Adriana wasn’t a fan of getting called out so when the spotlight hit her as Jack began to talk, her face turned fire red and she gave a small, SMALL wave. Attention was not her favorite thing and yet here she was with a spotlight on her. Luckily it didn’t last long and the spotlight moved on and poor Adriana was able to breathe once again. How did he handle being in the spotlight?! That was so intense with all those… those eyes watching her. A sigh left her as she turned her attention to the stage and the show began.

Her whole being felt swept away by the music, much like when she listened to it on her headphones except it was much louder and shook her whole being. Soon she was swaying, almost dancing to the music as she closed her eyes and allowed herself to get carried away. As the Winter Snow song began, their hit single from the album and her favorite song. She began to sing along with Jack as he sang. Her body moving with the music and enjoying the sound; nothing beat seeing them live but since she couldn’t go with them everywhere she settled for the album.

The concert came to an end and the crowd erupted in cheers as the band took a bow before leaving the stage. The trio of girls made their way to the back as they met up with Crystal.

“Come on, we’re leaving.”

“We are?”

“Yes we’re leaving, going to my house than we’re hitting the club!”

“What? But I…” As Crystal dragged her away she waved good bye to the family of Jack’s and left. Unknown to her, Crystal took it upon herself to arrange with meeting up with the band at the club and tonight was going to be the night when Jack saw Adriana as a woman, not the girl next door. That and Robert owed her a few beers.

****

It was around 9pm when the girls arrived at the club and walked in like they owned the place… well Crystal did. The blonde haired girl with blue highlights wore a form fitting blue dress that stopped at her knees and hung loosely off of her shoulders. The dark color was a wonderful contrast on her pale body but nothing could hold a candle to the blonde walking in behind her.

“I feel really uncomfortable…” Adriana whispered in a sharp tone to her friend as they walked in, the blonde instinctively hiding behind her friend.

“I don’t know why, you look awesome. You said it was comfortable and you can run in those pumps. So why is it an issue now?” The question was honestly rhetorical because she knew exactly wh…

“You told me to try it on and give you an opinion. I thought we were playing dress up again. I didn’t think it was dress up and go out.” Her voice was slightly harsh as her friend stepped aside. Adriana’s long body was in a curvy fitting black halter top dress, her a necklace interlaced with the halter giving it more of a glamorous look it is and silver chains holding the fabric together up her thigh to her hip. To say the least she looked incredible and almost exactly like a model. She (and Crystal) were turning heads as they ventured towards the back room to the VIP section. “Why are we here? You’re not one to go out without some form of plan. And how are we getting into the VIP zone?”

“Crystal Calkins and Adriana Menzel.”

“Like we’re gonna…”

“Right this way.” The bouncer let them in without any sort of argument.

As Crystal smirked the blonde followed her closely in running a hand through her hair. What the hell was going on? When they entered there were some people around but not many and no faces she recognized. Unknown to her but known to Crystal, they had beat the band here. “I’m going to… get a drink…” Her voice was filled with a panic as she hurried to the bar and leaned against it. “Hi,” She said slightly embarrassed at her sudden rush. “Vodka and Pineapple please.”

While her friend panic and ran away, Crystal moved away from the entrance area and checked the clock. Robert said they’d aim for 10pm and it was about that time. Now she wanted to wait and see Jack’s reaction if/when he recognized a certain girl at the bar, oh and get her owed beers.

Dress

Jack watched as the spotlight hit Adriana where she was sitting with his sister and mother. Smiling down at where Adriana was sitting he moved his hand signaling the man working the spotlight to move it quickly, knowing that Adriana had never been the kind of person who ever wanted the spotlight on her whether she was worthy of it or not.

Plucking a few strings on the brand new bass that had been given to him just to test the bass he smiled knowing that this bass had been masterfully crafted by whoever had made it, upon the request of his oldest and dearest friends.

This is when Jack Stacera ceased to exist as the music flowed through his body like rivers of gold flowing through paradise. This is how Jack had always been about music, why he had always loved it and one of the main reasons he had quit his job as one of the two top male models in the world to start a band all those years ago as a teenager. It was because of how musically inclined Jack was at writing lyrics, playing a multitude of instruments including the bass, his ability to sing, and the suggestion...Or well basically the push that Addie had given him that caused him to give music as a career a chance, now because of that push Jack was the lead singer of one of the hottest and most beloved bands in the world.

