Copyright © 2012 Kimberly Joy Villanueva.

All rights reserved.

Don't copy my story and upload it on another website. That's plagiarism.

The song is Everything Has Changed by Taylor Swift ft. Ed Sheeran. Thank you to everyone who sent me banners! :)

Facebook page on the External Link! Thank you, and happy reading! :)

***********************************************************************************

What am I going to do?

My mom will kill me when she finds out about this. How can I do this to her? How can I do this to myself?

My dreams are crumbling apart because of a stupid mistake. I won't be able to continue my studies anymore because I failed one of my subjects. The dreadful thing about it is it's just a minor subject! But because of a distraction, I realized too late that I was failing it.

I talked to the Dean multiple times and explained but she said that she couldn't give me a second chance. I lost, and now it's time to give opportunity to other students. I don't have a scholarship anymore. The tuition fee in our university is so expensive, and with my mom working as a public middle school teacher, she can't afford to pay for it. Aside from that, I have a sister studying in a private school.

My throat is closing in, a sign that I'm about to cry. I blink my eyes to stop the tears before they fall and put my hand over my mouth to muffle the sound of my sobs.

This is so unfair. How can I be successful if I won't finish my studies? How can I attain my goals? 

Aside from that, I need to find a new place to stay. Only the students are allowed to live in the dorm. And no way I'll come home and tell my mother I failed. Just thinking about it makes me sick. My mom is a good person. Very considerate, even. But when it comes to studies, she's very strict - maybe because she's a teacher. I don't know. But she always expects more from me and my sister.

 I know she wants the best for us. I can't tell her what happened because I don't want her to be disappointed in me. I'll try to come up a plan on what I'm going to do now. Look for a job, probably. Then when I save money, I can enroll again. God, if I'm dreaming, please let me wake up from this nightmare.

I'm dead.

 The only consolation, the only thing that gives me hope is the concert. Infinite Chase, the thing that keeps me going. I'm sure when I see KY and hear his amazing voice, I'll survive. I'm not one to go down without a fight.

On the day of the concert, I wear my most comfortable clothes so that I can move around freely and jump around. I'm going to enjoy and act as if it's my last day because I'm sure, tomorrow I'll be miserable. Pessimist much? No, I'm just realistic. Tomorrow I need to pack my things and search for a temporary place to stay while I look for a job.

My heart beats furiously in my chest as the anticipation of seeing KY increases. In just a few hours, I'll see him. I hope I won't faint.

As usual, I'll be alone in watching the concert (yes, I'm an enthusiast concertgoer). My friends cannot be bothered. They don't know what they're missing. They give me odd stares whenever I speak about Infinite Chase. Actually, they're all what I talk about. I'm not obsessed. It's just. . .

Ever since I heard KY's voice, all I can think about is him. And that started three years ago. I've been a fan from the beginning. Now I can say that I'm in love with him. A beautiful voice. A great personality. A handsome face. What more can I ask for? See, just thinking about him makes me forget my problems. He really is my escape from reality.

Only one person understands what I'm going through though. Naomi. She's my best friend. Unfortunately, she can't accompany me to my best day. It's a shame, really. If only she's with me, it'll be more fun.

When I arrive at the concert ground, there are already people in line, even though there are still a couple of hours before it starts. I'm not that surprised. Infinite Chase is a famous band. I hold on to my ticket for dear life. This is the key to the man of my dreams.

 As the sun shines brightly, the line for the people waiting to come inside grows longer. Fortunately, I'm one of the first ones to arrive. All the ticket has the same price, and its standing only, so first come first serve.

 A few hours later, they open the doors. This is it! I can hear the crowd chattering wildly and their footsteps as they rush forward to get a good place. When it's my turn to enter, I give my ticket to the young man guarding the door, and then I run as fast as I can, not caring if people stare at me. That's one of the perks of being alone. You don't have to worry if your friends keep up with you. All I can think about is I need to be on the front row.

