It'll Always Be You

[ 017 ]

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
ASH

———

"Can you please just come with me?" Genesis asked once more, for the 10th time today. She was persistent about Ash coming with her to a concert of the boys.

It had been nearly two months ever since that day she left them at the house without a farewell, although she knew they'd understand. There was an uproar from the fans, and unkind words were directed at Ash which she didn't appreciate.

The media and all those gossip magazines were all over her, trying to contact her and gain any information on their relationship - whatever they had if they had. Her boss didn't care about what was happening as long as she worked, which she was thankful for.

The rumors that she had broken up with him were used as a way to send hate her way when their company confirmed she was someone he had relations with. Ash held her hope because he had finally admitted it. She wished he would give her a sign that the time they spent together wasn't just something he could forget, just as she could never forget.

But nothing came. Not a single message or voicemail from him. As if he wanted her to stay away from him. Seth was the only one she kept in contact with, who was also trying to get her to come to the concert. It's very special, he said. Like anything was anymore.

She was now curled up on her bed, phone in hand, Genesis sitting beside her. Ash was getting annoyed now. She didn't want to give in to the temptation to see Khael once more, knowing it'll just hurt her more. 

Another wave of tears flooded her face, Genesis patting her back. "Just come to the concert, for closure."

"What closure?" She roared. "There was nothing between us and there never will be."

"Okay, I've had enough of your whining." Genesis sighed. "Come to the concert or not? Pick one. I'm not going to comfort you after you regret not coming to see them perform."

Ash hesitated. There was a lot of thinking going through her mind but she decided.

———

The venue was huge. There were rows of seats from the bottom part to the upper part of the place. It could easily host a football match except that the stage for the artist was a lot smaller compared to an actual field. 

Genesis led the way to their seats, refusing to stand for the whole time, and even brought her camera to zoom in from the seats. Genesis handed a paper to a guard by the VIP section and the guard let her through. "Come on." She grabbed Ash and pushed her inside the room.

There was a table full of food, fruits, and all the snacks she liked. "What are we doing here Genesis?"

"This," She motioned to the seats. "This is where we will watch the concert."

"How much do I need to pay you?" Ash felt guilty that Genesis had to pay a large amount of money.

"You don't need to," She waved her hand. "If it gets you out of your bed, then it's fine."

She began munching on the chips she opened, a cola in her hand, sipping it occasionally. Ash felt even more guilty. She was so happy to have a friend like her. "Thank you." Ash hugged her.

"Don't worry about it," She patted her head. "Besides, we were given the tickets."

A confused look struck Ash but Genesis ignored it and head for another door, opposite the table behind the seats, opening it. "They invited us."

One person entered the room. The one person she had no guts to see again. Bile had stuck in her throat. Suddenly she felt small, like everything around her was judging her. She couldn't help it, not when she'd spent weeks going through all the flaws their fans had openly joked about and cried about it.

"I'll leave you two to talk," Genesis grabbed a handful of snacks and headed out where Khael entered. The words were stuck in her throat. Once the door was closed, Khael faced her as she did to him. It had been a while. 

Her eyes drifted to that perfect fluffy hair of his that seemed to call out her name. Something about seeing him again for quite a while was bringing her some nostalgia. But even if she wanted to throw herself and wrap herself in his arms, she felt doubtful.

"Can you stay until our performance ends?" He hesitantly reached out to hold her hand which she pulls back, not noticing the hurt in his expression. "You can decide to stay or leave right after. Just please, stay for the song."

"Fine," Her answer seemed to satisfy Khael and he slowly backed out to the door, his gaze piercing hers, then left with Genesis entering. She ignored her, knowing it wouldn't take long for her to talk to Genesis again.

As they sat down, Ash realized her seat was facing straight at the center of the stage where she could see the boys clearly and they could probably see her - if they wanted.

Shaking the thoughts away, the crowd started squealing. Left and right the noises of the howling and screaming of the fans that love them were overbearing as if they intended to take her ears out, despite being somewhere the noise of the crowd should be minimized. Ash glanced at Genesis, her eye was already glancing through her camera.

For the first time in an O4U concert, Ash felt out of place. Maybe because she was guilty. But of what? Guilty that she gave him no chance to explain to her? Avoid talking to him? She didn't know. But there was this longing inside her, deep inside her chest, to want him by her side, no matter how much he was risking. But that'd be just selfish of her.

The group emerged from the floor, raising them. The act slowly revealed them from head to toe and with their serious expression, the whole thing made the hair on her arms stand. Something about them looking so cool and professional resurfaced her earlier impressions of them.

The crowd finally silenced waiting for them to start. Seth strummed the strings of his guitar once. After the echo, a wave of screaming and squealing fangirls filled the air.

The band started to bring in a smooth and chill melody. The combination of the gentle strumming of the guitar and the soft tapping of the drum together with Khael's humming brought chills down her spine.

The crowd settled down when Khael started to sing.

Hey, I've got something to say.
It's kinda cheesy but I
thought you should know

Here, this is it
It's pretty simple but its
coming straight from within

I never thought that I'd
fall in love like this
Believe me when I say
I'd never felt so much bliss

Beside her, Genesis was squealing her name. The song was for her, and now she would do anything to go to his side.

———