Jizzie | Hand on Heart

Chapter 6 | Opening Show?

"Okay, so just don't touch your microphone"

I nod and the tech person walks away.

Sitting carefully on the sofa, I pull out my phone.

"Lizzie"

I look up in shock and see Aaliyah staring down at me.

"What are you doing here?" I say incredulously, pocketing my phone.

"Well you've been avoiding us since we had three conversation, and we knew you'd be here"

I nod slowly, inviting her to sit next to me.

"Alana and Sapphire are in the audience"

"Leah hasn't forgotten" I murmur.

Aaliyah looks slightly shocked, "I kind of figured, I saw her hassling you, I don't think she remembers everything though"

I nod again, "I really regret what happened"

I look up at her, letting the wall I kept in front of my heart come down, a tear slipped down my face.

Aaliyah's face softens and she pulls me into a hug.

"I miss this, us together" I say into her jumper.

"I miss it too"

"I miss Charlotte" I say, determined.

A tear escapes Aaliyah's eyes, but she brushes it away.

"Everything changed the day she died" Aaliyah said wistfully.

"Oh, your makeup is all smudged now!"

I'm pulled off the sofa by a makeup lady, casting one last look back at Aaliyah, who was sitting on the sofa, an indecipherable look on her face.

***

"ALRIGHT VIDCON LONDON!" Joey yells, waving his hand to hype up the crowd.

A loud cheer shakes the auditorium.

"Are you ready!" He yells again, jumping up and down a bit.

"YES!" The crowd roars back.

From where I'm standing, I can tell that Jessie isn't in her seat.

My blood runs cold when I see her talking calmly to Alana and Sapphire.

Aaliyah walks out to join them, an impassive look on her face.

Sapphire greets her, but Alana's face is etched in a permanent scowl.

"Lizzie" Joel whispers.

I'm brought out of my trance, and I turn to look at him.

"We're on!"

I nod, stepping back and fixing my hair.

The sound guy comes rushing up to us, fiddling around with our microphones before giving us the thumbs up.

I raise my eyebrows at Joel and he winks at me, sporting a warm smile.

"Okay, you guys are up now"

I turn to look at the organiser and she signals us to go on.

Heaving a deep breathe, I run a hand through my hair.

Giving Joel's Hand a last squeeze before walking up on stage.

***

Throughout our part in the show, I couldn't help stealing glances at Jessie, who was now back in her seat, and Alana and Aaliyah and Sapphire were now sitting next to her.