As the concert went on Jack and Robert took turns singing the songs that the co-vocalists had made famous over their career. Hours went by with them switching back and forth. Though once Jack placed his bass on its stand and made his way over to a beautiful white and gold piano the crowd went absolutely ape-shit, cheering as loud as they could cheer for they all knew that the song Winter Snow was about to be played. Even though the song had only been out for a three months tops this had become the most bought, most famous song that the band had. Mostly because Jack put his heart and soul into this song more than any other song he'd ever written, played, or sang this song was about the feelings he had suppressed for years that had finally exploded out of him in the lyrics of Winter Snow.

This was the last song that they were playing since it was the theme to their Winter Love tour. After the song was over Jack took a deep breath as he stood up hearing the crowd cheering was exhilarating to him, giving Jack the same high that drugs would give addicts. Walking over to the front of the stage Jack spoke softly "Thank you, everyone, in this beautiful town. It means more than you could ever know to see so many familiar faces here tonight. And I wish to thank all of you again for coming to our hometown tour in the place where this band really began" with a final bow he walked off stage.

****

After the show, Jack wanted nothing more than to go home with his mother and sister to spend time with them as he had planned to do the entire time since this was the last show of the tour. However, Robert had different plans for the band though. After returning to Jack's large home in town he spent a little while talking Jack into going to a bar for an afterparty. This idea did not even slightly interest Jack until Robert began talking about how it could also be a meet and greet with the fans.

"Come on Jack I'm being serious here, sure you're not a partier we all know that but all those fans came to see their hometown boy if we go to the club you will be able to have personal conversations with people who could've been fans of yours before all the fame and fortune. It could really help you get back to your roots and become the Jack Stacera that was born and raised here in town" Robert said with a smile knowing that there were other reasons that he wanted to go to the club but knowing that this explanation would most likely change Jack's mind.

Jack sighed "Fine, fine I will go and get dressed in a pair of blue jeans and a nice shirt" he started but was quickly interrupted by his best friend Robert once again.

"No, no Jack I know you wish to be comfortable but we're going to a club you must look your finest especially since that's how you're known to dress. Everybody who knows you knows that you wear the finest suits anywhere you go."

"Come on Rob you know that the suits are my persona. Mr. Good boy in the fine suits with a heart of gold, not the actual Jack Stacera" Jack said trying to argue but knowing he was going to lose.

"Jack you are Mr. Good boy you made his persona, you live his persona each and every single day while also keeping Jack alive. Your fans love you but they also love Mr. Good boy do it for the fans who love you."

Jack sighed a defeated sigh "Fine five me about fifteen minutes and have the rest of the band ready to go, I don't want to spend forever out there. I'd like to come home spend time with my family, my friends and just have me time" Jack said as he walked to go get dressed. It took about thirty minutes before he came out in an all black fine Italian silk suit and a pair of old-school Oxford dress shoes. "Alright are we ready to go," he asked curiously.

"Looking good man the ride's already outside the boys are already in it. And everything is ready for us to party all night long after rock 'n' rolling all day" he said making a Kiss reference knowing that Kiss was one of Jack's favorite bands. As soon as the two vocalists got inside of the limo the limo drove off towards the club. As soon as the lights of the club could be seen Robert began physically shaking with excitement because he loved going clubbing and also he knew the surprise that was waiting for Jack inside the V.I.P room of the club. Because he had planned it with Crystal before they had ever even got onstage at the concert. As soon as the limo stopped Robert rushed everybody out and grabbed Jack pulling him through the entire building towards the V.I.P room even though Jack was fighting the whole way.

"Hey...Hey calm down Rob we're supposed to be meeting and greeting fans that's the reason I came here with you" he said honestly as he was shoved through the club by his best friend.

"Trust me there will be time to meet and greet with our fans my dear friend. Right now though I have something that I'd like for you to see" Robert said with a smirk plastered on his handsome features. This time Jack gave less fight as Robert pulled him through the club and they walked up to the V.I.P room. The guard outside did not even ask them their name knowing who they were and immediately let them inside.

