Chapter Four

Chapter Four

“Guys, do I really have to do this gig?” I asked, trying to get out of it at the last minute. I hadn’t been able to practice or even picked a song yet but here I was in Maddie’s car going down to the beach.

“We all know you were the top student after Jason Whitlock so of course you have to do this gig,” Maddie exclaimed. I cringed at Jason's name. I always came second now. “I heard he’s coming back to Raleigh! Have you seen his music video, A-MAZ-ING,” Maddie said star struck. "He was so hot in it. I heard a rumor that he might shoot his next music video here!"

It was funny seeing her bounce up and down in her seat. She was short and cute with strawberry blonde curls and people would think of her as a polite girl but she was hyper and constantly blabbered on about her new celebrity crush. She had a great personality no doubt but sometimes she went too far with her obsession over Jason.

“Of course,” I lied. They didn’t know anything about my past involvement with Jason and I intended it to keep it that way. The last thing I needed were jealous girls beating me up or my friends feeling pity for me.

“Have you seen him on the opening night of his new clothes line? He looked so damn hot with that grin of his,” Maddie said so involved with her daydream that she almost bumped the car in front of us.

“Maddie!” Derek yelled, snapping her out of La La Land. I grinned as Maddie snapped back at Derek who just took it all in.

He was the older brother type who didn’t really care much for what other people say about him. Since he was a tall guy with a big build, naturally he was on the football team. He wasn’t those jocks who ruled the school but the nice guy who was everyone’s friends including the outcasts. He might be like an older brother but he was a brother I definitely had a slight crush on but then again, every girl in school had a crush at least once in their life. Even the ones who didn’t even go to Leesville.

“Sorry,” she mumbled apologetically. “They even reproduced that bracelet he always wears on him,” she said excitedly. “My mom said she would get me one of those on my birthday.”

I felt my heart drop when she mentioned the bracelet. It was the same lucky charm bracelet I had made for him. Ever since he got famous, everyone asked him about the bracelet and soon it became a fashion sense to have own a reproduction of Jason Whitlock’s bracelet. Glad to know my bracelet made a hot new nationwide fashion trend. I'm sure he made lots of money off of that.

The rest of the car ride was filled with Jason’s music and the discussion about how amazingly hot he is. Derek and I just nodded through Maddie’s rant on Jason.

By the time we arrived at the beach, even I had Jason’s music stuck in my head. It was the same chord pattern over and over again and it was still replaying in my head like a broken CD palyer. I shook my head as hard as I could.

“Maddie, next time I get to choose the song choice,” I warned her as we all stepped out of her car.

“Aw come on Mellie, don’t be jealous of Jason,” Maddie winked and I had the urge of punching something, like Jason’s face. “Hey Matt!” Maddie suddenly said, batting her eyes at him. He was in charge of the beach party so he was already there early.

“Hey Maddie,” he grinned and she blushed shyly. She may have an obsession over Jason but that didn’t stop her from having a huge crush on Matt. Jason was just her Hollywood crush while Matt apparently was ‘the real thing.’ “Hey Derek, hey Mellie.”

“Hi,” we all echoed. Derek and Matt gave each other a nice brotherly, one arm hug.

“Grab a drink and enjoy yourselves,” Matt smiled. The party already was in full progression. All the Leesville kids were having fun in the waters or playing a game of volleyball. The sun was already setting and the stage was being prepared. “Mellie, you can bring your guitar to the backstage and get ready. Once the sun sets, the concert will begin,” he winked.

“Thanks,” I mumbled before he went off with Maddie towards the ocean.

“Do you need help?” Derek asked, already picking up my guitar case. Our hands brushed and I gave it all over to him. Our eyes met at the contact of our hands and he smiled.

“Thanks,” I smiled back and walked down towards the backstage.

“You look nervous for a person who has performed numerous times,” Derek noted and I looked away.

“It’s been two years since I tried anything with music,” I admitted.

“Shoot, Mellie. You should have told us.”

“Well didn’t really have a choice since it was last minute,” I laughed but Derek looked apologetic. “It’s fine. I can do it today,” I assured him and he sighed and wrapped me in a brotherly hug.

“I’ll be looking forward to your performance,” he grinned as he let go and set my guitar backstage. The backstage was more like a small tent where the musicians put their instruments. By far, this was the worst stage I had to perform in. The stage itself was barely above the ground and was made out of cheap wood. Still, the butterflies remained.

“What song to pick?” I asked myself. I had absolutely no idea. The same tune of Jason’s song was still stuck in my head and it was hard to shake it off. Out of curiosity, I opened the case and took my guitar, retuning it and plucking the chorus part of the song. I had to admit, the pop song was also good on an acoustic.

“Have you chosen what song you’re doing?” Matt asked, coming in.

“Uh yeah. That song by Jason Whitlock,” I said, feeling weird calling him Jason instead of Ace.

“Oh that Love Struck song?”

“Yeah, that one,” I smiled but it was forced. Thankfully, Matt bought it.

“Ok, the sun is setting so the first act will go soon. You’re the fifth act so get ready.” Matt smiled one last time before taking off, excusing himself that he needed to find the band performing first.

By the time it was the fourth act, it was pitch dark outside but the tiki lights were lit and giving off enough light to enjoy the summer night. The act was a duet with a girl and a boy singing and dancing together and they were…well amazing. It instantly reminded me of the time Jason and I had to work on a project together that required us compose our own music and choreography.

“Ah, damn it Mellie, why are you thinking about him?” I cursed at myself. I was thinking about him more than usual and the thoughts about him kept coming back like a flood. Geez, I needed a doctor now.

“Next up is the girl Leesville has been waiting for. Our very own Melanie Shaine!” Matt’s voice boomed through the microphone and I flinched. I didn’t know that the fourth act was already done and scrambled out of my chair with my guitar in tow.

I entered the stage with a fake plastered smile that won the crowd over. They all called my name and whooted when I smiled back at them. For tonight, this small stage was mine.

I began right away, letting my fingers guide me as I strummed the song I loathed. As soon as I hit the first verse, I heard many cheers as the people recognized what song I was playing. My voice and the guitar were the only things I heard as I sang the memorized song from my heart and gave it the best I could. It felt like I was performing at Miran all over again and it felt so nice to be up and singing despite my choice in song.

I hit the chorus with a building strum and sang it at the top of my voice, with the cheers rising louder until another voice began to harmonize.

Wait. This was a one girl show. I turned around from the stage but didn’t see anyone so I continued playing and singing with the other voice trying to act like it was all part of the plan until I repeated the chorus singing even louder.

The crowd cheered like mad and all the girls started screaming. I gave a little confused look and saw a guy in black leather, singing along with me. I turned with my guitar this time and saw a familiar face that everyone in the world knew. Jason Whitlock.