Born To Shine

Born To Shine (1)

Chapter 1

Three years later...

I absentmindedly strummed some chords on my acoustic guitar. Whilst waiting to be called on stage.

I did it. I'm famous. Do I enjoy it? Yes, I do. I love it. Being surrounded by music so nothing bad could happen. It was my protection. And it could never leave me, I always had something to go to. I would never be alone again.

Several minutes passed and the roar the crowd grew louder. The first act finished and it was my turn.

"Lizzie, get ready you are going on stage in ten." A roadie called out to me. I nodded in response. I got off the armchair and straightened out my outfit and hair. My red hair matched the red of the converse I was wearing and the hem of my shirt. I was wearing a thin, leather jacket on my shirt with a necklace and a pair of skinny jeans. I was completely ready and went in search of my backup band.

I looked around backstage. And then I found them.

"Are you guys ready? We need to be on stage in a few..." I said. Johnny- the guitarist turned around to face me and he put his arm around my shoulder.

"Sure thing Liz. Don't fret." He said easily and then ran his fingers through his tousled bronze hair.

"I am not fretting I am making sure. This is our last show so I want it to be good." I said firmly.

"Yes, Miss," Mark said solemnly. He was the drummer of the band.

"Whatever Mark," I said.

"Someone is in a bad mood." Tony the bassist said. I rolled my eyes at him. He only noticed now that there is something wrong with me?

"Nice observation Tony. It was about time you realised." I said softly and then removed myself from Johnny and walked to the wings. I knew they were going to question what I just said. But the thing is that I never talk about it.

I waited silently for the stage to be set and for me and my band to be called on. Several minutes passed and Mark, Johnny and Tony were standing beside me. They didn't say anything about my previous comment which I was pleased about.

"Okay, it's time to go on stage!" The same roadie said to us.

"Okay, guys this has to be our best show yet okay?" I said to them.

"Yep, this is going to be awesome!" Tony said happily. He looks like he is a kid in a candy shop.

"Yes, let's show what we could do!" Mark said.

"What they two said," Johnny said and pointed at Mark and Tony. I rolled my eyes at him and we went on stage. I got an electric guitar from the stands and plugged it into the amp. Johnny did the same, Tony got his bass and Mark sat behind his drums ready to play. I got the microphone which was set out for me and then spoke to the roaring crowd.

"Hey, guys! It's me Lizzie and my band sweet seduction! I hope you enjoy this show! It is the last on this tour!" I said to the crowd and gave them a smile. They cheered louder. I loved the roar of the crowd. I loved the fact there were people out there wanting to hear us play. It was amazing and I couldn't get over it.

Mark counted us in and we started. We knew all the songs we were going to sing because of the set list. They were the songs off my new album and a few covers.

* * *

I became sweaty as we performed. But all the performers did. It was time for the last song. I put my guitar back on to the stand and held the microphone in my hand without any instrument. I was going to sing my heart out for this.

The song progressed and I looked at the crowd swaying their arms in the air. I smiled at them wholeheartedly and forgot everything that had happened in my life.

Allowing my mouth to croon over the words made me forget that I was in an arena with thousands of people. I sang as if my life depended on it and I could feel every note I produced.

I finished the song perfectly. I felt kind of relieved that I sang that song. I got the mike and tilted it to the side. The crowd was going wild. The love they were giving off was welcoming. I wanted this feeling never to end but of course, there is an end to everything.

"Thank you, guys! You have been an awesome audience! We love you all and hope to perform here soon!" I said. Everyone cheered some more and then we exited off stage.

"You guys were awesome!" I said to my band whilst getting a towel which was offered by a roadie. I wiped my face and looked at them.

"Yeah, we totally nailed it!" Tony said.

"That's because we are just awesome!" Johnny said. Mark in the meanwhile was looking at me strangely.

"What do I have dirt on my face?" I asked him.

"Oh no, it's just that I feel like I am missing something you know? Like you are not telling us something," he said. I gulped. He was trying to figure me out.

"Really? I don't feel like I do... Maybe you are imagining it?" I said casually. My chest tightened but I tried my best to look normal.

"Yeah, Lizzie! I agree with Mark! But if you ever need to tell us something we are ready to hear!" Tony said.

"I know, I know! So what do you plan doing when we get back to New York?" I asked changing the subject.

"Well, I am going to my parents! I miss them loads!" Johnny said. I felt a lump in my throat. If only I got to say that. I missed my parents too more then anyone could imagine. But no pain, no gain. I've got to take what like has given me with a smile on my face. Even though you could be secretly suffering inside.

"I'm going to do that too and obvious chill because I seriously need to get back on my feet!" Tony said.

"I might just chill and sleep," Mark said.

"I think we all need sleep, Mark." I pointed out. He shrugged.

"Well you did ask what I was going to do," he said. I gave him a little smile.

"So Liz, what are you going to do?" Johnny asked.

"Well, I guess I am just going to chill to. And write songs." I said. Mark was giving me strange looks. He probably detected the slight sadness from my voice.

"Aren't you going to go to your parents?" Tony asked. I sighed. If only they knew.

"Might do," I said.

"Cool so um... Now what?" Johnny said.

"Maria wants to see us tomorrow at the studio and we have to wait for our car remember?" I said. I yawned and my eyes drooped.

"Oh yeah, Maria what time?" Mark said.

"Five I think," I replied. Maria was the one who owned us. She signed us. We weren't originally together it just came to be.

"Hey, guys the taxi is here." A roadie said to us whilst he approached. We nodded and left the place. All of our things were already on the private jet. I just grabbed my guitar and exited the building and to the taxi.

* * *

We boarded the private jet and we soon lifted off in the air. I looked out of the window and said goodbye to Seattle. The lights of the city dimmed to out of sight. I then turned around to face my bad who had already made themselves comfortable and sleeping.

I was tired, yes but I didn't feel like going to sleep. I sat next to the couch, on the floor and got out my songbook and put it on my lap.

I wrote down a few lyrics to a song I had in mind. It was about looks deceiving you, ending up loved for who you are not and wanting to break free out of the box you are kept in. Wanting the world to know who you really are but being scared about the impact it would cause.