A/N: I think I got a bit carried away with this one because it's so long! I've decided to start taking requests as I feel it helps me get thinking and stay creative, so to speak. I have now started this one-shot collection to place those requests here! If you have one, send it my way! :)
Also, (Y/N) stands for "your name". That way, you're free to insert yourself right into the story!
Requested by: Bee-327
Prompt: A girl is sitting front row at her first concert (a Reba concert). All of a sudden she has a panic attack and collapses. Reba jumps off stage to help her.
It had been weeks waiting and now it was finally here! Tonight would be the night that she would see Reba McEntire in person. She had her outfit prepped weeks in advance, the excitement eating her up inside.
"Hey (Y/N), it's time to-...oh!" her mother called before realizing she was near her. "Sorry sweetie. You're ready to go already? I thought I'd have to tell your friend to wait a bit longer."
"Mom...this is a Reba concert we're talking about. I've been waiting for this my whole life!" she grinned.
Her mother chuckled and shook her head. "Well, just be safe, alright? If it gets to be too much then I can come and get you."
"Mom, I promise I'll be fine. It's just a concert!"
"Okay, okay...go have fun!" her mother smiled and gave her forehead a kiss.
"Love you!" she shouted before heading out of the door.
Her friend greeted her once she had gotten into the car and they headed to the venue. It was at a local fair that hosted different artists every day. Reba was the one to close.
"Of course. Why wouldn't she be?" she thought to herself on the ride there.
"Earth to (Y/N)!" her friend called, waving her hand in front of her face. "We're here!"
They both exited the vehicle and navigated their way over to the stage. (Y/N) was the only one attending the concert, her friend not being a huge fan of Reba like she was.
"Okay. I've done my duty." her friend joked, nudging her with her arm. "Just text me when everything calms down and we'll head back."
"Gotcha. See ya in a bit!" (Y/N) smiled and went through the gates, presenting her ticket as she did so.
She glanced down at her ticket, wondering where her seat was since her mom purchased the ticket and wouldn't let her see until she arrived at the concert.
"Row A...?" she wondered aloud to herself. Looking up, she found row A...the front row! She was going to owe her mom big time for this one. Grinning, she took her seat and patiently waited for the show to start.
It wasn't until minutes later when she heard a drum beat. She looked around excitedly and saw the lights dim and the stage lights brighten. She bit her lower lip in excitement. This was it. She'd waited for this for so long.
Soon all of the stage lights came together and pointed to the back of the stage. There she stood. Reba McEntire.
(Y/N) let out a yell of excitement as did others in the audience.
Reba smiled and the music picked back up, playing the tune to "Can't Even Get the Blues". She made her way to the front of the stage, looking out into the crowd as she did so.
(Y/N) waved at her with a shy smile, hoping to be noticed but also a bit nervous.
Reba returned her smile and wave before moving to the right side of the stage.
Everyone cheered at her wave and someone next to (Y/N) even congratulated her on the accomplishment.
(Y/N)'s heart hammered in her chest. "She actually noticed me..." she thought. She soon turned her attention back to the song and began to clap and sing along.
Throughout the rest of the concert, (Y/N) rode a wave of different emotions through Reba's songs. There were both sad and happy medleys along with signature songs woven in between. What she was waiting for was the finale. She'd never been to Reba's concert, but she knew not to leave early when it looked like she was gone for good.
Sure enough, minutes after she left the stage, she was back. In her red dress no less.
(Y/N)'s smile grew at her not having to let go just yet. She stood up to see, but soon others rushed forward since a bit of the venue cleared out. Soon there were so many people around her that she didn't know what to do. Her heart began to race and she looked around in panic. She couldn't get out. She couldn't escape.
Then everything turned black.
Gasps were heard from the crowd and Reba stopped mid-song. She looked off stage to see if she could get someone, anyone to get her down there to help.
Dress and all, she was given help in getting down the stage and into the crowd. Thankfully, the girl she saw wasn't too far away.
When she reached her, she tried to wake her up but there was no response. Reba looked to the security guard escorting her and asked if he could lift the girl, insisting that she needed to be taken somewhere safe.
