*****
Backstage was crazy and hectic. Lily was running around making sure everything was set and ready to go for the boys. The crowd out front consisted of fifteen to twenty people at the most but Lily wanted to make sure this show went perfectly.
“Okay, you guys are all set?” Lily asked before the boys went out on stage.
“Yes, Lily.” Hayden assured. “Everything will be fine.”
“Okay, go!” The stage manager signaled and the boys walked out onto the dark stage.
The lights flashed on, bright and blinding. Hayden counted down and the guys began to play the opening of one of their songs but there was no sound.
Lily's eyes widened in fear. “What the hell is going on?!” She ran her hands through her hair.
Derek, the amps aren't working... The stage manager's walkie-talkie sounded.
“Well, get on that, you idiot.” The stage manager responded.
Hayden shot Lily nervous glances as the crowd began to boo. Lily stormed over to the stage manager and gripped his shirt angrily at both shoulders.
“Fix the goddamn amps and his microphone now.” She growled.
“We're working on it, trust me.” The stage manager held his hands up in defense.
Suddenly, the sound of a guitar riff sounded through the small building but by that time, almost everyone had left. Everything that could possibly go wrong did.
Ch. 11
Her red ruby dress glittered from every angle as the light hit it and she twirled. Her eyes were lined with thin, black liner and her lids powdered with a soft pink. Her black, wavy hair was all pulled to one side and her bangs swooped down across her forehead and pinned back to keep them out of her eyes. Overall, she was absolutely stunning.
“Better close your mouth, Mattinson. Don’t wanna catch flies.” Lily joked, patting his cheek lovingly. “I still wish you were going…” She pouted. “It won’t be the same without you.”
Hayden shrugged. “Dances just aren’t my thing.”
The doorbell rang and Lily’s face lit up with sheer joy. “That’s him!” She squealed.
“I’ll get it.” Hayden walked to the door and opened it to reveal a handsome looking Tyler.
He smiled and held his hand out for her to take. “Ready to go?” He asked and she nodded, taking his hand and letting him lead her to his green jeep sitting out on the street next to the curb.
Hayden watched as he opened the door for her to get in and then walked around to the other side to get in, himself. He started the car and zoomed off down the street, taking the love of Hayden’s life along with him.
The car ride to the school was slightly awkward. He tried making small talk to fill the void but each conversation died out quickly. Eventually, he turned up the radio and let it fill the awkward silence with music. When he escorted her into the gym, everyone gawked at who Tyler was with.
“Lily? But she’s a nobody.” They whispered to one another. “But she does look beautiful tonight, doesn’t she? She almost… fits in for once.”
Lily smiled and tightened her hold on Tyler’s arm. For once, they weren’t making fun of her. She had them all at a loss for words.
“Lily!” Her friends all squealed when they saw her and especially when they saw who she was with.
She and Tyler danced for two solid hours with slight breaks in between. She was having so much fun already and there were still two more hours left. She didn’t want this night to end. It was more perfect than she could have ever dreamed.
“Hey, are you thirsty? I’ll go get us some water.” Tyler said.
“Okay. I’ll be here.” Lily said and watched as he walked away.
She sat there for twenty minutes and he still wasn’t back yet. Lily started to get curious as to where he could have gone. She asked her friends and they said they had no idea where he was. She asked one of his friends and he said he last saw Tyler in the line to buy water. Well, at least he was being truthful.
Hmm, maybe the line is really long? Lily thought. It is quite hot and stuffy in here.
She walked out of the gym and down the hallway but there wasn’t any line for concessions. In fact, there wasn’t anyone there at all.
Laughter floated down the hallway and she turned towards the sound. She followed the sound to the first classroom on the right side of the hallway and peeked in through the slight crack in the door. There, she saw Tyler with the most popular girl in school—Jessica Wilder. She was undoing his tie and slowly unbuttoning his shirt.
Lily leaned in on the door accidentally, causing the door hinge to squeak and Tyler and Jessica to look over at her tear stained face looking back at them. Tyler pushed Jessica off himself and started for the door but Lily was too quick for him. She had already turned, running as fast as her high heels would let her and disappearing around the corner.
She put both hands out in front of her and pushed the heavy, metal door open, stumbling out into the chilly November air.
You're the Closest to Heaven That I'll Ever Be Page 6
