The Love Song

Record Deals

"Thomas?!" I ask, turning around, "Isn't this my dressing room?!"

"Yeah," He says, "Sorry about that... They ran out of space so I was here temporarily. Sorry to scare you... I can leave." He points to the door.

"No, it's okay. Uh, I just, yeah."

I didn't want to pass up a few moments alone with him to win him over.

"Okay, great." He turns around, sitting down on the couch and pulling out his iPhone.

I turn to the mirror, pretending I'm busy. I can't even do my hair or makeup because the stylists will just redo them. I pull out my own phone, pretending to send a quick text to my friends, but not actually because I had nothing to say to them.

"So," I ask casually, trying to hide the tremble in my voice that comes along with Thomas. "How's the job searching?"

"Great!" He says, "I actually scored a small guest spot in the series CSI. I'm pretty sure I'm just going to be some dead guy's brother, but it's all good!" I laugh, and then congratulate him. 

"I love CSI!" I say,  "I'll be sure to watch your episode!" Sure, he has a girlfriend. But that doesn't mean I can't be kinda flirty. 

"How's your singing going?" He asks.

"Well, if we could get this music video over with, better I hope!" I chuckle, then add, "I guess I'm just worried about being memorable. I feel like I'm just making cheesy videos that people will forget about." I don't know why I just admitted that, there's just something about him that I felt calm and sure about.

"Gabrielle! You're Coral!" He says, and I raise and eyebrow as I laugh shyly, "If only people got to know you, I'm sure you would have tons of fans. You're totally unique."

"Thomas, you barely know me." But I blush nonetheless.

"I'd like to get to know you more." He admits.

"I'd like to get to know you, too." I say. Where an awkward silence should appear, Thomas fills it with a comfortable sense of belonging.

"You're totally memorable though, serious. Hey, I remembered you!" He jokes.

"I guess you're right!"

"Hey, you know what would be cool?" He asks, "If you came out to supper with my girlfriend and I tonight."

"I have a gig tonight..." I say sadly, because I would really like to go, regardless of becoming a third wheel. Maybe if he compared us, he would realize I'm the better choice."Rain check?"

"Sure. But where are you preforming tonight?" He asks, and I fill him in with the details of the quiet club downtown.

"I think I'll go." He gives me a  smile.

"To see me?" I ask.

"Yes!"

My heart beats faster. He actually wants to see me perform?

"Wow, yeah, that'd be cool." I say, "But you totally don't have to." I picture myself falling off the stage and him laughing. But then I imagine this being a perfect opportunity to impress him. I bet his girlfriend doesn't have the talent I do.

"I want to!" I smile as a knock sounds on the door. We're both pulled away to get ready for the video.

After the video is complete, and I'd spent way longer trying to edit with the techies than I'd wanted, Lauren and I head to the club. I go into the dressing room to get ready, worrying about how to appear. I had to look done up like Coral, but I wanted to impress Thomas with Gabrielle.

I put on one of my sparkly dresses. It was red, short, and ended mid-thigh. The top was halter style, so I curled my hair and piled it on top of my head, topping it off with a gold headband. I applied far too much makeup, but for the stage it would look natural. I finished it off with my classic red lipstick, then coated it with gloss. My gold stiletos polished off the look, and when I stared at my body in the full length mirror I had transformed into Coral again. Even though we were the same person and it was just my stage name, I left everything behind when I went to perform.

When it was time to perform, I nervously walked up the steps, my heels clicking over the chatter of the bar. A few wasted men wolf-whistled. It still bothered me, the attention I got from guys. But it was worth it if that meant they would sign me.

I'd never been nervous before, and I had never searched the crowd, either. I found Thomas with a girl, presumably Hannah, with drink in hand, even though he was underage. To my surprise, my girlfriends Lucy, Georgia, and Aoife were also present. I took a deep breath and put my hands lazily on the mic, getting ready to sing.

As usual, once the song started to come flow from my memory, there was no stopping it. I sang my heart out, throwing out every feeling I could muster. I was singing covers of songs at the clubs I performed at, so I could make a connection with people, even though I had songs of my own already. Tonight I was singing Give Your Heart A Break by Demi Lovato, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together by Taylor Swift and Can You Feel The Love Tonight by Elton John. Both accoustic, with just my voice and a guitar. 

Once my time was done, I stepped off the stage to the loudest applause ever. My ears hurt, but I made a huge smile. They really like me. This is just one step closer to what I've always dreamed of: Stardom. 

Lauren wraps her arms around me as I go behind the curtain. I notice Garrett is behind her, clapping. His eyes linger over another woman working about behind the scenes, for just a bit too long. I brush off the creepy feeling, I'm just over analyzing, and Thomas is out there! I need to go talk to him!

"That was wonderful!" She says, beaming. I may have done the songs justice, but she was just as proud. It made me happy to know that someone was genuinely happy for me. This was also good for her, but the fact that she cared more than what an average manager cared meant the world. 

"Thanks!" I say soaking it all up. I changed then headed out to the sitting area to see my friends.

"EEE!" Aoife said. "You are soooo good!" She pulled me in for a big bear hug and Georgia and Lucy joined in. "You were perfect!" Lucy said, and Geo added "Amazing!" 

I smiled wide, and hugged them again. When I pulled back, Thomas was beside me and he had Hannah attached to his side. She had blonde hair, not unlike mine. But her eyes were a deep brown. Darker than I'd ever seen before, and her complexion was flawless. She was slightly taller than me, but at least a size smaller. And I was pretty small, so she was basically skin and bones.  Her hand was entwined with Thomas'  and she almost scowled at me. It gave me the shivers. I didn't need enemies. 

"That was amazing, Gab- Coral!" Thomas said, correcting himself so the many stand-by-er's still knew me by my stage name and not my real name. 

"Thank you!" I say, smiling wide. I pray that there's not lipstick on my teeth. 

"No really, it. Was. Perfection." I laugh, and say thanks again. 

"Yes, it was a lovely performance." Hannah says in the snottiest voice. Thomas smiles. Did he not notice her attitude?

"Coral, this is Hannah!" Thomas says, finally introducing us. I don't know what to do, so I nod and smile again. Her expression remains the same. 

"Do you have any hobbies, Hannah?" I ask politely. She scowls, then plasters on a fake smile and answers,"Yeah, I'm a model."

"That's so cool." I say, even though it's not. That's why she's so skinny.

"Coral, really, you're amazing!" Thomas says again. Only now do I notice my friends snickering behind me. Clearly they realize that this is Thomas, and have understood my situation. I decided I'd talk to them later about not being so embarassing. 

We were interupted from the awkward gathering by a man clearing his throat behind us. 

"Excuse me, Coral?" He asks. 

"Yes?" I respond. Confused. He's wearing a suit and tie, very professional. 

"I would like to offer you a record deal."