He's Giving Me a Reason, an Emblem3 Fan Fic (Sequel to Riptide)

Chapter 55

"Oh my god, this place is absolutely huge!" Adrianna gaped as we walked towards the front of the audience. Our seats were right next to the stage and I would be lying if I said I wasn't super excited. As a surprise for Wesley's birthday, Adrianna and I managed to talk to Keaton about getting tickets for the show. Not only did Keaton talk to the show's producers, but he managed to get enough seats so that everyone could go. So here we were: Me, Adrianna, Tyler, Owen, Brianna, and Jason; all sitting in the front row.

"Yeah, the TV doesn't do this place justice." Owen agreed, also looking around. Without a doubt this stadium could probably hold more than 20,000 people. I could only imagine the nerves the guys must be having before going out on stage.

"This is going to be incredible." Brianna stated, and I couldn't hlep but nod. In addition to seeing the boys do their thing, I was also looking forward to seeing some of the other contestants perform. Especially Cece Frey. I couldn't help but feel proud that she made it this far in the competition. It felt like just yesterday I was talking to her at the registration table before the auditions.

The six of us brought signs and banners for the boys, decorated with the boys' names, and happy birthday wishes for Wes. Being situated in the front row, everyone behind us probably hated our guts, but we didn't care. We were only going to hold our signs up during Emblem3's performances anyway.

I was getting more and more excited as Mario Lopez took the stage to open the show. The fact that Demi Lovato was also sitting five feet away wasn't easing my nerves either. Ugh, she was even prettier in person!

It was when the boys stood in the wings that the six of us went crazy. Just as we discussed over the phone a few days ago, Keaton nudged Wesley with his elbow as they straightened themselves up. As his younger brother spoke, I watched Wes crinkle his eyebrows as he took in what he was saying.

When Keaton finished, Wes flicked his gaze over to our row where we all stood, holding our signs and cheering loudly. In the instant that our eyes met, I watched as a huge grin spread across his face. He covered his eyes and laughed as if he couldn't believe we were actually here. When he finally moved his hands his cheeks were tinged pink, still grinning.

Happy Birthday. I mouthed to him. Grinning, Wes took out his phone. A few seconds later, I saw the screen of my phone light up in my hand. As I punched in my passcode I grinned when I opened the snapchat he sent me.

I seriously love you. The caption said as it was layerd over a picture of his grinning face. He was absolutely adorable. I took a quick selfie and sent it back.

U guys gotta go kill it ;) I replied. I watched as he opened his phone and took a picture of himself. I couldn't help but laugh a little: it was kind of funny watching someone send you a snapchat. I grinned once I opened it, reading his message.

Will do, babe. This was followed up by another picture, one where he was sporting his typical smirk that I had grown to love. Nice shirt btw ;) I looked down at the Sublime shirt that I had been wearing the first time I had seen him play.

It seemed right. I said. Coming full circle and all. I sent in a separate message. I watched as the lights dimmed, and Cece took the stage. My phone lit up and I saw that I had two new messages from Wes.

That's our cue. The first one said. The second one played straight after the first one ran out of time. This song's for you <3

Once I looked up from my phone I saw that the boys were being ushered around backstage being wired up with microphones seeing as they were on deck to perform. Cece drew my attention as her character profile was played on the screen and the announcer spoke her name at such high decibels that it was impossible to ignore.

Immediately as the Katy Perry song started playing, she got right into it, commanding everyone's attention with her vibrantly teased hair and high-waisted shorts. Her cropped bustier reminded me a bit of the Rainbow Fish, but she totally pulled it off. Just like the signature cheetah print that she rocked at the audition.

When she was finished, I joined in and clapped wildly along with everyone else. She totally killed it. And I was happy for her, but when it came down to it, I would chose the boys over her every single time. After the judges made their commentaries, I couldn't help the nervous butterflies that filled my stomach. Mixed with all the excitement and the adrenaline that was also flowing through my veins, I couldn't help but feel a little jumpy.

As soon as their names were announced, I lifted up my sign along with everyone else. A huge grin broke out on my face as the starting bars of Bruno Mars' "Just the Way You Are". And as Wesley took the first verse, and his eyes didn't leave mine, I knew that every single word that he sang was to me. And that they were all true.

Oh, her eyes, her eyes

Make the stars look like they're not shinin'

Her hair, her hair

Falls perfectly without her trying

She's so beautiful

And I tell her everyday

Then Drew came in and I could feel Adrianna tense next to me. To hear him sing those words, just in general, it must have been rough. Especially because he was singing those words to everyone but her.

Oh you know, you know, you know

I'd never ask you to change

If perfect's what you're searching for

Then just stay the same

So don't even bother asking if you look okay

You know I'll say,

When I see your face

There's not a thing that I would change

'Cause you're amazing

Just the way you are

And when you smile

The whole world stops and stares for a while

'Cause, girl, you're amazing

Just the way you are

As the song came to a close, I couldn't help but freak out. There were so many amazing things about that performance. From the simple stage set up, to the laid back vibe, to Drew playing the guitar; oh man it was awesome. I had definitely picked the right show to attend. They were finally starting to show people who they really were. And if that wasn't the perfect 19th birthday present, I didn't know what was.

Hey guys :) Here's an update for ya :)

Congrats to IndigoKalaidescope, the first person to get the correct answer for the contest!!!!

School takes up a lot of my time, so I'm gonna ask for 80 votes for the next update. It just makes it easier to update after a certain number of votes rather than weekly so there isn't a lot of pressure to upload each week. But for your benefit, whether I update or not is in your complete control :) If you guys want an update, then make sure to vote and comment!! :)