And yes! I am on the front row, not on the center, but its fine. As long as it's near the stage. I'm so excited, my palms are even sweating! There's still an hour before the concert begins but I don't want to go out. I'm sure there are hundreds of people waiting to take my place when, or if, I leave.

The wait is killing me. Even though it's worth it. I'm restless; people from either side of me try to have a conversation with me (in concerts, no one is stranger as long as you listen to the same music), but I can't focus. My mind can only think about KY. Nate, Lance, and Zeke as well. I can't stop the smile growing on my lips as I picture them on the stage, doing what they're passionate about.

I wonder when I will find my purpose in life. I'm searching for the thing that will satisfy me, that will push me to make my dreams come true. The dreadful moment is when I doubt if I'll ever find it.

While killing time, I decide to daydream about KY. His real name is Kyle Yves, but he goes with KY. Which is fine with me. I'd still like him even if his name is Roberto. But, that's not the point. I've liked him ever since I can remember. Listening to KY's voice is like breathing in fresh air. Their songs changed the way how I look at life.

That's the thing about music. There are no limitations, and judgments. You just have to sing what you believe in, what you're going through- without realizing you add a slice of hope in someone's life.

I knew about Infinite Chase when I was a senior in high school. Being a teenager, I searched for different kinds of genre. I was listening to Nothing in Particular that day, and I saw a video of Infinite Chase on the related videos. The first song I heard of them was Flicker of Hope. Then, Boom! I'm a fan. I downloaded their songs and did my research about them.

My thoughts are suddenly interrupted when I notice the screen on the center of the stage flickers. My eyes almost pop out of their sockets when I see the countdown. Only TEN MINUTES to go!

I scream with the crowd, cheering and chanting the name of the band. I've been a fan for years but it's my first time to see them. If only we live in the same State! They've been touring for the last couple of months, promoting their third album, Autumn in Clouds (I know all the songs from the heart) and at last! They decided to go here. Just my luck!

Before I know it, fans are screaming:

TEN!

NINE!

Oh my! I can't breathe!

SEVEN!

They are coming! I can see their shadows. Or is it just my imagination?

FOUR!

I forget everything else and go with the flow.

TWO!

Everything falls back to its place.

ONE!

Zeke is the first one to come out, waving his drum sticks in the air and taking his seat behind the drum set. His hair got longer during the tour, and it makes him more attractive!

Then Lance goes next, strapping his bass guitar and then giving us his famous smile. I like Lance. I think he's the sweetest of them all, with his personality and good looks.

After him, Nate walks in, a wide grin on his pretty face. It's so awkward when you realize that if Nate is a girl, he'll be much lovelier than 9 out 10 girls. His dirty blonde hair is stylishly messy, making my hands itch to touch his hair to uncover his sparkling green eyes. He's the lead guitarist and back up vocal. His voice. . . Let's just say, it's like honey.

Last but definitely not the least, Kyle Yves - he is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and pianist of Infinite Chase. My eyes follow his every movement until he stops walking at the center of the stage. No words can describe how much I adore him. It's not just his black hair, and blue eyes, and his almost perfect features. It's everything about him.

You'd think that in a band, someone's bound to be plain and boring, but all of them have their own individual quality that makes them a star.

KY straps his guitar and adjusts the microphone stand. He's just a few feet away from me.

So near, yet so far!

"Hi!" KY says.

The fans scream louder than before. I can feel the ground vibrating because of too much jumping.

KY gives us a breathtaking smile. "We are the Infinite Chase, and thank you for coming here tonight!"

Then they start their first song. And that's when my best night begins.

The band serenades us, mixing songs from all their three albums, EPs, and their unreleased songs (which I all know). I sing with them, not caring if I won't have a voice tomorrow. Besides, tomorrow doesn't matter. Tonight is about my dreams, hopes, and good memories.

When KY asks who wants to join them for a duet, I jump up and down; scream until my lungs give out- just for him to notice me.

And he does.

When KY looks at me, God, I almost faint. Then he says, "You", while staring directly at me.

