The song for the chapter is Kiss it All Better by He is We. Don’t forget to leave a comment; I’d like to know what you think about my story.

Thank you, and happy reading! (:

*****

Everything started out really well; it’s perfect, it’s almost scary. It’s like, something’s bound to happen. Voila! Something did happen; I made a mistake.

“Are you excited?” Lance asks. “It’s your first time!”

I grin. I didn’t even sleep last night. I was too nervous. I return his question, “Are you excited to be on tour again?”

“I can’t wait to start! This is what I want to do for the rest of my life!”

“Hey Brielle,” KY says, interrupting my conversation with Lance, “did you double check our things if they’re complete?”

I’m about to say yes, when Nate slings his arm on my shoulder.

I remember what happened last night; my cheeks feel warm all of a sudden.

I shrug Nate’s arm off because KY is watching us, but instead of letting go, he just tightens his hold on me.

“I did,” I tell KY.

He doesn’t respond; he leaves us and goes to the sleeping quarters of the tour bus.

What’s up with him? After what happened, he’ll just ignore me?

Okay fine, you can talk to me if you need anything, especially when you need to have a pretend girlfriend.

I try not to let anything ruin my mood because today is the day. We’re on our way to Cityway, the venue for Infinite Chase’s sold out concert.

“Are you nervous?” Nate asks.

I shake my head. “Terrified.”

"Don't be."

I remember something I’ve been meaning to ask him.

“Hey, what’s with you and Stella?” I ask.

“What?” Nate asks incredulously.

“Don’t tell me you don’t know that Stella likes you.” Like is an understatement.

“Are you kidding? Stella is just like a sister to me.”

“She doesn’t treat you like her brother.”

Nate sighs. “I thought as time passed, she outgrew her feelings for me,” he says, “but I guess my charisma is better than I thought.”

I slap his arm, while he grins. “I’m kidding!” he says.

“So what are you gonna do with that?” I ask. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to be involved in Nate’s affair, but I feel bad for Stella.

“Are you jealous?” he says amusedly.

“Of course not!”

He smirks. “Don’t worry B, I like girls my own age.” Then he winks at me.

I snap my mouth shut. I almost forgot how Nate enjoys teasing me. Don’t tell me he’s flirting right now. How can I resist him?

He shouldn’t be allowed to smile because he can easily capture a girl’s heart simply with his handsome face. This is unfair.

Nate cocks his eyebrow.

“What?”

“You’re staring at me.”

“I’m not,” I deny.

“I’m used to it,” he says, his mouth tugging at the corners.

“You’re so full of yourself.”

“Really?” he asks, trapping me in his green eyes. “Why did you stalk my social account then? You liked all my photos.”

My eyes widen at what he said.

I didn’t mean to click the Like button. I forgot that he would get a notification every time I clicked it.

“If you like me, just say so,” he says.

“That’s against the rules,” I say automatically.

“Some rules are meant to be broken.”

Did Nate mean that, or is he just toying with me? He’s well known for his playful antics.

Snap out of it, I remind myself. You need to focus on your real first day at work. Don’t mess it up.

Cityway looks like a dome. Its capacity is three thousand people. It’s much bigger than the venue last month where I saw Infinite Chase for the first time.

When we arrive, we put our things backstage. I meet Defying Gravity, the band who’ll open the show. They remind me of Infinite Chase when they were just starting years ago.

Both bands have to set-up their instruments first. I’m not yet needed so I decide to roam around.

There are already people busy with their tasks; like, the checking of the lights, the security, the merch, and the photographers. Everyone is doing their best to make this concert successful.

I continue my observation, and walk outside the venue.

The first thing I notice is the crowd. There are a lot of them waiting in line. Suddenly, I’m feeling nostalgic. Last month I was one of them, patiently waiting to watch my favourite band. The show will not start in a couple of hours, but the queuing line is already long.

Infinite Chase is loved by their fans.

Most of the concert goers are teenagers. Some are in pack, while others are alone. I know that later they will have concert buddies. Didn’t I say before that no one is stranger in a concert?

