The Unbroken But Impure

CHAPTER 03 LOVE AT FIRST KISS

The Night of the Ravermaya Concert............

"Kryztal, hurry up! They're already on stage!" Michelle tugged at her hand as they ran toward the concert grounds.

"Wait, Michelle! Slow down—I'm out of breath!" Kryztal panted. They had parked a few hundred meters away, and the rush was taking a toll on her.

"Come on, just a little more! They're about to start!" Michelle urged, practically dragging her along.

"Okay, okay!" Kryztal gave in, running beside her friend.

She had been waiting for this night—not really to see Ravermaya, but to catch Mantra, a local band with a cult following in the university belt. More than the music, Kryztal wanted to see John, Mantra's lead guitarist and her newest crush.

As they hurried through the crowd, Michelle accidentally bumped into someone. The girl stumbled and ended up sitting on the pavement.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! We're rushing and didn't see you. Are you hurt?" Michelle asked, quickly helping her up.

"I'm fine," the girl said with a smile. "I was hurrying to the concert too. Guess we didn't notice each other."

"Then let's go together. I'm Michelle, and this is Kryztal." Michelle shook her hand.

"Nice to meet you! I'm Mae. So, are you two Ravermaya fans?"

Michelle laughed. "Not me. I just came to babysit this little girl because she's dying to see her guitarist crush. I don't get it—she's still in high school and already chasing boys!"

"Well, you're already eighteen and still don't have a boyfriend!" Kryztal shot back playfully.

Mae laughed. "My friends tease me about that too. They said the guitarist's really handsome, but I didn't come for him. I just promised my friends I'd watch Ravermaya with them."

"Well, let's not waste any more time. Let's go!" Kryztal said eagerly.

The three walked together to the venue. Mae's friends, who were standing near the stage, spotted her right away. Coincidentally, Michelle and Kryztal's seats were right next to Mae's group, so introductions were quick.

The lights dimmed as the show was about to start. Two bands played first before Mantra came on.

"There they are!" Kryztal squealed as the second band cleared out.

Michelle and Mae exchanged amused smiles, curious about Kryztal's excitement.

Then the arena went completely dark. A lone electric guitar ripped through the silence, playing the intro to Cliffs of Dover. When the lights came up, a tall, handsome guitarist stood at the center of the stage—John.

Mae and Michelle froze, unable to take their eyes off him. They looked at each other again and smiled knowingly. Both were clearly drawn to him.

"It's true," Michelle whispered with a giggle.

Mae grinned. "Yeah, no kidding."

Mantra played five songs before Ravermaya finally took the stage. But Kryztal didn't care for the main act. She slipped out of the crowd and headed straight backstage.

"Kryztal!" Michelle sighed. She turned to Mae with a grin. "Want to come with me? Let's keep an eye on her. Maybe we'll even score a picture with the guitarist." She winked.

Mae's heart skipped. "Alright, I'm in."

The two followed and found Kryztal already chatting happily with John. When she noticed them, Kryztal waved them over.

"John, these are my friends—Michelle and Mae!"

John smiled warmly. "Nice to meet you both! Wow, I can't believe it—I get to hang out with three beautiful girls tonight."

The four talked for a while, snapping pictures together. All three girls were clearly charmed by him. What they didn't know was that John also liked all of them—but his eyes lingered most on Mae. Still, he played it cool so as not to stir jealousy.

Before long, Kryztal's dad called, and Michelle had to take her home. They said their goodbyes, leaving Mae alone with her friends again.

Two hours later, the concert ended. Mae's friends left one by one until she was the last still inside. She lingered, hoping fate might let her run into John again.

As the crowd thinned, she finally decided to head back to her house. But then—

"Mae! Wait a second!" a voice called out.

She turned and froze. It was John. Her face flushed hot, her heart racing. Luckily, it was dark enough to hide her blush.

"W-What is it?" she stammered.

"Heading home? Let's walk together," John said with an easy smile.

"Uh... sure." Mae nodded. "So... do you study here at St. Michael's?"

"No, I'm at Eastern University. I'll be graduating next semester, so I'll definitely miss the gigs around here. How about you?"

"I'm from San Deba College. First year, business management."

They walked and talked, their conversation flowing easily. John was a natural, and Mae found herself enjoying every minute. He didn't pry too much, keeping things light, but Mae could sense something—an interest that mirrored her own.

Before long, they reached the taxi stand.

"Too bad the semester's ending," John said, looking into her eyes. "Anyway... can I have your number?"

Mae's cheeks warmed again, but she smiled and gave it to him.

For a moment, they just stood there, staring at each other. Mae half-wished he would offer to take her home, but she held back. She didn't want to seem too easy.

A taxi pulled up. John opened the door for her. His gentlemanly gesture made her heart flutter.

"Thanks," she said softly. Just as she was about to step in, John suddenly caught her hand.

"Mae... um, I don't know when I'll see you again, so... I just want to say..." He hesitated. Then, quickly: "I like you."

Before she could react, he leaned in and kissed her.

Mae froze. It was her first kiss—and with someone who wasn't even her boyfriend. She should've been upset, but instead, a rush of excitement filled her chest. John was bold, playful, and disarmingly charming—qualities that tugged at her.

After five breathless seconds, John pulled away and quickly walked off, afraid she might slap him. Mae just stood there, stunned. She wanted to be angry, but instead, she found herself smiling.

She climbed into the taxi, her heart still racing.

All the way back to her boarding house, she couldn't stop touching her lips, replaying that moment. 'Could he really be the one?'