Anywhere: A Night with Amy Lee

**** Author's Note: This story is, obviously, fictional. Despite this, I've gone to great lengths to believably portray the subject matter and, in particular, Amy Lee. People who are as big a fan of Amy Lee as I am will no doubt recognize tons of inside jokes, quotes, and info from here. There are also some lyrics that, of course, I don't own. They are the property of the amazing Amy Lee and her band. This story is, at its heart, a bit of a romance (though between who remains to be seen), and there's a hidden celebrity cameo of sorts in there somewhere, too. (A cookie to whoever finds it.) As with many of my stories, the characters come first and the sex a bit later. This is the first of three parts: an epic yet introspective story about a girl and a band who produce epic yet introspective music. Rock on, Amy, we love you. ****

The drive had been exhausting. It had taken nearly eight hours – not to mention a two hour sightseeing stopover and a few bathroom breaks – but I finally saw the welcoming sign of the "Country Inn" in the plaza just across the street.

I hurriedly pulled into parking lot. I felt at least half a dozen bones crack as I emerged from the confines of my sedan. My buddy Adam laughed as he got out. "Any more cracks and you'll break in half," he said.

"Laugh it up, Junior," I told him. "At least I'm old enough to drink legally."

In truth there was only five years separating us, but we often liked to joke around and exaggerate the difference. We were co-workers turned good friends, turned traveling companions on a journey to see one of our favorite rocks bands: Evanescence.

I wasn't a big concert fan. I had only been to a few. Metal concerts were my least favorite despite how much I enjoyed the music, simply because of the rowdiness and mosh pits and lunacy that seems to dominate the scene. Nevertheless, Amy Lee was the one person I would endure all of that insanity to see live. Like so many people, I was moved on a deeply personal level by her music – the lyrics, the melodies, the sultry sound of her amazing voice. I never thought of myself as a fan boy, but I definitely had a major crush on Amy Lee. Me and about two billion other guys.

The chill in the air vanished as soon as we stepped into the lobby. The narrow entrance gave way to a sprawling lounge area. The floors, beams, and A-frame ceiling were all wood – mahogany, by the looks of it. A crackling fire filled the room with warmth, and the atmospheric décor gave the place a homey touch. Several candles lined the room, with each distinctive fragrance blending together to create a soothing, pleasing aroma.

I passed by the comfortable looking sofas and chairs that dominated the lounge area and approached the front desk. A striking girl with gorgeous blond hair that tumbled playfully around her shoulders stood behind the desk. She wore little makeup, but had such astonishing natural beauty that she didn't require any. I broke my stride upon seeing her, a fact that wasn't lost on Adam. I heard him snickering as I got underway again.

We got to the desk and the girl – Ashley, according to her name badge – looked up and greeting us with a warm smile. Her eyes were brown, but in the changing light they seemed to shift to auburn and then again to amber.

"Welcome," she said with a smile. "How can I help you?"

I handed her the slip I had printed off of the internet when I booked the room. She looked it over. "Just one night, then?" she asked.

I nodded. "We're just here for the Evanescence concert."

The girl's eyes widened. "I'm so jealous," she said with a bittersweet smile.

"You're a fan too?" Adam asked.

"The biggest," she said. "I tried so hard to get tonight off, but you see how well that turned out."

Ashley turned her attention to the computer. After a few moments, she had our key cards ready. "You're in room 203, right at the top of the stairs," she said as she pointed us in the right direction. "I'm sure you know how to call for room service and all that."

"Yeah, I think so," I said. She graced me with another gorgeous smile before returning to her duties.

Adam and I headed up the large staircase to the side of the lobby and headed for our room.

***

"I think she digs you," Adam said as he hefted his suitcase onto his bed.

I laughed. "You say that about any girl that ever talks to me for more than two seconds."

"That's because a girl talking to you for more than two seconds is a rarity. I figure they must like you if they stick around that long."

I threw a pillow at Adam's head. It found its mark. "Your violence only reinforces the truth," he said. "You should go talk to her."

"Dude, we're in a hotel halfway across the state," I complained, sitting down on the two-seater couch in the lounge part of the room. "Why should I go flirt with someone who works here?"

"Because you need to get laid," Adam quipped. "You've been pissy ever since you and Br..."

He trailed off just short of saying her name, and though I resented him for bringing my attention it, I did appreciate that he realized his folly.

