My hands shook as I clasped them around the shaft. Damn, girl, get a hold of yourself. I looked around at the sea of faces, wishing I could stop being such a coward. My feet lurched backward. I was going to run, I had to run.
Just as I was about to exit the stage, I felt a hand on the middle of my back. I looked up and saw Jared looking down at me, waiting for me. He smiled reassuringly. I half-smiled back, knowing my cheeks were probably beet red. He looked so warm, so inviting. I nodded and his smile got even bigger.
I slowly turned around, and this time, I knew there was no going back. I had just made a deal with my own personal devil, or angel. I guess it all depends on the way you look at it. The bass started humming a few feet from me. Then the drums gave a solid backbone. Or, what I hoped was solid. The guitars started their slow melodic, intoxicating dance. Now, all that was left was me.
Again, I brought the microphone to my face. This time, my throat didn't close up. My voice rang clear across the static of the amps. The faces in the crowd melted away, and all that was left was the sweet hum of music and the lovely glow of stage lights.
After the gig, we packed up and piled in the van, intent on getting back to the hotel. So, I guess explanations are in order. My name is Danika Blaise. I'm a college dropout, as of about a month ago. I'm about 5' 6" tall, super tan, with dark hair and even darker eyes. I'm not anorexic, but I swear I am no hippo either. I am the newest addition to Harlequin's Edge, a band here in downtown Seattle. Don't ask about the name, I have no clue either. I can sing, and that is what I do. I just get really bad stretches of stage fright.
I guess you could blame that on my mother. Every time I had a lesson as a kid, she would come and tell me how much I sucked. Yea, great way to help with my self esteem mom.
Well, on a better note. My band mates are totally cool with my need to adjust. First there is Perry, the bassist. He has that whole bad boy with a bad past who will do bad things to anyone who asks about him. Not my type of person at all, but he can be cool when he feels like it. Then there is Saiya, the best drummer in Seattle. Her beats are as sweet as liquid honey. She is my best friend, too. After her, you have the guitarists. And what majorly fine pieces they are.
Aiden has his long, dark brown skater-boy hair and green eyes. He is really arrogant and pompous, but he can be taught to do the right thing. Then there is Jared, with his extremely long black hair and blue eyes. Oh, how I wish I could let myself get lost in those blue pools of eternity. Okay, back on subject.
We have been making our way around the north-western half of the country on a supposed tour. It's been fun, but I'm thinking I want something more. Something I can sink me teeth into. That is why I plan on taking one of my relationships to the next lever. I am just not sure which one yet.
"Dani, are you okay? Have you even been listening?" I felt someone touch my arm. Looking up, I saw it was Aiden. His eyes looked slightly peeved, but it wasn't anything I couldn't deal with.
"Nah, I guess I was out of it. I'm sorry." I looked around at everyone, but they had all fallen asleep. Why had he woken me out of my reverie if everyone was a-freaking-sleep.
His emerald eyes took on a sarcastic gleam. "Oh, sorry. Here I was having a conversation with you and you weren't even listening. I could have been giving you the numbers to my credit cards and telling you where my hidden will was placed and you would have missed it."
"Oh, I guess you're right. Well, I guess it's good that you don't have anything worth wanting anyway, money or otherwise." I said the last bit a tad snidely, hoping to flare his attention. He cast a sidelong glance at me. I could see that I had baited him.
"How would you know if I had anything worth wanting? I've never given you the chance to see what's really worth wanting about me." He cast another look in my direction. I heard sarcasm in his voice, but there was a hint of danger there. I must say, I liked it.