International Love

Chapter 13

2 Months Later

Tonight was the opening night of our massive world tour. We ended up titling it “Harmony Dreams: Dream World Tour”. We thought it was fitting.

Over the last two or so months we spent time in a dance studio learning dances and other choreography for the shows. We spent time shooting promos, photo shoots, radio shows, podcasts, and so much more. Sometimes we barely had time to sleep or eat, but we did it.

Our opening acts were on stage entertaining. We had a female solo artist that was up and coming who was currently on stage and a small 3 boy band that won a singing competition and our final opening act was a 4 girl band that was formed on the set of a television show.

We had two hours of time to kill before it was actually our turn to perform. More like an hour because we’d have to warm up and start getting ready eventually. But right now, we were hanging around. Well, Derek and I were hanging out. Steven was in the zone and Lacey was off doing who knows what.

My relationship has been out in the open with Derek for two months. It’s felt overwhelming at times, but it was nice not having to hide. It was nice to not have to hold back from holding my boyfriends hand or hold back from kissing him. It was nice to be open and free in public.

“What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours?” Derek asked handing me a bottle of water.

“Just you.” I looked up smiling at him.

The four of us shared a tour bus. A big beautiful tour bus. Since it was four of us, the back room which would typically be a bedroom was actually a second sitting room and second bathroom. The couch in the main sitting area flipped down into a queen size bed which is where Derek and I would probably end up sleeping. Otherwise we each had our own twin size bed.

This tour bus was remodeled since our last tour. The interior was completely redone. Instead of it being darker colors we had it brightened up and it was now primarily white and gray. We all fell in love with it the moment we saw the remodel.

“You do too much thinking.” He said sitting down next to me. He pulled me into his arms and kissed the top of my head.

“I just know that I’m going to miss these moments. As much as Lacey and I don’t get along, I’ll miss having 3 other people on my side.” I said resting my head on his chest.

Dealing with Lacey’s attitude over the last few months has been so grueling. So much so that I’ve made the final decision that I’m not going to renew my contract with the band at the end of the year. Derek hasn’t made a decision whether he was going to renew his or not, but I wasn’t going to force his decision. I just could not mentally handle Lacey anymore. That’s why I’ve been keeping my distance from her.

No one knew, except Derek, that I’ve been planning on leaving the group. We’d announce it when the time was right. That time was not at the beginning of a massive world tour. In due time I’d make my announcement. It wasn’t an easy decision to come to but I couldn’t stay in a toxic environment.

“Do you think I’m making the wrong decision?” I asked Derek.

“I think you’re making the right decision for you.” He answered as he ran his hand up and down my back, “If you mentally cannot handle being apart of this group then you need to do what is best for you. We’re always offered solo contracts at our renewal meetings.”

“I just want to be successful. The thing that scares me the most is the unknown. There’s so much freaking unknown in this kind of situation. I don’t want to be a has been. I want to continue being successful and performing.” I said sitting up.

“I think you can do anything you put your mind to.” He smiled.

I leaned in and kissed him softly. I started deepening the kiss until Lacey barged in.

“You know, it would be nice to not have to see you two eating each other’s faces constantly.” She scoffed, “Let’s go Ivy, our stylists are ready for us to start getting ready and Mary wants us to warm up while we’re in hair and makeup.”

“Coming.” I said standing up. I leaned back down and kissed Derek on the lips again, “I’ll see you soon.”

“I’ll be the one in blue.” He smirked.

We each had our own colors that we wore for our first outfit to kick off the tour. It was our good luck charm. Derek always wore blue, Steven wore red, Lacey wore purple, and I wore pink. The colors had to be something simple such as a bracelet, a tshirt, shoes, something along those lines. We’ve been following this tradition ever since we got together. The colors we wore were the color shirts we wore to our auditions. We needed something that was special to our band.

Tonight for our first outfit I was wearing white capris that had holes in them and a pink and silver sequin tank top with a white jean jacket and strappy sandals. We had two outfit changes for each show. The outfits that Lacey and I wore were full of sparkle and shine so it looked better with the lights. Even our microphones were customized with rhinestones to make them shine. Mine were pink and silver rhinestones hers were purple and silver rhinestones. Steven had a red microphone while Derek had a blue one. Bet you couldn’t guess their favorite colors.

We were doing something new this tour. Each of us would be performing a solo cover of any song we chose with our own spin on it. Derek chose ‘I Like Me Better’ by Lauv. Steven chose ‘Levels’ by Nick Jonas. Lacey chose ‘7 Rings’ by Ariana Grande. I chose something that I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. I was going to be performing ‘Chasing Pavements’ by Adele. That was the song I auditioned for the band with. That song has proven to bring me good luck thus far.

Mandy curled my hair and pulled it out of my face because I was notorious for piling it on top of my head halfway through concerts because I got hot. Samantha also kept my makeup simple and made sure to use waterproof so sweat didn’t make it run. She did a simple smoky eye, fake lashes, and red lipstick because it was my favorite.

As we were getting our hair and makeup done, Mary our vocal coach, was helping us warm up our voices. Lacey was done sooner than I was because her octave wasn’t as advanced as mine was. As Mary and I were getting into the higher notes Derek walked in with a smile on his face. He kissed my forehead as I continued warming up.

“I could listen to you sing forever.” He smiled sitting next to me, “Since you’re warming up I’ll just talk. My parents are here and they want to meet you.”