"What is this big surprise," Jack asked as he walked up the stairs leading to the massive V.I.P room that had all kinds of black lights and other lights giving the room a dark and mysterious hue to it. As soon as he reached the top of the stairs he could see the disarraying number of lights shining in each direction, the dark hardwood floor, the dark leather chairs that were faced towards the window so that everyone could see the people downstairs dancing.

"Ah, well you'll see just momentarily," Robert said seeing Crystal out of the corner of his eyes "Eventually everything will make sense my dear old friend. For now though" he said raising his fingers and the man brought over two very old scotches since Robert was known at all the clubs "Drink up" he said handing the drink to Jack before walking across the room to where Crystal was and he tapped Crystal on the shoulder "It wasn't easy but I managed to do what I said" he whispered in her ear.

Jack turned around to talk to Robert after being handed a drink though before he could even begin to look for his friend he was swarmed by other V.I.P's who were fans of his band the Lords of Captivating Hearts and they were asking him a million different questions about anything they could ask about. Mostly though they were asking about the song Winter Love and asking who it was written about, why it sounded so good. Jack smiled as everyone spoke to him and even though he was getting asked about Winter Love he was not going to answer it either since he was unsure about how to go about telling everyone else about his crush for a woman whom he hadn't even told himself.

You could feel the excitement in the air as more and more people arrived to the club and the roughly 35-40 people who had their names on the VIP list enjoyed the drinks and cocktails that awaited them. The buzz soon reached Addie’s ears and the realization of where she was and why she was pushed to dress the way she ended up became too much for her. Panic soon filled the blonde as she tapped the bar impatiently waiting for the drink. Her flight mode active but she didn’t want to be rude and ditch the drink. A cab would be easy to catch right? RIGHT?!

Hearing a voice behind her made her grin as she slowly turned around, “It’s about time. With this many people Addie’s about to go into flight or fight mode, and she’s normally more of a flyer.” Her gaze jerked down to see the drink in his hand which she instantly took from him. “What do you know, this equals the beers you owe me.” Taking a drink she hissed softly at the liquor. “Damn that’s good stuff, what year is it?”

Oh god, oh god oh god! More people… panic slowly shook her insides as the bartender finally placed down her drink. Taking it up she thanked him and attempted to pay but got waved off. “Okay… well then here.” She placed five dollars she was prepared to play for the drink on the table as a tip and started to hurry towards the door. No no no, Jack can’t see me like this, no no no! Her thoughts had her in flight mode as she took off towards the exit while he was surrounded by people.

Taking another drink of the scotch she pointed. “Look, she’s running already. I thought we had a bit more time…” When Addie finally crossed in between Crystal’s line of sight to Jack she called out, “LOOKING GOOD ADDIE!” As loud as she could causing her friend to stop and look at her as if asking Why are you shouting?! with her panic expression before Crystal pointed a long finger directly towards Jack, which to Jack, looked like she was pointing at the random blonde in the black dress.

Addie froze giving her friend a very pointed, ‘what the fuck?’ expression before she flinched. Shit… Jack was practically behind her wasn’t he… Her fight or flight mode was cut off and she instead chose the route of dealing with a dinosaur where if you don’t move… they can’t see you!

"Trust me getting Jack out was no easy task in itself. The man does not like the social scene as much as I do. But he's a small town boy who made it big. Unfortunately, he's a small town boy who made it big yet kept that small town boy personality. To get him out I literally had to try and persuade him that this could also be a meet and greet with the fans that he cares so deeply about because obviously, I couldn't just tell him that we were coming to set him up with the girl he's in love with but is afraid to say anything to" Robert said honestly as he felt her stealing his drink from him which caused him to chuckle as well. "That drink that you just stole from my hand is a very rare, very expensive Scottish scotch brewed in Eighteen-sixty-two and is nearly eight-thousand dollars a bottle. Whenever I come to any town I make sure that cases of this stuff are sent. And if not this exact one, one just as old and just as expensive" Robert said honestly. "Stick around you'll see that you like partying with a rock star and who knows you might even come to like the person behind the bad boy persona as well," Robert said honestly. He didn't understand why Crystal fascinated him as much as she did, he had never been the feely type of person that was Jack's area of expertise Robert had always been the ladies man choosing a different woman in every state, however, now he found himself drawn to Crystal.

