The sweat was already dripping to the stage and I may probably already look as unattractive as I can be under the spotlight, but just like any ordinary concert, this should mean nothing.

I did another song, dancing around onstage and reaching my hand out to the audience every once in a while, trying to keep myself on key instead of panting into the mic. When I heard the last beats of the song, I twirled around and smiled to the crowd, once again, they cheered.

“So are you still good?” I questioned, trying to catch my breath as I reached out for my water bottle, drinking the rest of the contents that was left. I was met with incomprehensible replies – I’ll take that as a yes.

Looking back at one of the stage crew members, I gave them the signal and they nodded, bringing over a black stool and a mic stand. They set it up for me as one of them handed me my trusty acoustic guitar. I did a quick strum to test if it was connected to the speaker and when I heard a satisfactory tune, I sat down.

I took a deep breath, my fingers drumming nervously on the guitar. The venue went silent, their eyes on me, probably wondering why I was suddenly so quiet. I lifted my eyes up and I cleared my throat before speaking.

“This concert is basically my usual end-of-summer performance,” I started to explain, “And trust me, these past months was just… wow.”

I have no idea what goes inside a fan’s mind when watching a concert, because even with just those few words, they started yelling once again. I haven’t even said anything near exciting.

“I’ve concluded a few things,” I told them, “One, is that there are three guys that I consider extremely special in my life.”

Another round of cheers. Come on people, are you even listening?

“First, I think all of you know this, is my best friend, Adam Nicholas,” of course, there was a mixed reaction from those who actually agreed with me and those who refused to ship me with him. Darling, there’s nothing to ship. Still, after the rumors and news that erupted since his visit, people started to link me romantically with him, I would have agreed weeks ago, but now it’s different. He’s still probably up there on the balcony, having the best view of this concert.

“Second, which surprises me the most, is my dad,” I could almost picture my father as one of the many faces in the crowd. He’ll smile, and the wrinkles by his blue eyes will appear. It’s true though, I couldn’t hate him, even if I tried, but I can hate Kate. We were both selfish in our ways, stubborn and extremely hard to convince, but that’s the connection we have, it’s impossible to break.

“To my future stepmother, Kate, I hope we’ll get along well,” I faked a smile, but oh she’s completely dead to me. Some cooed at my display of affection to whoever my dad’s marrying, but the truth it, I’m going to crush her like a little bug who suddenly decided that it was alright to just go buzzing around my garden.

“Lastly, this other guy,” I spoke, finally feeling nervous about my decision, “I know you’re watching, and you should know that I really hate you, as in a despise you.”

I had to bit my lip to prevent a giggle from escaping my mouth. Of course, it caused a confusion, but I recovered quickly, “I hate you for doing everything that you did and you suddenly just walked away, though I know it’s my fault,” I explained, “And I hate you because you’re making me take back every single word that spouted out of my stupid big mouth.”

Would I confess and say that I love him in front of this big crowd? Heck, no.

The best part of being a celebrity is dropping the hints and confuse the hell out of people. It’s entertaining and stressful at the same time.

“I’m one indecisive and spoiled little princess,” I laughed though it came out more bitterly than I expected it to be, “But thank you.”

Even though I shouldn’t be surprised, but I jumped up a little on my seat when the crowd started to yell, “We love you Heart!”

“You know what the other thing I became completely certain of?” I gave out a rhetorical question, “Standing in front of a stage while thousands of people were watching your every move may seem intimidating, but for me, this is what makes me smile.”

Perhaps my grin couldn’t become any wider as I started to strum the thin, but strong, strings of my guitar, humming onto the mic the intro to my song.

“I was stupid and dumb for thinking we could go on like this,” I sang closing my eyes, “But you never gave up on me.”

In my head, this song was dedicated for everyone. Not to Axel, not to Adam, not anybody specific, but to everyone.

The song continued on and I even felt myself getting teary-eyed while in the middle of it. When I opened my eyes as I hit the last chord, the tear fell and I smiled. The performance was received positively and the audience was going crazy.

