Beneath the Noise

Chapter Two: Electric Tension

The road stretched out before them, a ribbon of asphalt weaving through the countryside as their tour bus rumbled along. Roan sat at the back, earbuds in, trying to drown out the tension that still lingered from last night's performance. She couldn't shake the images of Jace's piercing gaze, the way his lips curled in that infuriating smirk when he thought he had the upper hand. It made her want to scream-or kiss him. And she hated that.

"Are we seriously going to pretend everything's fine?" Lilith asked, breaking the silence as she plopped down next to Roan, her vibrant hair spilling over like a cascade of colors. "You and Jace need to talk." "I don't want to talk," Roan replied, her voice muffled by the music. "I want to perform. I want to forget that he exists." "Yeah, right." Lilith rolled her eyes. "You're both so stubborn. It's like watching a train wreck in slow motion. You need to either sort it out or get a therapist." "Or a bodyguard," Roan muttered, unable to suppress a smile. "One that can keep me away from him."

Lilith chuckled, nudging Roan with her shoulder. "You know it's not that simple. You two have crazy chemistry, and not just on stage. You're practically magnetic." "More like a disaster waiting to happen," Roan countered, but the flutter in her stomach told her otherwise. "He drives me insane." "Which means you're not done yet," Lilith said, leaning in closer. "You just need to find a way to channel that energy into something good. Besides, we've got a whole tour ahead of us. It'll be fine."

Just then, Jace strode into the common area, his guitar slung over his shoulder, that cocky grin plastered on his face. "What are you girls gossiping about? My undeniable charm?". Roan shot him a glare, pulling her earbuds out. "Oh, please. Don't flatter yourself. We were just discussing how you're the reason the sky is gray." "Me? You're the one who brings the storm, Roan," he shot back, taking a seat across from them with an exaggerated air of nonchalance. "You're practically a walking thundercloud." "Maybe if you weren't so insufferable, I could shine a little brighter," Roan retorted, feeling the familiar heat rise in her cheeks. It was infuriating how he could provoke her with just a smirk.

"Let's be real," Jace said, leaning forward with a gleam in his eyes. "We both know this band wouldn't be half as interesting without our little rivalry." "That's one way to put it," Damien chimed in, coming to lean against the wall with his arms crossed, a bemused expression on his face. "You two are like fire and ice. Just keep it off the stage, please. We need to maintain our fans' illusion of harmony." "Your harmony is a joke," Roan shot back, crossing her arms defiantly. "We're just putting on a show, right?" "Exactly," Jace replied, mirroring her pose. "But you have to admit, the fans eat it up. They love the drama."

Lilith glanced between them, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "So, what's the plan? More fire and ice tonight, or do we tone it down for the sake of the tour?" "Tone it down? Never," Roan said, her heart racing at the thought of facing Jace again on stage. "Let them see the real us." "Fine by me," Jace replied, leaning back in his chair with a cocky grin. "Just remember to keep up.

The banter continued, but Roan could feel the weight of the underlying tension. As the bus drove on, the landscape shifted from rolling hills to bustling city streets, and the excitement built in her chest. The first venue was just around the corner, a small but energetic place known for its vibrant crowd. Later that evening, the venue buzzed with anticipation. As they prepared to go on stage, the atmosphere was electric, a palpable energy that resonated with Roan's every heartbeat. She peered out at the sea of faces, their cheers echoing like a distant roar, and suddenly, all her anger towards Jace seemed trivial. But as they took their places, she caught Jace's gaze from across the stage, his eyes sharp and challenging. The moment the lights dimmed, everything fell away. They were performers, not rivals, and she could feel the magic igniting between them.

"Let's give them a show they won't forget!" Jace shouted, and the crowd erupted into applause. Roan took a deep breath, her frustration fading into the adrenaline of the moment. They launched into their first song, their voices intertwining like a complicated dance-fiery, passionate, and perfectly in sync. But backstage, as they caught their breath after the first set, Jace cornered her again, a playful glint in his eye. "See? You can't deny that we work well together." "Oh, don't start with that," Roan warned, but she felt her resolve wavering. The thrill of performing with him was intoxicating, and for a split second, the bitterness melted away. "Just admit it, Roan. You need me," he teased, stepping closer. "Need you? Please." She rolled her eyes, but her heart raced nonetheless. "I could easily do this without you."

"Is that so?" His smirk widened, the challenge clear in his eyes. "Then let's see you try."Their banter felt charged, as if the tension between them was a live wire, just waiting for the right moment to spark. As the second set approached, Roan could hardly think straight, her heart pounding with a mix of anger and something dangerously close to desire. Maybe this tour wouldn't just be about music; it could also be about finally addressing the elephant in the room. But first, they had to survive the night-and each other. As the final notes of the second song faded into the air, Roan realized that they were not just on stage, playing to an audience. They were also playing a dangerous game with each other, one that threatened to unravel them both-or perhaps bring them together in a way they never expected. The line between hate and love was blurred, and for the first time, Roan felt a flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, they were on the cusp of something transformative.

SECOND CHAPTER WOOOOOOOOOOOO