Chapter 1

A concert?

I’ve never been in to a concert, though I watch some on YouTube. But to be personally watching it in front of your eyes? That’s a big no. I hate crowded places, so I’m not fond of concerts.

The crowds were massive. I can hear the cheering and hollering coming from the crowds. Everything around me were chaotic. People are hyping up to the music while jumping together with banners on their hands. It’s suffocating me.

I heaved a deep sigh. Too crowded.

 “Elite Band!”

“I love you guys!”

“We Elites love you!”

My eyes fell on the camera that I’m holding. I lifted my head to the big stage, squinting my eyes. The stage lighting hit my face and I groaned in annoyance. That’s why I hate concerts. The lights were an eyesore.

I raised my camera and adjusted the settings while facing it to the band’s direction. Sighing, I began taking pictures of the members from different angles. My lips curled. Funny how they still look good even in blurred pictures.

There was a ginger haired girl

She glows like a burning sun

If you see her, you’ll have to stare

For she is the queen of her own world

Suddenly, the people around me began swaying their hands through the air. The lights coming from their phones seem like stars twinkling in the night sky.

With her flaming, catlike, wild eyes

They were amber colored, like liquid gold

Captivating me with every turn of her head, every breath

And there I was lost in her eyes

My throat dry. My body froze. My heart pounded.

Oh, oh

Amber eye, she has amber eyes

The eyes of the wolf

Woah, she got amber eyes

Stilled, I let myself stayed on where I’m standing and watch the full performance without even blinking. I felt my eyes started watering as I settled my eyes on the guy who skillfully hitting the drums. My chest pounded when he raked his medium length hair using his right hand while he continues playing with the drumsticks on his left hand. His mouth parted while he bangs his head through the air.

The crowds gone wilder than before. The five guys walk towards the center with microphones on their hands. All of a sudden, a deep cold voice fills us. His voice soared through the air like an eagle on an up-draft, taking our souls.

Hey baby

Do you still remember me?

I’m that boy next door

With a black hoodie and white sneakers

Memories started flashing in my mind as tears clouded into my eyes. The lyrics swim through my cerebral cortex like a wakeful dream, making me remember those times that I’m with him.

Under the moonlight, staring at you

Sitting alone on the bench next to yours

Hands inside the pockets

Wanting to ask your name

My vision became blurry. I couldn’t stop my tears from falling. Flashbacks of those times that I’m with him replayed in my memory like a movie.

‘What’s your name?’

The line that I wanted to ask

But my mouth couldn’t open to speak

Because I’m just a boy

In the midst of chaos, my eyes settled on the guy in the center. A lot of things change but his eyes were still the same. His eyes that were intense and cold. The eyes that has a perfect shade of grey; like the ashes and smoke blowing of the wind coming from a fire.

The fire that became his greatest downfall.

I’m just a boy in love

Melting into your cat-like eyes

Taking my breath away

Falling deeply

If I just didn’t let go. If I just trusted you enough. If I just hold on. I’ll probably be that girl who will proudly shout your name. The girl that will tear up in joy from those songs that you solely dedicate for me. And the girl who will always be the reason why you’re singing right now.

“Thank you, Elites!”

I smiled despite of the heaviness inside my chest. But I know the fire help him rise. I wiped the dried tears on my cheeks as I turn my back at the stage. I keep my head down when my eyes started to water, I gasped for air and grip the camera on my hand tightly.

But before I started to walk away from the crowds, I took a quick glance on the stage. A smile drawn on my face as tears keep flowing in my eyes. I finally turned away with a heavy heart.

But still happy.

“You watched their concert?!”

I bury my face on my pillow and let her shrieked like a banshee. I lost count on of how many times she asks me that question. I got tired of repeating my answer. Why is she here, anyway? She should be in her shop.

“Just go away,” I grunted on my pillow.

She just let out a chuckle. “So, how was it? He looks more handsome, right?”

I bit my lip. His face suddenly appeared in my mind, making my cheeks flushed. I didn’t mutter any word. She laughed loudly as she grabs my pillow. A groan escaped into my lips while she points my red face.

“Oh God!” she elbowed me. “You’re blushing!”

“Go away!”

She wiggled her eyebrows. “Does he still have an effect on you?”

“For Christ sake! Just go away!”

Her loud laugh echoed in the corner of my room. I frowned then forcedly push her out on my bed. She just gave me a look that annoyed me more.

“Alright Ms. Rojas.” She raised both of her arms as if she’s surrendering, “I’ll go.”

“Get out now!” I hissed which earned another laugh from her.

I massaged my temples as I watch her go out in my room. Such a headache. Until I now, I still don’t have any idea how my cousin manages to handle Adira. She’s so loud and nosy. My cousin will probably get old too early because of her.

“Hi we are Elite Band!”

Who would have thought that the school band will be this popular? In the span of months his band started to gain supporters when they’re still in high school. Now that they’re all full grown-up you can’t even describe how big their supporters are.

“Good evening Elites!”

In the middle of the night, I just found myself watching their videos in YouTube. My mouth parted when I saw that they almost have a ten million subscribers. Dang! How did they come this so far?!

I’m watching their recent uploaded video. My lips twitched when my cousin’s smiling face appear on the camera. He energetically waved his hands while showing his dimples. I sneered as I saw the female host’s cheeks reddened while staring at him.

Sorry Missy but he’s already someone’s property. I smirk and chuckle lightly with that thought.

“We missed you!” Worth pouted his lips. “Did you miss us?”

I faked a gaggle sounds and mouthed, “No!”

My eyes landed on the guy beside him. It’s been years, but he’s expression were still the same though much colder than before. His face was expressionless, completely empty. My eyes couldn’t help but to stare and observe his facial features.

“Still handsome,” I mumble biting my lip to suppress a smile.

He’s wearing an unbuttoned black dress shirt, revealing his collarbones. I felt my cheeks heated up when he looked straight at the camera with his intense eyes. If the camera was a person specifically a girl; she’ll probably faint with that gaze!

I watched his moves getting uneasy with his stare. He kept his eyes on the camera as he positioned the microphone in front of his lips. A loop side grin appeared; I could see the host’s expression when he did that. She was about to faint, palpitating because of his grin.

“See you soon.” His husky voice sent shivers down my spine.

I was in dazed when the video ended. A groan escaped into my lips as I turned off my laptop and bury my face on the pillow. Darn that man. I know without a doubt he’s still has an effect on me. I won’t deny it.

Sighing, I stared at the ceiling. Years had pass but the memories never fade and never left. It’s strange indeed how memories can lie dormant in our mind for so many years. Yet those memories can be awakened and brought forth fresh and new, just by something you’ve seen, or something you’ve heard, or the sight of an old familiar face.