Elena, oh Elena! She's like a persistent mosquito, always buzzing around and poking at me, quite literally this time. I mean, who stabs someone with a pencil during a lecture? Are we in primary school or what? Here I am, waiting in the car for Jade to wrap up her lesson. I promised to be her knight in shining armor, rescuing her from the clutches of boredom, and whipping up a delicious dinner since I inadvertently caused her to miss her dance rehearsals.

"Did you catch my messages?" Jade chirped as she hopped into the passenger seat.

"The ones about Elena being the bane of my existence?" I quipped.

"Nope, the ones about our golden tickets to Liam's concert tonight!" she exclaimed, practically vibrating with excitement.

"Have you given him an answer to his proposal yet?" she questioned.

"In fact, I did earlier today. That's why we received invitations to the concert. It's the beginning of our epic tale," I announced.

Jade let out a high-pitched scream, causing a few heads to turn in our direction.

"Okay, spill the details! What's the plan for tonight?" Jade demanded, practically bouncing in her seat with excitement.

"Well, first off, we're going to strut into that concert venue like we own the place. Picture this: us, decked out in our finest attire, turning heads left and right as we make our grand entrance," I replied, gesturing dramatically with my hands.

Jade's eyes widened with anticipation. "Yes, I can totally see it! And then what?"

"Then, we'll grab some snacks and drinks, because let's be real, no concert experience is complete without a ridiculously overpriced beverage in hand," I said with a grin.

"Agreed! And what about Liam?"

"He's got this mystery surprise planned for me, and all I've got to do is rock up in my fanciest dress," I grinned, excitement brewing.

Elena had casually mentioned having tickets to Liam's concert, and the mere thought of running into her there made my heart sink. Dealing with her annoying presence was bad enough, but risking a heartbreak in the midst of a concert? No, thank you. I kept this worry to myself, though. Telling Jade about Elena's plans would only make her anxious, and she'd probably refuse to go, convinced that I'd be hurt by Elena's presence. So, instead of dwelling on the potential drama, Jade and I decided to treat ourselves to an afternoon of pampering. We got our nails and hair done, with Jade insisting that she'd be damned if she met the love of her life looking like a frog.

As evening fell, Jade took the wheel and drove us to the arena, and let me tell you, it was like a sardine can in there. I had no idea Liam and his bandmates had this kind of effect on girls. Seeing the swarm of beautiful ladies lined up, waiting to catch a glimpse of the boys perform, was like stepping into a dream world.

"THIS IS AMAZING!" Jade screamed over the crowd noise as we were escorted backstage by security. The arena was ablaze with bright lights, flickering all around us. The air was filled with the ear-piercing shrieks of excited fans. The energy was infectious, and before I knew it, I was jumping and giggling along with everyone else. I mean, who wouldn't want to witness the biggest boy band of the moment do their thing? This was definitely going down in history as the best day ever.

"Girls, you made it!" came a familiar voice from behind me. I swear, I felt like I had a hundred tiny winged creatures fluttering around in my stomach. I turned to see Jade practically launching herself at Liam, enveloping him in a bear hug and thanking him profusely for the tickets.

"Hey," he finally said after Jade darted off to chase another band member, Mason. For a moment, it seemed like she had totally forgotten about Alex and was now hypnotized by Mason's charm.

"Hey, Liam."

"I'm thrilled you decided to come watch us perform."

"I wouldn't miss the chance to see you live. It's been amazing so far. What's it like up on that stage?" I asked, brimming with excitement.

"You're about to find out," he replied with mischief twinkling in his eyes.

"Great. Is this her?" a tall, poised woman emerged from behind them.

Liam nodded. "This is Catherine. Catherine, meet my manager Sasha."

"It's a pleasure," I said loudly over the music.

"You look beautiful. Are you ready?" Sasha asked.

"Am I ready?" I questioned, pointing to myself. Liam pulled me into a hug and dashed onto the stage followed by his bandmates, leaving me standing with Sasha as Jade returned to join me.

"I GOT MASON'S NUMBER!" Jade exclaimed, jumping up and down. This moment reminded me of 8th grade when she won her dance competition. The routine had been choreographed by her father, and she was filled with joy knowing she had made him proud.

"Thank you so much for the beautiful night, London," Liam's voice resonated through the arena, filling the air with a sense of magic.

