Myrtle Condominium, Tower 1, 10th floor, Unit 101
Cubao, QC

As they gathered around, Analisa shared some exciting news, "Hey girls, there's a new post on their Facebook page. They're selecting winners now." She was referring to none other than the famous boy band, Westlife.

Mae couldn't help but feel a rush of anticipation as she settled comfortably on the couch, peering at Analisa's laptop screen. "I really hope one of us gets chosen," she said, a hopeful glimmer in her eyes.

Jem nodded in agreement, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Oh, wouldn't that be amazing? And if one of us is selected, she should totally go for broke and ask for a kiss from those handsome lads!"

Kathryn, always the playful one, chimed in with a mischievous grin, "On the lips, perhaps?" Her remark triggered a burst of laughter from everyone around her.

Mae couldn't resist adding to the playful banter, her cheeks slightly flushed from laughing, "Or maybe the one who'll get picked will pass on the kiss to us as well, by sharing it through another kiss." She puckered her lips, playfully teasing her friend Kathryn.

The group erupted into more laughter, envisioning the hilarious possibility of a kiss being passed around among them if any one of them was lucky enough to be chosen. In that moment, their playful camaraderie and sense of friendship filled the room with warmth and joy.

As the laughter filled the air, Kathryn playfully teased, "But I'm worried. Maybe I won't just ask Nicky for a kiss," casting a mischievous glance at Analisa.

Before Analisa could react, Kathryn sprang to her feet, and they began playfully chasing each other around. Mae and Jem couldn't contain themselves, laughing uproariously as they watched their friends' playful antics.

•••

Dublin, Ireland

As the members of Westlife gathered in their cozy meeting room, anticipation filled the air. Shane, the group's leader, broke the silence, "Hey guys, have you picked any favorite entries?"

Nicky enthusiastically nodded, showing he had already found a contender.

Brian chimed in with a casual shrug, "Still going through them, mate. Lots to check out."

Kian added, "I've got one in mind, but I want to make sure I've seen them all. Who knows, there might be a gem among the rest."

Shane smiled, glad that some of them had already found potential winners. Turning to Mark, he inquired, "How about you, mate? Any favorites so far?"

The room grew quiet, all eyes on Mark as he seemed lost in thought, taking his time to answer.

"Mark," Kian playfully tapped his shoulder, breaking the silence.

Startled by the tap, Mark flinched slightly, before replying, "I haven't made up my mind yet. Still giving it some serious thought."

The other band members exchanged knowing glances, wondering if Mark was just being indecisive or if there was something more to his hesitation.

Brian, ever the joker, chimed in, "Come on, Mark, just pick one. You've got this."

They settled back into their seats, eager to continue the viewing session, each hoping to find that one special entry. Over the course of the evening, they watched six more videos, and among them was an entry from a fan named Mandy, performing the song "Mandy." Brian's eyes lit up with admiration as he watched her heartfelt performance.

•••

With just one entry left, all eyes were on Kathryn's submission. As the video played, the lads grew serious, engrossed in the heartfelt performance. The camera focused on a woman's back in the first scene.

Every Little Thing You Do

Hello, let me know if you hear me
Hello, if you want to be near, let me know
And I'll never let you go

Brian closely observed the girl in the music video, his brow furrowed.

Then the fan's face lit up. She sat up from the couch, catching the lads' attention.

"That girl was at my solo concert!" Brian told himself, recognizing her.

Hey love, when you ask what I feel, I say love. When you ask how I know, I say trust. And if that's not enough...

In the next scene, the woman was surrounded by personalized pillows featuring Mark, Nicky, Shane, and Brian. There's a picture frame on the wall showed her posing with Brian McFadden.

Shane nudged Brian, "You've met her before, mate?"

"Yeah, that was last year, at my solo concert in the Philippines," Brian confirmed.

Kian felt a pang of disappointment realizing his pictures weren't among the personalized items.

