Page 6 of Lily
This is Jordyn. You're going to be amazing; now stop standing around looking like I slapped you.
Well, if she tried isolating herself again, she had a feeling Jordyn would make it hard for her to succeed. Blowing out a quick breath, she straightened up and made for backstage. This was a good thing, and she was going to celebrate it.
Lily Bell was who Lily Ortega wished she was. The perfect version of herself that was only ever confident and talented. Lily Bell headlined shows, sold out crowds and crafted music meant to make people move their bodies. Lily Bell spread joy, and for at least tonight, Lily could be that version of herself, even if it meant taking the stage a lot earlier than she'd intended.
By the time she had hit the backstage, she was standing taller and already planning out the song list she would perform. No more than five songs and only her favorites. This show didn't need to be a home run, but a good showing was important.
She could do that.
She moved to the side and set down her computer bag so that she could peek out toward the stage and crowd. It was a habit she had when waiting for her turn to take the stage. If she got a look at the crowd, then it wasn't so jarring for her once she stepped out in front of them. It calmed her,or it hadcalmed her in the past.
Now, it was making her heart beat fast and not in the pleasing, alive feeling way but more in the "oh, no, is this a heart attack" kind of way.
"Fuck," she whispered, swaying on her feet. If she had thought the club was busy from the floor, she was now overwhelmed by the crowd. It was a packed house, and this was her first show in nearly six months. She was in no position to do this show as unprepared as she was.
Maybe she could make a run for it?
She turned, looking for the back door, and she hated how unsteady she felt. Her blood was rushing through her ears, and she swore that it was all she could hear. The music of the band wrapping up on stage garbled together until it was one static note that made her head throb.
"Oh, this is bad," Lily murmured, shaking her head to clear away the sudden pounding that had taken up residence. She held out a hand and swayed again, nearly tripping over her computer bag. If she wasn't careful, she was going to faint. If she could only sit down, then maybe, maybe, things would be all right, but a quick glance around the backstage told Lily one very important thing.
There was nowhere for her to sit.
"Are you all right?" a voice asked, and she managed a nod, but still, the pounding in her head was getting stronger, more debilitating, and it would knock her on her ass if something didn't happen.
"Little one?" that mystery voice asked, and Lily went still. That voice was a lifeline to her, the endearment grounding her and pulling her away from the edge that she had nearly fallen over. She turned to look at the speaker through still hazy eyes and prayed she didn't faint on whoever was talking to her.
