Take a Breath, Don't It Sound So Easy?

City lights flickered like candles in the distance as Jasey stepped onto the terrace. It was the most spectacular view she had ever seen. Los Angeles, she mentally sighed. It was in that moment that she knew this place had a hold on her.

She heard the testing of a guitar, a bass, drums, and a microphone. Reluctantly, Jasey forced her eyes away from the beautiful view of the Hills. She made her way to the stage where her best friends would perform in half an hour. Alex was tuning his guitar and scatting into the mic for sound testing. His easy going stance calmed her down as he said, “Hola, Maria.” It was an ongoing inside joke between the two, because Jasey couldn’t say anything in Spanish for the life of her.

“Shut up, Dick.” Jasey laughs and socks his arm. “What’s the set for tonight?”

Alex gets a mischievous look in his eyes. “You’ll see.”

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

“So, tonight, to end our set, we’re going to play a new song. I only wrote it a week ago, when we arrived in LA, and it’s called ‘Dear Maria, count Me In’.” Alex smiles at me before opening up to sing.

"I got your picture
I'm coming with you
Dear Maria, count me in
There's a story at the bottom of this bottle
And I'm the pen

When the lights go off
I wanna watch the way you
Take the stage by storm
The way you wrap those boys around your finger
Go on and play the leader
'Cause you know it's what you're good at
The low road for the fast track
Make every second last

'Cause I got your picture
I'm coming with you
Dear Maria, count me in
There's a story at the bottom of this bottle
And I'm the pen
Make it count when I'm the one
Who's selling you out
'Cause it feels like stealing hearts
Calling your name from the crowd

Then in the field you'll be the show girl of the home team
I'll be the narrator
Telling another tale of the American dream

I see your name in lights
We can make you a star
Girl, we'll take the world by storm
It isn't that hard

'Cause I got your picture
I'm coming with you
Dear Maria, count me in
There's a story at the bottom of this bottle
And I'm the pen
Make it count when I'm the one
Who's selling you out
'Cause it feels like stealing hearts
Calling your name from the crowd
Whoa...

Ha ha..

Take a breath, don't it sound so easy
Never had a doubt
Now I'm going crazy watching from the floor
Take a breath and let the rest come easy
Never settle down
'Cause the cash flow leaves me always wanting more

'Cause I got your picture
I'm coming with you
Dear Maria, count me in
There's a story at the bottom of this bottle
And I'm the pen
Make it count when I'm the one
Who's selling you out
'Cause it feels like stealing hearts
Calling your name from the crowd

'Cause I got your picture
I'm coming with you
Dear Maria, count me in
There's a story at the bottom of this bottle"

Jasey smiles hugely as the song finishes, then runs to meet Alex off stage. "Are you fucking serious?" She laughs as she jumps into his embrace.

“Thought you’d like it.” He looks to the ground. “I mean it though. Whatever you want out here, I’ll be right beside you."

Jasey kissed him then. She couldn't believe how much she loved the feel of his lips on hers. Although he was sweaty and tired, he lifted her off her feet and held her tight. It was like magic.

"But it's not." Jasey's mind screamed at her. "He wrote a song for you. He's Alex, and he does that to get into girl's pants. You wont be one of them. You're more than just another girl."

Jasey heart sang, "But he's more than just another boy..."