The Bet

Clarke could hear the roar of the crowd at as they all huddled around in a circle. As everyone bowed their heads, Janet led them in a quick prayer. They were pumped and ready to go. As they walked to take their places Janet looked around for Clarke.

Gil ran up to her. "Dunk, Clarke is freaking out right now. She needs you."

The fans was beginning to chant Janet's name. It was unlike anything Clarke had ever heard. Hand to her chest, she gasped for air as she leaned forward trying to breathe.

Janet and Gil approached her quickly. "I don't know whats wrong with her but she can't breathe."

Janet kneeled down in front of Clarke. She was sweating extremely bad. "She's having a panic attack. Gil go get a cool towel, or a cold water bottle."

The stage manager had already counted Janet down. The intro had begun. "Ms. Jackson we don't have time for this. You're going to miss your queue."

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

Janet turned around furious. "Just give me a moment with her." He took a few steps back and gave them some space. Janet put her hands on Clarke's face. "Clarke baby look at me. It's really important, I need you to just focus on the sound of my voice."

Clarke managed to find Janet's eyes. She held onto Janet's wrists tight. "I can't breathe J." She barely managed to say.

"I know baby but I need you to try, just breathe with me. Deep breaths baby, okay? In and out. You can do this baby. Breathe with me."

Gil ran towards them and placed a cool towel on the back of Clarke's neck. Her breathing was starting steady. She was starting to calm down.

Janet smiled. "That's it baby, It's okay. There is nothing to be afraid. I am right here and Gil will be where you can see him the entire time." Janet said as she helped Clarke to her feet. "We have to get you in position okay?"

Clarke nodded. She took the towel Gil had given her and wiped the sweat from her face.

"Can you do this?" Janet asked her. "I will not make you get on that stage if you can't do this Clarke." Janet was serious. The stage manager was behind her on the verge of a heart attack, but he knew better than to say another word.

"I'm good J, I can it." Clarke finally said.

Janet smiled. "Yeah? Okay, you know where you need to be. Be ready, so you don't have to get ready, is what I always tell the kids." I love you, she mouthed to Clarke and ran to take her mark.

Gil kissed her cheek. "Go do your thang Daddy. Make me proud." Clarke smiled and ran to take her spot on the stage.

The music began to play as the crowd roared loudly. A single spotlight revealed Janet's silhouette and then she appeared before the crowd.

Clarke's heart pounding but this time it was pure adrenaline. She looked down to see Janet and then out at the crowd.

It was unlike anything she'd ever seen before.  All those people were there for one person. All those people were there, for Janet. Clarke thoughts went to her mom. If only she could see her now, she'd be so proud. Clarke closed her eyes for a moment. She turned her head from the mic and said. "This one's for you mom."

The first show brought a feeling that no one in the crew was ready for. As the show came to end and Janet left the stage, everyone knew the show had been a success. All Clarke wanted to do was be with Janet but there was no way that was happening. She was surrounded by people.

Following the concert there we're meetings with fans and other celebrities that showed to support the start of her new tour. Clarke ended up helping the crew clean things up. She helped carry instruments and wrapped cords with the stage hands. The entire crew loved her and had from day one.

"Hey hot shot." Clarke turned to see Brylee standing behind her.

Brylee was the person that shared Clarke's platform. They had rehearsed for weeks together. She was the main reason Clarke new every note to every song on the show. Brylee had sang with Janet for years and was pretty fond of Clarke. She was also super observant and had known about Clarke and Janet for weeks.

Brylee eventually mentioned it one night during a late rehearsal. Clarke trusted her and was honest about she felt. They had become very close and Brylee was kind of her go to person aside from Gil.

"Hot shot?" Clarke finally responded. "Not the person who almost passed out and made Janet Jackson late for her own concert." She said with an embarrassing laugh. Brylee smiled sweetly.

"It was your first show Clarke. It's scary at first. I still get nervous sometimes."

"You? Nervous?" Clarke asked surprised. "But you're amazing."

Brylee blushed. "I came to tell you that I saw your woman heading for her dressing room finally. Normally the only person to join her in there is Gil."

Clarke smiled. "Thank you so much. I owe you one." She said goodnight to some of the other crew members and headed to Janet's dressing room. Brylee watched as she disappeared around the corner.

Clarke tapped on the door gently. It was finally quiet enough in the stadium for her to hear. Gil opened the door and just like Brylee said, it was just the two of them.

Gil smiled, letting her in and closed the door. Janet looked away from the mirror and over at Clarke.

"Baby!" She said running and jumping into Clarke's arms. Clarke picked her up, spinning her around.

"You are a fucking rockstar baby!!! Wow! That was the most amazing thing I've ever seen!" Janet laughed and squealed until Clarke returned her feet to the ground.

"You and Brylee killed it tonight Clarke. The show was perfect you guys!" Janet said looking back and forth between Gil and Clarke.

"I'm so proud of everyone. Damn y'all slayed tonight gurl!" Gil said as he hugged them both. "Let's head for the bus so we can get up and do it all again tomorrow."

Everyone talked the entire bus back to the hotel . Janet let out a sigh of relief once she and Clarke were alone. Clarke ran them a bath then a warm bath.

Janet laid in Clarke's arms playing with her fingers, kissing them one by one as they enjoyed the warm bath. Clarke looked down at her.

"Sometimes I swear it feels like I'm dreaming still. None of this seems real babe. This kind of thing doesn't just happen to people like me." She kissed Janet on the shoulder. "I'm blown away at how amazing you were tonight."

"Are you sure I didn't just look like some 51 year old mom walking around on stage trying to get my groove back or whatever the saying is these days." She joked and glanced at Clarke for an honest answer.

"Are you kidding? You were incredible, just like you've always have been. The look on those people's faces when you were on stage was unbelievable. People love you and you're so damn good at what you do. You're amazing Janet."

Janet blushed, leaned back and kissed Clarke. "How did I get so lucky?"

"I'm the lucky one baby." Clarke said kissing her hand.

They bathed and Clarke helped her out of the bath tub. She dried her off, out lotion her skin, and massaged her muscles until she was completely relaxed.

They lay bed, Janet in her arms, her head resting on Clarke's chest. "I love you." Janet whispered as her eyes drifted shut.

"I love you more baby."