The concert

It was decided that Shanell would not be going back to the school till after the concert was over. That way they could concentrate on working out the kinks in the performances and she would not have to worry about anything till it was done. Since they already had the date set and the tickets had gone out to be sold it was just the waiting game till the day of the concert. Shanell would work on the homework that her mom would get from the school during the times that she wasn't either working with Andy or the song Barry had her working on. She was a bit wary and curious why he had her working on one song all by herself. It wasn’t like she was going to be on the stage with them singing though she had an odd feeling that she might be. She was only practicing with Andy on Don't go breaking my heart because he needed a partner till Olivia was there.

As the day of the concert grew closer the more nervous Shanell got. She found it hard to eat picking at the food. She was so unsure if this was going to help her at school or make it ten times worse. Granted she wanted them all to see how great her brothers were the ones that made the comments about them. She just wasn't sure what kind of reaction she was going to get back at the school after it was all over. They celebrated Easter together a quiet family dinner. In the morning she and Andy were kids again looking for the eggs. Her mom made a grand feast and they ate till they were stuffed.

The closer it got the more her nerves got to her and she tried to keep it to herself but it didn't work. Andy could sense it a mile away. When she got to that point he would drag her out for a ride, a swim or tickle her till she screamed for mercy. The sound of laughter in the house always brought a smile to their parents faces. She would then cuddle up with him on the couch falling asleep watching TV.

The day of the concert the house was in chaos as Shanell kept asking Andy when his duet partner was going to get there so he could do sound check with and get things ready. When he said she would be there that night she just gave a confused look. They ended up doing a quick run through everything that morning. Shanell had gotten up early and after a relaxing horse ride with her favorite brother they were getting ready for the show that night. She headed into her room in her robe rubbing her hair dry. On her bed set her jeans but the t shirt she had planned on wearing had been switched. She shook her head smirking laying next to her bell bottom jeans was a green t shirt that stated in white Andy Gibbs On tour. “Andy where's my blue t shirt?” She peaked out from her room.

He peaked out from his own room a towel wrapped around his head as he just got out of the shower himself. “what do you mean?”

“What do you mean what do I mean … I had a blue t shirt on my bed I was going to wear tonight and I come in to find one of your green tour t shirts on my bed...” She rolled her eyes. “so where is it?”

“Oh … yeah I changed it I thought why not wear one of my shirts tonight …. it be fun come on Starlight ….. “ he winked before shutting his door causing her to roll her eyes again and shut her door. He could hear grumbling in the room next door but knew she would wear it anyway. He unwrapped the shirt he was going to wear the dark blue t shirt slid over his head and down his back. On the front of it in white writing just like his tour shirts only this one had a slight difference where usually was his first name it said Shanell Gibb. He grinned he had it made it just for today. He had done it to surprise her and to boost her confidence knowing she was probably going to be nervous as hell on stage with him. He threw on his jacket over the shirt while grabbing his guitar. “everyone ready?”

Barry came out with his own guitar along with Maurice “yeah … cars should be ready to go sound check went well this morning so everything should be good. “ They all soon were piled into two cars headed towards the stadium as they pulled up they could see tons of people milling around ready to go inside. The tickets when they went on sale completely sold out. It would mean a good boost to the schools budget but it also meant there was going to be a lot of people there from Shanell's school.

Andy kept his arm around her shoulders as they went in through the back. Shanell was shaking a bit though she wasn't sure exactingly why. It wasn't like she was going up in front of all these people just her brothers were. She was sitting in the wings with her parents leaning against the wall as she watched her older brothers get ready to go on the stage. The audience had started to get into their seats. Shanell could see Patrice and a couple other girls from her school all gussied up in the first rows. She kept hidden by the side of the stage watching as the lights came up. The screams were mind blowing hurting her ears a bit but she shook her head as they went nuts when the lights rose to show her brothers on stage. Barry winked at her before starting to sing Jive talking. She danced around by her parents watching them sing on the stage enjoying herself. Sure she had seen and heard her brothers sing before countless times and even on stage. But this time it was to try to help her and she just enjoyed herself.

