The Finish Line Kiss - Lando Norris

✦˚₊‧⁺˖ chapter 1 ˖⁺‧₊˚✦

⊹★⋆💋｡°⋆✮🏎️✮⊹★🏁⋆｡ °⋆

Zoe stood backstage, her heart pounding like the rhythm of her songs. She had dreamed of this moment for as long as she could remember, singing into a hairbrush in front of her mirror, imagining a crowd cheering for her.

Zoe Merritt had come a long way from singing into a hairbrush in her bedroom. Now 22, the London-born singer-songwriter had become a voice that resonated far beyond the walls of her childhood home. With lyrics that felt like they were pulled straight from the heart and melodies that lingered in the mind, Zoe had carved her place in the world of music—not with flashy gimmicks, but with raw, honest emotion.

Her journey began at 14 when her music teacher handed her a guitar and told her to give songwriting a try. What started as a hobby soon became her passion, her escape, and eventually, her career. Zoe had a natural ability to take the messiness of life—heartbreak, joy, confusion, and hope—and turn it into songs that felt deeply personal yet universal.

At just 18, she released her debut album, '8teenth drug'; a collection of songs that captured the bittersweet chaos of late adolescence. Since then, her music had evolved alongside her, reflecting her growth and experiences. Followed by 'teen smile', and 'glossy' Zoe had become a storyteller for her generation, her songs filled with moments of vulnerability, strength, and everything in between.

She peeked through the curtain. The venue was packed. Rows of people, all waiting for her. The excitement bubbled in her chest, but so did a flutter of nerves.

"What if I mess up?" she whispered to herself. "What if they don't like my voice?"

Her best friend, Shira, noticed the worry in her eyes and came over with a gentle smile. 

"Zoe, they're here because they already love you. All you have to do is let them see the Zoe who sings from her heart. That's all they want."

Shira is her best friend. She's from Australia, but moved to South Korea. How did they meet? At a book fair in Sweden, bonded over their favourite author, and stayed in touch. It's been 4 years since then and now they're inseparable. Shira's a 23 years old fashion designer for a company in Korea where they invite Zoe to model sometimes. They know everyone and everything about what's happening in eachother's lives, talk everday and update eachother on everything.

Zoe took a deep breath and nodded. She clutched her lucky bracelet, a gift from her grandmother, and remembered the advice she'd always given her: "When you sing, just tell your story. The rest will follow."

The lights dimmed, and the crowd erupted into cheers. Her name was being called, over and over. Zoe stepped onto the stage, the spotlight warm against her skin.

For a moment, the world seemed to freeze. Then she closed her eyes, took another deep breath, and let the first note escape her lips. The nerves melted away, replaced by the pure joy of doing what she loved most.

The crowd swayed, clapped, and sang along, their energy lifting her higher with every song. By the end of the concert, Zoe stood in awe as the audience gave her a standing ovation. She smiled, her heart full.

She had been excited, she had been scared, but most of all, she had been brave. And now, as she bowed to the crowd, she knew that this was where she belonged.