Anna stared into the empty arena as nerves gripped her chest, squeezing the air from her lungs. Not quite three months ago, she and Eden had performed together on this very stage. The iconic arena looked even bigger empty than it had the night of the Grammys, filled to the rafters with people in glittering gowns and elegant suits.
She’d just completed her final sound check. In minutes, she’d go backstage to start getting ready. The arena would fill with eager concertgoers here to see Eden. Some for Anna, but mostly Eden.Opening night.Nothing she’d rehearsed so far seemed to have prepared her for this moment.
A hand gripped her shoulder. “Breathe, slow and deep.”
Anna did as she was told, while sparks filled her belly at the sound of Eden’s voice. Anna had barely seen her all week, except for the moments they’d rehearsed together onstage. She missed the friendship that had begun to grow between them.
“Remember at the Grammys when I told you not to look at the audience if you were feeling nervous?” Eden said.
“I remember.” Anna turned her head to find Eden standing behind her, dressed all in black.
“It’s a good strategy at award shows. The first time I stood on this stage and looked into an audience full of musical legends, I froze. But during a regular concert, I think it helps to look at the audience. Focus on the people right in front. They’re usually very enthusiastic, and sometimes it helps to make eye contact with someone. Smile at them. Focus on them instead of how many other people are in the room.”
Anna nodded. “Do you still get nervous?”
“God, yes,” Eden said with a laugh. “If I ever stop getting nervous before I go onstage in front of thirty thousand people, I should probably get my pulse checked.”
“I definitely don’t need my pulse checked.” Anna pressed a hand against her chest, where her heart thumped frantically.
“You’ll be terrified when you first walk out. That’s a given, so there’s no point fighting it. Look at your dancers, look for those people in the front rows, focus on the music. And remember, if you mess up, most people won’t even notice. Just keep going and know that it’ll be easier tomorrow night.”
“Thank you.” Anna turned and grabbed Eden in an impulsive hug. This was a big deal. Anna was about to perform before her first sold-out arena. She was opening for her idol. And that idol was out here giving Anna a pep talk, which she super didn’t have to do.
Eden’s arms came around her, squeezing Anna tight. “Will it make you more or less nervous if I tell you I’ll be watching your performance?”
“More,” Anna whispered, lost in the familiar rose-petal scent of Eden’s skin. “But also less, because it’s nice when a friend has your back.”
Eden released her and took a step back. “That’s what friends are for.”
“It’s time, ladies,” Paris said, stepping onto the stage behind them. “They’re about to open the doors to the public, so you need to clear the stage.”
Eden nodded. She turned to leave the stage, and Anna followed. Kyrie was waiting to intercept her, and when she turned to thank Eden again, she was gone. So Anna went into her dressing room, where her hair and makeup team was waiting to work their magic.
It took almost an hour for them to get her ready. When they finished, Kyrie told her, “Fifteen minutes until showtime. Let me know if you need help getting dressed.”
“Thanks. I will.”
Kyrie left the dressing room, and Anna closed the door behind her, grateful for a few minutes alone to collect herself before she took the stage. She made a quick trip to the bathroom before shimmying into thesequined pants and red top she’d be wearing tonight. The pants clung like leggings and glittered with all the colors of the rainbow.
She’d taken Eden’s advice and jazzed up her tour costumes. Plus, she’d had a few inches taken off her hair and would be wearing it down tonight too. It was pinned back on one side with a red clip. As she surveyed herself in the mirror, she decided she liked it. Shedidlook more mature this way without feeling inauthentic.
She sipped the tea Kyrie had left for her and ran through her vocal warm-ups. Her dressing room was somewhere deep beneath the stage, isolating her from whatever was going on above. She couldn’t hear the crowd, and that was probably for the best. She’d been waiting for this moment her whole life, the chance to perform in front of an arena full of people.
Exhaling slowly, she closed her eyes, doing her best to clear her head and calm her nerves. She pictured Eden’s face, the gentle, encouraging smile she’d given Anna right before they parted on the stage. Those blue eyes, as deep as the ocean but so much warmer. Roses. Anna inhaled, imagining she could still smell them.
A knock at the door interrupted the moment. “Yes?” she called.
“Five minutes,” Kyrie said.
“Okay. Come in.”
The door opened, and Kyrie slipped inside. She spent the next few minutes double-checking Anna’s appearance and helping her with her ear monitors and the sound pack that slipped into a pocket sewn onto the waistband of her pants.
“Ready?” Kyrie asked, walking in a slow circle around Anna to give her one last check.
Anna nodded. She reached for the tea and took a final sip, then pursed her lips while Kyrie touched up her lipstick.
“All right, then. Let’s do this. And can I just say, I’m so proud to be here with you tonight, Anna. You’re going to be amazing.” Kyrie gave her a quick hug, careful not to disturb Anna’s hair or makeup.