After a couple songs Barry went up to the mic. “welcome everyone ….. this night's concert all the funds goes towards Brisbane High School..... we hope you enjoy the show and without further ado I want to bring one more of our family up here..” He nodded as he started the intro to You should be dancing. “OUR brother ANDY!!...” Andy took his jacket off and joined Maurice at the mic as they blew into the song. The crowd went nuts screaming Andy's name along with his brothers names.

When the song was done, Andy leaned over Robin whispered something in his ear he nodded. He went over to the side of the stage as Robin started to sing.

Andy walked over to Shanell and took her hand pulling her behind him. She stared at him with her eyes wide shaking her head but Robin motioned to her and pulled her to his side wrapping his arm around her. “how can I mend a broken heart how can stop the rain from falling down ….. how can you stop the sun from shining …what makes the world go round...” Shanell leaned her head against his shoulder as he sang to her slowly along with Barry. The brothers moved including Andy to make a half a circle around her. When Shanell looked at her feet as they sang Robin titled her head to look up a him. He smiled down at his little sister he had wanted to sing this one the most cause he could tell that those girls had broken HER heart. He put his hand to his chest “please help me mend my broken heart and let me live again...” He wrapped his arms around her shoulders kissing her forehead. She stood on her tip toes and kissed his cheek before dashing back into the wings.

Patrice in the front row's eyes were green with envy as she saw Shanell was escorted on stage. They didn't introduce her but anyone looking at her could see who she was wearing a dark green Andy Gibbs on tour t shirt. When Robin Kissed her forehead her teeth ground in annoyance. What was this concert for just to show off who her brothers were oh she would so regret being on stage with them. She would make sure. She turned back to the stage as the guys backed up.

Andy came back out after with his guitar “how is everyone tonight...” the audience screamed his name and he grinned “alright lets do this ...” He started to play “ For so long …. you and me “ He played his guitar singing his hair bouncing around as he sang. No one could read his shirt just yet having been behind the guitar He sang his number one hit I want to be your everything.....”

Shanell leaned against Robin who was now back stage with her his head resting on the top of her head as they watched Andy singing. She snuggled back against him enjoying herself even if he was a bit sweaty. Barbara was also enjoying herself watching her sons do what they do with their whole heart. To see the smiles on her sons faces as they did what they loved.

After a couple songs Andy turned back towards the wings and beckoned again. Barbara leaned by her daughter “your brother's asking for you...”

Shanell bit her lip and shook her head seeing him beckoning towards her.“once was enough mum.... I am okay …..”

Robin rubbed her shoulders. “come on..” He took her hand the same way Andy did before only this time there was a stool setting by Andy's microphone. He lifted her up and set her down.

He stepped back as Andy looked over at the audience. “This next song … is dedicated to our little sister … my Starlight Shanell Gibb...” When he turned to look at her her eyes widened when she saw his shirt. She had thought he had been wearing a regular tour shirt. But it wasn't, across his chest was her name not his. He started to sing. “starlight .. summer nights … don't leave me alone to die .. someone …. some where’s cried oh no.... starlight …. oh in my mind …. too far away to see the light … drifters …. drifted by...... now you come back again …..” he smiled at her And I am not over it yet.... please won't you walk with me talk with me …. starlight..... “ He sang to her softly his brothers singing softly in the background.

Shanell sniffed as tears appeared in her eyes as he sang the song to her. She didn't say anything as he sang her teeth nibbling on her bottom lip trying to stop the tears. She wiped at her face but didn't move “talk with me …. starlight.....” he tilted his head to look at her at the end. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead just like Robin did. The audience went crazy screaming his name and the others. Together they walked back stage as the other brothers stepped back on stage.

They started another set of their famous songs starting with Massachusetts and some of the newer ones from the album they just did for Saturday nigh Fever. Andy wrapped his arm around his sister watching them sing. He knew what was coming up unsure now after the reaction to her just being pulled on stage to be sung to. How was she going to react that she was going to be up there singing with them. He felt her poke him he leaned down “what?”

“don't do that again and I love you..” she leaned up and kissed his cheek. “but where's Olivia....” She looked around “your song is coming up soon and she's not here....” She looked up at him.

Hugh watched his youngest wondering how they would handle it if Shanell absolute refused to go out for the next bit. He hoped there wasn't going to be a problem and he hoped they didn’t push her to do it if she didn't want to. Yet he knew she would go out there anyway. He was watching his oldest out on stage when they finished the next set of songs. He saw Barry turn to the wings again.

