Not So Innocent (EGASS sequel)

Chapter 13 - Lizzie

I walk onto the stage and look out onto the thousands of empty seats that will be filled with our fans in just a few hours. I let out a shaky breath and say weakly, “I’ve just realised something.”

“What?” Gabby asks, looking just as sick as I feel.

“We’ve never played to an audience larger than 500.” I point out, biting my lip. I turn to Logan and ask, “How many seats are there in here, Lo?”

“7,000.” Logan answers me, twirling his drum sticks nervously.

“And how many tickets did we sell again?” Lili speaks up from where she was leaning against Noah at the side of the stage.

Logan gulps and mumbles something. He realises we didn’t hear him and speaks louder, “We sold all 7,000.”

“Oh.”

I ignore Joe’s one word reaction as I take deep breaths. I hadn’t spoken to Joe properly since I shouted at him 2 days before in the shopping centre. I had had enough of him always insulting Brett.  Logan and even Noah get on with Brett now but Joe doesn’t and I wasn’t going to put up with it anymore. Joe had tried to talk to me when we got back to the tour bus but it didn’t go as well as he probably thought it would:

-2 days ago –

We all walk onto the tour bus in silence. As soon as I’m through the door, I head for my room. I feel eyes on my back and hear footsteps following me. I know who’s following me. How can I not after being in love with the guy for nearly a year?

“Go away Joe.” I snap, slamming the door behind me. I hear a thump and Joe swear colourfully. I feel a drop of grim satisfaction, knowing Joe hurt his foot stopping the door from closing. I turn and see Joe’s foot wedged in the door before he opens it fully and limps in.

“I told you to go away.” I say coldly, pulling a bag out and stuffing clothes into it.

“We need to- what are you doing with my clothes?” Joe changes his words mid sentence when he realises that it’s his clothes I’m packing.

“Packing them.” I say shortly before explaining more. “You’re swapping rooms with Brett. You can stay with Gabby and Logan and Brett can share with me.”

“No way!” Joe argues, “There’s no way you’re sharing a room with that idiot!”

I throw the bag at Joe, making him stumble, before answering him. “Get out. Now. I am sharing with Brett from now on. We’re over Joe. I mean it.”

I stalk out the room, to find Brett and tell him to move his stuff into his new room, leaving Joe to register my words.

-Present Day –

Joe had tried to change my mind for the past 2 days but each time I had just walked away. I had had to get Logan, Gabby, Lili and Noah to move him out of my room the first night because he refused to move. The second night, he seemed to realise I wasn’t letting him move back in for a while and had just gone to his new room silently.

I love sharing a room with Brett because he’s so easy to get along with.  He listens to everything I say and gives great advice.

I’m knocked out of my thoughts by Daz appearing and clapping his hands to get our attention. We turn to him and he strides forward, gesturing to us to his assistants.

“Get the band set up with their microphones.” He orders and the assistants surround us. I let them put the microphone headset on me with no trouble then turn to Daz. I notice his eyes flick between me and Joe. I’m standing as far away as possible from him. He frowns but doesn’t comment on it, for which I’m glad.

“Ok! Your first gig is tonight guys!” He tells us, looking at each of us. “We’re going to have your first full rehearsal now. It the last rehearsal you’ll have before tonight. I know you are all scared because of how many people will be here but please just enjoy yourselves! This is what we’ve been working towards for the past 3 or 4 months! I love the life in your eyes when you’re performing. I want to see that tonight. Ok?”

“You got it boss!” Logan exclaims, grinning. “Let’s do this, guys!”

I blink as the lights blind me for a moment before adjusting to the brightness. I’m wearing a pair of dark wash skinny jeans and a red and black striped top with matching heels. I squint and see Daz stood at the back of the hall. I jump as his voice fills the arena.

“Ok guys! You’re going to perform your title track first. I want to be able to hear the passion from here!” He tells us and I can hear the smile in his voice. We all nod and the backing track begins. But just as Lily goes to sing the first line she vomits all over the stage.

Noah comes running on and holds Lili up who looks like she’s about to faint. Daz sprints onto the stage with a medic who checks Lili over.

“The baby’s fine. But I don’t think you should perform tonight. I don’t think you’d like to be sick over your fans.” The medic says, smiling sadly. Lili agrees and turns to Brett.

“You’ll have to take my place. You’re the only one who can hit the notes exactly how I do.” Lili tells him firmly, not letting him decline.

“Ok.” Daz sighs, rubbing his temples. “Let’s try again. Lili, Noah. You can sit at the back with me.”

“Hellooooo London!” Gabby calls to the crowd as we run on stage. The crowd yells back and I’m hit with nerves. The place is packed. But the audience seemed to love our supporting act so hopefully they’d love us.

“Let’s give a big round of applause to ‘Catching Souls’, our supporting act!” Logan bellows as he takes his place at the drums. The crowd cheer.

“Now, we have a bit of a confession.” I admit, staring out at our fans. “You all know that Lili is pregnant. Today, she fell ill and can’t perform. But our newest member, Brett Wyndom, is ready to take her place! Let me tell you, Screamers, that Brett is an amazing singer and is definitely part of the Screamer family!”

The audience roars in approval as Brett waves and grins. I nod at Logan and he counts us in.

“1... 2... 1, 2, 3, 4!”

“Thank you London! It was great being here!” Joe shouts as we finish our last song. The audience scream and shout and gradually start chanting something. We all listen and realise what they’re chanting.

“Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!”

We all glance at each other and I suddenly feel uncomfortable. I’m standing next to Joe as we say our goodbyes. He looks at me, grinning.

“No way.” I growl to him, covering the microphone so no one could hear us. “We’re over.”

I plead with Gabby with my eyes. She sighs but grabs Logan and pulls him down for a kiss. The crowd cheers and we run off stage.

“That was amazing!” I shriek as soon as my headset’s been taken away from me. We all have a group hug, pulling Lili, Noah and Daz in as they join us.

“One gig down, 8 more to go!” Daz tells us, his eyes alight with pride and excitement.

I stick my hand out in the middle and make the others do the same. I explain, “On 3, we break and say Screamers.”

I grin as the others stare at me with their eyebrows raised. Eventually, they all nod.

“Ok! 1, 2, 3!”

“SCREAMERS!”

Oh my days! I’m so sorry it’s taken me forever to write this! I just didn’t have the inspiration for it! But here’s the next chapter! Clothes on the side for the concert! :D xxx