Chapter 2

She settled for black high-waisted jeans and a black lace bodysuit. She topped it all with a bicker jacket and high heels. She looked in the mirror at her all-black outfit. She felt the most comfortable in that color. Her long, brown, wavy hair bounced on the jacket as she walked to the door.

"You're leaving?" Said a voice behind her.

That was her roommate, Jasmine. As per usual, her hair was the perfect volume as the curls swayed on her dark skin. Ann was so happy to have found her in the hard times of moving to a completely new city. She was so welcoming and helpful. Ever since they became really good friends, might even say best friends. Ann didn't have anyone else, so there's not really much competition.

"Yeah, I've got a gig in the Red Lion today, don't you remember?" She said while turning to a mirror beside the front door and putting on a red lipstick.

"Oh, right." She walked to the kitchen and opened the fridge, looking for something to eat. "Girl, the fridge is empty. You better get some good tips cause mama needs food." She said playfully and looked at Ann in hope she got the joke. Ann got used to her sarcastic humor, so she just looked at her smirking.

"I'm gonna bring you back a burger. The BBQ one?" Jasmine's eyes sparkled.

"Yessss! You're a queen." She ran up to Ann and pulled her into a hug. "Break a leg." She added, lightly kicking Ann's foot.

"See ya." She gave her a kiss on the chick and closed the door behind her.

As she went down the elevator to the grown floor she thought about the upcoming night. It was a gig like any other, but she couldn't help but feel empowered. Maybe it was due to the conversation with her mother or the planning or just the matter of a beautiful spring evening. Whatever it was, she felt like it gave her wings. And today, more than ever, she knew she needed that boost.

As she walked out of the apartment complex, the warm wind blew on her, causing her hair to sway rhythmically as she walked to her car. She turned the engine and took a deep breath. The radio turned on just as the speaker was announcing the next song.

And right now, with their hit single: Jonas Brothers "Only Human"! If you're in a car right now - turn up the radio, open your windows and sing it like you mean it!

She smiled and did as told, pulling down the windows from her car. She turned up the volume and drove in the direction of the pub. She singed, knowing very well every lyric to that song. It was her favorite childhood band and she still enjoyed the music that they make now, after getting back together. In fact, "Only Human" was one of her favorite song. Only if she knew, that in a few months that song is going to mean even more to her than she could have ever guessed.

That was "Only Human" by The Jonas Brothers! If you haven't heard already, the band is going on a world tour this year! So if you haven't got your tickets yet, do it now, cause they are selling like crazy!

She pulled up to the already well-known to her pub. It was a Saturday night, so the town was full with people enjoying themselves after a long week at work. She squeezes through the group of people that were standing outside the bar, discussing the upcoming football match while smoking cigarettes. The rough smell of nicotine hit her nostrils and she winced. Even though she hated that smell, she couldn't help but associate it with her father. She couldn't count how many times she begged him to stop smoking, but he never did. They diagnosed him with diabetes and not even that had stopped him from taking care of his health. He was a stubborn one. And she got that from him.

The music from the pub got louder once she opened the door. There was around 50 people in there, from what she had seen. That was pretty much the same amount of people that were here every Saturday. It wasn't one of the most popular bars in Los Angeles, but that didn't matter to Ann. She was just happy that she could do what she loves the most - singing. The pub was loud, there was music and lively conversations coming from every side. She looked up at the bar seeing Sally, the bartender that was here every week. She smiled and waved at her and she did the same. Ann decided that a shot would be a perfect boost of confidence, so she walked in her direction.

"You look so good tonight!" Sally eyed her from up and down as Ann did a spin.

"Girl, I'm feeling myself today. I feel like it's my day!" She couldn't hold a smile that showed her perfect white teeth. "I need a shot, though."

"Right away." She winked at Ann and turned around to grab a bottle of vodka. She poured her a shot and slid it to her.

"To success" she said while lifting the glass in her hands and then pouring it in her mouth. The rough taste hit her throat and she hold her breath for a second. "Thanks." She hit the glass on the counter and turned around facing the stage to get ready for the performance.

"Good luck!" Sally shouted behind her. Ann looked at her over her shoulder and blew her a kiss.

She got up on the stage and started changing some setting on the amplifier. She noticed a shadow of a person coming on the stage with the corner of her eye.

"You're here!" She turned her head to face the person. It was Matt, the owner of the pub. Matt was in his late 30's, always wearing a checked shirt and a baseball cap. She got up with a smile and hugged him.

"I am! I'm almost ready to start, if you're ready too."

"Yes, let's do it!" He rubbed his hands together and started checking if every cord is connected. Ann closed her eyes and took a couple of deep breaths, which was her routine before every performance. She then opened them and eyed the crowd that was starting to get closer to the stage. It was her typical audience: mostly men with beers and groups of women having girls' nights. But one person stood out to her. In the corner of the room there was a man dressed in a suit - not a typical view you see at a bar. He had a notebook in his hands and he was scribbling something on it while talking on a phone. From time to time he looked up to look at her, which made Ann think, that whoever he was talking to on a phone, the conversation was about her. She shrugged the thoughts as it was time to start the performance. She gave a nod to Matt, giving him a signal that she is ready. Matt got up to the microphone and tapped on it a few times to see if it works. It gave a piercing screech, which made people turn their heads to the stage.

