Falling Between the Notes (Nicholas Galitzine)

Chapter 16: Flavors Live: The World Tour

Jade's POV

The day before we were set to leave for the first stop on the tour felt unreal. It had been a whirlwind of rehearsals, meetings, and last-minute preparations, and now we were standing on the edge of something huge. Twenty-five shows across North America, twenty across Europe, and fifteen across Asia, all with Harry by my side. It was everything I'd ever wanted—but the nerves, mixed with excitement, made my heart race.

Nick and I had kept in touch as much as possible, but the time difference and our busy schedules made it tough. Still, we managed to steal quick phone calls when we could. He was always playful, making sure to lift my spirits, even when I knew he was tired. But we both felt the distance creeping in, with this massive tour just around the corner.

I was sitting backstage after one of our final rehearsals, catching my breath when my phone buzzed. Nick's name lit up the screen, and my heart did its usual little flip. I quickly grabbed it, smiling as I answered.

"Hey, you," I said, unable to hide the excitement in my voice.

"Hey, beautiful," Nick's voice came through, playful and warm, like a gentle caress. "Thought I'd call and distract you for a bit. How's rehearsal going? Or are you too busy being a superstar?"

I laughed, leaning back against the wall. "Just finished up, actually. We've got everything pretty much locked down, so I guess I'm officially ready."

Nick chuckled softly. "You're always ready. You've got this, babe" He paused "I'll be listening to that song you wrote for me on repeat 'till you land in New York," Nick teased, and I could hear the smile in his voice. "You've got to be the only person who can make me blush through the phone, Jade."

I grinned, feeling warmth spread through me. "Well, it was written just for you. Gotta make sure you don't forget about me while you're off being a movie star in Paris."

Nick chuckled softly. "As if I could forget you, love. You've got me wrapped around your finger, and you know it."

I laughed, feeling my heart skip a beat. He always knew how to make me feel special, even from thousands of miles away. "I miss you."

"I miss you too," Nick replied, his voice dropping into something soft but still playful. "But don't worry—I'll be right here, cheering you on from across the ocean."

I smiled, the warmth of his words wrapping around me. "Miss you already."

"Miss you more," he said, a grin clear in his voice. "Talk soon?"

"Of course," I whispered. "Talk soon."

As the call ended, I felt lighter. The way Nick spoke to me always made the distance feel smaller. I took a deep breath, letting his playful tone linger in my mind as I looked ahead to the start of the tour. This was supposed to be exciting, and I was determined to make the most of it.

The next morning, the airport was buzzing. Fans had caught wind of Harry and me flying out for the tour, and the flashing lights of paparazzi greeted us as we walked through the terminal. Despite the chaos, my mind was on Nick and how he'd promised to listen to my song on repeat. I couldn't help but smile to myself, imagining him doing just that.

Harry, ever the professional, handled the crowd like it was nothing. He signed autographs, posed for pictures, and made the whole thing look effortless. When he caught me watching, he grinned, walking over.

"You good, love?" he asked, eyes sparkling with that cheeky charm of his.

I nodded, adjusting my bag on my shoulder. "Just trying to take it all in."

He bumped my shoulder with his. "First stop in New York. You ready?"

"Ready as I'll ever be," I said, laughing. "What about you?"

"Oh, I was born ready," Harry teased, winking as we moved through security.

My phone buzzed again, and I glanced down to see a message from Nick.

Nick: "Make sure Harry doesn't try to steal the show. ;) But you'll shine no matter what, babe. Can't wait to see clips of your first performance."

I smiled, my heart fluttering. I quickly typed back:

Me: "Don't worry, I'll let Harry know you said that. Miss you already."

I pocketed my phone and looked over at Harry, who was watching me curiously. "Nick says you better not try to steal the spotlight," I said, grinning.

Harry chuckled. "Wouldn't dream of it. You've got the spotlight, Jade. I'm just here to play my part."

I smiled, appreciating his support. Despite the flirty moments and the teasing, Harry had always been respectful, knowing where the lines were drawn. Still, there was a warmth between us, an easy connection that made working together so fun.

The venue in New York was massive, the arena stretching out in front of us as the crew set up the stage. Harry and I stepped onto the platform, looking out at the empty seats, imagining them filled with thousands of fans tomorrow night. The nerves were still there, but they were starting to blend with excitement.

"Alright," Harry said, glancing at me with a grin. "Let's run it from the top."

We launched into our final rehearsal before the first show, running through the setlist, making sure every beat, every transition was flawless. The music pulsed through the arena, and despite the exhaustion from all the traveling, I felt alive.

Harry gave me a playful nudge as we finished one of our songs. "You're killing it, Jade. New York isn't ready for what we're about to give them."

I laughed, my heart racing from the adrenaline of performing. "Neither are we."

As the day wore on, we rehearsed late into the evening, making sure everything was perfect for the first show. But even as the exhaustion set in, I couldn't shake the excitement building inside me. This tour was going to be something special.

Later that night, as we sat backstage winding down from rehearsals, Harry threw me a bottle of water, a playful smile on his lips.

"You know," he said, taking a swig of his own, "for someone who's been on the road before, you're handling this like a pro."

I chuckled. "Thanks, but I'm still nervous."

He leaned back, stretching out his legs. "Well, if you need a pep talk, I'm here. Just know that you've got this, and you've got me watching your back."

I smiled, touched by his words. "You always know how to make things better, don't you?"

"Just doing my job, love," he said, grinning. "And maybe trying to make you blush a little."

I laughed, rolling my eyes as I playfully shoved him. "You're impossible."

"Hey, can't help it," Harry replied with a wink. "But seriously, tomorrow is going to be epic. We're about to give them the show of a lifetime."

I couldn't help but agree. Tomorrow was the beginning of something big, and with Harry by my side, I felt ready for whatever came next.