GuiTara

🎵~20

🎶In a world where you feel cold, you gotta stay gold ~ BTS

●Tara Afua Henrie●

"Are you sure you can perform tonight?" Roberto asked in concern, handing over the bottle of water I'd requested for. "Cuz if not, we can just tell Pam and the band can play something else."

"No, no, I'm fine. I just...need time to process all this." With the water bottle, I perched myself on a stack of rice and chugged everything down. I could feel a migraine coming on and I really, really wanted it to go away.

"Wow." Areli crossed her arms. "I can't believe it. You were chatting, texting this guy, meeting up at the park, and you didn't even know who he was?"

"No," I mumbled, recounting the first day we met. "All he told me was that his name was Shaun. He didn't mention his last name or the fact that he was a billionaire son's. Heck, he wasn’t even dressed like one. He was just...a regular guy wearing a black hoodie with jeans."

"Maybe he was dodging the paparazzi," Roberto pointed out. "Celebrities do that all the time."

"Tara?" The pantry door flew open and in stepped Pam with Nando trailing behind her. "We heard you were in here. What's going on?"

"Nothing, I just needed a break," I mumbled.

Nando's eyebrows furrowed in worry. "Are you sure? You sort of look disturbed."

"I'm fine, you guys. Seriously, there's nothing to be worried about." I stood up, grateful that my head was a little bit clearer now. "We still have a show to put on, remember?" Quickly, I waltzed past them and Pam wasted no time following me.

Based on everything Areli and Roberto had told me, the dynamics of my relationship with Shaun just got a hundred times more complicated. He clearly had a lot of explaining to do. However, now was not the time to dwell on it. Tonight was a big night for me, the band and the restaurant and I couldn't afford to let this shocking revelation affect my performance.

Jax perked up at the sight of me. "Hey, where did you run of to?"

"Nowhere important." I reached for my guitar and slung the instrument around my torso.

"Doesn't look like it," he murmured and I shot him a look.

"There was just something I needed to take care of, but now it's done."

Jax clearly wasn't convinced. But he didn't get the chance to probe further because Eden cut in with an urgent call. "You guys, Pam is about to introduce us."

Sucking in one last breath, I slipped on my mask. The plan was to have my face reveal right after our first song, then the rest of the set would go on as usual. The band assembled behind me.

I could feel Jax's eyes boring holes into my skull, but I ignored it as Pam's voice rang out with the last words of her introduction. "Please welcome GuiTara and The Stars of the Future!"

We all walked upstage, the spotlight catching the glitter on my mask. The cheers and applause from the audience buzzed in my ears and I pushed all my thoughts aside and focused on the moment.

"Good evening, everyone!" My voice reveberated with excitement. "Thank you all so much for coming out tonight. We have an amazing set lined up for you, plus a very awesome surprise that we can't wait to reveal. So let's get this party started!"