long live | chris sturniolo

𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘆...𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘮𝘦

july 2024, real life.

kylie stood backstage, her hands trembling as she heard the crowds cheers. the anxiety 

of not performing the past couple of weeks caught up to her, as she took a deep breath. 

chris, who normally watched from the crowd, stayed back. he knew the worries running through his girlfriends' head, today was a whole new challenge. he quickly noticed kylie and made his way by her, grabbing her shaky hands. 

"i wish you could come out with me," her glossy eyes could not look at the stage ahead of her.

"pick a song, i'll be there," chris ran his fingers through her hair.

kylie beamed, "can i do that?"

chris smirked," baby its your show."

kylie nodded, her face lighting up. she ran through the options in her head, "what about holy ground?"

"i'll be there. but for now, go own that stage. you hear all those screams? those are for you. the time you had to take off only made everyone more excited to see you. this venue is a dream. you're playing madison square garden, that's insane ky. go out there and shine," chris stared deeply into his girlfriends' eyes.

"okay, i will." she nodded and grabbed the microphone, signaling for everyone to get into position. 

as the lights when out, and kylie took center stage, the roars from the audience only grew. the repeated intro of love is embarrassing could barley be heard. 

"I told my friends you were the one

After I'd known you, like, a month

And then, you kissed some girl from high schoolAnd I stayed in bed for, like, a week
When you said space was what you need
Waited by my phone like a goddamn foolAnd now, it don't mean a thing
God, love's fuckin' embarrassing
Just watch as I crucify myselfFor some weird second string
Loser who's not worth mentioning
My God, love's embarrassing as hellAnd I consoled you while you cried
Over your ex-girlfriend's new guy
My God, how could I be so stupid?You found a new version of me
And I damn near started World War III
Jesus, what was I even doin'?'Cause now, it don't mean a thing
God, love's fuckin' embarrassing
Just watch as I crucify myselfFor some weird second string
Loser who's not worth mentioning
I give up, give up, I give up everything
I give up, give up, but I keep comin' back for moreGod, love's fuckin' embarrassing"

The audience roared,"kylie, kylie, kylie," the chant causing tears to fill her eyes.

chris was now standing in the crowd, beaming proudly of the beautiful girl. he knew this was hard, but she was doing it.

the show ran smoothly, the adrenaline making it hard for kylie to feel sad. the sold out arena boomed with the joy. 

"new york you have been amazing tonight," the cheers responded proudly, "i was nervous about this, and coming back. but what better way to do it in the best city in the world." high pitched shrieks made kylie laugh, "i have a surprise for you all, but first, i have something else. this next song, i wrote for my parents. they were supposed to be in the crowd tonight, but i know theyre watching me. so maman et papa, c'est sign of the times."

the crowd cheered as kylie walked over to her guitar, sitting down. her sole self looked so small without the rest of the band.

"just stop your crying, its the sign of the times

we got to get away from here

we got to get away from here

stop your crying

baby it'll be alright

they told me that the end is near

we gotta get away from here," 

the outdo was beautiful, as many audience members broke down into tears.

"thank you guys," she wiped her tears as her band came back on.

chris was now backstage, beautifully moved by the performance. kylie winters was the strongest girl he's ever met. 

she turned her head to find him in the wings, and winked, confirming he would be able to come out.

he didnt know when, but he knew, he would go at the perfect time.

"I was reminiscing just the other day

While having coffee all alone and Lord, it took me away
Back to a first glance feeling on New York time
Back when you fit my poems like a perfect rhymeTook off faster than a green light, go
Yeah, you skip the conversation when you already know
I left a note on the door with a joke we'd made
And that was the first dayAnd darling, it was good
Never looking down
And right there where we stood
Was holy ground" Chris ran onto stage and kylie light up, grabbing his hand.

"Spinning like a girl in a brand new dress
We had this big wide city all to ourselves
We blocked the noise with the sound of 'I need you'
And for the first time I had something to loseAnd I guess we fell apart in the usual way
And the story's got dust on every page
But sometimes I wonder how you think about it now
And I see your face in every crowd'Cause darling, it was good
Never looking down
And right there where we stood
Was holy ground" chris jumped around, singing the lyrics with kylie, he danced by the band really feeling comfortable.Tonight I'm gonna dance
For all that we've been through
But I don't wanna dance
If I'm not dancing with youTonight I'm gonna dance
Like you were in this room
But I don't wanna dance
If I'm not dancing with you" chris took kylie's hand again, and spun her in circles, causing him to bust out laughing."It was goodNever looking down
And right there where we stood
Was holy groundTonight I'm gonna dance
For all that we've been through
But I don't wanna dance
If I'm not dancing with youTonight I'm gonna dance
Like you were in this room
But I don't wanna dance
If I'm not dancing with you" 

chris looked out into the crowd as the roars erupted again, realizing how many people really were there. kylie winters was the best  popstar the world has ever seen, and he would make sure everyone knew.