4 years, 6 months, 2 days

Chapter 7- Just watch the fireworks

I picked out a simple black dress and my black Converse. Oh, God, I hope they win. I applied make up carefully and Marni came. I told her about meeting Johnny's mother.

"A witch, you say?" she asked lifting her eyebrow.

I nodded and she smiled.

"You don't have to worry about her, Johnny was on your side, wasn't he?" she asked.

"He was but that's not the point. The point is she thinks I'm after her money" I said making a disgusted face.

"Out of all people I know, you're the last who would be with someone for money" she said hugging me.

I rested my head in her lap.

"What about your mother?" she asked looking around.

"I don't know where is she and I don't care" I said harsh.

She nodded and I asked.

"What about Matt?"

"What about him?" she asked looking away.

"Don't play dumb with me. What's up with you two?" I asked feeling this is going to be interesting.

"We kissed yesterday, Leny, he is such a good kisser. He told me he likes me for years" she babbled excited.

Finally! Thank God!

"Let's go! We'll be late" she yelled jumping on her feet. I took my leather jacket and we left. The contest was held 10 minutes driving away from town. The stage was all set and people were gathering around it. I didn't see Johnny or any of the guys. Where are they?

"Let's get something to drink" Marni said showing the bar.

We took beer and I noticed Matt approaching. He hugged Marni from behind and she laughed like a child. I smiled at the site of them acting like children. They were so cute.

"Did you see Johnny?" he asked looking around.

I shook my head.

"Look, he's there" he said pointing his finger to the stage.

I smiled at Johnny's pale face. He was doing something with his guitar and few girls were gathered around him. I couldn't feel jealous for some reason. He noticed me and threw the guitar away. He ran up to me and buried his head in my neck. I was shocked.

"I've never been so nervous" he whispered catching breath.

"You'll do good, I know you will. I'm here and I believe in you" I smiled.

He kissed me and left. Marni and Matt leaned on each other and observed me obviously amused.

"Don't" I threatened.

They both shook their heads and I laughed. We stood in the front row as the host announced the first band. They were good but in my opinion, not good enough. The second band was awful. I couldn't help myself, I started laughing hard.

"If this is their competition, they better win" Matt said holding his stomach, laughing.

We observed the host who was obviously as amused as we were. Another band performed when everybody took a break. Marni, Matt and I left to get something to drink. I noticed Johnny's mother standing next to the stage. She was outraged. I wasn't sure was it because of the music or the crowd going wild. It sure was funny. I haven't seen Johnny when we left. By the time we got back another band performed and they were absolutely amazing.

"This is bad" Matt whispered.

I nodded and stared at the stage as Johnny, Jack, Mark and Neil came out. Johnny was scared, that was obvious. He took the microphone and cleared his throat. He gave a sign to the boys, to start playing and he closed his eyes. He started singing and Marni and Matt hugged. It really was a great song to cuddle to. I was smiling the entire song so he doesn't notice the nervousness is eating me alive. They finished and everyone was clapping. They were the last band performing so the judges gathered up. I was waiting the announcement like my life depends on it. It did.

One of the judges climbed on the stage and sighed. He was tall and handsome. Black eyes and dark hair.

"This was a tough decision to make. All the bands had their charm but we had to pick one. Foe those of you who didn't win, come back next year and better luck then. And now, the winner is.."

The silence. You could cut the tension with a knife.

"Lithium, performing Leny Q.!" he yelled and I just stood there.

"Leny, they won, Johnny won!" Marni yelled and hugged me.

I was just staring at Johnny and he was staring at me. I smiled and he smiled back. The judge gave him a check and the trophy. It was a golden, guitar shaped trophy. I was smiling as he took it and lifted it in the air. He took the microphone and sighed.

"Leny, this one is for you" he whispered and I felt tears.

He won, he really won. His dreams are about to come true. At that moment that seemed so great but later on I'll realize it isn't. His band on the break of fame brought us nothing but problems and misery.

Johnny jumped off the stage and ran up to me. He hugged me and I could feel him shivering.

"Congratulations" I said happy.

"You are my lucky charm. Remind me to never let you go" he said smiling.

Lucky charm. This had nothing to do with luck. It was will and hard work. Not me. It was Johnny.

The paparazzi gathered up around him, wanting him to say something but he just waved.

"I have nothing to say" he said taking my hand and pulling me away.

All the guys and the girl singing back vocals approached us and started hugging him. This is the way everything should be. He deserved this.