"Oops, sorry about that. Good evening! I want to welcome you all at the Red Lion Pub. I'm Matt Perries, the owner." He pointed at himself and got a couple of applauses and screams, probably from his friends."I want you all to give a big welcome to todays' guest: Ann Hart!"

Matt walked out of stage, so he won't steal any of her spotlight. The audience applauded her as she walked up to the microphone.

"Hello, everyone. I'm Ann Hart. Some of you may already know me, some may not, but either way I hope you all have fun today. I'm going to play a couple of covers of songs that I'm sure you all know. So yeah, I want you to sing, dance, kiss, drink, whatever the hell you want, as long as it makes you happy." She smiled and nodded to Matt to start the song.

Her first song of choice was Watermelon Sugar by Harry Styles. The acoustic version of the song played as she started to sing the fist verse.

"Tastes like strawberries, on a summer evening and it sounds just like a song. I want more berries and that summer feeling. It's so wonderful and warm."

The crowd sang the chorus with her and they all clapped along to the rhythm. Except one person. The suit person. He now was facing her, giving her his full attention, his eyes were gazing into her. His hand was resting against his mouth and his leg lightly tapping on the floor to the song. She couldn't stop but wonder what's this guy's business.

As the night went on she sang covers of mostly hit songs, including "Let her Go", "Blinding Lights" or "Circles". After an hour and a half the gig ended and the crowd cheered and clapped. She bowed the audience and held her hand at her heart to show how grateful she is.

"Thank you guys, it was a pleasure, you were amazing! Until next time." She ended the gig and turned off the microphone.

The crowd started to disperse, some out of the bar, some to the bartender and some looking for their friends. Matt changed the music to his usual playlist and congratulated her on the gig after disappearing in the crowd. She pulled out her phone only to see a text from Jazz.

I was so hungry, I couldn't wait any longer, so I ordered take-out. Be home quick, or else I'm gonna eat yours too :P

Ann smirked and responded: "Just finished the gig, be home in about ten. Pick a movie."

"Good evening." She jumped as she got scared from a sudden man voice behind her. She turned around only to be faced with the suit person. He had a smirk painted on his face, vividly laughing at her reaction. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

"No, it's okay, you just caught me off guard." She responded with a full smile trying to hide the embarrassment. His confidence was really showing off and he was intimidating.

"I'm Travis Foyd, from MM Management," he introduced himself and reached his hand out to meet her.

"Ann Hart. Nice to meet you" she shook his hand with a firm grip.

"Do you have a moment to talk?" He asked, his confident eyes not dropping from hers.

"Yes, sure. There's a private lounge next to the bar, it will be quieter there!" She shouted trying to get her words past the club music that was blasting from the speakers.

"Lead the way!" He responded, moving to a side to make her some space to get down from the stage. They headed towards the lounge and Ann closed the door behind them.

"So... What's this about?" She asked while sitting in a big red chair in the lounge. He did the same and took out his notebook that she noticed earlier.

"Miss Hart... I'm a tour manager. Unfortunately, right now I can't give you any details as to whose, due to the confidentiality. But let's just say, they are... big." Ann's heart started to pound.

"Okay... I'm listening." She said slowly, encouraging him to continue, as curiosity grew over her.

"I'm here to make a proposition. We are still looking for one backup vocalist for the tour this year and we would love for it to be you." He pointed at her with open hands and smiled. Ann was more confused than ever.

"Wha-... I don't understand..."

"I know, it's a lot to process, but believe me, it's a one in a lifetime opportunity. You don't have to give me the answer right now, but we would need to know your decision before tomorrow evening. We're short on time, so we would appreciate the quick response." He said before handing her a piece of plastic. "Here's my card. I'll be awaiting your call. For now, that's all. It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Hart. You're very talented" He stood up and fastened a button in his suit before reaching out a hand to her.

Ann was in such a shock, that she didn't manage to say any words during the whole conversation. She stood up, shook his hand, but her eyes were searching around the rooms for answers. Travis turned around and started to walk towards exit.

"Wait..." She finally got courage to say something. She needed to ask him the question that she couldn't find the answer to. "Why me?"

Travis turned back around to face her and smirked. "One member of the band noticed you. Believe me when I say it, miss Hart, he was very insisting on getting you into the band. I don't know what it is about you, but I never saw anyone so invested in signing up a certain backup singer. To his order, I came to your gig to, as he referred to it: 'see for myself'. And I get it. You were incredible today on stage." He gave her a reassuring smile before exiting the room.

Million thoughts were going around in Ann's brain. What was that? Did that really happened? Or was it a dream? Why her? How did they find her? And most importantly... Who was the secret celebrity that noticed her?