"Well in case you've forgotten, we're going to a concert tonight," I said. "It's not like I can take her out for dinner."

"So we'll stay an extra day. I got nothing going on."

I laughed. "You're insane."

I rose and quickly headed for the door.

"Where you going?"

"To get a Coke."

"You'll talk to her. You know you will!"

I let the door slam behind me, cutting off his voice.

The signs pointed down a narrow hallway to the left of our door. I followed it around several turns until I finally got to the vending area. It seemed ridiculously out of the way, but the prices were halfway decent. I got a soda and headed back for the room.

The door to our room was on the second floor, overlooking the spacious lobby. The balcony was one of several; each of the six floors had its own. It was obvious we were visiting during the off-season, since we got such a great room at an inexpensive price. I figured not too many out of town folk would be driving across the state in the middle of November to see Evanescence.

I glanced down and saw Ashley sitting in one of the luxurious arm chairs in the lobby, her face buried deep in a book. Her slender legs stretched out in front of her, emerging from her modest blue and white plaid skirt. Her blond hair fell loosely around her face.

Damn Adam anyway, I thought as I headed down the steps.

I walked down to the lounge and took a seat in the chair next to her. She didn't even look up.

"Whatcha reading?" I asked.

She put down her book for a moment and glanced up. She smiled broadly at me. "Hey! Don't you have a concert to get to?"

"I've got a few minutes yet," I said. "Do, uh... you know where the Sovereign Center is?"

Ashley nodded. "Make a left at our front light, then a right at the second light. It's two blocks beyond the big old rickety looking bridge. You'll probably have to park a few blocks away, though." She buried her face behind her book, though I heard her playfully add a, "Jerk," to the end of her directions.

I reached over and lifted her book so I could see the title. "A Gentle Raine, huh?"

Ashley's amber eyes twinkled in the firelight. "I know, I know," she said. "I'm a romance freak. I love tragic romances that are doomed to fail before they start."

"Why?"

She shrugged, and her pouty, pink-hued lips curved upwards in an innocent smile. "I don't know. I guess I can relate to it. I've never had much luck in the romance department."

"That makes two of us," I said simply.

"Hm. Now I'm intrigued. By all means, continue. "

I waved off the question. "I'd rather not. We haven't even been formally introduced yet."

She sat up and extended her hand. "I'm Ashley."

I smiled and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. It was cool to touch. "Jay," I replied. "And aren't you supposed to be working?"

"Well they do give me a break now and then," Ashley said. "I get to sit down for fifteen minutes every two hours, so long as it's not busy."

"That's awfully nice of them."

"Yeah. Despite tonight's unfortunate timing, this is a great place to work. Cozy atmosphere, decent hours. And I get to meet... interesting people."

She smiled sweetly, almost bashfully, and avoided direct eye contact with me for a few moments.

"They've got a great sense of beauty, too," I said. "They know what people like to see when they walk into a hotel."

Ashley nodded. "I know, I love the décor in here."

I hesitated. "I wasn't talking about the décor, actually."

Ashley's milky white cheeks turned red for a moment, and she bit her lip. Her eyes flicked up at me even though her head was still lowered, and the smile she graced me with was beyond beautiful.

"So," Ashley said. "Where are you from?"

"Mercer. On the other side of the state."

Ashley nodded. "I know right where that is," she said with a hint of excitement. "We have family there. Wow, small world."

Our eyes met again and Ashley smiled, again bashfully averting her attention and chewing on her bottom lip.

"So what's your favorite song?" she asked. I stared blankly for a moment. "You know, the concert," she prodded.

"Oh, right, right,"I said, deriding myself for the momentary lapse. "I don't know. From 'Fallen', probably Bring Me to Life. From the new one... maybe Lithium."

Ashley smiled. "Good choices. I kinda like Whisper, personally," she said. Her tone grew a little more somber. "And My Last Breath is kind of... well... anyway. It's all amazing."

I was curious, but I didn't want to pry. I could tell she was struggling to hide the pain about something. "Atypical choices," I said. "I guess that's why they're so popular. They talk about stuff a lot of people connect to personally."

"Yeah," Ashley said. The distance that had overtaken her gaze disappeared. "I really wish I could go tonight," she said. "It would have meant a lot to see them in person."