I'm like a statue, I can't move. Thankfully, I come back to my senses when two bouncers help me and lift me up over the barricade and onto the stage.
I can hear the screaming crowd, but my attention is solely on KY. I stop walking when I'm in front of him. I must be dreaming! If so, I don't want to wake up.

"Hello," he says which makes my knees tremble. "What is your name?"

I forgot how to speak. Really, I can stare at his handsome face forever without getting bored. Someone gives me a microphone and that makes me remember that I'm standing on the stage with thousands of people staring at me.

And then there is KY, at arm's length. He is smiling at me. And all I can think about is I'm in Heaven.

"What is your name?" he repeats amusedly.

Not taking my eyes away from him, I say, "Brielle."

"Brielle? What a lovely name."

Gracious. He said that I have a pretty name. I've never been thankful to my parents right now. "Thank you," I say. I don't recognize my voice.

"Brielle." The way he said my name is heart melting. "Will you do me a favor by joining me sing Faith in Us?"

"I-I'd love to!"

The crowd gets insane when the band starts, while I, on the other hand, am sweating in bullets. I wipe my hands on my jeans inconspicuously.

When KY begins to sing, he gazes at me like he knows what I feel about him. I freeze. Surely, my brain is not working right. I think my heart stopped beating a while ago.

He's almost at the chorus and I still don't know what to do. Suddenly, he nods at me, and I take it as a cue to take over. I've never, ever, sang in front of a crowd before. But here I am, having a duet with the man of my dreams, and having the time of my life. I don't even care if I have a good voice or not. I'm just overwhelmed because of what's happening.

And then the song is over.

 KY gives me a one arm hug and creepy as it may sound, I breathe his scent. If only I can be in his arms forever. I'm about to confess my love for him when one of the event organizers gesture that I need to go down now. I smile softly at KY, and then I walk back to my original place. Thankfully, they saved it for me.

I did not notice at first that tears are streaming down my face. One of my dreams is currently unfolding in front of me. I'm not that emotional, but this is heartwarming. Nothing is impossible if you believe. And if you really want something, you'll do anything to achieve it.

Unfortunately, everything has to end. So when they say that it's their last song, I sigh with everyone else. I don't want this night to stop. I need more of KY.

All of a sudden they're waving at us, thanking us for supporting them. And I'm left staring at their retreating figure. I don't want to go home yet and come back to the real world so I stay and walk around.

Something that glitters on the floor catches my attention. I look closely and gasp when I realize what it is. It is a backstage pass! This- this pass is what I need.

One of the staffs must have dropped it. Now it's in my hands. This is the moment I've been waiting for. I can't think twice because I might chicken out. I just go with my instinct and wear it.

I know this is getting out of line, but this is my only chance to meet my favorite band. And I swear that I'll do anything just to talk to him. God, what I'm about to do is dangerous, so please guide me. I believe in You. And I'm really sorry for doing this. It's just once in a lifetime chance, and I don't want to throw away the opportunity.

 I walk to the entrance on the side of the stage. Guards give me odd looks, but when they see my pass, they ignore me.

So I continue praying that I'll be invisible even for just a few seconds. One of my dreams is around the corner.

"Are you the new band manager?"

I jump in surprise at the voice. Turning back, I see a young dark haired woman, probably a few years older than me.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Mr. Handsome wants to talk to you now," she says impatiently.

"Who?" I ask incredulously.

What is she talking about? Who is Mr. Handsome? Is it really a person? Or maybe it's the head of the Security. They will arrest me because I trespassed.

No, I'm in trouble!

The woman purses her lips and grabs my arm, and then I walk, more like jog with her.

"What are you doing?" I ask, shaking her hand on my arm.

Unfortunately, she has a firm grip. "Mr. Handsome doesn't like waiting," she says, giving me an apologetic glance.

My feet stumble as they try to keep up with her long strides.

"I can walk on my own," I mutter.

She grins and lets me go. I breathe a sigh of relief. Finally!

