Deep breathes. God, I hate how dry this avenue is. She looked down at the water bottle in her hand, turning it and feeling the adhesive of the label stick to her fingertips before she unscrewed the grooved cap. “I hate drinking when I’m not thirsty”. Tilting the bottle up she went over her set list. Okay, I start by thanking everyone for coming. What the fuck is this charity even for? Avery told me before, that it was something about funding searching for new locations to build low-income housing. Or was it moving homeless people somewhere else? Fuck I hate this crap. Why do I have to sing for this crap? Avery says the pay is good sooo…

  “Thank you everyone. Thank you for coming tonight to celebrate. My name is Kim Rammey” a silky voice interrupted her thoughts as the loudspeakers continued. “As you all know, over the past 6 months we really rallied together to raise over 6 million dollars” Her voice raised confidently speaking louder and with more conviction, “ to change zoning regulations next to the reservoirs so we can start petitioning the government to change the low-income housing development plans from the premium city location that is currently planned to this new area. This should allow for the continued development of our mall to enrich our economy!” the audience cheered at this clinking their silverware into their cups.

  God that’s really a thing? I thought shows just made people do that so they could seem like tools. Lavinia looked over to the speaker. She is cute enough, well-manicured hands, is that bitch wearing an Alexander McQueen dress?!? I had to give mine back after the gala how did she get to keep one? Fucking trophies, the world's unfair man. Oh shit, what's she saying? She is looking at me, god did I miss my cue? How are her eyes so bright? They are fucking brown!? Shit get it together girl.

  “My husband Tobi and I are happy to announce a very special performer who has come to thank you for all of your hard work” She flourishes her hand off stage, “The beautiful, the magical, Mercy DAAAAY”. Did her voice just crack? Aw, she’s a fan. Okay, maybe having a cute fan isn’t that bad. Kim took the mic with her as she stepped off the stage, a slight trip as she struggled to keep her eyes on the pop star. And Showtime!

  Mercy Day hopped onto the stage with the passion of a rabbit rushing to steal veggies from a garden. “Heeelllllooo! everyone. Mercy day is here to Celebrate!” The music to her newest chart-topper started to play as she started to count to four in her head. The guitar started in with a gentle ballad, her voice dancing over it like an ice skater at the Olympics. As the tempo picked up she knew she had everyone in the audience’s attention. She walked towards the center of the stage ready to do some crowd work when a man in the back of the crowd caught her attention. I’m pretty sure humans aren’t supposed to be blue like that. Holly Shit is he choking. She missed the timing on the first bridge but with a little bit of fan service, it seems like no one noticed. Shit, I really need to stop. Wait. Avery? Her manager was in the crowd. They made eye contact with her, their eyes shooting daggers as if threatening her not to stop. Avery jumped on the man and started doing the Heimlich. The hacking was getting louder. Fuck Fuck Fuck. okay, I got this. Mercy stomped on the temporary stage to the beat, the vibrations rippling back through her heel sending shock straight to her knees. Ow, Ow, OWW!, Avery you better hurry up. The music started to die down, and Avery was hovering over the man who looked like he was breathing again. Mercy continued to sway awkwardly past the end of the music. “Sorry all, I guess I kinda got carried away by the amazing instrumentals, who here agrees?” she shouted knowing that the cheers of the audience would keep them distracted. As Avery stood up Mercy began to regain her composure. I got this, it's okay shit happens all the time. But her thoughts were derailed again as she watched her manager back up to give the man room until she backed right into a palm tree that was acting as a temporary prop. Fuck me. “All right guys, who's ready for another song?” she started to frantically fidget trying to will the intro of the next song to start.

