Antidote ;Sequel to Kryptonite;

Chapter Fifteen: Fighting Fire with Fire

I was sitting in the empty auditorium as the crew shuffled around me. There was another concert tonight. We had been in Nevada for a day which was just enough time to get myself settled. The hotel was much nicer than the one in California and the boys had a huge suite. I even had my own room! Nevada was beautiful but there was so much to do. Tomorrow night we were going to Las Vegas for the Billboard Music awards. I was beyond excited to see Las Vegas for the first time. I was also extremely nervous because so many celebrities were going to be at the award show. I hope I don't screw anything up.

I yawned as I looked around. The boys were somewhere backstage so I decided to come out and sit in the audience while the stage was being set up. I was just minding my own business as a young man came and sat by me.

"Hi," his voice was warm and gentle. When he smiled at me, I felt my cheeks bloom a bright red. He reached his hand out to shake mine. His hands weren't that soft but I didn't pay much attention to them. All I could focus on was his bright smile. My eyes stayed glued to his face; he was so dreamy. His eyes were a cloudy blue, slightly hidden by a halo of golden blonde hair. He shook his hair out of his face and I nearly swooned right there. "I'm Ben," his voice pulled me out of my trance.

"I'm Christina," I answered without thinking. Was I supposed to just be known as Tina? I just wanted him to know everything about me. His presence was so alluring. Those lips looked so full and-

"Christina? Oh! Are you the famous Tina?"

"That would be me," I looked down at my hands with a small smile. I wanted to shout that I wasn't actually dating Harry. Oh, right... Harry. I had momentarily forgotten about him. Ben had managed to get my mind off of him without even trying.Part of me felt guilty for brushing Harry so quickly from my mind, the other part told me to grow a pair.

"Awesome," he nodded before sending me another breathtaking smile. "So," he looked around before his eyes found mine again. "I take it you've been to one of these before." I just nodded in response. "Ever had the chance to play with the lighting?"

"No," my smile didn't leave my lips.

"Come with me," Ben stood up and offered his hand. I looked at it before slowly placing my hand in his. He pulled me up and our bodies were merely inches away from each other. One more step and our chests would've been touching. I slowly dropped my hand when I realized we were still holding hands. I blushed again and he let out a small laugh. "You're really cute," he said lowly before he stepped back and gave me space. Was he flirting with me? Oh my god, I thought. He was so handsome and he was flirting with me! He led me up to the lighting and sound booth. Ben looked so happy when he started to explain to me what was what and their function. "Here, this is how you bring lights up," he slowly took my hand. "You just slowly bring it up," his voice whispered into my ear. I jumped slightly at how close he was, causing him to chuckle. He guided my hand over the equipment and I watched as lights washed over the stage. "This is how to change the color," he took a step closer so his body was against my side. I nearly fainted until I saw figures coming out onto the stage. One in particular had his eyes on the booth. I quickly scooted away from Ben.

Harry's eyes narrowed as he watched us. I froze as he continued to stare. Harry rolled his eyes and turned away from us, calling for someone off the stage. I could only hear, "... Can you wire me?"

"Hey, are you okay? I'm sorry if I got too close-" Ben started to apologize but I raised my hand to stop him. My eyes focused on the stage as the tattoo-cladded girl came strolling from backstage with a wire. I watched as she and Harry smiled at each other, talking about something that made them both laugh. Harry's eyes darted back at me as he lifted his shirt slightly, allowing Natalie to put her arms around him and get him set up. Natalie had a smug smile on her face as her hands glided over his abdomens to his back, pulling the microphone and earpiece up the back of his shirt. When she was done, Harry threw his arm around her and they continued to talk. I noticed the other guys shifting their gazes between Harry and I as if it were some Ping-Pong match. "Am I coming in between something?" Ben's gentle voice caused me to look at him again. "From what Natalie told me, I thought it was just a hoax..."