Falling Between the Notes (Nicholas Galitzine)

Chapter 7: The VMA's

Jade's performance ^^

Jade's pov.

The black SUV pulled up to the red carpet, lights flashing wildly outside the tinted windows. I smoothed the hem of my pale, shimmery dress, the fabric pooling lightly around my legs like a soft whisper. Nick gave me a glance, his lips curving up in a playful grin. "You ready for this?"

I took a deep breath, feeling the tension rise in my chest. "I mean, as ready as I can be for this kind of thing," I muttered, glancing out at the sea of paparazzi waiting for their shot. "It's the VMAs. Nothing ever feels normal."

He chuckled softly, his accent lacing the words with a charm I was still trying to get used to. "It's just another night, love. Besides, you're going to steal the whole show." His voice lowered as if sharing a secret.

I felt the warmth rush to my cheeks. Nick had a way of making me feel seen, and not in the way I was used to as a pop star in front of millions. This was different. Personal. Grounding. His British accent—soft yet somehow magnetic—added a layer of intimacy to the moment.

The driver opened the door, and before I stepped out, I turned to Nick. "Last time, I told you to pick a place, and you didn't," I teased, remembering how he'd dodged my suggestion after our coffee date.

He raised his hands in playful surrender. "Guilty as charged. But I won't make the same mistake. Next time, it's on me."

"Good," I smirked, stepping out of the car.

The red carpet felt endless, cameras flashing from every direction. My dress flowed behind me, the ethereal fabric catching the light and shimmering as I walked. I could hear the press calling my name, their voices blending into one chaotic hum. I waved, smiled, and posed, the routine second nature to me by now. But tonight felt different. Tonight, Nick was by my side.

He emerged from the car, effortlessly handsome in his tailored suit, his presence grounding me in the chaos. As he joined me, I caught him sneaking glances at me, his eyes softening with something I wasn't sure I could name yet. It was something more than just admiration. We weren't official yet, but every moment with him felt like we were dancing on the edge of something deeper.

As we neared the entrance, the buzz around us grew louder, and I realized why. Harry Styles had just arrived.

He strolled down the carpet with that effortless confidence that only Harry could pull off, his hair perfectly tousled and his smile disarming. I'd heard whispers that he was interested in working with me on a new song, but seeing him now, that whisper felt more like a roar. His gaze flickered to mine, and I couldn't deny the sudden rush of curiosity that welled up inside me.

Nick must have noticed because he stepped a little closer to me, his hand hovering protectively at my back. I felt the tension radiate from him, a subtle shift in the air around us.

"Is that... Harry Styles?" Nick's voice was calm, but I could hear the undercurrent of something else. Possession? Maybe.

I nodded, trying to play it off as if my heart wasn't beating faster. "Yeah. There's been talk about a duet, but nothing's official yet."

Nick's jaw clenched for just a second before he forced a smile. "Sounds like a big deal."

I swallowed, feeling the weight of the moment. "It could be."

As we moved through the sea of celebrities and flashing lights, I couldn't help but feel the tug of two different worlds colliding—the one I was building with Nick, steady and warm, and the unknown that Harry represented.

Inside, the venue buzzed with energy, the kind that only came with a night like the VMAs. I was ushered backstage for final preparations, the adrenaline kicking in as the minutes ticked by. My heart was racing, the anticipation of the performance swelling inside me.

The moment arrived. I was helped into the diamond shaped swing that would be lifting me up in the air, in my second outfit of the night, a silver, glittering bodysuit that caught the spotlight in every direction. The crowd erupted, and I felt the familiar rush as the music began. I owned this moment, moving with the music, letting every beat pulse through my body. This was my domain, my space where nothing else mattered.

As the performance came to an end, I locked eyes with someone in the front row—Harry. He was watching me, his gaze lingering in a way that sent a shiver down my spine. And in that moment, I knew that tonight was just the beginning of something much bigger.

Backstage, I was still riding the high of the performance when Nick found me, a proud smile tugging at his lips. He pulled me into a hug, his warmth surrounding me as the world around us blurred into the background.

"You were incredible," he murmured, his voice low against my ear. "I've never seen anything like that."

I pulled back just enough to look up at him, my breath catching at the intensity in his eyes. There was something there, unspoken but heavy with meaning. Before I could say anything, the door opened, and in walked Harry, his presence filling the room.

"Jade, you were amazing out there," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "I've been meaning to talk to you about that duet. Think we can make it happen?"

I glanced at Nick, who was trying—and failing—to hide the irritation that flickered across his face. This was the moment where two different paths stretched out before me, each one tempting in its own way.

"Let's talk," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. But as I looked back at Nick, I couldn't shake the feeling that everything was about to get a lot more complicated.