I felt a dull ache in my chest for Ashley. I wanted to help her in some small way, even though I had just met her. She did a commendable job trying to hide whatever pain she was feeling, but I knew the songs well, and I knew what they spoke of. I knew, because they held similar meaning for me. "When do you work again?" I asked her.

The question caught her off-guard but it brought her out of her reverie. "Oh... um, tomorrow morning at nine. Why?"

"Be here at eight," I told her. "We'll have breakfast, talk a little. And I promise you, I'll bring you something from that concert."

Ashley's face turned extremely red. "We've known each other for ten minutes and you want to have breakfast with me and bring me stuff?"

"Well, yeah," I said, holding my breath a little.

"I like your style," she said, smiling. "I'll be here at 7:45. We can eat in the lounge. Great pancakes."

My heart was racing. "Awesome. See you then."

I rose from my seat and practically danced up the stairs, pausing at the top to gaze upon Ashley once more. She was peeking at me from behind her book cover, still blushing a little.

I couldn't help but think what a great trip this was turning out to be.

***

The atmosphere was electric. The two opening acts, Finger Eleven and Chevelle, had delivered incredible performances. And much to my delight, there had been no mosh pits. I was twice as thankful for this since we had probably the best seat in the house.

I couldn't believe when we arrived how close we were able to get to the stage. The front row! Sure we had to stand, but we were literally within in spitting distance of the stage. When Amy Lee had first come out, I practically swooned. I knew she was beautiful – but in person she was stunning!

She wore a surprisingly tame outfit compared to some of the ones she wore in the various concerts I'd seen online or on television. She sported a very snug black tank top If she wore a bra it was one of those casual sports bras, but I seriously have my doubts she had one on at all. She wore loose fitting pants (though not loose enough to hide her supple posterior) and a black belt with metal spikes on it. She had on a few different necklaces, a fingerless glove on her right hand that extended up her slender right arm, and to top it all off, a silver tiara.

Amy was extremely personable with the audience as well, talking to us like she was a good friend and just generally enjoying herself. And she laughed at the crowd's uncontrollable cheering when we saw the piano rise out of the stage.

"Relax you guys, it's not what you're thinking. Damn." As she adjusted the height of the mic stand, the crowd went even crazier. Amy laughed again. "Can you believe I get booed for sitting down at this thing sometimes? You guys fucking rock!" This brought on even more cheers. I could barely hear my own, drowned as it was in everyone else's. Still, I screamed until I had no breath left in me, and then screamed some more.

She finished adjusting the stand, took a deep breath, and began playing an extended piece that didn't sound familiar, at least not until the final few notes. She began singing, her sultry baritone immediately silencing the crowd and making my knees quake.

Lithium... don't want to lock me up inside.
Lithium... don't want to forget how it feels without...
Lithium... I want to stay in love with my sorrow.
Oh, but God, I want to let it go.

The lights came up with a brilliant flash, and the entire stage was bathed in white. The crowd cheered as snow began to fall from above. In seconds, the entire stage was covered in a blanket of fluffy white flakes. And there, not even five feet away from me, Amy Lee sat at her piano, her chest heaving, wet with sweat and melted snow, the fresh flakes glimmering in her hair. Blue gels cooled the lights down and cast a gorgeous ambiance over the stage as the snow continued to fall. I was utterly transfixed.

Come to bed, don't make me sleep alone.
Couldn't hide the emptiness, you let it show.
Never wanted it to be so cold.
Just didn't drink enough to say you love me.

I can't hold on to me,
Wonder what's wrong with me...

I lost myself in the song, and in the beauty of the woman singing it. I had seen her so many times on television, but I was in perpetual amazement at how much more beautiful she was in person. I wanted nothing more than to climb up onto the stage and touch her soft, milky white cheek. I was completely hypnotized by her. All around me, guys (and more than one girl) shouted their love, marriage proposals, and other bizarre propositions to Amy, but I could barely bring myself to speak, much less scream. No, I stood there a mute, completely swept away by this woman and her incredible voice.

And then it happened. Out of all the people clamoring for her in the arena, out of all the places she could have chosen to look, she looked right at me. At me!

I felt my heart stop. Amy Lee was making eye contact with me.

So, I did what anyone else would have done.

I smiled and waved like a complete idiot.