“One more thing everyone,” I said, getting off the stool and carefully balancing the guitar on top of it. I took the mic from its stand and I walked to the front of the stage, “I have a very exciting announcement for everybody here later.”

I waved to them I walked towards the backstage. I was handed a bottle of water in an instant and people came rushing to put touch ups on my makeup and hair as I ran to the dressing room in order to change out of my outfit that was drenched with my sweat.

“You have one minute for a breather,” Taylor told me, looking at her watch before exiting the room along with the other members of the crew.

Staring at the folder on the chair a few steps away from me, I sighed before I reached out for it. I looked around for a pen and I hastily took off the lid. With a shaking hand, I signed each page and underline, before scribbling my signature on the last line on the page.

That was it, there’s no going back now.

My heart was pounding in my chest as I gingerly slid the contract back inside the folder. I squeaked in surprise when Taylor knocked on my door, “Show time.”

I yelled an okay before setting down the folder on the table and rushing outside. One of the crew members gave me a mic and with a wish of good luck, I stepped back out into the spotlight.

I performed the last songs that were in my set list. They were more upbeat and I was doing my best to even my breathing as I sang and I danced around onstage, while at the same time, keeping a pleasing expression on my face.

All in all, I just wanted to collapse.

“Now before I do my last song,” I huffed out, the news brought a few protests from the crowd, but I kept on going, “I want to tell you guys something.”

Their complaints quickly turned into screams of excitement and I held up a hand to silence them, “Well you see,” I took in a deep breath and when I was about to open my mouth in order to say what I would be doing, music started playing and the lights started to change. A huge bursts of yells, hoots, and cheers erupted as all eyes were focused on the screen behind me.

I slowly turned around and there it was, flashing behind me was like an official announcement video for the world tour. It showed the different countries, the promotion poster, a sneak peak of the merchandise, and even a few snippets of me performing.

I was both in awe and shock. How could this happen? I only agreed to this a few minutes ago, how could a video be conceived that fast?

My eyes landed to the black curtain that was slightly open. Taylor was peeking from the backstage, showing me a smile, her eyes twinkling with a new spark of excitement and joy.

That was a new expression that I have seen from her. Another thing, she looked like she was proud. I gave her a tight lipped smile, “Thank you,” I mouthed.

I turned back to the audience, and I lifted a hand, signaling whoever was manning the sound booth to start my last song. I gave it everything that I got, I did every move and I hit every note with precision. I told the audience to clap and as they did so, I slowly descended to the backstage.

People congratulated me like protocol and I nodded in appreciation. I faced Taylor who still had her phone grasped tightly in her hand, but instead of having her eyes glued to it like always, she was actually ignoring its ring, “Good show, Heart.”

“Thank you, Taylor,” I grinned, handing one of the passing crew my mic, “But how did you know and how did the video get there?”

“I did not waste four and a half years as your manager,” she stated, “I know you well enough to figure what’s your decision is before you make them yourself.”

“You knew that I’ll be going to the tour all along,” I concluded and she nodded.

When she could no longer ignore her phone’s constant ringing, she sighed, but with a last look towards my direction, she answered it and walked away, “Taylor Burns speaking.”

Somehow, this scene is so nostalgic.

“Soph!” Adam came barreling towards me, “That was the first time I saw you perform live like that,” he cheered, “That was amazing.”

We shared a laugh as we looped our arms around each other as we headed back to my dressing room. He stayed outside while I stripped out of my outfit and put on the casual ones I came in wearing earlier. I grabbed my purse and headed out.

“So what now?” he questioned as we went to the back exit where the car is waiting to take us.

“Now I have to wrap filming tomorrow, get rid of Kate and finalize the tour before I go back to England,” I listed off.

“Seems like a lot,” Adam pointed out, “I mean, your dad, Kate, and I are flying back next week.”

