Trial And Error

Chapter Sixty

Madison's POV

Madison! Madison! Madison!"

The crowd's chant reverberated through the air, each syllable sending electric pulses through her body. Every nerve ending tingled with anticipation, her senses heightened to a fever pitch. This was more than adrenaline—it was pure, unadulterated life force coursing through her veins.

The stage called to her like a siren's song. This was her domain, her sanctuary. Here, amidst the pulsing lights and rhythmic beats, Madison found her truest self. She wasn't just performing; she was communing with the masses, channeling their energy and reflecting it back tenfold. The love flowed both ways, a symbiotic relationship between artist and audience that left her feeling invincible.

Nowhere else could compare to this moment, this feeling. The world beyond the stage ceased to exist. There was only the music, the movement, and the magic they created together.

A deep breath in, a steady exhale out. The backstage bustle faded into white noise as a familiar voice cut through her focus:

"Ready, Mads? You're on in 3... 2... 1..."

"Madison? Earth to Madison..."

Olivia's voice cut through her reverie, tinged with a mix of amusement and concern. Madison blinked, suddenly aware she'd been staring off into space. She offered an apologetic smile to the blonde seated across from her.

"Sorry, I zoned out for a second there. What were you saying?"

Olivia's brow furrowed slightly, but she pressed on, her enthusiasm quickly returning. "I was thinking... about kicking things off with a show right here in LA? Then we could follow it up with another in Arizona. You know, really get the fans buzzing for what's to come."

"What does the team think about all this?" Madison asked, leaning forward slightly.

Olivia's eyes lit up. "It's unanimous enthusiasm across the board. The label is over the moon about the idea, and they're absolutely in love with the new single. I've been in touch with PR, and they're convinced this is the perfect opportunity to show your resilience. You know, given everything that's happened, especially with..." she hesitated for a split second, "...Nathan being, well, Nathan."

At the mention of his name, Madison felt a familiar throb begin at her temples. The very thought of Nathan's incessant online presence was enough to trigger a headache. His perpetual victim act was grating, a constant stream of carefully crafted posts designed to garner sympathy. He thought of everything from using her profession against her to formulating lies saying the musician cheated on him the entire time of their relationship with her best friend. What frustrated her most was how eagerly his fan base lapped it up. Then again, she reminded herself with a hint of bitterness, what else could you expect from a group whose median age hovered around 15?

The leaked video footage only added fuel to the fire. Some clips, cleverly edited, cast Kian in a villainous light. Others told a completely different story. The saving grace was that someone had captured the entire interaction, leaving little room for Nathan's lies to take complete hold. Still, the court of public opinion was a fickle beast.

She massaged her forehead, trying to ward off the impending migraine. "And what exactly does PR suggest we do about Nathan's... antics?"

Olivia's expression softened with understanding. "They think the best approach is to rise above it. Engaging directly would only amplify his platform."

Madison nodded slowly, considering the strategy. It made sense, but part of her couldn't help but feel angry at having to take the high road while Nathan seemed to face no consequences for his behavior. Then she thought of Kian, how this mess affected her. After all Nathan's posts were directed towards the Marine, using Madison's Madison's fame as a springboard to attack the Marine.