Amy smiled back at me and shot me a brief wink. She had been caught up in the song the entire time, so the few moments she spared to grace me with her beautiful smile meant the world to me. My evening was complete – maybe even my entire week.

Amy Lee had smiled at me! How could this trip possibly get any better?

***

I sat on the top step just outside our hotel room. It was almost 2:00 AM, and I was becoming a little irked with Adam. He had gone off with a girl he had met at the concert. She had shown up in our area trying to push her way to the front by offering to make out with the first guy who gave her a cigarette. Adam had offered and the girl had delivered. After the show, she had convinced him to go out for drinks.

I politely declined, to the obvious disappointment of the girl's friend. I had thought I was tired, but upon returning to the hotel I found I just couldn't sleep. My mind and body were still too awake. The imagery from the concert played over and over again in my head. I could close my eyes and see it all from start to finish, but the part I became fixated on – obsessed with, really – was the moment when Amy Lee looked at me and smiled.

I grew thirsty – the screaming had left my throat raw and parched – so I decided to head back to the vending machines. I walked down the twisting hallway, acutely aware of every step I was taking. I was a little surprised to find someone already standing at the vending machines. Her hair was dark – almost midnight black. She wore baggy red and green plaid pajama pants that hung slightly below her wasteline, and a snug green tank top She was bent over to pick up her drink, and I noticed the top of what looked like a red and black thong. I took note of the attractive ass – the supple shape was evident even through the baggy pants.

I was about to step forward when the girl quickly rose and turned without looking – crashing into me in the process.

I slid backwards, laughing a bit. For her part, the raven-haired beauty was very apologetic.

"I am so sorry!" she said. As we found our footing again, I was immediately struck speechless. It wasn't just a random brunette who stood before me.

It was Amy Lee. And I was speechless.

"I'm so out of it sometimes. I'm really sorry," she said again.

I stumbled through a handful of random grunts before I finally found my voice again.

"No, no, it was my pleasure. I mean fault. I mean..."

Amy laughed. "Not one for eloquence, are you?"

I wiped the sweat quickly forming on my brow and grinned. "No. I mean usually I am, but not when... I mean, wow. I sound like a complete idiot."

"Aw, complete's a little harsh. Partial, maybe."

I laughed, though in retrospect I'm sure it sounded ridiculous. I extended my hand. "My name's Jay," I said. I wanted to add, And I'm madly in love with you but I thought it best to leave that part implied. To my great surprise, Amy Lee took my hand and shook it. Her own hand was warm and soft, but her grip was strong. I nearly lost my breath when she touched me.

"Amy," she said.

"Yeah. I, uh... I know. I was at your show tonight."

Faint recognition seemed to dawn in Amy's gorgeous eyes. "Right," she said. "I think I remember you. You were right up front. You're the guy that waved at me during Lithium."

I was floored. "You remember that?"

"What, I can't have a good memory? I'm a musician so I must be oblivious?" she asked pointedly. She must have seen the look of panic that washed over my features because she quickly laughed. "I'm kidding! Loosen up."

My cheeks turned a little red. "Give me a minute, it's not everyday you get to meet one of your heroes."

Now it was Amy's cheeks turning red, though she hid it well. "Eh, relax. I'm no one special. And if it's any comfort, you're hanging in here a lot longer than I hung in when I met Bjork. I was shaking and blubbering like crazy. Totally spazzed."

I smiled. "I know, I've heard you talk about it before. Still, it's kind of comforting."

"I thought your wave was kinda sweet, actually. Usually it's marriage proposals and confessions of undying love. How weird is that? All these people you don't really know propositioning you. I love our fans to death but I wish they'd stop that. Like I'm going to just pick a random fan and say, 'sure come on up, let's do it baby!' Y'know?"

"I know, it's horrible," I said. "Some days I have to beat them off with a stick."

Amy raised a dark eyebrow at me and folded her arms across her chest, providing me with an eyeful of perfect cleavage that I desperately tried to keep my gaze away from. "Do I detect a touch of sarcasm, mister 'I just met my hero'?"

"Just a touch," I said. "I actually prefer to use a baseball bat. Sticks break too easily."

Amy tried to feign a scowl, but she ended up laughing. It was a melodic sound, and it made me feel at ease. I suddenly forgot that I was talking to THE Amy Lee of my favorite band. She was just a girl. An amazing, beautiful girl with a sharp wit and a great sense of humor.