  The second song was an anthem. Hard drums and bass lines were going to cover a lot of noise but Avery knew if this palm hit the ground nothing would cover that. “Lavinia is trying her hardest” they whispered to themself as they ran around to the other side of the tree catching it with their shoulder and buckling. Their knees gave out as the tree pushed them back slamming them into something else. Something Avery would have to worry about later. “Why is a tree so heavy?” they whimpered as they slowly pushed the tree upright. The sound of the second song was cutting out. What now? This song should be at least 30 seconds longer. And why is it so warm out now, the sun already started to set? The sound of popcorn and sizzling bacon could be heard behind them. Well, that can’t be good. They looked toward the stage to see a panicked Mercy Day looking behind them.

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  Mercy reached behind her back and turned off the mic to stop any feedback that was about to come out of the speakers. Avery, you better figure something out before everyone starts to panic. A deep breath escaped her lips as she decided to trust her manager.

  “Hey everyone! We are having a great night, right?” The audience roared, starstruck. Kim and Tobi were now in the front row, and Mercy started to worry the glamour was waning.

  “Tonight was supposed to be a two-song event, but how about we turn things down low and I’ll send this off the night with one of my first album’s songs.”

  God, I hate this song, but Avery says it should be my encore from now on. Fucking hell, date one guy and write a love song, and I will never live it down.

  “Row back the clock, and pretend I asked you to stop…”

  The practice took over as she stood center stage, motionless. Every note fell from her mouth as if it were trying to fight bringing back memories.

  What is she doing? Why did she cut her mic? Avery started to look around, and it wasn’t long before they saw the speaker on fire, about to start roasting everyone in a 5-foot radius. The man they had just saved had fainted from shock. What did the safety training say? Step one, turn off the current. Step two, smother?

  Avery got up, their legs screaming as their shoulder slumped, possibly out of the socket. They shambled over to the sound system, ripping it out of the generator. Sorry, Liv, I know you hate this song. Checking the audience, it seemed no one had caught on to what was going on. Well, at least we have that going for us. Avery then shuffled to the speaker again. Mercy Day belting the second bridge of the song for the second time as if stalling. Her voice is going to be fried. Guess I’ll have to cancel the interview for Tuesday. Avery reached down and with their left hand started to shovel dirt onto the equipment. Not getting the deposit back on this one.

  “Thanks, guys, gals, and other pals. You all have been great,” her hoarse voice choked out. “Sorry, but that last one took it out of me, so I’m going to go grab some water. Make sure to get home safely, and congratulations on the charity raising,” she said with one last fist pump, riling up the crowd one last time.

  “Oh, Miss Day!” The silk voice from earlier pulled at her attention. Lavinia tossed the bottle of water before turning around. Kim and Tobi stood in front of her. Tobi had his hand around Kim’s waist; there was a slight tension ruffling Kim’s dress as if he was trying to keep her from fangirling.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Rammey,” her voice was giving out, so she started to whisper, “Thanks for the opportunity to perform tonight.” Where is Avery? Are they okay?

  “Mr. and Mrs. Rammey. I hope you have had a wonderful night. As you can tell, Mercy Day is struggling to keep her voice and has a very busy schedule ahead of her. I’m sorry, but I'm going to have to ask to keep the conversation very short,” Avery started, slipping backstage and into the conversation with a bow before their arm shifted, sliding past their socket again. A grimace escaped before they regained their stone-like demeanor.

  “Of course, Mr..? Mrs? Um…” Tobi caught himself.

  “Just Avery is fine.” Avery stood back up, looking them both in the eye.

  “Yes, yes, awkward introductions aside. Mercy Day, I'm a huge fan! Can you sign my purse?” Kim reached over to her clutch, pulling out a Sharpie. “Below the golden C logo, please,” she said, offering the purse to Lavinia.

  M.E.R.C.Y—the marker fought against the fabric with each letter—D.A.Y. I really hope this doesn’t disqualify me from working with Coachette in the future. I swear if this bitch costs me a brand deal. I’m still struggling to find a replacement now that Universal Health dropped me.

  “Here you go,” she mouthed, willing whisper sounds out almost as if an unknown other entity was trying to speak through her from deep within.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Day,” Tobi said as his wife held up the purse to her face, dragging her eye over every detail of the signature.

  “And thank you, Avery. Tonight was perfect.”