Higher Stakes [Strings: Part 1]

Chapter 9: Choices

The show was a successful. There were consecutive laughs, cheers and admiration shown by the audience.

Laughter were heard when Nico and Grady on the set, searching for their collectibles. They were rummaging through nearly every set, including Sonny and Tawni’s dressing room, which later on made Tawni rattling with anger. That sure serves Nico and Grady into a torture session with Tawni. Zora, on the other hand, managed to escape the torment by hiding in the air vents chewing red vines. However, she sneaks a peek on the torture Tawni put on the boys.

On the other side of the show, Sonny spends nearly the entire episode being with CDC counterpart, Harry Miles Landon whom she absolutely expected entirely similar to Chad. She was wrong. Harry was just another normal boy except that he was mistakenly placed on a teen soap drama. Nevertheless, he did the show only to support his family and the charities back in UK.

The show then ended where the Randoms bids farewell to Harry Miles Landon after his ‘guesting’ on their show. Little did the other Randoms know, Sonny made a promise to Harry that she will visit him soon, making their long-distance friendship stronger.

The audience was on their feet at the curtain call where all the stars were out showing their respect and appreciation to the audience for watching the show. Overall, it was one of the best nights.

Later on that night, at a little after show party, the casts were gathering for a little feedback session. Unlike the crews and the producers, Demi sneaked off looking for Bradley to congratulate him. She searched the main set and him dressing room but he wasn’t there.

Walking along the hallway after looking into Tiffany’s room, she spotted him coming out of the wardrobe room wearing different clothes. “Bradley!” she called him.

He quickly responded. “What’s up?”

“Um, well, I want to congratulate you.” She stated. So far so good, she was restraining herself. “The girls loved you.”

He chuckled. “Wow, really? Never heard that before.”

‘Crap, he’s so cute.’ Letting her mind boarding the Watson’s express, she let out a soft sigh.

“Do you want to hang later tonight?” he asked out-of-the-blue.

Her eyes grew wide. “Wait, what did you say?”

“I was wondering maybe you want to hang out later.” He rephrased. “I got no shift tonight so why not use it on something different for a change.”

Demi looked at him confusedly. "Shift?"

The brown haired Brit chuckled a little and replied, "I forgot, not everyone know me working for my folks' restaurant. Am a waiter there. Part-time." He chuckled again but this time, he dropped his head low and nervously scratched the back of his head. Before Demi could linger on, trailing her eyes on his seemingly soft brown short hair, if she could she would reach out and run her fingers through them; Bradley jerked his head up and flashed that familiar sweet smile. She blushed a little. "So, what cha say? Is there a chance?"

“I would love too.” She quickly gave her answer. Excitement lights up her eyes, she tried to hold back her cry of joy by biting her lower lip. “But I need to check if there’s anything going on tonight.”

“Brilliant, I mean, cool.” He nodded. “If you got nothing, I’ll be down at Santa Monica pier all night. Hope to see you there.”

“See you later.” She smiled.

Bradley smiled and slowly walked off. The instance he was gone, Demi shrieked and started jumping up and down in excitement. She skipped to her dressing room with her heart on her sleeve. Skipping and probably floating her way, she pushed the down effortlessly and went into her room only to have her body dropped to the earth like a meteor when an unexpected figure was waiting in her room.

“Trace?”

Trace Cyrus was standing in the middle of the room with his arms by his side and he looked sad. “Hi babe.”

“Why are you here?” Demi asked.

“I want to apologize about what happened few days ago. I was dumb and rude and I should’ve done it.” He explained. “Let me make it up to you, please go out with me tonight. We can have dinner.”

“Dinner? Tonight?” she recalled, looking worried.

“Tonight is the only night I got left; tomorrow the bands and I are heading North for our tour.” Trace explained furthur. Seizing her hands in his, he pulled her slightly closer and drew out. “Please?”

“I… I… “

He leaned in and kissed her forehead and repeated, “ Please…”

“Okay…” she automatically agreed.

“Thank you.” He expressed, pulling her into an unexpected embrace.

What will she do? Go to Trace or hang out with Bradley? Hmm ^-^