On the day of the band's rehearsal at the stadium, the atmosphere was charged with excitement and anticipation. As James walked onto the grand stage with the rest of the band members, they were met with the sprawling expanse of seats, the towering scaffolding of the stage setup, and the hum of technical crews preparing for the rehearsal.

Amidst the bustling activity, James spotted her. The women from the terrace from last night.She stood near the stage with a warm smile, looking at the band members with genuine admiration and enthusiasm. Her eyes were filled with warmth as she watched the group, appreciating their talents and the energy they brought to the stadium.

For James, however, the sight of her among the crowd was nothing short of shocking. He was taken aback, his heart racing as he realised that she had a connection to the band – a connection he hadn't known about. Her presence felt like a twist of fate he couldn't have predicted

In a daze, James tried to focus on the rehearsal, but his thoughts kept drifting back to her. He couldn't shake the shock of this unexpected encounter, and the rehearsal that had once been routine now felt like an entirely different experience.

The band had just wrapped up a particularly intense rehearsal when Noah, noticing James’s quiet demeanor, raised an eyebrow and shot him a concerned look.

Noah: (leaning in, with a hint of concern) "Hey, James, you seem a bit off today. Everything okay?"

James hesitated for a moment, his thoughts still scattered. He gave a half-hearted smile, trying to shake off the unease that had been settling in since the moment he’d met Kiara.

James: (sighing, with a small shrug) "Oh, yeah. I’m fine. Just had something on my mind."

Noah eyed him for a beat, not entirely convinced but letting it slide. Alex, who was nearby, leaned in with a teasing grin.

Alex: (mockingly) "You sure? You’re usually the one who keeps us all on track. You’re making us look bad, man."

Laughter bubbled up from the group, the tension in the air easing just a little. James tried to join in with a chuckle, but it felt forced. The easy camaraderie of the band had always been something he’d thrived in, but today, something was off. As the teasing died down, the door to the rehearsal space opened, and Mark, the production manager, stepped in, grinning widely.

Mark: (with a friendly wave) "Hey, everyone! Hope rehearsals are going well. I’ve got someone I’d like you to meet."

The band members turned their attention to Mark, their curiosity piqued. Mark motioned toward the door, and Kiara entered, stepping confidently into the room. Her presence immediately shifted the atmosphere.

Mark: (gesturing toward Kiara with a smile) "This is Kiara, our stage design consultant for the tour. She’s been working with me to bring your vision to life, and I thought it was about time you all met her in person."

Kiara’s warm smile and easy confidence immediately made her approachable. She met their gazes one by one, her eyes bright with genuine enthusiasm.

Kiara: (with a soft laugh) "It’s a pleasure to finally meet you all. I’ve been so inspired by your music, and I’m really excited to be a part of this tour."

There was a moment of silence as Kiara’s words sank in. James felt a slight flutter in his chest as her eyes met his—he couldn’t help it. But he pushed the thought aside quickly, trying to focus on the task ahead.

The band exchanged polite greetings, and Mark stepped back, giving the group a chance to settle into the new dynamic. Kiara’s presence was a clear shift in the rhythm of the room, but her warmth and professionalism seemed to smooth over any initial awkwardness.

James: (nodding, trying to keep his focus) "Looking forward to working together, Kiara."

Kiara: (smiling) "Likewise, James. I’m sure we’re going to create something amazing together."

She warmly shook hands with each member, her smile radiating genuine enthusiasm.

The band members, known for their genuine warmth and gentlemanly demeanour, continued to make Kiara feel welcome. Each of them shook her hand warmly and extended a heartfelt greeting.

Leo: (smiling) "It's a pleasure to have you with us, Kiara. Your designs are going to add so much to our shows."

The band members and Kiara continued discussing the tour and stage design, they couldn’t help but notice James’s unusual behaviour. He had greeted Kiara warmly with a handshake, but since then, he had become quieter and more distant. This was surprising, as James was usually the one who took charge and made new team members feel at ease.

Kiara, noticing his shift in mood, offered a friendly smile and asked casually.

Kiara: "Is everything alright, James?"

James, realizing his behaviour had been noticed, tried to brush it off with a casual smile.

James: "Oh, I’m fine, really. Just a bit tired from the rehearsal, I guess."

Kiara, noticing his shift, approached him gently.

Kiara: (smiling warmly) " it’s nice to officially meet you!" She added with a playful tone, "We briefly saw each other on the terrace the other night, didn’t we?"

James was caught off guard. He hadn’t expected her to bring it up and, for a moment, he felt a rush of nerves. His mind raced, thinking, Shit, what’s going on? Why am I feeling so jittery?

