The Kings: A Band's Tale

Liverpool Concert [21]

The stadium was buzzing with energy as thousands of fans packed into the venue to watch The Kings, all eagerly awaiting the next song on the setlist. The lights dimmed, casting an intense blue glow over the stage, where Uno stood front and center, his hand gripping the microphone, eyes scanning the sea of faces before him. His bandmates—Lance, Angelo, Matt, Lorenzo, Maury, and Sherwin—stood in their places, their expressions more reserved than usual.

Uno took a deep breath and tapped the microphone, his voice steady but softer than his usual tone. “Alright, everyone,” he began, causing the chatter to die down as fans leaned forward, sensing something important was coming. “I want to talk to you about something different tonight.”

He shifted, glancing back at his bandmates, who gave him nods of encouragement. “You see, people look at me—at us—on stage and think we have everything,” he continued. “The fame, the music, the money. But I want you all to know that it’s not… it’s not all easy, or as perfect as it might seem.”

The crowd fell silent, captivated as he continued. “You might think of us as these confident, unbreakable rockstars, but, to be honest with you… I’ve had moments where I didn’t feel strong at all.” He let out a small, shaky breath. “When I was a kid, I didn’t have the easiest life. My… my parents weren’t there for me in the ways I needed. Sometimes… they were actually the ones who hurt me the most. They’d say things—do things—that made me feel like I was never good enough.”

The fans in the crowd began to exchange somber looks, some dabbing at their eyes with tissues. Uno’s voice softened even more. “And it wasn’t just at home, either. There were bullies at school who’d target me every day, make fun of me, try to break me down. I’d go home to a place that wasn’t safe, and then go to school to more pain. I’d tell myself that if I could just survive, if I could just get through it, maybe one day things would be better.”

He paused, glancing back at Lance, Angelo, and the others. They stood with heads bowed, hands gently resting on their instruments, faces serious and respectful. The normally loud, wild energy that surrounded them had been replaced by a collective silence that spoke of support.

Uno cleared his throat, continuing. “But I’m gonna be honest with you all. Even now, even with all of this,” he gestured to the stage around him, “it still gets hard. Sometimes I’ll read the comments online, or see things people say about me—and it just… hits hard, y’know? Sometimes it feels like I can’t escape it, like it’s this weight that won’t go away.”

He took a moment to let his words sink in, noticing the shimmering eyes across the crowd. “There was a time after our first tour,” he admitted, his voice growing a bit hoarse, “where I almost gave up. I felt like I was barely holding on. I was close to… to ending it all. I didn’t want to, but I felt like I was trapped in all the hurt.”

The crowd was utterly silent now, and many fans were openly wiping their tears. Uno closed his eyes, gathering his thoughts. “But then… something changed. It wasn’t the fame, or the success that saved me—it was them.” He gestured to his bandmates, each one nodding in silent understanding. “These guys—Lance, Angelo, Matt, Lorenzo, Maury, Sherwin—they became like family to me. They were the first people who made me feel like I mattered, who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.”

Lance took a step closer, placing a hand on Uno’s shoulder, a firm yet gentle reminder that he wasn’t alone.

“And then there’s Denise,” Uno continued, a small smile breaking through. “She’s… she’s the one who’s always had my back. She’s made me realize that maybe I’m worth something, that I deserve love and support.” He glanced backstage where he knew Denise and their honorary members—Olivia, Jada, Avva, Dara, Zoey, and Kate—were watching. Denise’s eyes were filled with tears, her hand over her mouth as she tried to keep her emotions in check. The other girls hugged her, their faces equally somber and supportive.