When he said his parents wanted to meet me I stopped singing along with Mary. “Excuse me?” I said.

“Keep singing!” Mary demanded.

I flinched and went back up the scale as Derek continued speaking, “We’ve been together for just shy of 5 months. It’s time. They’re going to love you and I know you’ll adore them too.”

“Alright, now you may speak.” Mary said as she took her keyboard and walked out of the room.

“Damn it, Derek.” I said resting my head on my hand, “You know how I feel about parents.”

“My parents aren’t your parents, honey.” He said taking my free hand in his, “If we’re being honest, you’re the first girl my parents have been excited to meet. And my sister can’t wait to meet you either.”

“Derek.” I groaned looking at him, “What if they all hate me? What if they think I have too much baggage for their son?”

“They’re not going to think that. Stop being paranoid. Now, go get dressed because they’re in my dressing room.”

“DEREK!” I yelled as he ran out the door.

Samantha and Mandy put their finishing touches on my hair and makeup and let me go. I walked into my dressing room and Daniel was getting my outfit and jewelry ready.

“I’m meeting his parents tonight.” I said to Daniel as I stripped out of my clothes.

“How are you feeling about that?” He asked handing me my jeans and tank top.

“Nervous. Extremely nervous.” I said putting the clothes on, “I’ve never had a boyfriend. So I’ve never met any guys parents. What if they hate me?”

“I don’t think they’re going to hate you, honey. Who would hate you?” He said helping me with my jean jacket.

“What if they think I have too much drama and baggage for their son?” I asked him the same question I asked Derek I guess hoping for a different answer.

“None of that was your fault. Besides, I doubt your parents will come around you ever again.” Daniel assured me, “Now put your shoes on and GO!”

Daniel became the one I ran to for advice. I didn’t have a girlfriend anymore so he was the closest. He knew every little thing about me. He knew as much about me as Derek. More so now that Lacey has no interest in being my friend anymore. Besides Derek, Daniel was my confidant. If I ever get married Daniel will be my maid of honor.

I smiled to myself at the thought of getting married and decided it was time to stop hiding in my dressing room. I took a deep breath and headed for Derek’s dressing room that he hardly ever used because he was always in mine.

As I walked in I saw Derek talking to three people. I saw a beautiful petite woman who looked to be in her late 40’s early 50’s. She had dark hair that didn’t pass her shoulders. She had on a simple pair of jeans and a white v-neck shirt. She had the same piercing blue eyes as Derek and her smile was just as beautiful. Next to her was a girl about the same height as her but she was visibly younger. Probably around my age. She had long blonde hair and brown eyes and she was in amazing shape. She looked like she spent hours at the gym. She put my curvy body to shame because I hated the gym and ate whatever I wanted.

Next to Derek was a taller man, more like Dereks height. He looked almost identical to Derek. He had clean cut brown hair and brown eyes and he had the same muscular build as Derek, except Derek was visibly larger.

“Ivy.” I heard Derek say, “Are you okay?”

“Hmm. Oh yes sorry.” I smiled as he walked over to me.

“Mom, Dad, Isabelle, this is Ivy. This is the love of my life.” Derek said as he wrapped his arm around my waist.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, dear. Please call me Annie.” She smiled as she grabbed my hand, “I want you to feel like apart of our family. We know you’ve been through so much and we are here for you.”

Derek must have told them everything. Either that or they watched the news. Or both. Getting strangled by the person you called your father was gut wrenching. I haven’t been the same since. I’m attached to Dereks hip like glue. I’m scared to be alone. No one really knew that I’ve been feeling like this. I’m scared to go anywhere alone in fear he’ll be there. I’m scared to sleep alone. Those nights that I spent not sleeping in the same bed as Derek were some of the worst nights I’ve had. I barely slept. If I did sleep it was on the couch napping with Derek.

Michael got out on bail not long after he strangled me. Here we are just close to three months later and a court date has yet to be set. I didn’t want to live in fear. He was going to get jail time. We all knew it. It was only a matter of time. I just wanted to be able to be independent. It seems like I have to always be attached to someone to feel safe.

“It’s nice to meet you, Ivy, you can call me Joel.” His dad smiled.

“I’m so excited to have a sister!” Isabelle said hugging me.

“Belle. Come on.” Derek said as he blushed.

“Oh Derek. This is the first girl you’re ever introducing us to that we actually like. We know you’re going to marry her one day.” Isabelle responded.

“Belle!” Derek said as he blushed more, “Ivy, I am so sorry about her.” He laughed.

“It’s okay. You never know what’s going to happen.” I said winking at him.

I felt butterflies in my tummy again at the thought of not only getting married. But getting married to Derek. I was in love with Derek. So in love with Derek. The way he took care of me when I had my accident. The way he kissed me. The way he held me every single night in bed since I’ve started sleeping in the same bed with him. The way he kissed my forehead whenever I was in the hair and makeup chair before concerts, photo shoots, or a premiere. The way he got me flowers before or after awards shows and concerts. The way he just accepted my clingyness after the accident. Derek accepted me for who I was, flaws and all. And he was unapologetically himself around me. I loved this man with every inch of my existence and one day I wanted to marry him.

“Well I just hope whenever my baby girl decides to get married I’m there.” I heard a familiar woman’s voice say.