As the clock struck 10 PM, the concert began to wind down, and many students started to leave, chatting excitedly as they walked toward home.
Estelle, still buzzing from the night's events, decided to head to the cafeteria to grab a quick snack before heading out.
When she entered, her heart dropped. There, in a corner, was David, her boyfriend, locked in a kiss with another girl.
The sight hit her like a punch to the gut. She stood frozen for a moment, shock washing over her, until David pulled away and noticed her standing there.
"Estelle!" he exclaimed, his eyes wide with surprise. "I can explain!"
But she didn't want to hear it. "We're done," she said, her voice shaking with emotion.
Without another word, she turned on her heel and ran out of the cafeteria, tears stinging her eyes.
Meanwhile, Gabriel and the boys were wrapping up their time in the makeshift backstage area, chatting with their manager about the night's success.
Just as they were getting ready to leave and proceed to the exit, they heard someone running toward them.
Gabriel looked back and saw Estelle sprinting toward the bench nearby, clearly upset.
His heart raced at the sight. "Okay, you guys can go ahead," he said, feeling a pull to stay behind.
"Dude, we're in a foreign country! We should stick together," Jacob replied, a hint of concern in his voice.
Gabriel shook his head, focused on Estelle. "The girl I was looking at earlier is here, and she looks like she needs someone."
Before they could protest, Gabriel quickly ran toward Estelle, leaving his friends behind.
He felt a surge of determination, wanting to be there for her in this moment. The night had taken an unexpected turn, and he could sense that she needed support.
As he approached her, Gabriel's mind raced. He had to find the right words to talk to her, to let her know he was there, ready to listen.
This was his chance and he wasn't going to let it slip away.
Estelle sat alone, anger bubbled inside her, and she didn't want to deal with his next excuses once she sees him again.
Just as she turned around, she saw Gabriel standing nearby, looking concerned but also trying to give her space.
The sight of him made her pause. She felt a jolt of surprise, and her anger began to dissipate a little.
"Hey, are you okay?" Gabriel asked gently, his expression sincere.
Estelle was still standing there, "Oh...Um...Hey?"
Gabriel smirked, "Come on, I saw you earlier while we were performing, you are actually prettier in a closer view" he winked.
Estelle took a deep breath, trying to mask her emotions. "I'm fine. Just... Come sit with me" She motioned to a nearby bench, feeling a bit embarrassed but also wanting to talk.
As they sat down, the tension eased. They started talking, and slowly, Estelle found herself opening up about what had just happened.
Gabriel listened intently, nodding and offering words of comfort.
"I get it. Breakups can be really tough," he said, his voice warm and understanding.
After a while, Estelle felt more comfortable, the weight of the situation lightening just a bit. "Thanks for being here.... Sorry, we talked so much but I didn't get your name" she said, a small smile creeping onto her face.
"Gabriel, my name's Gabriel and... Of course," he replied, returning her smile. "I'm glad I could help. Oh wait... Whats your name too?"
"Estelle"
Before they parted ways, Gabriel hesitated for a moment. "Hey, can I get your number? Just in case you want to talk again."
Estelle's heart fluttered as she exchanged numbers with him. "Yeah, definitely," she replied, her smile growing wider.
The 2 both exchanged numbers and after that, he bids goodbye, he doesn't want his manager and friends waiting that long.
As Gabriel stood up to leave, Estelle felt a sense of warmth and hope. She watched him walk away, a smile lingering on her lips, her heart racing a little.
She had his number now, and it felt like a small yet significant connection that could lead to something more.
...
...
...
Back at their respective homes, Gabriel settled into the small, cheap hotel room, the walls bare and the furniture minimal. It wasn't much, but it was his space for now.
He pulled out his phone, glancing at the number Estelle had given him. A mix of excitement and nervousness bubbled up inside him.
Meanwhile, Estelle was in her fancy master bedroom, surrounded by plush furnishings and soft lighting.
She felt a flutter of anticipation as she thought about Gabriel. She picked up her phone, staring at his number, unsure of how to start.
After a few moments of hesitation, she finally typed out a message
< Hey, it's Estelle! Just wanted to say thanks for talking earlier. >
Gabriel's phone buzzed, and a grin spread across his face as he saw her name flash on the screen.
He quickly replied.
< Hey! I'm glad we talked too. How are you doing? >
What started as a shy exchange began to blossom into something more.
They found themselves texting late into the night, sharing laughs and stories, their conversations flowing easily.
As days turned into weeks, their connection deepened. Gabriel would also text her during band practice, often sneaking in a message between songs.
< Just played a killer solo! Wish you could've seen it! >
Estelle would respond enthusiastically, her heart racing at the thought of him performing.
< I wish I was there! You're amazing! >
In class, Estelle would catch herself smiling at her phone as she read Gabriel's messages.
He had a way of making her laugh, even from miles away. Their conversations became a bright spot in her day, and she looked forward to each notification that lit up her screen.
As more weeks went by, their texting turned into a daily routine.
What started as casual conversations evolved into deeper discussions about their dreams, fears, and everything in between.
They shared late-night thoughts, silly memes, and heartfelt confessions.
Before they knew it, they had both fallen for each other, all through the magic of text messages.
Gabriel would find himself daydreaming about Estelle, imagining her smile and laughter, while Estelle felt her heart flutter every time his name popped up on her screen.
Their connection, built on words, laughter, and shared moments, became something beautiful, leading them both to realize that they were falling in love, one text at a time.
