Falling Angels

Claire's POV

"Tour starts in two weeks." Andy replied. "Two weeks? Like July 23rd?" I asked. That was my birthday. The last thing that I wanted for my birthday was the possibility of embarrassment and a crowd-induced panic attack. The tension began to build in my chest again. "Yes, is there something wrong with that?" Jake asked in a concerned tone. "Um, no. It's fine." I stammered as I tried to conceal my growing panic. "Babe, what's wrong?" Andy asked as he walked over and pulled me close. "Nothing." I lied again. "Claire." Andy bore into me with his piercing blue stare. "It's my birthday and I don't wanna perform on my birthday because I'm afraid the crowd won't like me and I'll be embarrassed and I'll get a panic attack and-" I was cutoff when Andy swooped in to peck my lips. Some of the tension in my chest dissolved but I was still stressed. "Ew, don't be one of those lovey-dovey couples." CC pleaded. I giggled. You gotta love CC. "It'll be fine," Andy replied. "And we are one of those lovey-dovey couples." Andy said to CC. He spun me around and kissed me as he set me down. "You'd better respect my daughter." Jinxx warned. "If you don't I'll steal her away from you and break your neck." Ashley added. I laughed at their antics but I still wasn't calm. "I know!" Jake exclaimed. "You know what?" Ashley inquired. "We can make a debut video on YouTube to make sure the fans like her. Although I don't think she needs one because she's already the best singer I've ever heard." Jake complimented. "Aww, thanks Jake." I blushed. I was almost calm when I realized that if the fans didn't like me I would be stuck on the internet forever. Was I ready for this? 'Do it so you won't get embarrassed later.' I thought to myself. 'That is, if you don't embarrass yourself on YouTube.' My subconscious replied. I hid my thoughts and smiled. "Okay." My stupid mouth answered for me. Everyone bought it but Jinxx. He gave me another look of parental concern. "You don't have to do this if you don't want to." he said so only I could hear. "I'm fine." I mouthed. "Just let me know if you want me to get you out of this." He whispered as he patted my shoulder. "Thanks but I'm fine. Really." I reassured him even though I couldn't quite reassure myself. He nodded and seemed convinced. Suddenly, it hit me. "Wait, who am I performing with? Am I like the opening act or am I singing with you guys?" I asked them. "Good question." CC answered thoughtfully. The room fell silent as the guys brainstormed. I froze at the thought of performing alone or with people I didn't know. "With us, of course. I'm not performing without my other half." Andy broke the silence. "And I have to keep an eye on my daughter." Jinxx added. CC, Jake, and Ashley chimed in at the same time, "Aww, our little sister's gonna perform with us." They looked at each other and we all burst out laughing. These guys were so close they said the same thing at the same time without even thinking about it. I hoped I would become that close to them. "What song am I singing with you guys?" I asked. There was no way they were getting me to sing more than one song. "I don't know." Jake answered. "I could do a twitter poll every night to see what sing the fans want me to perform." I suggested. "That's a great idea." Ashley agreed. "Yeah." Andy replied, giving me a squeeze. All the other guys nodded and I smiled. I was going to go touring with my saviors!

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