Jack smiled as the people surrounded him and he began answering each and every single question that was brought forth to him, all of them except who Winters Love was written about. He hadn't even told Addie that she was the inspiration for the song so why would he tell his other fans about it.

"Well if she's running then we have to make this interesting," he said watching as Crystal yelled about how good Addie looked dressed the way that she was. "HEY JACKIE-BOY LOOK," he said pointing over to where Addie was standing. He could see that Addie froze as soon as Crystal yelled at Addie.

Jack stopped talking as he heard Crystal and then heard her say that Addie was looking good. Quickly, he whipped around seeing the woman he secretly loved dressed beautifully and he blushed slightly "Excuse me" he said to the fans "I must go and see my dear friend" with that said Jack made his way across the room to where Addie stood frozen from embarrassment "Well don't you look absolutely beautiful tonight. To what may I thank this pleasant meeting between us" he asked respectfully as he stared at his longtime friend and crush.

Robert looked at the waitress who walked by him "Could you bring me two more glasses of the good stuff please" he asked knowing that all of the waitresses had been told of the very expensive scotch brought by Robert. Slowly turning towards Crystal once again Robert smiled "Now that you've lit the fire it's time for me to pour gasoline on it give me a moment and watch this" slowly Robert walked to the bar where the DJ who was playing the music was "I would like for you to put on Winter's love for me please" he said pulling out a hundred dollar bill and handing it to the DJ as the song came on. This is when he grabbed the microphone that the DJ had set up and spoke "Hello and welcome to this beautiful club this evening. Tonight we are graced with the presence of hometown boy turned world-renowned musician Jack Stacera who is standing right next to his beautiful longtime friend Addie... Come on Jack dance with her."

All of the people upstairs began clapping as they heard about their hometown boy being in the club and then began chanting "Dance with her" over and over.

Jack began blushing as he heard Robert's words coming from the loudspeakers. Everyone else seemed to be pairing off now to dance to the beautiful slow song and so taking a deep breath Jack stared at Addie with a smile "I know that you're the kind of person who doesn't like the limelight having always liked to be in the background. I apologize for what Robert just did, it was not right but would you mind if I asked you for one dance, you spoke of how much you loved this song and I would be honored to dance with you to it."

The ashy-blue haired girl rolled her eyes rather dramatically when he invited her to stick around to learn more about who was behind the bad boy persona. “How about instead of being a ‘persona’ you just be yourself hotshot?” Was her response as she took a drink of the scotch. Sure, it was an eight thousand dollar bottle of alcohol but Crystal was worth more than money could buy. Then again this was damn good scotch.

Don’t move, don’t move, don’t move, don’t move… was the mantra that went through her head as she held perfectly still. Deep down inside, she had hoped… prayed that Jack wouldn’t notice her. But alas, he approached her and praised how pretty she looked. Her face flushed a deep shade of red and her gaze turned downwards looking at her shoes. Her toe poked gently at the hard wood beneath her feet, “Probably an annoying blue haired girl and a loud mouth ‘bad boy’.” Even the tone in her voice said she used bad boy in quotes. Her hazel gaze moved upwards to look up at Jack and gave him a small smile. “I don’t know why I let Crystal talk me into going out but I’m glad I’m here. Congratulations on your album…”

Her words were cut off by the sound of Robert’s words and her attention turned to him, along with the rest of the crowd. Out of the corner of her eye, Crystal cheered the drink in her hand towards Robert, obviously she knew what he was doing and Addie… well not so much.

The chants of Dance with her… which she’s pretty sure began from Crystal (damn her) echoed around them. Her gaze shifted up to Jack who seemed to be as red as she was. How can he be so embarrassed when he’s almost always the center of attention of things? A small laugh left her as she gently took his hand, “If it will get them to shut up let’s just get this over with.” Her voice was kind and gentle despite her word choice but the sooner they danced the sooner people would go on with their night.

Taking him to the dance floor she placed a hand within his and one on his shoulder.

Crystal went to Robert’s side as he came down from the DJ booth as he received his drink. Clinking the glass she had in her hand against his, she smirked. “Good call hotshot. But don’t push them too hard, their faces might explode.”