jen ledger/ben kasica fanfic (DISCONTINUED)

REALLY LAME FIRST CHAPTER

DECEMBER 2007
JEN POV

I didn't want to audition for Skillet at first, not really. I'm only doing it because I feel that God wants me to. And now I'm about to play in front of them, a band I listened to when I was a kid living in England, with no clue that I'd ever audition for them. They look so... cool sitting there, John and Korey and Ben. My hands shake as I pick up my drumsticks.

ONE MONTH LATER, DAY 1 OF WINTER JAM 2008
JEN POV

I spot Ben backstage, and I run over to him. "I'm scared!" I admit, smiling nonetheless. "What if I mess up, and in front of all of these people?"

Ben grins at me. "Don't worry. It's pre-show jitters. I remember my first show, and I was nearly as nervous as you are right now. Okay, maybe not as nervous because I wasn't playing the most attended tour in the world, but... You'll do amazing, trust me," he says, "Besides, the crowd will love you, believe me. Who wouldn't love a pretty girl from England who absolutely rocks on the drums? A crazy person, that's who."

I laugh and smile at him. "Thanks, Ben," I say, and I hug him. I feel my cheeks get hot. He still has that grin on his face when I let go of him. I hear violins and the crowd screams in excitement, but I feel myself begin to shake. I see John pacing, doing his last minute vocal warmups. He sees me and stops to walk over to where Ben and I are standing.

"You ready to play a rock show, Jen?" he asks, the corners of his lips turned up in a smile.

I smile halfheartedly in return and sigh as I turn my face up to the ceiling and whisper, "Lord, help me."

Korey hears me and insists, "You've got this, Jen! Your first show only happens once, so just trust God that you'll do great and have fun!"

Then it's my cue to walk on stage. My mind is going crazy praying that I don't mess up! Then, this feeling of peace washes over me as I step out onto the stage and take my seat behind the kit, and I know that I'm going to do okay. The crowd hasn't even seen me yet because of the big banner that we have for our intro. I see Ben to my left, and Kor to my right. I guess John hasn't come out yet. My mind begins racing the moment I hit the drums for the first time on stage. Finally, the banner drops and the crowd roars and oh my gosh I'm playing my first show as a member of the band, Skillet. I don't think the crowd even notices that there is a new member in the band. I'm not sure whether that's a good thing or not, but at least that means I'm not screwing up!

The show ends and we walk off stage. As soon as we're backstage, Ben turns and gives me a big hug, shouting, "JEN, you were AWESOME!" I feel my cheeks get warm again as I return the hug.

John then walks over to me with Korey and says, his signature grin on his face, "See, we told you you'd do great!"

I smile back. "Thanks, guys! That was so scary!" I say with a small laugh, pressing a hand to my cheek. "God really helped me through that."