**** 6 days later ****
"Alyssa, just concentrate. I know for a fact that its in you," Lance told her as she struggled once more, with the same note in the song.
"That you're h-eee-rrre," Alyssa struggled, her hands moving as her head tilted upward. The note was long, and high. It was in her range, but for some reason she couldn't quite reach it.
"Try it again," She heard Lance's voice penetrate through the head phone resting on her head. She sighed, glancing through the glass at the 7 waiting and watching guys. Lance, Justin, and the guys were there. They were all supposed to go out, but after Alyssa finished up some things. And that didn't seem like it would be happening any time soon. And then 2 guys managing her sound, and volume, plus equipment. She nodded her head as the music replayed at the same place it had been for the last half hour.
"H-eeee-rrrrrrr-e," Once more she tried, only to again fail at her attempt. Her face looked tried, and worried as her green/blue eyes looked up in disappointment at her manager, and her friends.
"Alyssa. Again," Lance told her, starting the music. As Alyssa sang her throat was rasping, and voice broke with pent up emotions. "I cant do it Lance. I just cant do it," She sighed, feeling more and more frustration flood her mind.
"Yes, you can. Do it again," He told her, restarting the music. Alyssa swallowed hard, before attempting to reach the note once more. When her voice brushed the note, and then lowered, she closed her eyes, and let her hands cradle her head.
"Do it again" Lance repeated. This time Alyssa didn't even make an attempt. She just let the music play around her, as she sat and listened.
"Don't you think you are being a little hard on her?" Justin asked Lance, his eyes pleading and demanding.
"No, Justin I'm not. Don't you remember how frustrating it is when you can't do something? When you're in the studio singing the same word for an hour! That's what she feels like now, and isn't going to be any different until she reaches it. Whether she knows it or not,"
"But, look at her. You can tell she's not going to get it today. Not now, she has been here all day. She was supposed to be finished an hour ago. Have her come in tomorrow. Fresh new day. a Refreshed voice. What do you say?" Justin reasoned with Lance.
"Yeah. I guess you're right," He agreed.
"Sweetie, you ready to go?" Justin's voice filled her ears as she looked up in anticipation.
"Have been for the past, uh 4 hours," She laughed, standing up and removing her head phones.
"So, where do you want to go?" Justin asked, grabbing his car keys.
"Doesn't matter."
"Yeah, same for me. Hey Chris, what are we doing for tonight?" Justin called out, interrupting the conversation him and the other guys were having.
"Miniature golf! We're going putt-putt baby!" He laughed.
"Sounds great," Justin rolled his eyes. "You still want to go?" He asked Alyssa.
"Of course! I love putt putt. Dude, I got skills!" She giggled, looking down, her hair falling forward, covering her face.
"It's getting cold! Hurry your butt up!" Joey told Alyssa as she concentrated on her shot. She gave a whack of the club, as the small yellow ball flew into the alligators mouth, and down the small slide leading to the hole.
"You see that! Oh, who's the master!" Alyssa shouted, as the ball flawlessly rolled into the hole. As it had done several times before.
"I don't know. But I better start getting some hole in ones. Cause I refuse to let you beat me this bad!" Chris raved, walking off to the next hole.
"He really is a sore loser isn't he? Should I humor him? Or let him know that we just did the last shot?" Alyssa laughed, as her and Justin walked behind the others.
"I think he will figure it out for himself." Justin grinned.
"We're getting a pizza guys! Stay put! We already lost Joey twice!" Lance shouted as he and the guys entered the line for food. They looked silly in their "descises". But, it was better that way. Eliminating the risk of being noticed, or better yet mobbed.
"It really has been getting chilly outside lately hasn't it?" Alyssa smiled tilting her head upward toward the star lit sky. Her arms covering one another trying to shelter her self from the cold.
"Cold?" Justin joked, coming up behind her. Taking off his jacket, he draped it around her shoulders, Running his warms hands up and down her arms, to keep them warm. "Better?" He asked leaning in a little closer, his arms stopping around hers.
"MM-hmm. But, I don't want you to be cold Justin," She told him.
"I'm fine, really," He assured. Justins eyes moved down to her face. Streaks of the pale moonlight danced across her face, the stars above twinkling bright. Justin began to hum, as his arms held onto hers. He couldn't help but smile, she felt so right in his arms, and he had to admit, he wanted her there.
"Ahh..."Chris tilted his head looking at Alyssa and Justin from the side. "What a Kodak moment," He laughed.
"I give them 2 more weeks max. Then they are gonna be a couple, you just watch.." Joey predicted.
"Whatever. Justin, and Alyssa are just good friends, There's nothing there," JC insisted.
"Oh yeah. And I mean REALLY close friends," Lance rolled his eyes.
