Burning for you!

The concert raged on for several more songs, each pumping up the crowd until they would climax with the Night Raven's current hit, Burning For You.

Elise wasn't a huge rock and roll fan, but this concert still felt and sounded amazing. Initially, she worried they would be smashed against a barrier, but the VIP section was in front of the barrier so she could enjoy the concert without getting crushed. Elise was also happy to spend time with Dirk and even his friends, no matter how odd they seemed. She glanced at Dirk and was happy to see him enamored by the Night Ravens, but she wished he would notice her more. Elise noticed that Miss Rayven seemed to be paying attention to their group.

Dirk couldn't have been happier. He was at a concert with his friends and happily sang along with every song he knew. The only thing Dirk wanted to change was that he wished the rest of the VIPs would get up and dance. Dirk noticed that the majority of the VIPs seemed to pay attention only to Garret Forger, and it ruined the vibe a little bit for Dirk. Still, he was determined to have a good time, so he ignored them.

The current song ended, and the stage became shrouded with red and orange lights signaling the beginning of "Burning for You." The corners of the stage lit up with flames as the Night Ravens' bassist energetically played the opening rhythm.

"BURN! BURN! BURN!" chanted the fans.

Miss Rayven mentally prepared herself since she wasn't sure what Dirk would do, but she needed to hear him again, and to imagine his voice backed by thousands of Watts excited her!

Miss Rayven picked up the microphone off the stand and deftly shut it off, hopefully without anyone noticing. She started to speak into the mic and pretended to be surprised when no sound came out. Miss Rayven twirled her finger at their bassist, Adam, to signal him to keep looping, then wagged the mic at the stagehand off-stage.

"Dead mic," Miss Rayven mouthed.

The stagehand grabbed a backup mic, darted onstage, and handed off the backup to Miss Rayven. He held out a hand to take the dead mic, but she never handed it to him. The stagehand knew he couldn't stay out, so he ran back, confused and empty-handed.

Miss Rayven returned the "dead" mic on the stand, flipped it back on, and then winked at the stagehand while mouthing, "Sorry."

The rest of the Night Ravens were slightly confused at this quick exchange but didn't let it interrupt the show.

"CITY 10, YOU READY TO BURN?!?" Miss Rayven yelled into the mic.

The crowd erupted into cheers and screams!

Miss Rayven took the extra mic, flipped it on, then walked down towards the edge of the stage.

Surprised, Garret Forger stood up and approached the edge of the stage. He thought maybe Rayelle wanted to borrow his fame to boost their own. Garret didn't like the idea but would do it for Rayelle.

Miss Rayven stopped before she reached the edge and noticed that Garret Forger finally stood up and moved closer to her. She smiled and acknowledged him but instead moved towards Dirk and the rest.

Miss Rayven knelt before Dirk and said, "These four have come a long way from City 8 to rock with us!"

The crowd continued to cheer.

Miss Rayven pointed directly at Dirk and said, "I've been listening to this guy sing and I think you all deserve to hear him too, what does everyone say?!?"

The crowd was so pumped that nobody bothered to process what Miss Rayven was saying and cheered even louder.

Miss Rayven motioned for Dirk to climb up onto the stage, then reached out her hand.

Dirk hesitated slightly, wanting to jump up on that stage, but he's never been in front of a crowd this large. He didn't want to ruin the Night Ravens' show, but turning down an offer from Miss Rayven herself was tough!

Elise felt a little jealous but wanted to help Dirk as well. She nudged Dirk with her elbow and yelled, "Just do it already!"

Dirk psyched himself up and then shouted, "Roy! Lyle! I'm going up!"

Roy and Lyle moved into action and gave Dirk two step-ups to help him get on the stage while Dirk reached out to Miss Rayven so she could pull Dirk onstage.

Miss Rayven pulled Dirk towards the mic stand and handed him the extra mic. She motioned to the rest of her bandmates to transition into the song.

Adam was slightly grateful because he was getting bored repeatedly looping the intro for Miss Rayven to talk to the fans. Still, he was irritated that she brought a random fan on the stage without any background check. However, Adam felt the name was similar and wondered where he had heard it before.

Miss Rayven let herself get lost in her song as the song approached the first verse. She noticed Dirk looked stiff and a little terrified. She wanted Dirk to sing at his best but never thought he would be nervous when he sang so openly for the comms.

Dirk faced the crowd, and his vision blurred between the bright lights and the sea of people cheering the Night Ravens on. He gripped the mic tightly and swayed awkwardly with the music.

Miss Rayven knew after looking at Dirk that he wouldn't sing his best, so she sang as usual instead of her original idea of supporting Dirk.