Am I the least favorite among us? he wondered, but he shook off the feeling as the song's chorus played again.

It's every little thing you do
That makes me fall in love with you
There isn't a way that I can show you
Ever since I've come to know
It's every little thing you say
That makes me wanna feel this way
There's not a thing that I can point to
'Cause it's every little thing you do

The scene shifted to the woman's room filled with Kian's face on everything-from walls adorned with pictures to bedsheets, pillows, mugs, curtains, and more.

Shane, Mark, and Nicky playfully teased Kian, making him blush and smile. His disappointment was replaced with appreciation and happiness.

Brian, standing to the side, smiled but felt a mix of emotions he couldn't quite explain.

A short clip was added, showing the woman shouting, "I love you, Kian!" during a Westlife concert in the Philippines two years ago. The video ended with the woman hugging a life-size pillow with Kian's face and body.

"Looks like the pillow was life-size after all. That's why it wasn't there earlier," Shane joked.

"You're quite popular, mate. We're only for the face," Nicky teased, pretending to give Kian a back massage.

Everyone joined in teasing Kian good-naturedly.

Kian asked Shane to replay the video to appreciate every detail he might have missed earlier. His expression showed genuine appreciation for the fan's effort.

After the selection process, the lads had made their choices but decided to keep them a surprise until the third day.

•••

Riverland Condo 12th floor, Unit 34
Pasig City

"Mark noticed my tweet!" Vivian commented.

"Me too. So happy!" Jham responded.

"Same here," KC added.

As Jem read the exchange in the Westlife PH fan group, her heart sank with sadness and envy. She tossed her cellphone onto the pillow and wrapped herself in the blanket.

"Will you ever notice me, Mark? I've poured my heart into trying to get your attention for so long. I wonder, is a simple like too much to ask for?

Cailean is so lucky; You know him and you pay attention to him. Your world revolves around him. But when it comes to me? You don't give me even just a seen. I can't help but feel completely invisible in your eyes.

I wish I was Cailean instead. I wish I could be the one who occupies your thoughts and captures your gaze. But it seems like I'll always be just another fan in the crowd, hoping for a glimpse of your acknowledgment.

Maybe one day, you'll finally notice me. Until then, I'll keep trying, hoping that somehow my dedication and admiration will stand out to you amidst the sea of other admirers."

•••

Feehily's Residence
Dublin, Ireland

The clock ticked relentlessly as Mark lay in bed, unable to find sleep even after counting a thousand sheep. Restlessness consumed him as a name echoed in his mind - Jem.

He turned around, trying to escape the persistent thoughts of her.

"Her name is Jem," he acknowledged, his heart betraying him with each passing thought.

Lying back down, he stared at the ceiling, Jem's face etched in his thoughts once more. He felt torn, battling conflicting emotions.

"Forget about that girl, Mark. You're gay," he tried to reason with himself, desperately attempting to redirect his thoughts to Cailean, the one he believed he should focus on.

Despite his efforts, sleep remained elusive. In a moment of weakness, he gave in to his curiosity, reaching for his phone to watch the video of the girl who occupied his mind.

He secretly downloaded the video from Facebook, knowing that all the entries were public, making it easy to find.

As the video played repeatedly, Mark found himself unconsciously singing along with his fan, captivated by her presence and talent. The struggle to push her away had intensified, leaving him entangled in emotions he couldn't easily comprehend.

•••

Egan's Mansion
Dublin, Ireland

Rest was elusive for Kian even at his own home. He found himself sitting on a bench in the tranquil garden, the clock ticking past two in the morning.

The entry of the last contestant lingered in his thoughts. Never before did he expect to have a fan who cherished him so deeply. For so long, he had grown accustomed to being the least noticed member of Westlife, witnessing fans adoring Shane, Mark, and Brian.

Yet, a smile graced his lips. In that moment, a sense of warmth filled his heart. With a peaceful resolve, he finally decided to head indoors and seek much-needed rest.