinned me down. "I said don't walk away when I'm talking to you" she shouted.
I felt someone kick my ribs and the girl pinning my slap me across the face. I forced the tears threatening to fall to hold back as I felt another kick. I blocked out the insults they were screaming at me and tried to focus on something other than what was happening. Over the years I have learned that fighting back will get you no where, sometimes you just have to take a hit, besides I have never been much of a fighter. I closed my eyes and waited for the next blow when I felt the girl pinning me down being yanked away.
"Oh look emo girl has friends!" I heard one of the girls snicker.
"Fuck off" I heard a voice I had never heard before growl. I heard them leave quickly and I thanked God for that.
I forced my eyes to open as I saw a hand being offered to me. I took it and he helped me up, smiling at me.
"Thank you" I said at almost a whisper.
"No problem, I'm Jason by the way." he said offering me his hand again.
I shook his hand and smiled, "I'm Hailey." I looked at his shirt which has a Black Veil Brides shirt. "Nice shirt by the way."
"You like them?" he asked.
I smiled and unzipped my sweatshirt to reveal my favorite Black Veil Brides band T. "Of course."
"I think we just became best friends"
"Then you can call me Harley."
*End Flackback*
My smile grew as I began singing the song. I used all the anger inside me come out as I screamed and sung the song. I remembered that day as I pulled more emotion into the song. The audience was going crazy by the time the last chord was played. I looked behind me and Jason gave me a thumbs up. Levi and I fist bumped and ended it was the jellyfish, yea I know we are cool like that. Kenney ran across the stage to me and picked me up, spinning me around.
We finished up the show, and I had a blast. It was the most amazing feeling in the world to perform on that stage for our new found fans.
We thanked the crowd and walked off stage. As we reached the bottom of the ramp we had a group hug before turning to grab our cases and go back to the bus to clean up. As we turned around I heard cheering and saw a certain band standing there cheering and giving us a thumbs up....