We continue to walk on the corridor and then she suddenly stops in front of a door. She knocks twice, and without waiting for permission, she opens it.

My mouth drops open in shocked when I see the people inside. They are not just ordinary people. They are my four favorite people in the world! Can this night get any better? First, I sang with them. Now I'm in the same room as them after their concert. I can die right now.

Wait, what am I thinking about? I need to live to—

"Finally," a middle aged man says.

It's my first time to see him. I didn't notice when I came in a few seconds ago. Of course, Infinite Chase grabbed my attention. The four of them are leisurely sprawled on the couches. I bet they are tired. Who wouldn't, when you performed for two—

"We've been waiting for you for hours," the man continues. Now that I look at him, I realize has good looks. He has dark hair and blue eyes. And he has an  Irish accent. Then I remember what he said.

"You're looking for me?" I ask slowly.

I'm going to be handcuffed in front of Infinite Chase. Goodness, what am I going to do?

 "I'm Handerson Somerhalder," the man says, "but you can call me Mr. Handsome."

 "Why?" I ask curiously.

 "Somerhalder is a mouthful, so I chose my own nickname," he says amusedly.

It's really weird you know, calling yourself handsome; a bit egoistic and hilarious at the same time.

 "You're the band manager, right?"

What band manager are they talking about? Didn't they take me here to be arrested? What am I—

"Excuse me?" Mr. Handsome says, cutting off my thoughts.

 "Yes?" I ask.

 "Can you wait for a second, please?"

"Sure," I say, fighting the urge to gawk at the band. "What's your name?" I ask the young woman beside me, while Mr. Handsome talks to Infinite Chase.

"I didn't tell?" She smiles. "I'm Juliane, the band coordinator."

 "Juliane?"

"Yes, what about you?"

I furrow my eyebrows. They don't know the name of the band manager they hired? This is insane!

"I'm Brielle," I answer. I breathe a sigh of relief when my voice didn't crack.

I wonder if she knows that I'm the one who sang with KY earlier. Earlier. It feels like a lifetime ago.

 I don't know why they mistook me for the band manager. Didn't they interview her, or whatever they do in hiring an employee? Maybe they have agents, so it's not direct hiring? I don't know when my mind decides that I'll claim what they're telling me. I'm not going to ask, even though I'm kind of worried what I'm expected to do. What the real band manager said she can do. I don't even know what happened to her. But she's not here, so it's my chance now. Ironically, I remember that that was what the Dean have said when we talked.

This, being a band manager is my last hope. See? Everything happens for a reason. We may not know what it is, but we should just have to believe that the best is about to happen.

"Aren't you the girl from earlier?"

Shoot!

I haven't even started, but my cover is already blown. I have to think of something. Faster.

"She was the girl who sang with us," Lance says. "I noticed that she knew all the lyrics to our songs."

Clearing my throat, I say, "I decided to watch how you perform live in a concert," I explain.

It's not a lie. Little did they know much I wanted to see them. I can't believe I'm talking to Infinite Chase right now. This is amazing! Though the situation is kind of complicated.

"And?" Zeke says, raising his eyebrow.

"And I know all your songs by heart," I say, playing with my fingers nervously.

"You're a fan then?" Nate asks.

Fan? I'm more than a fan! I know all about you- but I can't tell you that. "Yes," I respond instead.

Mr. Handsome claps his hands to get our attention. "What do you think?" he says, gesturing to me.

"She's okay," Zeke replies.

"Fine," Lance says, grinning at me.

"She's cute," Nate says, giving me a wink.

I can feel the heat coming to my cheeks. It's not everyday someone famous compliments you.

We all look at KY then. It's my first time to really look at him since I entered this room.

 "Whatever," KY says nonchalantly.

That hurts. Isn't he interested? Stop. I can't think about—

"Welcome to the band," Nate says, snapping me out of my thoughts. He stands up, sweeps his hands flourishingly and bows down. "I hope you'll take care of us."