That Summer | Aaron Carpenter

twenty three

"Hallie!" Taylor yelled through the hotel door. "Hurry up!"

"Hold on!" I yelled back and swallowed my pills, downing water. I grabbed my phone and keys, running out into the hallway.

"Are you ready?" Shawn asked me. "It's your big day."

"You get to perform your song for the first time!" Gilinsky said.

I looped my arm through his, "Our song."

"Let's go." Cam said, pushing us along.

We were in Nashville now. The single was released at midnight and I was ready to perform it today for the first time. I made all the guys promise not to listen to it until the show today, which I think they all pulled through.

We got to our cars and drove straight to the building. The Jacks and I went straight to the stage to set up.

"Sound check." Johnson said to me. I grabbed the mic and talked into it.

"Sing something." Gilinsky laughed. "Don't be boring."

"When the tide hits you straight in the face, life is getting harder treading water, got nowhere to go. And as time slips away, day by day. Stranded in the ocean, every open door has now been closed." I sang as I danced around. I laughed as I looked at Gilinsky.

"Real cute." He smiled.

I flipped my hair at him.

"Okay, we should be good to go." Johnson said.

"Meet and Greet time!" I said excitedly and jumped on to Gilisnky's back. "Onward!"

He laughed and ran to the meet and greets area. Fans started coming in as he sat me down next to Hayes.

"Are you ready Hallie?" Hayes asked.

"You have no fucking idea!"

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We got on to stage and I shook off my nerves.

"So, as you all should know, Hallie released her first single with the Jacks last night at midnight!" Cam said into his mic. "And they are going to perform it for you guys."

"Us too." Aaron said. "We haven't heard it. She wouldn't let us buy it and listen."

I shrugged, "Sorry not sorry." I chuckled.

"Anyway, here's Hallie and the Jacks singing...." Cam turned to look at us.

"Roll em up." Johnson smiled into the mic.

Bart started the music as I danced. Gilisnky sat on a stool.

"Roll em up." Gilinsky said into the mic.

"You're talking to me but I never heard a word. Please excuse me, I was in another world. Did the denim on legs got you shook? I'll turn around so you can get a better look." I sang. "Got my black cap on, Imma put on a show. Now watch you watching me walk out the door."

"Who wears short shorts?" Gilinsky sang.

"We wear short shorts." I sang back as I put my arm on his shoulder.

"Who wears short shorts?" He sang again and stood up, causing my arm to drop.

"We wear short shorts!" I sang, moving around the stage. "The shorter the better, the hotter the weather. Who wears short shorts?"

"I wear short shorts." I said and smiled. I danced to the music. Johnson cat whistled into the mic.

"Roll em up." Gilinsky said.