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SHE HELD the tickets in her hand. They came through the post this morning.
After three hours on the phone, trying to get through, almost crying in
frustration when one by one, the operators said, "I'm sorry, we're sold
out", she was finally got lucky and secured tickets to their first ever
Wembley gig.
She can't believe she was going to see them. At first she wasn't sure it was going to happen and bemoaned her bad luck, but it was. Seated in the tenth row wasn't bad, either. Whilst performing on stage, with the rest of the group, singing his heart out, he'll be sure to see her. With blue strobe lights flashing down on the auditorium, their eyes will meet...and for a split second, no one in the arena would matter apart from her and him... She remembered an interview they did on TV, when a fan asked, "Do us 'normal' girls stand a chance with you?" After laughingly accusing the fan of calling him 'abnormal', he replied with the words that were sure to send shivers of anticipation and hope down every fan's spine. "At the end of the day, we're just normal guys doing a job that we love, and if you consider yourself normal, then you have an 100% chance with us". She didn't know them from the beginning. She had other things on her mind when their quest for musical stardom began with their debut single storming the charts at number one. She was vaguely aware of them, having seen the video for their second single on MTV and remembered thinking, "What a nice song". It wan't until she saw them perform on an Awards show that her life irrevocably changed..."You all entered my life just five months ago and it'll never be the same If I Let You Go", is a line from a poem she wrote in their honour. She suddenly found herself buying every magazine they were in and taping every programme they were on, played their album non-stop and followed their career with great interest. Their musical talent appeals to her and still grows strong, but she found herself drawn to one of the members. There was no denying that he was cute (okay, *extremely* goodlooking), but there was something else, an attraction that went beyond the physical. She suddenly found herself caring about him; how he was, who he was, what he believed in..."The perfect scenario is a date with you, it's what I crave. To know you for who you are, to see how you think, feel, behave.." She honestly believes that if they meet and have a chance to know each other, then they could enjoy a long and satisfying friendship. What bugs her are the 'fans' who go to the extreme: storm their tour buses and hotels, pull their hair and jewellery, even pull their tracksuit bottoms down for a laugh! They're the ones that stick in their minds. "Yes, but for all the wrong reasons, Sally," her best friend Jen reasons. "They probably go back to their hotel rooms and say 'God, did you see what she did?!' I'd rather have a memory of a fan who asks 'can I have a kiss, please?' than some weirdo who screams out 'Shane, I love you!' How dumb is that?" Sally knows that she's right, but can't help thinking how unfair it all is. They see them more than she does. But, maybe, just maybe, that'll all change... WITH SHAKING hands, she fastens the silver bracelet on her wrist. Spraying her favourite perfume behind her ears, she takes a final glance in the mirror and making sure the valuable ticket is in her bag, walks outside to meet Jen. The tube ride to Wembley was one of anticipation. "Only two more stops and we'll be there", she thinks to herself. The waiting was finally over. She'd soon be in the dream that she'd wanted for so long. Older than the average teenybopper, she'd probably scream the loudest! The wait was finally over. The screams were deafening as the support group left the stage and the group they've all been waiting for took their place. Sally and Jen screamed excitedly as one by one, they took their positions and the music started. Cameras flashed and banners were held aloft as the strong, soulful voice filled the hall. "Everybody's looking for that something..." Sally was struck dumb as the song played on. "God, he's wonderful", she thought as his face on the overhead projector broke into a spine-tingling grin. She found herself grinning back, then stopped herself short. "He's smiling at everyone, not just you!", she chastised. But as the evening progressed, Sally wasn't so sure. At first, she thought it was her imagination, but she caught him smiling at her more than once. She was struck-dumb. Could he really be interested in her? She couldn't ask Jen, for fear of being ridiculed, but to her, the signs were unmistakable...He was interested. Her suspicions were confirmed when Nicky took over the mic and announced the interval. "So that Shane can give the poor girl in row 10 a break from her piercing stare!" He said laughingly. Sally felt hot as Shane good-naturedly took the teasing, but still looked uncomfortable. As they left the stage, she saw him glance at her for a split second. She didn't care if Jen ridiculed her or not, she had to ask. "Oh! I wonder who the lucky girl is? Now, don't get jealous, will you, Sal?" Joked Jen as they went to the food vendor for some snacks. Her laughter trailed off as she noticed Sally's expression. "Oh, no, you really AREN'T jealous, are you? I'm just joking!" The cold mineral water felt cool in Sally's hand. As they began to walk down the corridor, she placed the bottle to her forehead and sighed audibly, enjoying the sensation as it cooled her skin. "Sally, are you OK?" Jen looked concerned. "I-I'm fine. I-I just can't believe it...Jen, I think he was staring at me..." she admitted, waiting for her scornful reply, but it didn't come. Jen's face was of disbelief, then surprise. Her friend wouldn't lie; she'd have no reason to. "Are you absolutely sure that he was looking at you?" Sally nodded. "At first, I wasn't sure, but he kept on looking over at me. It was intense, but it made me feel all...gooey inside." Jen grinned broadly. "Then what are you waiting for? Give him your phone number!" A tall, burly black guard stood nearby. "Look, there's a guard over there. Explain to him what happened. And tell Mark that I'm free AND I can cook!" Jen tried to push her forward, but she stood her ground. "Yeah, right! I'm going to waltz over there and say, 'I'm the lucky gal Shane's after. See he gets this, I'm free all week'. I don't think so!" "Why not? Nicky even announced it on stage! What's the worst that could happen?" I replied, "Er, he could say, 'sorry, wrong girl', for a start! Then I would have to leave. £19.50 a ticket or no £19.50 a ticket." By now we had walked well past the auditorium. And to make matters worse, the place wasn't familiar. Where the hell were we? How where we going to get back! Would they even let us back in? Jen kissed her teeth in anger. "Oh, great, we're lost. Now what do we do?" Busy lamenting our predicament, we were surprised when a voice dressed up in a cute Irish lilt came up behind us. "Are you ladies OK?" Spinning around, we were both struck dumb when we saw who it was. "Oh my God, he's even better in the flesh!", I thought to myself as my heart thumped dangerously hard. Jen just had a big grin on her face. "Actually, we can't find our seats, we're a bit lost. Row 10", she emphasised as I shot her a look she chose to ignore. Shane, however, didn't. "That's okay. I'll get you to your seats, no problem. But we've got a little time. Do you ladies fancy a drink?" I suddenly found my voice, albeit a bit stuttery. "Are you sure this is ok? Shouldn't you be resting or something? What if you're mobbed?" He smiled his brilliant smile and I just crumbled. "That won't be a problem. They're convinced we're outside. They'll cotton on sooner or later." All the time he was looking at me, it made me wonder. Was I the one he liked? Turning around, I was surprised to see that Jen had gone. Puzzled, I looked around, but she had disappeared. Oh Boy! What did she expect me to do? Flirt like crazy? Give him my phone number? I wasn't even sure it was me...I had to find out. "This is probably the best or worst thing I'm about to say, but I have to know...Am I the 'girl in row 10'?" Edging closer, electricity shot through me as he lightly touched my arm and smiled. "What do you think?" He asked. A broad smile filled my face. This was what I've been dreaming of. Oh My God...One more thing I had to know. "What happens now?" In reply, he gently grazed my cheek with his soft, pliant lips. "Whatever you want to happen", he replied, as he took my hand and led me down the corridor... |