It was 8:15pm and time for me to make a move to get to my gig on time. The guys had packed up their equipment and put it away in Jimmy's storage room so we could fit in our cars without being squished in by instruments.

Lexi threw her arms around Zach's neck and started making out with him. It was getting pretty heated, i felt like I was interrupting so I went and stood near the front door waiting for everyone. I saw Mason give Jim a manly slap on the shoulder as he left.

"Good Luck fire cracker! You'll do great love." Jim gave me a thumbs up from the bar flashing his most enthusiastic smile which warmed me from the inside.

Skeeter and Tommy split with us and made their way to a blue subaru while the rest of us hurried to Zach's car. Once Zach, Lexi, Mason and I were all in we hightailed it to the Next nightclub with the others following behind us in the subaru. My stomach was doing awkward flips and it felt like I had a swarm of bees in there. I wasn't sure whether it was due to Zach's crazy driving or my nerves, but having Mason sitting next to me was one of the reasons I felt more on edge than a usual in a car full of people. He smelled like fresh cologne and his muscles were stretching his shirt taught. My eyes kept wandering along his sharp jawline, to his lips and down his chest.

"Did you have fun?" Mason turned to me and put his left ankle on his right knee casually, looking sideways at me.

"I did actually, thank you. The song choices were interesting." I said trying to make conversation to take my mind off my nerves. It wasn't helping at all.

"Well, you know..." He touched my shoulder and then pulled away.

"You inspired my song choices tonight." His smile was slight and I could see his jaw working. Was he nervous?

"Well I loved them, I think you guys did a great job. When's your next show?" I tried to change the subject a little. It started feeling too intense the way he was leaning towards me with his arm resting behind my head.

"Probably next week sometime. Why? You wanna come dance for me again?" he said grinning cheekily. So he did see me dance even if it was for a millisecond. Well that's mortifying for me but hilarious to him I'm sure.

"No, I was just gonna say, you guys need to tweak your sound. It needs a little work, I'm telling you." I said half jokingly. He put his hand to his chin, rubbing his five o'clock shadow in thought.

"You should totally come to our next practice and show me your expertise miss OCD." He scruffed my hair laughing. I squealed slapping his hands away unable to keep the smile off my face. If he wanted me at Amity Projects next practice, I'd be there... for the musics sake of course.

"Okay okay, but only because I care for the welfare of Jimmy's ears." I pointed at him with my index finger.

"Girl please." He put on a feminine voice as he flicked his imaginary long hair.

"We're fantastic."

"We'll see how fantastic you can be after I use my 'OCD' magic on you". I made quotation marks with my fingers as I said 'OCD' and then scruffed his hair back. He scrunched up his nose and smoothed out his hair smiling. He looked good with his hair scruffy or made up. He looked great when he was smiling and happy. When I caught his eyes, the look he gave me was electric. It sent a white hot fire through my body. Being myself around him was easy, effortless... and so dangerous.

I cleared my throat and pretended to look for something in my bag.

You can close your eyes to the things you don't wan't to see but you can't close your heart to the things you don't want to feel.

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Walking through the doors at Next Lexi's mouth dropped open.

"Cheese and rice Quinn, you're gonna be working here?! You lucky bitch!" Unable to take her eyes off the shining crystal chandeliers and sparkling ornaments all over the foyer.

"You think this is amazing, wait until you see the actual club." I lead them to the giant doors and pushed them open with the combined force of my shoulder and hip.

The place was crawling with people already and the show wasn't for another 15 minutes. I felt myself go pale and I unconsciously dropped my bag to the floor. I got onto my hands and knees trying to pick up my belongings that had rolled out before they were trodden on by 6 inch stilettos. I reached for my notepad and felt a strong, callused hand envelop the top of mine. I followed the hand up to the persons arm and it was Mason. He put his other hand to my cheek.

"Are you okay?" He asked on his knees... on the floor... with me. I pursed my lips and nodded vigorous little nods. There was something vulnerable about being in the dark on the floor together. His touch was surprisingly tender and sweet for such a masculine guy.

He stood up and pulled me up with both hands. Lexi and Zach were standing with their hands around each others waists just watching Mason and I.

It wasn't weird that Mason was helping me was it? He helps people all the time I'm sure. Like little old ladies across the road. What makes me think I'm so special?

Zach put his face next to Lexi's ear and whispered something. She clutched her heart with her free hand and mouthed 'awww'. I held both hands out at my sides as if to ask 'What?". Zach shook his head at Lexi and she just waved her hand in a 'don't worry' manner.

I looked back at Mason and he was holding my bag for me. The contrast between a big brawny body against a petite black chain bag was hard to keep a straight face at. I stifled a giggle with my hand, scratching a non-existent itch on my nose. I thanked him as I took it and started looking around for Chris. I'd spotted him at the end of the bar checking his watch.

Hopefully he's not pissed at me.

