Chương 86: 88. start.

Billy had a half-full water bottle in his hands as he gathered his thoughts for the next few minutes. Gwen's voice was clear and somehow key for him to take a breath. Some band members were already cleaning up backstage, almost frantic. There was a silence after the roaring applause ignited.

He took a breath, knowing he had ten minutes before stopping by Gwen's dressing room, but unfortunately, she was busy. -Hey, you guys... you can join the VIP section. -

-Sure, - commented a member of No Doubt, to which Billy responded with a smile.

A light illuminated his arrival on stage as a hush fell over the crowd, punctuated by squeals. It was almost like a sunrise. A chant began, "Billy, Billy, Billy, Billy." It was a revealing sound for anyone, growing stronger with increasing screams. The band members shivered as Billy, the star, led the way. His charisma while singing connected with his fans, making them lose their minds with his performance.

-Good evening, Los Angeles, - Billy said into the microphone, and the screams were immediate.

-It's been a year since I last performed in Los Angeles, and I can say I've missed you. Especially my lovely fans who always shower me with gifts. I'll be with my fan club tonight at the Plaza Hotel, don't forget to show up, ladies. -

-Without further ado, let's get to it.-

The first song was "Breaking the Habit." It was his choice, but something came to mind even as Connor started the melody. This didn't happen often.

-[Beverly Hills – Weezer.]-

The lyrics came to mind, a somewhat peculiar and irreverent choice. It took fifteen seconds for the band members to exchange ironic glances. Spencer's guitar solo signaled the start, and he repeated the track.

Back to reality. He had to sing the song.

🎶🎶🎵 🎶🎶🎵🎶

Memories consume

Like opening the wound

I'm picking me apart again

You all assume

I'm safe here in my room

Unless I try to start again

I don't want to be the one

The battles always choose

'Cause inside I realize

That I'm the one confused

I don't know what's worth fighting for

Or why do I have to scream

I don't know why I instigate

And say what I don't mean

I don't know how I got this way

I know it's not alright

So, I'm breaking the habit

I'm breaking the habit tonight

🎶🎶🎵 🎶🎶🎵🎶

…

The anthem of depression, the songs from his second album, reminded him of his mother and always brought a flood of emotions. But this song, in particular, made him retreat, eyes closed, focused by a camera and a screen. Everyone felt the chill of death down their spines; some, more sensitive, were consumed by sadness.

HBO's cameras did a magnificent job, focusing on a dual shot: Billy singing on the right while a beautiful woman sang along quietly, tears streaming down her face. Billy's powerful voice, combined with the woman's tears, moved many to their tears of depression. The smell of cinnamon, the scent most associated with Billy's mother, lingered lightly.

The power of emotions was a tornado, a whirlwind of feelings. It stirred the stadium, even lowering the temperature. Billy's songs were gradually earning the reputation of living through a movie.

🎶🎶🎵 🎶🎶🎵🎶

Clutching my cure

I tightly lock the door

I try to catch my breath again

I hurt much more

Than anytime before

I had no options left again

I don't want to be the one

The battles always choose

'Cause inside, I realize

That I'm the one confused

I don't know what's worth fighting for

Or why do I have to scream

I don't know why I instigate

And say what I don't mean

I don't know how I got this way

I'll never be alright

So, I'm breaking the habit

I'm breaking the habit tonight

🎶🎶🎵 🎶🎶🎵🎶

…

As the song ended, he modulated his voice and adjusted his rhythm, delivering fluid notes. The beginnings and endings of songs are crucial; the closures and first impressions are ways to craft a performance. He evoked an image of happiness, weaving in nostalgia, fear, and then joy.

Love, love, heartbreak, depression, anxiety, love, fear, love. It was a quick image of a farewell and a reunion. Thus, the way he ended made the hearts of the audience beat uniquely, with a slow rhythm like a dream.

Saturated with warmth, followed by flashes of emotions coming from Billy.

🎶🎶🎵 🎶🎶🎵🎶

I'll paint it on the walls

'Cause I'm the one at fault

I'll never fight again

And this is how it ends

I don't know what's worth fighting for

Or why I have to scream

But now I have some clarity

To show you what I mean

I don't know how I got this way

I'll never be alright

So, I'm breaking the habit

I'm breaking the habit

I'm breaking the habit tonight

🎶🎶🎵 🎶🎶🎵🎶

***

Among the celebrities on stage, there were many women. Zoe Karvaizt, the 16-year-old brunette, was particularly wild, with everything she produced from her lips.

Her mother could only roll her eyes at her daughter's movements as she cried, shouted, and laughed - all of which Billy seemed to have perfected. The tickets sent by the father and his attendance were simply a source of annoyance.

-It's so perfect, - said Zoe, clutching her body.

-Well, your father paid for the VIP passes so you could attend and greet the band, - commented Lisa Bonet, with a gesture of disgust.

They were giving out passes for 10 fans, and she might run into someone she knew, but she didn't expect to see boxer Mike Tyson climbing the stairs with his gold teeth, as he happily ignored everything, took some breaths, and went up the stairs with his underage daughter for protection.

To her misfortune, she saw the shirtless boy, his body of prime quality, and her daughter's reactions were not clear. They took a signal, while Tyson caused the usual commotion whenever he was somewhere, even the looks he sent them were simply unpleasant.

Billy posed with a skeleton. After five minutes of awkwardness.

-I have to leave you, but we can talk more later, - said Billy to Tyson, warmly, in the way they both behaved, fixing his gaze on her, a young man, it was a primal gaze that made her uncomfortable.

-I'm sorry for keeping you waiting, - commented Billy, looking at his daughter. - I hope you'll forgive me, miss, but I'm not very presentable. -

Billy was thinking, - If you win over the daughter, you win over the mother. -

-Ahhh. Bip.- escaped from the young Kravizt, a hiccup that made Billy laugh, who could only comb his hair.

-You're a nervous little thing, - Billy commented to Zoe, who melted, entering a cycle of madness.

-I suppose your older sister can translate for us, maybe you want an autograph or a photo, I think the stage crew has some giveaways, we have! - Billy commented to the question of a man above, being somewhat cliché, but the fact that he managed to elicit a slight smile from her could be enough to say, "I'm on the right track."

The man nodded at that moment and went to bring a couple of concert t-shirts from the Vans brand, the Billy edition, which would later be signed.

-We want everything and a photo, - commented Lisa.

-Well, let's take the photo as soon as possible, - Billy said, invading Lisa's space, they felt like rejecting him, but it was only a minimal touch on her hip that she couldn't do to fend him off, as she was too focused, and everything surprised her.

-I think that's all, - said Billy, giving a kiss on the cheek to both her and Zoe, it was strange, a minor found her attractive, and not just any minor, she wanted to deny it but forgot everything, her words in the face of the intensity and audacity.

...