Andy sighed when Barry nodded towards them he looked at his little sister “she's not coming.... “

“but you have a duet with her ….. “

“no ...” he stated taking her hand. “I don't,  I have a duet with you...” He handed his guitar to the tech and started towards the stage.

“you saw her a few songs ago... but I'd like to bring her out again .. doing a duet with our brother ...Andy .. our little sister Shanell Rose …. “ Barry clapped along with Robin and Maurice. The crowd was cheering and yelling as Andy walked on stage.

Barry kissed her cheek “you'll be fine Rosebud just think of it as if we were at home ….. okay you can do this..” he said this softly so only she could hear him. Her eyes were wide as saucers as he stepped back after giving her a microphone. He started the first strains to the song.

Andy turned to his sister with a smile winking hoping she wouldn't freeze up on him. “don't go breaking my heart....” he moved side to side.

Shanell raised the microphone “I couldn't if I tried ….” Her heart was thudding in her chest but she just imagined she was home with her brothers at the house like they did the last week. When she took a breath he took her hand twirling her around like they did at home. She grinned then giggled. “ooh no body knows it …. “

Andy leaned forward pressing his forehead to hers. “when I was down ….”

Shanell giggled “I was your clown..” She made a face at him. The audience some of the girls were staring with their mouths opened watching her sing on the stage with her brother and dancing just enjoying herself. She ignored the looks she could be felt on stage and just enjoyed herself “ooh no body no body knows … right from the start …. I gave you my heart.....” She bounced around singing along with him.

Barbara watched with her hand over her mouth watching her youngest on stage singing together tears in her eyes. She could see Shanell was having a ball  with Andy singing. “ Nobody told us ….. cause no body showed us …. and now its up to us baby …. oh I think we can make it...” they sang together they both had grins on their face as they danced around on the stage. When they finished the audience burst into applause and screaming. Andy pointed to Shanell and they both bowed. He wrapped her in his arms and twirled her before starting to head off the stage but Barry shook his head and pulled Shanell forward again.

“This next song …..” he looked down at his little sister “is one a good friend of ours gave us so that my baby sister can show you what that voice can really do...” He leaned down “its okay you can do this ...”

Shanell stared at him then at Andy unsure of this. He had headed back to the wings. He turned back to look at her and gave her a thumbs up he knew she could do this. They all knew she could now it was time to show those naysayers she had talent just like the rest of them. She swallowed and nodded as she took the microphone back. The audience was silent and she felt like she wanted to throw up right then and there she could feel the glares she was getting though she didn't know who they were from. She wanted to run off the stage but knew her brothers wouldn't make her do something they didn’t think she could. Barry started the first strains of the song.

She took a deep breath closing her eyes bringing up the microphone “you think the world should see things your way … love I know you … you think good fortune is here to stay …. Love, I know you shined in everything you tried before Your smile can open any door .” She opened her eyes as she got into the song moving slowly to the music “ But on those days when nobody wants to know you And all your smiles keep falling on stoney ground
Don't stop believin', don't stop believin' Don't stop believin', you'll get by Bad days, bad days will hurry by “ She looked over at her mom and dad in the wings. Andy was smiling with tears in his eyes. “ You never chase your dreams, they find you Love, I know you, if you need love, it finds you too Love, although you sail alone and free I'll follow in your wake And pray one day my heart you'll take .” She smiled at him shakily but kept singing. “ But on those days when nobody wants to know you And all your smiles keep falling on stoney ground Don't stop believin', don't stop believin' Don't stop believin', you'll get by Bad days, bad days will hurry by....” She could hear her brothers singing up back up for her and felt warmth flowing through her whole body at the end of the song. When she finished she closed her eyes fearing the worst when the audience was silent. She swallowed when the audience started clapping and cheering. She felt Barry wrap his large arms around her and hugged him close before bowing and taking off the stage.

Not even the dark looks she was sure that she was getting from of the kids in her school could dim her smile as she got backstage. Andy spun her around after she got a hug from her dad and mum. “YOU DID it Starlight you showed them ” he hugged her again spinning in a circle. “I knew you had it in you … I told you did …. now they all know....” He kissed her cheek.