"I'm gonna go get ready." I said to Mason tipping my head towards the bar. He took me by both shoulders, leaned down to my eye level and wished me good luck. He tugged on my plait as I walked off to meet up with the other boys. I used the walk over to cool down from the close encounter with Mason just moments before. The sheer proximity to him left me feeling hot and flustered. I'd never felt like that before in my life... I liked it.

Chris' eyes went wide as he saw me emerging from the crowd and he put his arm around my neck.

"We thought you weren't going to come. Glad you made it!" He said through hazy eyes. Was he tipsy already?

"You look very hot tonight." He said so close to my ear I could feel the heat of his breath and smell alcohol radiating off every word.

"Lets get up on stage and show these motherfuckers how to party!" He howled causing the crowd to go wild with whistles and howling. He took my hands and pulled me through the crowd towards the stage. I frantically started looking for Lexi once I was up above everyone but I couldn't see past the glare of the multi-coloured lights.

"Now do we have a treat for you ladies and gentlemen. Tonight we have a new party monster ready to drive some new beats guaranteed to make your body go wild. Give it up for Quinn!" Chris held his hand out presenting me to the crowd. Cheers and wolf whistles erupted from below the stage. I bit my lip and gave an awkward wave as I made my way to the sound desk where my microphone was set up. My heart was pounding so hard I was scared the microphone would be able to pick it up. I dropped my bag at my feet and took a few deep breaths trying to remind myself that I actually had support in the crowd tonight.

The other men were behind us ready to start giving Chris and I the thumbs up. Chris stood beside me, put his headphones on and gave me a single nod. He fiddled with the buttons and a pulsating beat started from the speakers. It pounded through my entire body rattling my bones.

I sung trying to remember all of the words while scanning the dim lit crowd for Lexi. She was to the left of the stage right up the front dancing like a possessed woman. It brought a familiar smile to my face and by the second verse I felt more at ease, putting my all into performing. Chris looked over at me a few times during the set and bobbed his head in approval. Performing music made me feel free. It felt like any hurt I had endured in the past could be washed away and the future was bright and full of possibility.

It was 10pm when the music dampened and drew to a finale. The sea of bodies slowed down and began applauding. It felt so good to be praised for my talent. It was a welcome change to the disapproval of any talents other than speaking in tongues or confessing prophetic words from above.

I remember my father locking me in my room until I received a prophetic word from God.

"Moses endured 40 years in the desert in search of the land of milk and honey. You will stay in your room until God speaks to you. I will not have an un-gifted child in this family." I stayed in there for 3 days and given only bread and water at dinner time. I prayed, I cried, I slept, I ate, but I didn't hear anything. By the end of the third day I had made up a word from God just so I could breathe fresh air again.

Hearing people chant my name and clap for me felt like a breath of fresh air.

I jumped off the stage to where Lexi was and she gave me the tightest hug she could give.

"You khilled it Quinn! I feel like a proud sssster right nnnw." She slurred holding my arms jumping up and down excitedly. She'd definitely had a little too much to drink, but at least she was a fun drunk. Zach came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist nestling his head in the crook of her neck.

"Come on baby, let's get you home so you can sleep it off." He kissed her neck. I felt a hand on my shoulder and spun around to see Mason. He picked me up by the waist and spun me around.

"You blew the roof off this place baby doll!" he gloated setting me back on the ground with care. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. For the first time in my life I had friends. Friends who were supportive and actually cared.

Can they be your friends if they don't know every single secret about you? i contemplated silently to myself while Mason and Skeeter were talking amongst each other. Well, sure. Lexi doesn't know absolutely everything about me and I'm sure I don't know every single detail about her life and that doesn't mean we're not friends. Maybe things aren't always so black and white, wrong or right... Maybe I can have Mason in my life as just a friend and be able to achieve my goals at the same time.

"We're gonna boot. Got work tomorrow", said Skeeter as he slapped Mason on the back and the boys said their goodbyes.

My deep thought was interrupted by an abrupt voice from the right.

"Oh Quinn, there you are!" Chris came barrelling through the dissipating crowd.

"We're having an after party at a lodge not too far from here. You in? You are one of us now." He said with a hand squeezing my shoulder. The way he touched me felt different to when Mason touched me. It felt wrong somehow. But the thought of an after party was exciting. Being part of something with people who actually wanted to hang out with me.

"Yeah, sure. As long as my friends can come too." I said pointing them out. Chris rubbed his hands together and held his arms out wide.

"Of course. The more the merrier. You can follow our car up if you like. Be ready in 5." He nodded to the club doors and turned on his foot to where he came face to face with Mason.

Mason pushed his chest up against Chris aggressively. Masons face wore a guarded expression and his hands started to ball up into fists by his side. Chris frowned and went to say something before Zach put his hand on Masons chest.

"Relax man. It's not worth it." Zach tried to talk some reason into Mason. Mason gave one last glare which could have frozen over the pacific and stormed off.

"What was all that about?" I asked to no one in particular. Zach gave Chris a look through squinted eyes and shook his head before mumbling under his breath.

"Nothing you need to worry about. Let's get to this after party." Chris pumped a fist in the air and howled like an animal.