My heart fluttered as Liam's words sank in. Could it be true? Was he really about to...? Before I could finish my thoughts, Sasha gently nudged me towards the stage, and with trembling legs, I stepped into the spotlight's embrace.

As I stood there, facing the crowd of adoring fans, my eyes locked with Liam's. He stood tall, his guitar cradled in his arms, a smile playing on his lips that seemed to whisper secrets only we could understand.

A chair sat in the center of the stage, and Liam motioned for me to sit. With shaky legs, I complied, feeling the spotlight's heat as it focused on us.

"With you, I find peace and remember who I am," he sang, and I felt tears prickling at the corners of my eyes. The crowd joined in, their voices blending with Liam's in a chorus of love and unity.

"Wrapped in your arms, I'm home at last,
In your eyes, I see my future cast.
With you, I'm whole, complete,
Forever and always, my heart's at your feet."

"Thank you, my love, for being the light in my darkest days," he stated at the end of the song, his voice trembling with emotion. "Everyone, let's give a big round of applause for Catherine, the inspiration behind our latest tunes!" Liam's voice echoed through the arena, his words met with thunderous applause and cheers from the crowd.

I blushed furiously, feeling the weight of all those eyes on me. It was surreal, being singled out in such a way, but amidst the excitement, I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride and joy.

---

The pulsating beat of the music welcomed us into the after-party, where the air crackled with excitement and the promise of a good time. Jade and I, always up for an adventure, dove headfirst into the festivities like two peas in a pod.

It was the grand finale of the European tour leg, and the anticipation for the upcoming Australian escapade buzzed in the background. Amidst the swirl of laughter and clinking glasses, I couldn't shake the nervous jitters in my stomach. Then, to add a twist to the evening, Elena sauntered in with Jacob, her arm linked with his. Cue the dramatic tension. Our eyes met across the crowded room, and suddenly, the space felt too small.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Catherine, the star of our little drama," he drawled, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Looks like you've found yourself a new leading man."

I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks as I struggled to come up with a snappy retort. "Thanks, Jacob," I replied, my voice laced with faux sincerity. "I'll be sure to send you a copy of the DVD."

Liam appeared beside me with a grin that could rival the disco ball overhead.

"Wanna join the dance party?" he asked, extending his hand.

I couldn't resist his infectious energy, so I nodded eagerly, taking his hand as we made our way to the center of the dance floor.

As we swayed to the music, I couldn't help but stumble over my own two feet, earning a chuckle from Liam.

"Smooth moves," he teased, twirling me around in a move that was more awkward than graceful.

"Hey, I never claimed to be a professional dancer," I shot back, laughing along with him.

But despite our lack of coordination, there was something undeniably magical about being wrapped up in the music with Liam by my side. With each silly step and shared laugh, I felt a warmth spreading through me, melting away any worries or insecurities.

"Having fun?" Liam asked, his eyes sparkling with genuine joy.

"Definitely," I replied, flashing him a grin that matched his own. "Though I think I'll leave the fancy footwork to the professionals."

Liam chuckled, pulling me into a tighter embrace. He excused himself to join his band and I danced beside Jade.

I had been so caught up in the excitement of the evening that I hadn't noticed the faint flutter of fear lingering in the depths of my heart.

Amidst the laughter and the pulsing beats, I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that I was just too afraid to fall in love again. It was easier to bury myself in the safety of my own insecurities, to hide behind walls I had built so carefully over the years.

"Jade, I think I've had enough of the party," I confessed, my voice barely audible over the music.

Jade glanced at me with concern, her eyes searching mine for answers. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, forcing a smile that felt more like a grimace. "Yeah, just feeling a bit overwhelmed. I think I need some fresh air."

Without waiting for her response, I slipped away from the crowd, the thumping bass fading into the distance as I made my way outside. The cool night air enveloped me like a comforting embrace, soothing the turmoil swirling inside my mind.

Jade followed close behind, her presence a silent reassurance in the darkness. "What's going on, Catherine?" she asked softly, her voice filled with genuine concern.

"I don't know," I admitted, my words tinged with uncertainty. "I guess I'm just... scared."

"Scared of what?" Jade pressed, her eyes reflecting the moonlight like pools of liquid silver.

"Scared of letting someone in," I confessed, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. "Scared of opening my heart to the possibility of getting hurt again."

"I understand, and I'm here for you, no matter what."