when nerves get the best of you [OPEN]

[kels]

Nerves rattled through Giana, brand new guitar thanks to the recording studio was held by the neck in her left hand, brown cowboy boots and a simple sun dress adorned her body. She was told to change her look; "her people" had told her to be unforgettable, in a good way. She had to sing her heart out; wow the crowd with her voice and lyrics. Giana's new manager was practically pushing her on stage, telling her publicity was good; and that she had to start small to get her name out there.

Giana walked onto the small stage slowly, hoisting her tall frame onto the stool carefully, Giana set the guitar strap over herself, and spoke softly into the mic. "Hey everyone. My name's Giana Liking, and I'm here to play a few songs for you." Gee didn't notice how cheesy that was until after it was said; a line that was written by her manager. Giana looked back stage, to see her manager turning her back and picking up the phone.

The first few chords of the song started stiffly, playing the five second into twice due to nerves, and then her mouth opened, and she begun to sing.

"I smile, you smile. That’s how it all started
Couldn’t take my eyes off of you
Said you had something to say

Then the walls came a’tumbling
And my thoughts didn’t stop
Like a train running out of tracks
In the middle of a summer storm
You were gone for good

I was like a pirate without gold
Thinking it couldn’t get much worst
You were my storm, I was the cloud
And then the skies cleared

It was a miracle
The stormy seas had passed
My thoughts cleared
And so did the memories of you

Life goes on,
oh life goes on
and we must forgive
and forget"

The guitar played the final chords, and the nerves passed as other songs were sung to, the people on the dance floor spinning their partners around as the cheery tunes blasted out of speakers set up around the large room. Giana exited the stage to some applause, and found herself smiling. It would be a few more shows like this, in bigger towns, of course, before her fan base would start growing, and she could open for a larger band on tour. She would, of course, have to have at least one album out, but that couldn't be that hard, really.

Giana put her guitar into a worn case, and stepped onto the floor, almost unnoticed. A few claps on the back greeted her as she walked by, the offering of drinks was next. She refused; as she was only twenty, and kept walking, that is, until a familiar face caught her vision.

[Sync]

Dafydd didn't really know what he was doing at the club. Maybe testing his will, maybe he just wanted to get away from the hassle of the academy. He sighed as he opened the door to his car, picking his way through the gaggle of smokers situated outside the door, making him wrinkle his nose in disgust. He coughed in an exaggerated manner as he passed a group of mixed gender, gaining a few glares and muttered curse words. He smirked in satisfaction when two stubbed out their cigarettes though. His palm pressed against the door of the bar, allowing himself inside and the vocals of the entertainment caressed his ears as a welcome. Inside, it wasn't as packed as he would have thought. He got to the bar easily, choosing a coke. As a recovering alcoholic, Beer was a no go. He sighed, an image of his deceased wife flicked into his mind when he debated on changing his order to a beer. He closed his eyes and sucked in a deep breath, he didn't need the drink. He just wanted it. Well, that's what he told himself.

He took a seat nearer the back, sort of close to the door yet not right beside it. He recognized the singer now, the blonde female was a staff member at the academy. Her name slipped his mind, he racked his brain trying to remember it. Then it popped into his head. Giana. The girl's voice was soothing to him, unraveling the stresses of the days. He nursed his drink, taking sips now and again but not getting very far. The woman finished her set about twenty minutes later, and he felt a little disappointed. His eyes followed her as she made her way through the crowd, smiling as many of the bar dwellers complimented her. She drew closer to his table, he offered her a pleasant smile. He saw as she stopped, looking around him to see what she was staring at. He looked at himself. Was it him? He looked around again to see most of the tables around him empty. He shrugged, his hazel oracles back on her. Good set, Miss Liking. he called to her, her last name finally reaching him. He glanced down again, taking a gulp of his drink.

ATTIRE

[/color] coming soon CREDIT SAM !? of A Changed Hogwarts. Don't remove the credit or I will find you. LYRICS someday - nickelback NOTES meh. Will get better WORD COUNT three-eight-four [/center][/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[kels]

For Giana, names and faces seemed to never quite work out for her, even if she tried her hardest. This face was from the academy, and more than likely a staff member. A smile crept upon her face, nodding a thanks to the comment made by the other staff member.
"Uh, thanks. I'm really bad at names, sorry." Giana said in a quiet, apologetic voice; which was totally out of character. Giana's manager had told her that once her fame started to pick up, her slightly southern accent would be one of many trademarks, as would her favorite number. Giana informed the manager that she'd do what she wanted, and once her fame grew, she wouldn't need a manager that told her what to do. That shut up the female manager quickly, and her tiny red stilettos click-click-click-ed off.

Coming back to the current time and place, out of her imagination, that was currently replaying old memories like reruns on pay-per-view. The wide smile faded to just the corners of her mouth tipped upwards, eyes wide and called to attention. Crazed curls had been tamed for the occasion; having been straightened and then curled once again (she was told that her hair would also be a trademark).

Everything from now on had to be done carefully, and everything was to be planned. A scandal would have to be done to up her fame just a tad, until everyone knew who she was at just the mere playing of one of many songs on the radio.

A tanned hand gripped onto the guitar case tighter, knuckled turning white during the conversation. The new act walked on stage, announcing his name, just as Giana had done just minutes earlier, before his southern twang filled the room, pulling in new customers with his voice.
"Was it really that good?" Giana asked, ducking her head, casting her eyes down to the sticky, dirty floor.