Left on the Sidelines // Nash Overstreet

Chapter 16: Even the Sun Sets in Paradise

-Nash-

MacKenzie and Danielle had just walked off stage after singing Remembering Sunday and I walked over to her, "So?"

I wrapped my arms around her and she sighed, "Now I see why you love doing this."

I smiled, letting go of her as Jamie, Ryan, and Ian were preparing to go out, "I'll see you for Why Don't You Love Me."

"Just get out there," she said, lightly hitting my cheek and walking away.

~

When it was time for mine and Danielle's song, Ryan, Jamie, and Ian walked offstage and I moved to Ryan's mic.

"Hey, guys," I said. The crowd screamed, making me laugh, "So, how many of you have heard Why Don't You Love Me?" They screamed again and I said, "Okay, good! Now, how many of you know who the song is about?" I heard a few cheers from behind me, only to look in that direction and see everyone backstage grinning at me. I rolled my eyes, but laughed, facing the front again, "What would you guys say if I brought her out here to sing this song with me?" They screamed again, only to scream louder when Danielle walked out. She took her spot beside me, smiling and giving a small wave to the crowd. "How are you on this fine evening?" I asked her.

"Just start the song before I change my mind," she smiled sweetly, looking up at me.

I started playing as I said, "Isn't she lovely?" They laughed and I started playing the song.

As Danielle was singing her part, I could tell she was putting everything she had into it. I kept glancing from her to the crowd and they had the same mixture of shock and amazement on their faces as I did. I smiled at her and we finished the song.

Right after we sang the last line, I grabbed Danielle and hugged her, making the crowd scream. I felt her laugh before we walked backstage, Danielle high-fiving Ryan was he was walking onto the stage to do Bleed and Last One Standing.

We went over to get a drink and she suddenly looked at me, "I'm gonna have to sing that with you at every show now, aren't I?"

I laughed and nodded, "Yeah, probably." She groaned, opening the bottle of Coke she picked up and I continued speaking, "If it helps, I could tell the crowd really loved you. The emotion you put into it was incredible."

"It helps when you mean the words you're singing," she shrugged, taking a drink. I looked at her for a moment before wrapping my arms around her tightly and resting my chin on top of her head.

"Hey, man. We gotta go back onstage," Ian said, walking by us. I nodded and kissed Danielle's head.

I grabbed my guitar and started walking to the stage when I heard Danielle say loudly, "Hey!" I spun around and looked at her and she motioned for me to go to back over to her. I did and she stood on her toes and kissed my lips. She pulled away and pushed my shoulder, facing me toward the stage again, "Okay, I'm good. You can go now." She smiled, making me laugh and shake my head as I walked onstage with Jamie and Ian.

~

-Danielle-

I was sitting with Cameron, MacKenzie, Jenna, Katia, Maren, and Caity backstage when I randomly got thirsty.

"Hey, I'm gonna go get another Coke," I announced, "Do any of you guys want anything?"

"I'll take a Dr. Pepper, please!" Maren smiled. Everyone else shook our heads and I skipped over to the table where the drinks were.

As I picked up my Coke and Maren's Dr. Pepper, I heard someone say, "Hey, Danielle."

I turned around and nearly yelled, "Jordan! How... How did you get back here?"