The security guard nodded and swiftly picked (Y/N) up, bringing her backstage to Reba's dressing room. Reba followed closely behind.
Once (Y/N) was laid out on the small couch, Reba thanked the security guard and shut the door behind him.
"I've never done this before." Reba said aloud to herself as she paced the room a bit. "I hope she's alright."
She grabbed a nearby washcloth and carefully wet it with water from one of her bottles. Taking the now damp washcloth into both hands, she placed it atop the girl's forehead. Maybe that would help her come to.
Moments later, (Y/N)'s eyes began to flutter open. When she fully opened her eyes, she had no idea where she was. Looking around, she knew who she was with.
"Oh! You're up!" Reba exclaimed softly, not wanting to startle the girl. "Are you alright darlin'?"
"I-...I think so. Just, um...just a panic attack." (Y/N) replied, a heat rising on her cheeks from embarrassment.
"I'm so sorry. Those can be tough to deal with."
"How...how do you know?" (Y/N) asked, a sense of curiosity within her.
Reba chuckled and took a seat next to her. "I may look tough, but I am human ya know." she smiled. "Everybody goes through a lot of different things, like panic attacks, in their lives. There's nothing to be ashamed of."
"But I passed out. At your concert." she rebutted, hanging her head in embarrassment.
Reba sighed and took her hand to cup the girl's cheek, capturing her attention. "Let me tell you something. You have nothin' to be ashamed of. Not one thing. Panic attacks are perfectly normal. I'm sure you were put in a situation where you couldn't help it. It's no one's fault and it doesn't make you any less of a person. Okay...?"
Tears welled up in (Y/N)'s eyes at her kind words, nodding her head gently.
Reba smiled and moved to wrap her arms around the girl, hugging her tight.
(Y/N) was surprised at the gesture, but quickly reciprocated. Everything was going to be okay. She knew that now.
"Ya know, I never got your name through all the chaos." Reba chuckled, pulling back from the hug.
"It's (Y/N)."
"Well (Y/N), it certainly is nice to meet a sweet girl like yourself. The circumstances could have been better, but I'll take it." she smiled.
(Y/N) giggled and then looked her right in the eyes.
"Thank you for taking care of me. You really didn't have to do all of this."
"Sweetheart, it was no problem at all." Reba reassured her. "'Suppose my maternal instincts just kicked in and I knew I had to help. I was more than happy to."
Suddenly, (Y/N)'s phone vibrated in her pocket. She checked to see that it was her friend texting her and asking where she was.
"I guess that's my cue to go." (Y/N) said sadly.
"Why don't we get a picture before you go?" Reba suggested.
"I'd love that." (Y/N) grinned.
She opened the camera on her phone and flipped it around to face the front. Both smiled for the picture and soon it was saved to (Y/N)'s phone.
"Thank you again. For everything." (Y/N) smiled, teary eyed.
"Don't worry about it." Reba said, getting up with her. She pulled the girl into her embrace once more, giving a tight squeeze. "Remember not to let anyone make you feel less than just because you're goin' through somethin'. Everyone has their struggles and we turn out alright in the end. Just keep hope, have faith, and love with all you have. Promise me that, yeah?"
"I promise..." (Y/N) croaked out, a few tears slipping down her cheeks.
"Okay. Now...you better skedaddle before I make people think you're missn' from keepin' you so long." she chuckled.
"Alright." (Y/N) nodded, stepping out of her embrace and wiping her eyes.
"Maybe I'll see you again some time under better circumstances." she smiled.
"I sure hope so." (Y/N) smiled and gave a small nod in goodbye before stepping out of Reba's dressing room and closing the door.
"Sweet girl." Reba said aloud to herself, smiling.
(Y/N) finally made her way back to the venue's entrance where she found her friend waiting for her.
"There you are! Where were you? Why didn't you answer my texts?" Her friend questioned.
(Y/N) was looking through her phone and found the picture of her and Reba, moving it to a private folder for her eyes only.
"I was just talking with a new friend." she replied and placed her phone in her pocket.
That night (Y/N) rode home with a new sense of confidence and hope. She would always remember Reba's words to her and could never thank her enough for that night.