Lizzy couldn't hear much from backstage. The crowd's voices were muffled, a low hum that made her stomach flip in both excitement and nerves. She stared at her reflection in the dressing room mirror, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear and adjusting the sequin skirt that sparkled under the harsh lighting. She had never performed at the VMA's before and now...here she was. Her song, her voice and every late night studio rehearsal lead up to this moment.

"Lizzy, five minutes!" a stagehead called from the doorway

She exhaled, trying to calm the butterflies that were doing sommersaults in her chest. Her fingers tightened around the microphone she'd been practicing with all week. She was ready...she just needed one more glance at the man who had been supporting her far and wide these past few months while he was on tour.

Her boyfriend, JC leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, watching her with that mix of amusement and intensity she'd grown use to. "You look ready," he said, his voice low, but not without a hint of a challenge.