I unconsciously scratched my head at this, it was frustrating to think that I had so little time left. The days went by so quickly. Perhaps I was stalling the whole thing, but now I have, more or less, seven days to get everything done.

Well, the part about Kate that is.

“Heart,” Taylor called after me, “Meeting on Monday, one o’clock.”

I gave her a thumbs up and as I continued my walk, I suddenly paused when I saw Axel standing near the exit with Marcus by his side. His manager noticed me and he tapped him on the shoulder, catching his attention.

Axel stuffed his hands inside his pockets as he moved forward towards me, stopping right in front of me and my best friend. Marcus excused himself, leaving us the three alone.

This had gone from a heartfelt recollection to an awkward triangle real fast.

“I’ll be at the car,” Adam coughed out. He walked past Axel and out through the heavy door.

That just leaves me and this boy.

“That was a great show,” he told me.

Has my ears deceived me? Did Axel Brooks just complimented my performance?

“Thanks,” I nodded. Oh dear, you could cut the tension with a bloody knife.

I don’t know how long we stood there in uncomfortable silence. I was looking everywhere except to his direction, and I’m pretty sure he was doing the same.

It could be seconds or minutes, I’m not entirely sure, but I know for one thing is that I couldn’t take it anymore.

“I’ll see you in set tomorrow then,” I gave a small smile as I commanded my feet to move. Just as when I passed him, he spoke once again.

“Though that doesn’t mean you didn’t sing like a wailing banshee,” his voice was different from how he wanted to imply those words. It was quiet, yet I knew he didn’t mean it.

I quickly turned around, my eyes wide. Marching back towards him, I questioned his words, “What did you just say?”

“Don’t get too over in your head, Valentine,” he surprisingly insulted, “You still can’t sing even if you try.”

“Why you…” I trailed off before I came into a realization. We were just the way before everything.

Teasing, fighting, cocky Axel, I’ve missed you so much.

Quickly getting back my composure, I stood straighter and gave him the side-eye, “As if you’re any better, you sound like a dying hyena when you sing.”

He rolled his eyes, but kept on with this, “I don’t get why people kept screaming back there, it’s as if the girl in front of us was something special.”

“Same for you then,” I huffed out, dramatically flipping my hair over my shoulder, “You’re nothing but a jerkass.”

“If I remember correctly,” he leaned forward, “You listed me off as somebody special out there.”

My mouth dropped at his sudden closeness, and for the fact I openly admitted that I liked him out there. I fought a blush as I took a step back, “Don’t suddenly assume that you were the one I was describing earlier.”

Oh who are we kidding? There’s nobody else but him.

He moved forward, finally gaining the confidence he once loss, “So are you sure it wasn’t me?”

His eyes were twinkling with happiness, I could see right through it. But who says I’m going to give in so easily, “C-completely sure.”

Good job Stutter McStutterson.

To my relief, he retreated and shrugged, but there was still a tinge of joy from his expression.

“So I’ll see you on set tomorrow,” I repeated, turning on my heel and making my way to my door. When I got outside, I was biting my lip to prevent this huge grin from overcoming my face. I covered my face before allowing my hands to slide down, taking deep breaths.

When I got inside the car, Adam was smiling from ear to ear at how happy I looked, “I take it that the conversation went well.”

“He called me a wailing banshee and I compared him to a dying hyena,” I informed, my tone was lighter and more positive than how that sentence should’ve been said.

Leaning against the seat, he shook his head as he chuckled, “You two seriously have the weirdest relationship I have ever seen.”

 And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

-------------------------------------------

Well then, hello everybody!

Yes, she did sign the contract. Yes, she did reconcile with Axel. And no, this story will not end with the movie wrapping.

Question: If you're going to reread any chapter with Axel or Adam's POV, what chapter would that be? One for Adam and one for Axel.

So even though it's summer, I'm still working on stuff so I'm sorry, but I wouldn't leave you hanging for a month like what I used to do. Leave a comment, vote and follow. Love you guys and I would see you all next chapter.