Some teens wear shirts with lyrics from Infinite Chase’s songs. There are also ballers, and bracelets with the band’s logo. Then there are tarpaulins and posters with the band’s faces, their song lyrics, and yes, there are also some proposals, e.g., "Can you go to Prom with me?" "Can I be your girlfriend?"

I get back inside when the band starts their sound check. I can hear girls squealing outside the door. When I turn back, I notice that it’s open a few inches. The guard by the door lets the girls peek inside. Girls are jumping and screaming, trying to get the attention of the band.

KY smiles and waves at them, and they squeal all the more.

Unlike other people, my heart doesn’t stop beating when I see KY. Instead, it beats a thousand mile per second (figuratively, of course) when he’s around.

Why can’t he smile at me like that?

After the preparation of both bands, the security let the crowd inside the venue. They quickly fill the place.

I return to the backstage to check up on the guys, but it seems like they don’t need me. Everyone is busy with their own business. I don’t want to bother them so I leave the room. Besides, I’m not sure what else I’m supposed to do.

I just join the mosh pit. A crazy idea, I know, but it’s better than doing nothing.

Defying Gravity is good. It’s my first time to see them, but I already heard their songs before. I’m quite impressed with their performance.

I’m gonna ask them for their signatures later; of course, a picture with them as well. This is one of the perks of being a band manager.

The crowd is screaming and jumping. And yes, I am being pushed away on either side. Only a couple of minutes have passed, but I'm already sweating. This is intense; people are trying to be on the front row, I almost forgot that almost all concert goers want to hold on to the barricade, for a chance of holding the band’s hands.

I gasp in surprise when someone elbows my stomach. Then an arm almost hit my face. The crowd surfers have already started. What more when Infinite Chase takes the stage? I don’t want to die yet. I can’t be unconscious because the band needs me.

I need to get out.

I look around and try to locate the exit sign. There are too many people, and I’m in the middle. I try to back away when someone stomps my right foot.

This is stupid; I shouldn’t have joined the mosh pit; I have a backstage pass.

What if the guys need me? I have to go back.

I ignore people’s protest as I make my way towards the exit. I have to elbow some people in the process because I don't have space to walk out. Fortunately some don’t mind because they’re too focused with the band singing on stage.

I quickly walk backstage and let myself in the band’s room.

"Brielle!"

I’m surprised; I didn’t know Juliane was here.

“Where were you?” she asks irritably.

“I was in the mosh pit,” I answer.

“WHAT?”

“I’m sorry,” I say quickly. “I know I shouldn’t—“

“Did you forget that you’re working for the band?”

“I’m sorry,” I repeat, bowing my head in embarrassment.

“Hey, hey.” Nate stands up from his seat, and puts his hand on my shoulder. “It’s alright, Brielle is already here.”

Juliane sighs. “Just don’t do it again,” she says, running her hand through her hair. I feel bad; she already look stressed as it is.

“Is Mr. Handsome here as well?” I ask.

“He’s not,” she answers. “Brielle, I need your full attention and cooperation. This is an important event.”

“I know,” I reply. “I’m sorry.”

Zeke tells me not to worry; he says that Juliane is just really strict during their tours; especially when Mr. Handsome is not around.

Before I know it, it’s time for Infinite Chase to perform.

“Have fun guys!” I say.

“Where’s my good luck kiss?” Nate tease.

Lance gives me a hug, while Zeke gives me a thumb up. “Time to rock the house!” he says, grinning widely.

Juliane instructs me to stay beside the stage, so that she won’t have to search for me when she needs me.

The crowd goes wild when Infinite Chase walks on stage. KY welcomes and thanks them for coming to their concert.

That’s when my first night of being a real band manager starts.

I’m utterly amazed. The crowd sings with the band, most of them know the lyrics to all the songs. I remember the first time I saw Infinite Chase, it was definitely a dream come true; watching them perform live, before my eyes, and not just hear them using my phone. It was surreal. Now I’m part of the team. The support they have from their fans is overwhelming.

One of the things I like during the concert of Infinite Chase is KY’s speech. I used to wonder where he got the words he spoke. Now I know that they were from him. He simply tells what he’s going through; that’s why the words feel raw and pure, and also why the crowd can relate to him. He doesn’t like putting shenanigans and saying insignificant things.

