"Justin! Wait!" Alyssa found herself yelling, running after his vanishing figure. He stopped, turning to meet her panicked figure.
"Yes," He asked, very calmly, trying to stop the smile that tugged on the corners of his mouth.
"Yes, I wanna try it. I wanna sign," She told him, a bit out of breath.
"That's wonderful. Let's go find Lance," He grinned and the two walked down the street.
*~*~Lance's office, late next day*~*~*
Alyssa listened closely as Lance explained everything. Necassarys, dos, and don'ts. Agreeing on exactly what he was asking of her, and what she wanted from him, and what they both wanted to accomplish.
"I don't want to pressure you into anything you don't want to. I know I trust you as an artist, and also as my friend. So I am not making you sign to a certain amount of records, as usual you would have to do," Lance explained, as she shook her head in understanding. She sat across from Lance, Justin sat next to her for what he called moral support. If it was needed or not, he was still there.
"So sign here, here, and there. Its over everything we have just discussed. Album wise, personal privacy, and recording rights," He instructed circling 3 different places, on the contract that sat in front of her. Alyssa looked over it once more, before again signing her name.
"I think that's it. We have went over just about everything. Any questions?" Lance asked folding his hands in front of him.
"A million," She sighed. Lance chuckled.
"Lets just single them out then," He told her.
She began spilling off a series of questions, and Lance tried his hardest to answer each one efficiently. They had agreed on to start recording her album as soon as possible. But, wanting to first find the best writers, and producers to come about the songs to use. Promotions were definatly to come, as well as recording her first single. And making a video. A lot was planned ahead.
Alyssa adjusted the dress she was wearing, and once again glanced in the backstage mirror. She had on a knee length white dress. It was scooped neck, which revelied a dainty silver chain, with a cross charm. Her dark curls were down, two silver clips, bringing up the sides. Falling just even with her shoulders. She had appiled a small amount of makeup, to help accent her natural features.
The church was having a concert that night, that everyone would be attending, plus bringing guests. Except instead of all choir/group singing, it was also solos, and ensembles. An hour and a half total of singing. It wasnt exactly that Alyssa was nervous, it was more or less anxious. Justin, his parents, and all of the guys would be there. None of them had actually heard her sing, besides Lance and Justin. She sighed and grabbed her robe, joining the choir as they took the stage. Single filed they filled the risers arranged in front of the group of people. Alyssa's eyes scanned the crowd, settling on a familiar pair of clear blue ones. She smiled as Justin, spotted her. Giving a small wave, to gesture he saw her. She noticed, Lance, JC, Chris, and Joey aside him.
"Excuse me? Can I please have everyones attention?" The preached asked, tapping the microphone, as the crowd hushed. "As you know, this is one of the biggest events our church does all year. Aside from our annual Christmas concert. We are very pleased with the turn out of people. I see many familiar faces, but also several new ones. We are all very happy you joined us tonight. We are going to kick off the program with a song, that I think many of you will know. Jesus, our Savior. Thank you, and I hope you enjoy your evening with the Saint Clements Choir. God Bless," he announced, walking off the stage.
The director cued the group, as the pianist played the first tune of the night. The choir's assortment of voices filling the air, in 5 part harmony. Blended perfectly together, producing a sweet song.
An up roar of applause thundered around the large room. As Justin watched Alyssa slowly walk to the front of the stage. Ever so smoothly sliding off her choir robe, reveling the white dress beneath. Standing, alone, and small in front of a single microphone, her eyes scanned the crowd. She smiled, before she started to speak.
"Good evening everyone," she said, turning her head to look at all the faces in front of her. "I am Alyssa Taylor, a member of the St. Clemets Choir. I just wanted to once again thank you for coming out here tonight," She paused, before beginning again. "I am going to share with you, a piece of music I feel connected to in more than one way. It speaks what my heart could not," She explained, before the pianist began to play the soft melody. Alyssa counted it off before she awed the audience with her voice. Sweet, and pure. Each word sung with every passion in the world. Surfacing emotions, showing through each note she sang.
Search me, O God, and know my heart today;
Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray.
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from ev'ry sin, and set me free.
I praise Thee, Lord, for cleansing me from sin;
Fulfill Thy word and make me pure within.
Fill me with fire, where once I burned with shame;
Grant my desire to magnify Thy name.
Lord, take my life, and make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine.
Take all my will, my passion, self and pride;
I now surrender, Lord; in me abide.
The crowd was hushed, as the song played to an ending. Alyssa's eyes danced with delightment, and fear. It was not until several seconds after the ending that applause were given. Every one just listening letting her words sink in, hitting close to home. Her mind ran completly rapid, as she gave a small smile replacing her gold and white robe, and resuming her position in the choir.
"Thank you once again," the musical director said, as the choir assembled off the stage. People crowded around eager to greet the performers. Alyssa moved quickly through the crowd,her robe draped over her arm.
"Alyssa!" She heard her name called, and turned to see Joey waving his arms in the air. She smiled and waved to him. Once again, leaving the crowd. Moving a little more she felt 2 large arms encircle her waist.
"Girl, where do you think you are going?" She heard JC's voice against her neck. She could feel his smile and face muscles move as she truned around.
"Sorry, I just wanted to get away from this crowd."
"Well, OK I guess. But jeez girl! You never told us you could sing like that!" Chris interrupted coming up from behind JC. She smiled.
"It never really came up," Just as she said that, she saw Justin's familiar curls push his way through and up next to her.
"Alyssa. Ahh, sweetie you did so awesome!" He told her reaching out and giving her a hug. Surprised by his gestures, she smiled, and returned the hug. "Oh! And I got you something!" He shouted, handing here a boquet of a dozen yellow roses. The long stems were tied together with a white satin ribbon, curling its way up to the yellow petals. Alyssa's eyes misted with tears as she slowly took the flowers from him.
"Ahh, they are beautiful Justin. Thank you so much," She grinned, and gave him another hug, and kiss on the cheek.
"Your very welcome," He couldn't help but to smile at her thankfulness.
"Well, I better go. Thank you all so much for coming. I have a big day tomorrow, gotta get some rest," She laughed as she moved away for the guys.
"Oh, And Alyssa," Justin called out. She turned to look at him.
"Hmm?"
"You looked really beautiful tonight," He said, his voice soft, and sweet. She smiled, and felt her cheeks blush. As she climbed into her car she replayed Justin's words again and again in her head.
"You look really beautiful tonight," She whispered, letting a small sigh escape her lips, as she turned into her apartments.
::BEEP BEEP::
The alarm clock's scream pierced the air, serving as a severe reality check, taking Alyssa from her dream land. She glanced at the clock that stood blinking on her night stand, reading 6:15. She searched her mind for whatever reason she might be awake at the early morning hour. When it hit her. She as meeting Lance at the studio in an hour. Groaning she stepped out of bed, the warmness of it escaping her body. Replaced by the chilled morning, seeping through the window. A gentle stream of sunshine cascaded through the tiny room, creating a slight glow across the floor, lighting it up. The vase of yellow roses stood tall by her bed. Small thorns visible on the long stems. Alyssa smiled when she saw them, and went into the bathroom. Stepping into the tiled shower, greeted with a string of hot water. She felt her tiredness wash away, down the drain, as she readied for the long day ahead.