James: (after a brief pause) "yup,I was just wondering if that was really you"

Kiara’s easy-going demeanour made it clear she wasn’t going to make it awkward, but James could tell something had shifted. His internal turmoil only grew stronger as he tried to focus on the conversation. The sound of Mark and the others discussing stage design faded into the background as he was still processing the unexpected moment with Kiara.

As they spoke, James couldn’t help but be captivated by her presence. It wasn’t just her striking appearance, but the way she carried herself—her calm confidence, the way she spoke, and the way she seemed to have a calming effect on everyone around her.

But with James, it was the opposite. Her presence unsettled him in a way he didn’t fully understand. Every word she spoke seemed to draw him in, and he found himself struggling to concentrate on the discussion at hand.

Kiara: (with a thoughtful tone) "I think we’re all on the same page about the stage design, but we might want to make a few tweaks before we finalize everything. What do you think, James?"

James, snapping back to the conversation, realized he’d been zoning out.

Stolen novel; please report.

James: (flustered, trying to regain composure) "Uh, yeah, I agree. Some adjustments could definitely make it look more dynamic."

Mark and the others continued discussing ideas, but James’s mind kept drifting back to Kiara. There was a magnetic pull he couldn’t ignore, and it left him feeling both excited and unsettled. He wasn’t sure how to handle it, especially with everything going on in their professional environment.

Kiara, on the other hand, appeared calm and composed on the outside, but inside, she was struggling with the same unspoken attraction she could feel simmering between them. She kept her focus on the task at hand, but as the conversation progressed, she caught herself stealing glances at James.

No, she told herself, this isn’t something I can entertain. I’m here to do a job, and that’s it.

She kept reminding herself that she couldn’t let any personal feelings interfere with her work. It wasn’t professional, and she had a clear sense of what needed to be done for the band and the tour.

As the group worked through ideas for the stage design, Kiara kept her mind on the project, but the occasional flicker of awareness between her and James made it harder than usual to focus.

Kiara: (in a more serious tone, redirecting the conversation) "We need to keep the focus on the bigger picture here, everyone. The stage needs to be engaging for the crowd, but it’s also got to reflect the music we’re creating."

James, trying to shake off the feeling that had been building since they’d met, nodded along.

James: "Right. I agree. Let’s make sure the design highlights the vibe we want to create."

The rest of the day passed with moments of quiet tension between James and Kiara, but they both carried on as professionals, knowing they had to balance their unspoken attraction with their responsibilities.

Noah and Leo, who had been with James since the very beginning of the band, were more than just bandmates; they were like brothers. They had shared countless experiences, both professional and personal, and could read James like a book. As the rehearsals and preparations for the upcoming tour continued, they couldn't ignore the fact that something was amiss with their friend.

Noah: (whispering to Leo) "Leo, have you noticed James lately? He's not himself."

Leo: (nodding) "Yeah, I can tell. He's been distant, and he seems preoccupied. I'm worried about him."

Noah: (concerned) "We've been through a lot together, and we've always had each other's backs. Maybe we should talk to him and see if he's okay."

As their concern grew, Noah and Leo decided to approach James during a break in the rehearsal. They knew that their friend was going through something, and they wanted to offer their support and understanding.

Noah: (to James) "Hey, buddy, is everything alright? You've seemed a bit off lately."

James: (hesitating) "I'm okay, guys. Just dealing with a few things, that's all."

Leo: (gently) "You know you can talk to us, right? We're here for you."

James appreciated their concern and knew that he could confide in them, but he was still processing the unexpected emotions and complications that had arisen from his encounter with Kiara.

James: (sombrely) "I appreciate it, guys. It's just... there's something I need to figure out. It's a bit more complicated than I thought."

Noah and Leo exchanged knowing glances. They had been through ups and downs together, and they understood that sometimes life brought unexpected challenges. With a reassuring pat on James's shoulder, they let him know they were there for him, no matter what he was going through.

After the day's rehearsals and discussions, Alex, the oldest member of the band, sensed that something was still troubling James. Concerned for their friend and bandmate, Alex decided to have a heart-to-heart conversation with him. He knocked on the door of the room they were sharing at the hotel.

James, who was in the room, opened the door, surprised to see Alex.

Alex: (with a reassuring smile) "Hey, can we talk for a moment?"

James: (nodding) "Sure, come on in."

As they settled into the room, Alex took a seat and turned his attention to James.

Alex: (concerned) "I've noticed you've been a bit distant today. Is there something on your mind? You know you can always talk to me, right?"

James: (grateful) "I appreciate that, Alex. It's just... well, there's something that's been bothering me, and I'm not quite sure how to handle it."

