Caught In The Moment

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Arianna

The morning sun was just beginning to rise as we arrived at the private airstrip. My heart felt heavy knowing I had to leave Travis behind again. We stood by the jet, holding hands, savoring the last few moments together before my flight back to the Netherlands.

I turned to him, trying to hold back the tears. "I hate saying goodbye."

He pulled me close, his arms wrapping around me tightly. "I hate it too, but we'll see each other again soon. I love you so much, Ari."

"I love you too, Travis," I whispered, my voice trembling slightly. "Please take care of yourself."

He kissed me deeply, pouring all his love and longing into that kiss. When we finally pulled away, he pressed his forehead against mine. "You too. Be safe out there."

We hugged one last time, our embrace lingering as if we could somehow hold on to this moment forever. Finally, I pulled back and walked towards the jet, feeling the weight of each step.

My mom was already on board, waiting for me. I gave Travis one last wave and boarded the plane. As I settled into my seat, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. I missed him already.

Just as the engines started to hum and the jet began its final preparations for takeoff, I glanced out the window and saw Travis running up the steps to the plane. He came aboard, his eyes locked on mine. My heart skipped a beat as he strode over, cupped my face in his hands, and kissed me one last time.

"One more for the road," he said with a grin, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

I laughed, feeling the warmth of his love wash over me. "You're crazy, you know that?"

"Crazy about you," he replied, giving me a final peck on the lips before hurrying off the plane.

As the door closed and we began to taxi down the runway, I waved to him through the window. He stood there, waving back until we were out of sight.

Settling back into my seat, I sighed, a mix of emotions swirling inside me. I was sad to leave but grateful for the time we had shared. My mom reached over and squeezed my hand.

"You okay, sweetheart?" she asked, her voice gentle and comforting.

I nodded, smiling softly. "Yeah, I'm okay. Just... I miss him already."

She nodded, understanding. "I know. But you'll be back together soon."

I leaned back, closing my eyes as the plane took off, carrying me away from Kansas City and back to the Netherlands. I replayed the past few days in my mind, holding on to every precious memory. The love, the laughter, the surprise—everything had been perfect.

As we climbed higher into the sky, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. No matter the distance or the time apart, I knew Travis and I were strong enough to handle anything. Our love would always bring us back to each other, no matter where life took us.

With that comforting thought, I drifted off to sleep, dreaming of the next time I would see his smile and feel his arms around me.

Timeskip

By the time we landed in the Netherlands, the sun was already high in the sky. I felt a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration from the long flight and the emotional goodbye with Travis. Despite the fatigue, I knew I had to stay awake to avoid being exhausted for the show tomorrow.

After settling into the hotel, I decided to make the most of my day. I pulled out my phone and texted Olivia.

Text to Olivia:
"Hey, Liv! Want to go sightseeing with me today?"

A few minutes later, her reply came through.

Text from Olivia:
"Hey, Ari! I'd love to, but I've got plans with Louis today. Wanna join us?"

I smiled, appreciating the offer but not wanting to feel like a third wheel.

Text to Olivia:
"Thanks, but I think I'll pass. Have fun with Louis!"

As I put my phone down, I considered my options. I didn't want to spend the day alone, so I decided to text my band members to see if anyone was free to join me.

Group Text to Band:
"Hey, guys! Anyone free for some sightseeing today?"

After a few moments, my phone buzzed with a response from Theo.

Text from Theo:
"I'm free! Want to meet in the lobby in 30 minutes?"

I quickly replied.

Text to Theo:
"Perfect. See you then!"

I freshened up and headed down to the lobby, excited to explore the city. Theo was already waiting, leaning against a pillar with his usual relaxed demeanor, an unlit cigarette in his mouth.

"Hey, Ari," he greeted, flashing me a warm smile. "Ready to see the sights?"

"Absolutely," I replied, feeling my spirits lift. "But those things are going to kill you one day," I added, nodding to the cigarette.

Theo shrugged. "I'm going to die anyway. Might as well enjoy it while I can."

We set out into the bustling streets of the Netherlands, the city alive with energy and color. Theo and I wandered through picturesque canals, quaint shops, and lively markets. We chatted about the tour, our favorite performances, and life on the road.

As we walked, Theo lit the cigarette. I wrinkled my nose at the smell. "Seriously, Theo, you should cut back."

He gave me a lopsided grin. "I'll consider it, just for you."

As we were walking through a crowded square, a group of fans recognized us. They excitedly asked for pictures, and we happily obliged. The girls especially seemed to obsess over Theo, which I found amusing.

"You've got quite the fan club," I teased as we walked away from the crowd.

Theo chuckled, stubbing out his cigarette. "What can I say? I'm irresistible."

"What do you want to do next?" I asked, curious to see what he would choose.

"There's a dive bar not too far from here. It's got great food and a decent vibe. Wanna check it out?"

"Sure, why not?"

We made our way to the bar, a cozy, dimly-lit place with a laid-back atmosphere. We ordered some food and drinks, settling into a corner booth. The walls were covered in memorabilia, and the jukebox played an eclectic mix of songs.

As we ate, Theo started to hum along to the music. Eventually, a song came on that he couldn't resist singing to. His voice was surprisingly good, rich and soulful.

"Wow, Theo, you've got a nice voice," I said, genuinely impressed.

He blushed slightly, looking away. "Thanks. I don't usually sing in public."

"You should. You're really good."

We spent the rest of the afternoon talking and laughing, sharing stories about our lives and dreams. The more we talked, the more I realized how much I enjoyed his company. Theo had a way of making everything feel easy and fun.

As the evening approached, we headed back to the hotel, feeling a lot closer than we had before. I thanked Theo for the day, and he gave me a warm smile.

"Anytime, Ari. It was fun."

Back in my room, I texted Travis to let him know I had arrived safely and shared a bit about my day with him.

Text to Travis:
"Hey, I made it to the Netherlands! Spent the day sightseeing with Theo. It was nice to unwind a bit. Miss you already."

Almost immediately, my phone buzzed with his reply.

Text from Travis:
"Glad you made it safe, babe. Sounds like a fun day. I miss you too. Knock 'em dead tomorrow."

Author's note
What's everyone thoughts on Theo?

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