♫♪ Running through a city that never sleeps. ♫♪

♫♪ Searching for my one 'n only salvation. ♫♪

♫♪ The night burns on when I reach you. ♫♪

♫♪ My only escape is your touch. ♫♪

♫♪ Keep me warm. ♫♪

♫♪ You're my fire. ♫♪

♫♪ Let me burn. ♫♪

♫♪ With desire. ♫♪

♫♪ I want to let it burn let it all burn! ♫♪

♫♪ Burn it up burn it up. ♫♪

♫♪ Burning for yooouuu! ♫♪

♫♪ Burning for yoooouuu! ♫♪

♫♪ BURN BURN BURNING FOR YOU! ♫♪

Dirk barely sang into the mic, and the crowd wasn't reacting well.

"Damn it!" Miss Rayven was screaming in her head. She needed to motivate Dirk, so she sauntered to him and bumped his thigh with her hips as the second verse started.

♫♪ You're the only light in this dark place. ♫♪

♫♪ The only one who can make me feel alive. ♫♪

♫♪ The night is ours when we're together. ♫♪

♫♪ My only wish is to stay by your side. ♫♪

♫♪ Hold me tight. ♫♪

♫♪ You're my fire. ♫♪

♫♪ Let me shine. ♫♪

♫♪ With desire. ♫♪

♫♪ I want to let it burn let it all burn! ♫♪

♫♪ Burn it up burn it up. ♫♪

♫♪ Burning for yooouuu! ♫♪

♫♪ Burning for yoooouuu! ♫♪

♫♪ BURN BURN BURNING FOR YOU! ♫♪

During the second verse, Dirk started looking towards his friends for support. His mind was racing, and he was even more worried about messing up the Night Ravens' concert.

Roy and Lyle immediately threw their fists into the air and cheered for Dirk as loud as they could.

Elise cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled, "Sing and I'm all yours!"

Miss Rayven placed her mic back on the stand so she could perform the guitar solo after the second verse. She moved closer to Dirk once again.

Dirk turned his attention to Miss Rayven and felt he should apologize and get off the stage.

Miss Rayven embellished the guitar solo a little more than usual, leaned in towards Dirk, and said, "This is my concert, just have fun and sing how you want."

The guitar solo ended and transitioned into the bridge.

♫♪ Don't let the fire die out ♫♪

♫♪ Don't let the spark fade away ♫♪

♫♪ Don't let the night turn to day ♫♪

♫♪ Don't let me goooo!!! ♫♪

During the bridge, Dirk realized he was an idiot for thinking he could ruin a Night Ravens's concert. He realized he shouldn't apologize and mouthed "Thank you" to Miss Rayven. Dirk felt the weight lift off his shoulders and sunk his mind into the flow, building up his energy for the last verse.

Miss Rayven saw Dirk's resolve and put her all into her guitar without picking up her mic. She knew this would be Dirk's moment.

♫♪ We're burning brighter than the sun ♫♪

♫♪ We're hotter than a thousand flames ♫♪

♫♪ We're stronger than anyone ♫♪

♫♪ While screaming each other's names ♫♪

♫♪ Feel the heat. ♫♪

♫♪ You're my fire. ♫♪

♫♪ Let me scream. ♫♪

♫♪ With desire. ♫♪

♫♪ I want to let it burn let it all burn! ♫♪

♫♪ Burn it up burn it up. ♫♪

♫♪ Burning for yooouuu! ♫♪

♫♪ Burning for yoooouuu! ♫♪

♫♪ BURN BURN BURNING FOR YOU! ♫♪

Dirk's vocal energy poured out through the entire venue when backed by thousands of Watts speakers.

The audience went wild as Dirk's vocals invigorated them.

Roy and Lyle cheered wildly, gripping each other and feeling proud as if they were watching a baby walk for the first time.

Elise finally lost herself in the music and felt her body move.

Miss Rayven felt herself reaching a new high in music. She pressed against Dirk for the closing and shared his mic.

♫♪ BURN BURN BURNING FOR YOU! ♫♪

♫♪ BURN BURN BURNING FOR YOOOUUUU! ♫♪

As soon as the song ended, Miss Rayven witnessed an explosion of cheering and applause that she hadn't expected. She threw her arm around Dirk's shoulder and pulled him closer. She wanted to pull him in for a kiss on the cheek as a thank you for making this night unforgettable.

Dirk looked at Miss Rayven as she pulled him in and just let everything happen.

Dirk's and Miss Rayven's lips connected.

Miss Rayven's eyes shot open when it wasn't the cheek she was expecting, but she kept her professionalism and then grabbed Dirk's hand and held it up with hers while the crowd cheered.

At this point, Dirk was now dumbfounded and let Miss Rayven lead him into bowing to the audience.

Roy and Lyle helped Dirk back down from the stage.

Before Roy, Lyle, or Elise could bother Dirk much, Garret Forger pushed his way through toward Dirk and coldly asked Dirk, "Who are you?"

Still lost in the moment, Dirk smiled and said, "I don't know."