Alex: (supportive) "You don't have to go through it alone, whatever it is. We're a team, on and off the stage. Tell me what's going on."

James appreciated the support and concern from Alex and the rest of the band, but he wasn't quite ready to share the complexities of his feelings just yet. The emotions that had been stirred by his encounter with Kiara were still unclear to him. He couldn't definitively label them as a crush, physical attraction, or something else entirely.

James: (confiding) "Alex, I appreciate your support, but the truth is, I'm not entirely sure what these feelings are. It's all a bit overwhelming, and I need some time to figure things out."

Alex: (supportive) "That's completely understandable, James. Take all the time you need. We're here for you, and whenever you're ready to talk or if you need any help, we've got your back."

With a reassuring smile, Alex and James shared a moment of understanding. James knew he could rely on the support and patience of his bandmates as he navigated the uncharted waters of his emotions.

As the night stretched on, James found himself restless in his bed. His mind kept circling back to the unexpected encounter with Kiara—the way she smiled, the warmth in her voice, and that inexplicable connection he couldn’t quite shake. Thoughts of her seemed to flood his mind, each one leading to another, and he found it impossible to fall asleep.

Frustrated, he decided to get up. He needed to clear his head. After a few minutes of pacing, he threw on his shoes and stepped out of his room for a late-night run. The cool air hit his face as he began to jog, trying to outrun the thoughts that kept chasing him.

Eventually, he found himself walking toward the stadium, still lost in his mind. To his surprise, he heard the faint sounds of music echoing from the main stage. Curious, he walked closer, and as he approached, the lights on the stage flickered on, casting a soft glow over the area. The music played in the background, adding to the surreal quiet of the night.

It was then that James saw her. Kiara was sitting at a table near the stage, her head resting on her arms, asleep beside her laptop. It looked like she’d fallen asleep while working, completely exhausted.

He stood there for a moment, watching her, trying to understand why she had this effect on him—why, despite knowing her for such a short time, she brought out feelings in him that no one else ever had.

After a long pause, James walked over and gently draped his jacket over her shoulders, trying not to wake her. He reached to close the laptop in front of her, but as his fingers brushed the keyboard, Kiara startled awake, her eyes wide in confusion.

Kiara: (sitting up quickly) "Oh, crap… what the hell are you doing? You scared me!"

James: (startled, quickly pulling back) "Sorry! Sorry, I didn’t mean to—just wanted to close your laptop. Looks like you fell asleep."

Kiara: (rubbing her eyes, embarrassed) "Oh, shit! I’m so sorry. I didn’t expect anyone to be here this late. What are you doing here?"

James: (shrugging) "I couldn’t sleep, so I went for a run. But why are you still here? It’s really late—get some rest."

Kiara: (grinning) "Well, I had this new idea for the stage design and wanted to check it out before tomorrow’s rehearsal. Do you want to see it?" she asked, her excitement evident.

James couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm. He nodded, his curiosity piqued. They walked over to her laptop together, and Kiara pulled up her designs. As she walked him through it, James was genuinely impressed. The stage was stunning—every detail, from the lighting to the layout, felt personal and tailored to the band’s style.

James: (nodding) "This is beautiful. The guys are going to love it."

Kiara: (beaming) "Thank you so much. Your approval really means a lot to me."

James smiled, noticing how proud she was of her work, but the late hour was catching up with him and he did not want to make things awkward between them by saying something foolish.

James: (glancing at the clock) "It’s really late. Let’s get some rest. Come on, I’ll walk you to your room."

Kiara: (shaking her head with a smile) "Oh, please, don’t bother. I’ll be fine. You need your rest."

James: (smiling warmly) "My mom taught me better than that," he said, chuckling. "I can’t let a woman wander around alone at this hour. Please, I insist."

Kiara chuckled softly, her heart a little lighter at his sincerity.

Kiara: (to herself, smiling) No wonder people love these boys so much.

Kiara: "Alright, fine. Give me a minute, let me grab my stuff."

As Kiara packed up her things, she dropped a small, leather-bound diary and a strange-looking pen from her bag. Before James could get a good look at them, she quickly tucked them away. He couldn’t help but notice, though, that hanging from her bag was a keychain with the band’s logo on it. His chest swelled a little at the sight, a quiet pride building inside him.

There was something special about seeing someone who genuinely loved their music handling the details for the biggest concert of their lives. It made everything feel even more real, even more important.

James: (with a soft smile) "Alright, let’s get you to your room."

As they walked together through the quiet hallways, the weight of the night still lingered in James’s mind, but for the first time that eveningit felt a little easier to bear.