Delicate Us

Chapter 2

Trace

The stadium was filled to the brim. The energy was electrifying, palpable with excited anticipation. Fans of all ages dressed in an array of dresses. Trace's sister for one, chose the sparkles route. Including a purple flowers design over her face. 

And as Syler fans passed the blocked-off section to keep Trace and his sister separate from the general public, some glanced at them and waved while others came to the fence to express their love for Trace or the Breakers.

One slipped a note into the palm of his hand and took off down the aisle. When he opened it, it read: Choose kindness. It's always the right choice.

"She has the best fans, doesn't she?" Lucy said as she leaned toward Trace and bumped his shoulder with hers.

Trace chuckled, keeping his gaze at the hordes of fans. "The jury is out." Another fan extended an arm to hand him another note.

"What is all this?" Trace asked Lucy, taking the note with a smile and a thanks.

"It's what her fans do. Spread the message of love. Everyone exchanges them here."

Something settled in his chest. A small flicker of light that perhaps Syler would have hoped for—been proud of. He scratched the back of his head, eyeing another fan who was making her way to the fence. "I didn't come prepared."

"It's okay." From deep in her pockets, she grabbed a handful of tiny notes and shoved a bunch into his hands. "I did." She laughed when Trace quickly bent to catch the notes that had slipped through his fingers. "You can also give away the ones you just got too."

I gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Awesome, thanks."

She shook her head, silky raven hair swaying over her shoulders. "Thanks for letting me use your celebrity status to snag the best seats."

He put an arm around her shoulder and squeezed. "Anything for you, sis."

The evening fell to night as Trace relished in getting to know Syler's fans and passing out notes. Somehow the amount of notes had doubled. He began stuffing them in his pants pockets and handing multiple out to different fans.

Then, the lights went out, and the diamond shaped stage light up from the floor in a kaleidoscope of colors. The stadium rocked with screams from adoring fans as the band began to play over the speakers.

Trace clutched the notes and gently stuffed them all in the pockets of his jean jacket to keep them safe. He stood in awe as Syler rose from the center of the stage from a platform beneath.

A loose white dress with intricate patterns of silver sparkly lines hung over her slender curves and creamy skin. When she smiled, it reached her eyes like she was truly taken aback by how many people were there for her. Her blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall of liquid gold that waved down to her waist. Dark eyeliner spread heavily from the inner corners of her eyes and winged outward with a sharp edge that seemed to etch something beautifully cruel into Trace's heart. He couldn't look away from her heart-shaped face and button nose. His eyes dipped down the valley of her breasts that was exposed by the deep V in her dress, over her hips, and down to her white stiletto-heeled boots.

She stood there, taking in the scene as if ensuring that she was taking the time to look at every single person. It was almost too personal, intimidating. So much so that he had to look away before her deep blue eyes reached his. "When is she going to sing?"  he jokingly asked Lucy, but she was too busy screaming to hear him. So he took a deep breath and turned his eyes to the popstar who had brought the mic to her lips and began to sing.