Falling Between the Notes (Nicholas Galitzine Fanfic)

Chapter 25: You Broke Me First

Jade's POV

Two months passed in a blur. Time moved both fast and slow, like I was caught between two worlds. On the surface, my tour was everything I had dreamed of—sold-out shows, screaming fans, new cities. But underneath it all, I was still tangled in a mess of emotions I couldn't unravel. Nick's betrayal continued to haunt me, and every conversation we had since that night had been a delicate balancing act. I was trying to forgive him, trying to find some piece of the love we had left, but the hurt was still too fresh. Every time I heard his voice, the image of him with Jenna flashed in my mind, and I felt the cracks in my heart grow wider.

On the other hand, there was Harry. He had been my constant. The line between friendship and something more had blurred so completely that I wasn't even sure what we were anymore. We had shared stolen kisses backstage, and in the privacy of our hotel rooms, soft touches that lingered, and long nights where we talked about everything and nothing. It felt real, but it also felt complicated, like we were both avoiding the truth of what was happening between us. There were moments when Harry's presence was all I needed, when being with him made the pain from Nick fade away, but there were also moments when the guilt of it all weighed on me like a heavy stone.

Now, the tour was heading to Europe, and I couldn't shake the nerves that twisted in my stomach. Paris was our next stop, and I knew Nick was still there. We had spoken more often recently, and while our conversations were more civil, there was always this underlying tension between us. He was desperate for my forgiveness, and part of me wanted to give it to him. But another part—the part that still remembered how broken I had felt—wasn't sure if I could ever fully trust him again.

As the plane descended into Charles de Gaulle Airport, I stared out the window, the sprawling city of Paris coming into view beneath me. The last time I was here, everything had fallen apart. Now, I was returning with a new sense of purpose, but the weight of what had happened still clung to me.

Tonight's show in Paris was a big one. It wasn't just another stop on the tour; it was my first time performing here, and the anticipation had been building for weeks. But more than that, it was the night I had decided to perform a song I'd written in the aftermath of Nick's betrayal. It was raw, emotional, and deeply personal—something I had poured my heart into on the plane ride out of Paris after I had found him with Jenna. The song, You Broke Me First, wasn't just about the pain I felt; it was about reclaiming my strength, about not letting what he did define me.

The irony wasn't lost on me that I was performing it here, in the city where everything had gone wrong.

The hours before the show passed in a blur of rehearsals and preparations, and as I stood backstage, waiting for my cue, the familiar rush of nerves hit me, but tonight felt different. The weight of the upcoming performance hung heavy on my shoulders, and I wasn't sure if it was just the song or the knowledge that Nick was still in Paris, somewhere out there, waiting. I hadn't told him I was here. I wasn't ready to face him yet. But something told me I wouldn't be able to avoid it for long.

The lights dimmed, and the roar of the crowd filled the venue. Harry was about to make his way to his spot on the stage, but when he passed by me he stopped. He gave me a smile and leaned down, pressing his lips to mine. "You look breathtaking, love. Good luck." he murmured on my lips. I felt the heat rushing to my cheeks as a smile crept on my face, and watched him leave for the stage. 

I was next, so I followed the crew members under the stage corridors. We reached the platform that was supposed to raise me up into the stage, and I stood on it, with the help of the guys, and then just waited for my cue.

"And now, presented to you, live and in color, Harry Styles," The announcer's voice boomed through the speakers, as the spotlight hits Harry "and Jade Collins!" and the platform began raising me onto the stage. The opening notes of "Flavor" hummed through the arena. 

"Like a summer breeze, you caught my eye,

Soft and sweet, like honey in the sky.

The first taste, innocent, pure,

I didn't know I'd want more of you for sure."

 I sang the first verse, and to my surprise, the crowd were singing back to me. These are the moments for which I live for. 

The show continued on, and as it progressed I started feeling more at ease, all my worries long gone. Now, as I was changing my wardrobe for the next bit of the show, I could feel the nerves coming back to me. 

 My heart pounded in my chest as I stepped out onto the stage, the spotlight blinding me for a moment before my eyes adjusted again. The energy from the audience was electric, and I could feel it coursing through my veins as I made my way to the microphone.

Harry stood a few feet away, his guitar slung over his shoulder, his eyes on me. There was something reassuring in his presence, a steadiness that I leaned on more than I wanted to admit.

"This next song," I began, my voice echoing through the arena, "is one I wrote not too long ago. It's personal, and it's about something we've all felt—heartbreak, betrayal, and finding the strength to stand up again." I paused, the weight of my words settling over the crowd. "It's called You Broke Me First."

As the first few notes of the song filled the air, the crowd quieted, their energy shifting from excitement to anticipation. I took a deep breath, closing my eyes for a moment before the words spilled out of me.

Maybe you don't like talking too much about yourself
But you should've told me that you were thinkin' 'bout someone else...

The lyrics cut through the air, sharp and raw, and as I sang them, I felt the pain of that night all over again. The crowd was with me, their eyes glued to the stage, but I was somewhere else. I was back in that trailer, seeing Nick with Jenna, feeling the ground fall out from under me.

I know you, you're like this
When shit don't go your way, you needed me to fix it...

As I reached the chorus, my voice cracked with emotion, and I could feel the tears burning at the corners of my eyes. But I didn't let them fall. Not tonight. Tonight, I was reclaiming my story, my strength. The crowd's cheers surged as I pushed through, the power of the song washing over me, lifting me.

Now suddenly you're asking for it back
Could you tell me, where'd you get the nerve?
Yeah, you could say you miss all that we had
But I don't really care how bad it hurts
When you broke me first...

As the final notes of the song faded, the crowd erupted into applause, their energy a tidal wave that crashed over me. I stood there, catching my breath, my heart still racing from the intensity of the performance. But then, as the lights dimmed and I made my way offstage, something caught my eye.

Nick. Standing near the back of the crowd, his face partially hidden by the shadows. But I saw him. He had been there, watching the entire performance.

I felt my stomach drop. I wasn't ready for this.

As I stepped backstage, Harry was waiting for me, his eyes filled with concern. "You were incredible," he said softly, reaching out to touch my arm. But before I could respond, I saw him. Nick. Making his way toward us, his expression unreadable.