Rhythm of Heartbreak

Chapter 10: The Debut

The big night was finally here. Jess walked into the ballroom and her jaw dropped. It was like something out of a dream. The whole place was decked out to the nines - there was this huge shimmering arch made of geodes that took her breath away. The stage was something else too, all angular and covered in tiny crystals that sparkled under the lights. As the colors shifted from deep blue to fiery red to soft pink, Jess felt like she'd stepped into another world.

It reminded her of when she was a kid, cracking open those plain-looking rocks to find the crystals inside. Now here she was, surrounded by that hidden beauty on full display.

Lost in the moment, she nearly jumped out of her skin when she felt a hand on her bare back. She spun around to see Alexander grinning at her.

"You ready for this?" he asked, giving her an encouraging look.

Jess hesitated, her stomach doing flips, but managed a tiny nod. Alexander's smile got even bigger.

Getting ready for tonight had been a nightmare. Rick Reed, the guy she was supposed to perform with, hadn't shown up to a single rehearsal. Jess was freaking out at the thought of going it alone. Even with Alexander trying to calm her down, she still felt like she might puke.

Jess found a quiet corner to hide in, watching everyone rush around. The crew was running around like crazy, and all these famous singers were getting their final touchups. She caught a glimpse of herself in a mirror and did a double-take. That strapless gold dress hugged her in all the right places. For a second, she almost felt like she belonged here.

Her hair was done up in big, bouncy curls the color of champagne. The makeup artist had said something about her "good bone structure" and "depth in her eyes," which made her blush. For just a moment, she felt pretty.

But then the host's voice boomed out, announcing the start of the show. Jess felt her heart skip a beat as she looked around frantically for Rick. He was nowhere to be seen.

"Where the hell is he?" she muttered, her heart pounding. She searched for Alexander, desperate for some reassurance that Rick would show up. The thought of going out there alone was making her feel sick to her stomach.

She felt like she was gonna pass out as the crew hustled her towards the stage. Her hands were clammy, and she kept squeezing them, trying to keep them together. "I can do this, I can do this," she muttered under her breath, humming to herself to try and calm down.

When she finally stepped out there, the lights hit her like a truck. She could barely see, and the roar from the crowd made her heart jump into her throat. Her pulse was pounding in her ears, and she could feel sweat starting to form on her forehead. It all felt so unreal like she was dreaming or something.

Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and started to sing. Her voice was shaky at first, but as she got into it, she found her groove. The song took over, and suddenly it was just her and the music. Her voice soared, and she could feel the audience hanging on every note. For a split second, it was like she could feel what they were feeling like they were all connected.

When she finished her part without messing up, Jess felt a huge wave of relief wash over her. But it didn't last long. The next part of the song was coming up fast, and she was bracing herself to keep going solo when suddenly, Rick Reed's voice filled the arena.

He suddenly appeared on stage, looking cool as hell. Rick moved like he owned the place, his eyes - a mix of green and brown that seemed to change with his mood - locked right on Jess. He was rocking a sharp tux that fit him like a glove, and his hair was styled just so. Jess couldn't help but think he looked damn good.

When Rick started singing, it was like magic. His voice was deep and smooth, blending perfectly with Jess's. The way he sang, you could feel every word. Jess found herself really appreciating just how talented he was.

As they kept singing, Rick got closer to Jess, making her heart race. He wouldn't take his eyes off her, and when he gently tilted her chin up, she felt like she couldn't breathe. When the song ended, the crowd went wild, but Jess was still caught up in the moment, blown away by how connected they'd felt on stage.

Rick surprised her with a quick kiss on the cheek, and the audience loved it. It snapped Jess back to reality, and she smiled, not sure where to look. As they left the stage, Jess's head was spinning. Alexander was going on about their "soulful performance," which made her feel better, but she couldn't stop thinking about Rick.

Rick was still watching her, looking impressed and curious. Jess, feeling weirdly brave, blurted out, "You were late." She immediately wanted to kick herself. Way to go, dummy, she thought.

Rick just laughed, a deep chuckle that made Jess's stomach do flips. He tilted her chin up again, getting real close. "I've got my eye on you, Jess Lynn," he said, his breath warm on her cheek before he turned and walked off.

Jess stood there, stunned. Her brain was all jumbled up as she watched Rick leave. "What the hell does that mean?" she muttered. She turned to see Alexander looking amused, and it finally hit her what a crazy night it had been.