Page 138 of Before We're More Than Friends
“Leave my friends alone,” Arielle snapped as Sienna grimaced.
“So sorry, darling.” Lead Singer Guy chuckled before walking away.
Arielle shifted in her seat, muttering a word that rhymed withstick.
Ivan didn’t seem to pick up on the interaction because he got back on the mic and said, “Next up, also from April Springs High, is Like Airplanes!”
“That’s us,” Raina said before slipping out of the booth. I got out after her, my blood pumping in my ears. She grabbed my hand, her rings brushing against my fingers. A tingle traveled down my arm as I walked onto the stage with her, the rest of our bandmates following.
We spent the next few minutes getting our instruments ready in silence, not focusing on the crowd. I wanted to get a good look at Lead Singer Guy and his band, but I knew their eyes were on us. I wouldn’t let them make me crack.
When we were ready, I let out a deep breath, trying to focus my thoughts.Just pretend you’re in the garage. You’re not back in seventh grade when you choked up and almost peed yourself?—
Shoot, I’m spiraling.
“You can do this,” Raina whispered in my ear before planting a kiss on my cheek, her lips soft against my skin.
“Thank you,” I said, even though my knees were weak. I gave her a quick peck on the lips, hoping it would calm a fraction of my nerves.
She gave me a quick peck back.
I put on my best smile as I held the mic. “Hey, everyone,” I said, my hands shaking. “We’re Like Airplanes, and we’ll be performing ‘She Looks So Perfect’ by 5 Seconds of Summer.” I drew in a sharp breath that made my chest hurt, ignoring everyone’s gaze on me.You can do this, I told myself as the blood rushed in my ears.You can’t let everyone down.
Everyone started with the instruments, and we all sang the “Heyyy!” part over and over. Our opponents clapped along, and Somewhere in the Sky seemed to be pretty into it already.
I started the first verse, focusing on the lyrics instead of the crowd in front of me. I knew I’d already messed up once or twice by the time I got to the first chorus, which made me worry it was already too late. But Raina sang with me, her voice loud and confident.
She gazed at me with stars in her eyes during the chorus as if she were singing to me. I channeled all my feelings for her into the moment and sang back to her, my heart close to bursting from how perfect she was standing there.
And I was so down.
Before I knew it, the song was almost over. I’d gotten lost in the song and how happy my bandmates were and how much I loved performing with them. Minutes ago, we’d been nervous wrecks who were clearly about to watch Caleb get in a fight. Now we were thriving on stage as we finished the last chorus. Belting the lyrics was just as easy as breathing.
We finished the song with instrumental riffs, similar to what Joker Avenue had done. Hayden finished with a short drum solo before hitting the symbols and finishing the song. The audience clapped for us, enthusiasm spreading throughout the café.
“Nowthatwas perfect!” Ivan said with a beam. “Outstanding job, guys.” He winked at us, and I swore I heard Sienna’s soul leave her body as she let out a little squeal.
“Thank you so much,” I said, heat spreading all over my body. “I hope you have a great afternoon.”
When the rest of our bandmates went back to their seats, Raina pulled my arm and took me backstage. A few people were in here to get their instruments ready, but Raina brought me to a corner where a bookshelf blocked us from everyone else.
“I didn’t expect kidnapping to be the first thing on yourmind,” I said, the hairs on the back of my neck standing up from her firm touch.
“Just want to steal you for a few moments.” Her glossy purple lips made apopsound. “Maybe more.”
“You read my mind.” My mouth met hers halfway, and I wrapped my arms around her waist. The vanilla taste of her lips made me crave sweetness, and I pulled my chest closer to hers until her back was against the wall. Her pattering heartbeat almost rivaled mine, a melody to my senses.
She let out a soft moan and giggled. “Sorry,” she said, her lips brushing mine.
“No, I love it when you laugh,” I murmured before stroking her thick waves. I pressed my other hand on the wall to keep my balance. “As long as I’m making you happy, I’m doing the right thing.”
“You are.” She gripped onto the button-down I wore as a jacket over my shirt, letting out another gasp. My legs wobbled, reminding me of how I felt when she’d first kissed me at the dog park. This wall could only keep me stable for so long. Her fingers traveled down from my shirt to my belt, where she hooked them through my belt loops.
A jolt of electricity coursed through me, my body surprised that her hands were traveling there. I let out a half-gasp and half-sigh.
“Guess I’m doing the right thing, too,” Raina said, smiling against my lips.
“Just watch where your hands go,” I told her in a sultry voice. “I want to leave here with my clothes on.” Wild thoughts were running through my mind, but they definitely weren’tthatwild. For now, I wanted to enjoy this moment for what it was.
