An Eternity Of Gold

Chapter Two: The Start Of Something Better

"Oh, god. Jesus Christ, oh god. Oh. My. God", I chant, nervously as I pace back and forth. I was the opening act of the VMAs this year.

"You'll be fi-"

"Don't say I'll be fine, Ali. Don't say that"

"But you-"

"Don't touch me!"

"...Paula, keep a medic on hold", Alison calls.

It's always nerve wrecking before performing at my own shows, let alone opening for an audience of thousands and being broadcasted on live tv.

"Ella...it's alright", Alison assures, calmly.

"No, no, no, no, no, no", I mumble, hands on my head, still pacing.

"Sit down"

I do as I'm told and sit down on the steps that lead to the stage. I'm shaking. It was all gonna happen in a matter of minutes. Indy watches me, warily from a sofa.

"You've got this, Ells! You amaze us every time", she smiles.

"Yeah, and Taylor's in the crowd, I'm sure that'll be a help"

"SHUT THE FUCK UP, AIMEE"

"Ella, quieten down. Aimee, go help out with the dancers, please?", Alison says with an annoyed look.

"Lorde? Get ready. You're on in less than five", A crew member says as he peeps inside the dressing room door.

"Oh, god", I whimper.

"It's alright, babe. It's ok, everything's alright", Alison says, firmly as she holds my shoulders and kneels in front of me.

Minutes pass and I'm still not calm. This is the most nervous I've ever been. I still don't even know who I'm seated with this year either. Katy Perry? Ariana Grande? JB? God forbid that last one...

"Lorde?". It's the crew guy. He's pointing to the entrance I sit outside of. It's time.

"Ready?", Alison asks as she helps me stand up.

"No", I whisper.

"Come on, you'll be fine", she encourages and gently pushes me in the direction of the massive stage. I can hear the host beginning to say my name.

"Please welcome our opening act. She's only eighteen and she's ruling over the charts like a queen, ladies and gentlemen, Lorde!"

A deafening applause rumbles through the arena. I'm in a cloak for this. Not a very big one but it still trails slightly on the ground. I stride out, hood up, head down, mic in hand. The cheering gets louder as I come to a stop in the middle of the stage. The applauding still doesn't cease. I then slowly remove my hood, allowing my hair to spill out around my shoulders. The applause becomes even more persistent. I haven't even sung yet. Taking a breath I begin the first few lines of 'Bravado'. Camera flashes, screaming, a million lights. As usual it's going perfectly and I find out that I didn't have to worry about anything. Indy has found her seat in the crowd and smiling up at me. Out of curiosity I glance over to who would be sitting next to me.

I nearly pass out on the stage.

Taylor Swifts name is pinned to the seat. She's not here yet. Oh god, Alison. I trusted you.

I sing the last few words which sends the arena into an uproarious applause. I'm given a standing ovation. I smile, warmed by the affection of the crowd and wave a hand to them. But I'm not as completely calm as I'm pretending to be right now. I step off stage, my cloak gracefully flowing behind me. I storm down to my dressing room and unpin it from around my neck, throwing it to the side.