“Do what you want; what you think is best for yourself. You don’t need to have approval from people when you want to do something. It doesn’t matter what they think. It’s your life, you’ll be the one to suffer for the consequences of your actions, not them. If you continue to listen to people’s opinion, you might forget the sound of your own voice,” KY says.

 “Some people are so caught up with tomorrow; they forget to live in the present. Others take the easy way out; after a while, they wonder why their life is boring.” He signals his hand to the crowd and points the cameras, phones, and gadgets in the air. “Stop capturing this wth your gadgets, you’ll miss out the fun! In life, it’s much better to live in the moment than just to capture it.”

Even though I’m not part of the mosh pit, I still sing with the band. I didn’t even notice that there are tears falling from my eyes.

When the band takes on their final song for the night, the people chant that they want more, so they sing another song.

“We’re so thankful for the opportunity that has been given to us,” KY says, “We’re glad that we can share our songs with you!”

The crowd cheers. Their smile is prominent on their faces. You can see that they had a blast.

I wonder how it feels like giving happiness to people.

And then the show is over.

The Meet and Greet will start after thirty minutes.

I join the band backstage. They’re all laughing, and smiling, and talking excitedly. I even let Nate hug me.

I’m so ecstatic, the concert ended with great success. I didn’t even mess up.

Well, aside for the fact that Juliane reprimanded me. It’s okay though, because now she’s all smiles. She leaves us to prepare the Meet and Greet session.

It was supposed to be before the show, but the band decided to have it after so that all the concert-goers will meet them.

As a matter of fact, Nate and Lance are already having a shower to get ready for their after party.

A phone suddenly rings, breaking my conversation with Zeke about his broken drumstick.

KY walks out of the room as he takes the call.

When he returns, it’s as if he’s another person.

Zeke and I stop talking because we feel that something’s bothering him.

“What happened?” Zeke asks.

KY ignores him and goes to the closet rack. He seems agitated. “Where’s my jacket?” he asks me. “I told you to bring it.”

“I did,” I say scrambling from my chair and going to the closet rack. I know I put his black jacket here because he reminded me before that he’ll wear it during the signing.

I look at the clothes one by one. I don’t know why, but my hands are shaking. I can’t find it, so I repeat the search more slowly to make sure. Maybe it's stuck between two clothes.

No.

It’s not here.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath.

I turn around and face KY. “I don’t know what happened but—“

“Where is it?”

I bite my lip. Why is being like this? Just a few minutes ago he was laughing.

“Don’t tell me it’s not there,” he says. Something in his voice makes me nervous.

“I’m sorry,” I say.

“Aren’t you tired of saying sorry?!”

“Dude, it’s just a jacket,” Zeke says, trying to calm KY. “You can wear something else.”

“Yes, it’s just a jacket,” KY says through gritted teeth. “How can we count on her if she can’t even be trusted with just a jacket? If you can’t do your job well, then just leave!” he storms off the room, slamming the door in the process.

I just stare at the floor, but inside I’m panicking.

I thought being a band manager was all about being with the band 24/7. I thought it was all flowery, rainbows, and unicorn.

Now, in this moment, I want to cry.

Whenever I close my eyes, I see KY’s angry face when he yelled at me.

He expected more from me, but I just failed him. Now he’s sure that I’m a lousy band manager.

Nate and Lance come back, and Zeke tells them what happened. Though the guys are cheering me up, it’s no good. They tell me that it’s okay, it’s my first time. I can learn from my mistake.

Lance even hugs me and says, “It’s alright; during our first gig, I messed up with the chords.”

It’s supposed to make me feel better, but I can’t help but be miserable. I'm a big disappointment.

They say something must have provoked KY to act like that. He doesn’t get angry without a reason. Unfortunately, I got the blow.

I prepared a long time for this concert, but in the end, like always, I messed up.

I thought time will pass when I’ll be able to treat the band normally, but every day I’m reminded that they are stars, while I’m still the same old Brielle, a failure.

Hooray for my real first day of work.