I Won’t Be Falling
Chapter One
I don’t think I have ever had such a hard time concentrating at work. I mean, I’m not one to fidget usually, but every time I caught a glimpse of the people already lined up outside for the show, my heart fluttered and I got that nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach. Every little noise made me start or at least flinch, and working around so many people doing all sorts of technical stuff meant I was constantly twitching. I have never been so jumpy, something that my friends Ashley and Bre, fellow coworkers at the venue, found extremely amusing. They weren’t so much better themselves, though. I often caught them staring around, standing on their tiptoes and trying to peer all around the lobby. They would see me grinning at them, laugh sheepishly, and return to work. And then two minutes later, something would make me jump, and it was their turn to tease me.
Fact was, we were all hyped up for the coming week and the slim chance we had to actually meet, in person, the collective loves of our lives. This music festival was an annual thing at the venue and therefore something that usually bored and annoyed us because of the amount of work it entailed. But this was the first year that they were playing…the only band out of the multitude performing that captured our attention so completely.
Normally, we would have been grumbling darkly about having to come in to work so early, and every day that week. But the prospect of being even in the same building as the three guys we idolized was enough to keep the complaints to a bare minimum. At least, until our boss, Sean, ran over with a sour look on his face and a day full of odd jobs for us.
He snapped out orders to Bre and Ashley, who hurried off, shooting me sympathetic looks over their shoulders. None of us wanted to deal with Sean together, and alone was even worse. He was only a few years older than us, but he was one of the most arrogant, mean-tempered person I have ever met. Which made working for him an absolute joy, I assure you. Any little mistake meant a huge, angry lecture that usually ended in yelling and threats of being fired. The three of us were relatively good at our jobs, but that almost seemed to irritate Sean even more. And since he was the main manager, we had to deal with him every time we worked. That’s why I was so glad this was our last summer at the venue. Sean turned his hardened gaze on me and held up a draped cloth stiffly. “Hang up this sign on that balcony,” he said shortly, pointing and walking away, tossing the sign at me. I managed to catch it before it fluttered to the ground, shooting a glare at the back of his retreating head. I held the sign out at arm’s length, my eyes scanning the large lettering. A smile spread over my face in spite of myself.
The Waterdale Theater welcomes
The Jonas Brothers
To the tenth annual Summer Music Festival
I took in the picture of the three boys. All we grinning back at me, dressed in their own trademark styles. Joe’s hair was definitely post-Joehawk, but wasn’t quite as long as it is now. Nick’s hair was of course a cute mess of curls, and I noticed with a thrill that Kevin’s hair was also curled, that one adorable ringlet hanging down over his forehead. I contained my girly giggles, not wanting to look like a crazy person, staring at a sign and laughing. I glanced up, back to reality, and sighed, a smile still on my face.
Feeling slightly giddy, I walked up the stairs to get to the balcony. In order for me to hang the sign and make sure it was straight, I had to climb over the railing and stand, holding onto the rail and balancing on the balls of my feet over the good ten-foot drop to the ground. I had done it numerous times before, but I hated it. I only had one hand to grip the support, having to use the other one to put the tape on the sign. Plus, the railing was so wobbly and had yet to be fixed, even though I kept reminding Sean. He would wave it off dismissively. I think he secretly wanted someone to fall. And since I was usually the one assigned to hang the signs, I had a sneaking suspicion that was me.
A lot of love at the venue, I’ll tell you.
Today was probably not a good day for me to be doing this particular chore. I was on edge figuratively already, and now literally. As I swung my legs over the railing, I couldn’t help but scan the crowd around me, looking for curly hair, sunglasses, or scarves. Nothing. With a sigh, I maneuvered into position carefully, inching along the small ledge as I got to the usual area where the posters and signs went. I had almost finished taping it up when my hand slipped on the railing. The tape flew out of my hands as I lost my balance, teetering on the edge of the balcony. I grabbed wildly for the railing but I was already falling backwards. I squeezed my eyes shut and prepared for a painful impact.
I was surprised that rather than hitting the rough carpet, I landed in a pair of warm arms. My heart was pounding with adrenaline at the near-injury, and I slowly opened my eyes, blinking up at my savoir. I was met with a pair of concerned hazel eyes that stared down at me intently.
“Are you alright?” came a soft voice, that was very familiar to me. In the haze of the past few minutes, I couldn’t focus on the person’s face, and my mind couldn’t put the voice to an identity.
Suddenly I was aware of Sean running over, a furious look on his face. “You idiot! You could have hurt him!” He reached us and pulled me out of the stranger’s arms, setting me none-too-gently on the ground. I stumbled slightly, then straightened, still dazed. “And on the first day of a week-long festival! Honestly!”
I put a hand on the table next to me to steady myself, legs shaking ever so slightly. I was dimly aware of Sean apologizing in his phony voice to the person who caught me. If I weren’t still in shock, I probably would have rolled my eyes. That guy was such a suck-up to all the customers and performers, but treated his own employees horribly.
The person spoke again, their voice good-natured and not at all mad. “It’s not problem, really—“
Sean broke in, starting to sound a bit impatient, but still holding back his true self. “Mr. Jonas, you are a lot more important than some venue employee! What if you had hurt your arm and couldn’t play? I really wish you had just let her fall, she wouldn’t have gotten that hurt,”
I didn’t hear the response, because my head had snapped up and all the blood drained out of my face. Mentally, I think I squeaked something intelligible. Did he say ‘Mr. Jonas’?! I turned, wide-eyed, to see Kevin Jonas watching Sean walk away, a frown on his face. He turned back to me and smiled tentatively, his eyes meeting mine once more.
And I couldn’t breathe.
Trying not to look like a complete fool, I attempted to return the smile. It was wavering, but I managed it. “He’s probably right. It would have been better to let me fall. But thank you for catching me.” I said, my voice painfully quiet.
He shook his head. “That was wrong of him to say. I couldn’t just let you fall, that wouldn’t be right. Besides, I’m fine…” he grinned, and my heart leapt into my throat. Kevin stepped closer, his eyes sparkling. “But are you alright? That was a pretty big drop…”
“I’m fine…” I whispered, grateful at least that my voice didn’t crack. Shaking my head to clear the fog, I put on a smile. “Thank you again, but I’d better get back to work,”
Just as I said that, I heard someone shout Kevin’s name. Big Rob was waving at him through the crowd of workers, pointing to the watch on his wrist. Kevin faced me again with a lopsided smile that made my face heat up. “Yeah, I’ve got to go start sound-check soon.” He held out his hand and I stared down at it before remembering what I was supposed to do. Blushing, I slipped my hand into his and he shook it, his calloused fingers warm against my hand. “It was nice to meet you…” Kevin glanced down at my name tag, “Melissa.” Hearing him say my name made me blush even harder, and as he walked away with a wave, weaving through the masses of people, I felt like a complete idiot. But a happy idiot.
I sunk down in a chair, trying to calm down. This much stress could not be good for someone’s heart. I raised my head and was met with a glare from Sean from across the lobby. Hopping up, I ran off to find some work to do before I got myself fired.
