Not Even Once//PT2 of Just Once Series

Chapter 5// Showtime

Alice paced up and down the backstage hallway, her nerves killing her slowly.

Vik, Preston, Mitch, and Jess all watched her from the sidelines, worried looks bouncing around their faces.

"Ali, seriously. It's not like you haven't been on stage before!" Vik must have been frustrated. Sam hadn't showed up yet, so Vik was her acting manager. A job he couldn't do well.

"Shut up. Shut up, shut up, shut up." Alice ran her hands through her hair, holding her hands against her ears for a second.

She looked over at Vik, noticing the hurt expression that ran across his face. She'd only caught a glimpse of it, the hurt faded faster than Alice's frustration.

"Sorry."

"No problem." Vik looked down at her feet, then to the floor. He was on the verge of tears.

"Seriously, Vik." Alice took two steps toward him, placing a loving hand on his shoulder.

"Alice, just-just leave me alone. I'm done for today." He handed her her coffee, looking into her eyes once more. She saw the hurt again. The sadness. She saw the deepest part of him, break.

"Vik-"

"Nope, I'm done."

"I love you, babe."

"Sure." He walked away from her, again.

Alice stood there, in the middle of the hallway, staring at the door Vik had walked through. He was gone. She had no support.

"Well." Jess spoke first, "let's get you warmed up."

Over the past year, Jess had learned how to play the piano, and most of Alice's cover songs. Alice was grateful.

Jessica put the songs into the concert order while Alice sat down. "Ready?" Jess asked.

"Always." But really, Alice couldn't even focus on singing. He mind was with Vik. He'd taken it with him when he'd left.

An hour or two went by, and still, no sign of Vik anywhere. Mitch and Preston had gone out to look for him soon after Jess and Alice started to warm up. Now, they all sat in Alice's green room. All on their phones.

Alice Zerker @omgitsalicez:
Who's all in Florida for the show tonight?! Let me know by quoting this tweet with a selfie of where you're at!

Mitch @bajan_canadian:
I'm right here, @alice_zerker!

Mitch had quoted her tweet with a picture of herself from across the room.

"Thanks Mitch." Alice giggled, shaking her head.

Somebody knocked on the door, "Alice! Ten minutes until showtime!"

"Shit!" Alice whispered under her breath. It was finally time for her to face her fears, and sing live in front of a sold out crowd.

"Oh boy, let's go, Alice Zerker!" Preston sang, standing up from his spot next to her. He extended his hand. Alice took it, smiling.

"Showtime."

"That's right girly. Time to rock this place." Jess smiled, taking Alice's other hand.

They made their way to the side of the stage, hiding in the shadows and the tech team placed the wireless mic on her cheek. She'd had the mic specially made, so she didn't have to hold it. It would make it easier for her to talk, considering she used her hands a lot.

"Alice Zerker, on in two!"

She watched as they set the stage for her, slowly getting more and more excited.

"Alice Zerker, on in one!"

Butterflies flew in her stomach as she smiled widely. She caught a glimpse of the audience.

"Alice Zerker, on in zero, start track!"

The beginning of Alive, by Sia began to play. It had been her favorite song for a while now. She figured it would be a good opened.

As she stepped onto the stage, she felt free. The crowd screamed her name, smiling and snapping pictures of her. She smiled back. She was happy.

After the song ended, she introduced herself, "Hi! I'm Alice Zerker!"

Her set went on for about an hour, before she got off stage and was allowed to leave.

"Goodnight Mrs. Zerker." Her driver smiled at her through the window.

"Goodnight, thank you."

"Anytime." The driver drove off, leaving Alice in front of her hotel. She watched the car leave.

When the car was out of sight, she sat down on a nearby bench. She just needed to think for a little while.

"Do you want to be alone?" Vik.

"No, I'm fine." She moved over, allowing her husband to sit down next to herself.

"Look, I'm sorry."

"Whatever, it's fine." Alice shrugged. Sorry never meant anything to her, even when her brother said it.

"Alice I married you for many reason," Vik placed a hand on top of hers, interlacing their fingers. Then he continued, "and one of those reasons was your personality... Now, if that's going to change because of the fame, then I'm not going to stick around."

"Wow, way to lay it on me nicely." Alice placed her opposite hand in her pocket.

"I'm just telling you. See ya when you come back to the room." Vik stood, leaving her hand cold on the bench.

"See ya."

"Come up soon. It's getting very cold for some reason. I don't want you catching a cold whilst on tour."

"Thanks, I will."

And with that, Vik went back inside. No I love you, no kiss. He just left her there. Lonely.

Alice had been happy with what she had now. A family, a husband. Six other brothers that cared for her, and two half sisters who loved her more than she loved herself. She literally was the happiest she'd ever been. Until this tour.

The amount of stress on her was not helping her in any way. It had only been one show, and she already wanted to go home.

So basically Alice had a choice. Either stay on tour, where she'd get known by millions, or go home, where she'd be happy and with family.

Right now, she was leaning more towards going home. It just seemed like the right thing to do.

She would call Sam in the morning. And hopefully, he'd book her a flight back to London.