T

Hearts pounding, sweat dripping
Crowds screaming, lights flashing
You wait for it to begin
“Are you nervous”
“No, not at all” You turn around and see the people entering the arena on the little TV
“Umm maybe a little nervous”

Choreography rehearsed, Songs run through
Costumes put on, hair done
“It’s it time yet?”
Jokes cracked in an attempt to reduce the growing tension
Small talk with the cameraman
“This is going on the DVD?! Really!”

Palms start to sweat as you put on your shades
“It’s starting!”
You huddle together
“Lets go out there and have fun! Ganbatte kudasai!” (Let’s work hard!)
You head toward the stage, as the roar of the crowd gets louder
Feeling the adrenalin run through you

Hearts pounding, sweat dripping
You walk out on to the stage
The first few notes of the opening number begin
Any inhibitions you had fade away
You grip your mic tighter
Here we go again

Hershey Kisses

Kari was slumped in her chair watching the clock as the final minutes of Valentines Day ticked by. Letting out a small sigh she reached for the bag of Hershey Kisses her mother had given her, her mother! Not her boyfriend, her mother! It’s not that she didn’t have a loving boyfriend to buy her Hershey Kisses it’s just that…said boyfriend had failed to remember that today was Valentines Day. She pulled open the bag and grabbed a Kiss, unwrapping the treat as she got up, and walked to the kitchen doorway to take a peek at the still closed door of Aiden’s makeshift studio. He’d been in there for about a week now, leaving only to grab something to eat or to catch a quick nap before shutting himself away from the world and her again, in order to finish the song he was working on probably for some big shot recording artist. Walking back to her seat she popped the chocolate into her mouth, sitting back down she sighed in content as she sucked on the chocolate. She’d always loved the heavenly taste of Kisses.

“Well Harang” she muttered to her husky pup who was currently curled up into a ball under the table, doggy napping “At least you’re here, even if you are asleep. It’s more than your stupid daddy did.” To tell the truth she was a little hurt. How could he forget? Why couldn’t he just take one day off to spend with her? Was his work more important to him than her?

It wasn’t, she knew that, regretting the fact that the thought actually crossed her mind. But it was still hard having him shut up away from her. She had known Aiden since high school and in their final year he had finally worked up the courage to ask her out, with the help of a fortune cookie. A smile graced her lips as she remembered opening the cookie he had handed her to find a little handwritten note in his signature scrawl saying

"I love you, be mine?

She chucked to herself remembering his shocked expression when she said yes, flung herself at him and kissed him.

‘Oh well’ she thought ‘I can’t always expect him to dote on me’ She reached for another chocolate and dropped it into her mouth. Letting her head fall back and her eyes close she let herself get lost in the silky feel of the melting chocolate, purring in ecstasy.

“What are you moaning about?” A husky voice whispered in her ear making her jump. Spinning around quickly in her seat she came face to face with a smirking Aiden.

“Umm nothingggg…just enjoying my chocolates” she stuttered a sheepish grin on her face at getting caught. She felt movement under the table and bent to see Harang cracking open an ice blue eye.

“Aww sorry baby did we wake you” she bent to scratch his ear. “You can blame this fool okay”

“What was that now, I’m sure you would have woken him with all your moans and groans” Kari pouted as he made a grab for the bag of Kisses.

“Where’d this come form?” unwrapping one he tossed it into his mouth.

“My mother” she replied unable to prevent the tint of harshness that coloured her words. Aiden shot her a quizzical look, one eyebrow arching.

“Everything all right, babe? You sound upset” he reach out and brushed her hair off her forehead with gentle hands.

“Fine, just fine” she replied stealing a glace at the clock over his shoulder - 12:10. Valentines Day was officially over 10 minutes ago. She let out a soft sigh “Just perfect” “Liar” Aiden muttered “You know that I know you better that anyone else, you can’t lie to me, silly” He teased her lightly, pulling her into his warm embrace resting his chin on her head, hands reaching around her waist, fingers linking at the base of her spine, pulling her lithe frame flat against him. She snuggled into his warmth, as he swayed the two of them, to a beat only he could hear. Kari smiled falling into step with him; Aiden always had some composition or the other trapped in his head, waiting to be released.

“You thought I forgot didn’t you,” he whispered lovingly into her ear. Kari pulled her upper body away enough to look up into his sapphire eyes.

“You didn’t?” Her eyes winded. Aiden chuckled at how cute she looked.

Staring into her dark brown eyes he leaned in, putting his hands on the side of her face, tilting her head back, he kissed her.Pulling away he took her hand and lead her to the studio.

She shot him a questioning look as he tugged her along.

“Well your presents in there” he grinned

“You got me something” her eyes lit up.

“Well not got exactly, more came up with.” He walked into the room, pulling her over to his piano and seated her down next to him. After taking a deep breath and giving her a quick peck on the cheek, he started to play. The room was filled with sweet notes as she watched his fingers glide delicately across the keys.

“Was this what you were working on the whole week” she whispered quietly, her chocolate orbs filled with amazement. He nodded “I tried to put lyrics to it but…”

Her lips on his prevented him from continuing, the music faltering for a moment till she let go of him.

“I can tell what it’s about with out any lyrics” she replied, and she really could, feel his love for her in every note he played. “I love you” he whispered confirming what the music told her “I love you too.”