Chasing Starlight

Chapter Two: A Moment in the Spotlight

The backstage lounge smelled like fresh flowers and new leather, a weirdly luxurious mix that made Y/N feel out of place. She stood off to the side with a group of VIP fans, fiddling nervously with the strap of her crossbody bag. She still couldn't believe she was here. Martinus was just a few feet away, taking pictures and chatting with fans.

The meet-and-greet was more organized than she expected. Each fan would get a quick photo, a signature, and a few words before being ushered along by the staff. Y/N's pulse was racing—her moment with him was just minutes away, and she had no idea what she'd say.

"Relax," one of the girls in line whispered, nudging her gently. "He's super nice. You'll be fine."

Y/N gave a tight smile in return, though her stomach felt like it was filled with buzzing bees. What if she embarrassed herself? What if she said something weird, or worse—completely froze? Her hands were clammy just thinking about it. She had one chance to tell Marcus and martinus  how much their music meant to her. She couldn't blow it.

The line moved forward, and suddenly, Y/N was next.

Her heart thumped wildly as she stepped into the small photo area. And then... there he was.

Martinus gunnarsen, up close and impossibly real. He looked even better than onstage, if that was possible. His brown eyes were warm and curious, and a soft grin tugged at his lips as he glanced her way.

"Hey," he said, his voice lower now, more intimate without the roar of the crowd behind him. "Thanks for coming tonight."

Y/N's brain scrambled to form words, but all that came out was, "Uh, h-hi."

Martinus chuckled, and the sound was like music in itself—effortless, genuine. "You good? I know these things can be a little overwhelming."

She nodded quickly, clutching her bag tighter. "Y-Yeah. Just... really nervous. Big fan." Her voice cracked slightly on the last two words, and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"Don't worry, you're doing great," Martinus said with an encouraging smile.

His kindness made something loosen inside her—just enough that she could breathe again. She reached into her bag and pulled out a small notebook. "I, um... I write songs too. Your music really inspired me."

Martinus' eyes lit up with genuine interest as he accepted the notebook. "You write? That's awesome. Can I take a look?"

Before she could say no—before she could think—he flipped the notebook open to a random page. His lips moved silently as he read a few lines, and then he looked back at her, his gaze soft but impressed.

"This is good," he said, his voice sincere. "You've got real talent."

Y/N's breath caught. Martinus thought her lyrics were good? She felt like she might float right out of the room.

"Do you want me to sign this?" Martinus asked, holding up the notebook.

"Yes! I mean—yes, please." Y/N could barely keep her excitement contained.

As he scribbled his name across the inside cover, she noticed how close they were standing. Close enough that she could smell the faint scent of his cologne—something warm and woodsy.

Just as he handed the notebook back, their hands brushed, sending a spark through her skin. Her cheeks flared again, and she tried to hide it by looking down. That was when the disaster happened.

Her water bottle, wedged awkwardly into the side pocket of her bag, tipped over—right onto Martinus' shoes.

"Oh my god!" Y/N  gasped, horrified. "I am so sorry!"

Martinus looked down at his wet sneakers and, to her surprise, burst out laughing. "Hey, no worries. You're just making sure I stay humble."

Y/N covered her face with her hands, mortified beyond words. Of course this would happen to her.

"Seriously, it's all good," martinus said, still chuckling. He crouched down, giving his shoe a little shake before standing up again. "It's just water. Now my shoes are hydrated."

His lighthearted response made some of the tension melt away, though Y/N still felt like disappearing into the floor.

Before she could apologize again, one of the staff members stepped forward. "Next, please!"

Y/N's time was up. She gave Martinus a weak smile, still reeling from the disaster.

"Thanks for coming," Marcus And Martinus said warmly, giving her a little wave as she was ushered out of the photo area. "And keep writing. You've got something special."

Back in the hallway, Y/N leaned against the wall, trying to calm her racing heart. She'd just met Marcus and Martinus Gunnarsen. And yes, she had spilled water on Martinus' shoes like an idiot—but he'd been kind, even when he had every reason not to be.

She opened her notebook to the page he'd signed and stared at his messy scrawl:

"Keep chasing those songs. You never know where they'll take you." — Martinus 

A tiny smile crept across her face. The night hadn't gone exactly as planned, but maybe... just maybe... it had gone better.

As she made her way out of the venue, Lena couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted. Meeting Martinus had been incredible, but it wasn't just the autograph or the photos that made her heart feel lighter.

It was the way he'd seen her—not just as a fan in the crowd, but as someone with potential.

And that was a feeling she'd carry with her for a long, long time.