Forever

PROLOGUE

Day of the competition

The backstage was crowded—staffs and crews running from one point to another, almost everyone partaking in the contest huddling and rehearsing one last time before it all came down to the business. The assistant director nearby shouted 'five,' meaning the show will start in five minutes and upon hearing that, Austin, who was seated on a stool on the far side of the room, covered his face with his hands in an exasperated manner, and ran it through his hair in the process.

"Dude, you're gonna ruin the look!" Martin scolded him playfully as Marcus chuckled at the comment of the drummer. Austin let out an anxious sigh.

"He's right, Austin. Don't mess that hair and eyeliner," Marcus supplemented, as the two fists bumped each other. Austin stared at them blankly as they did that, before rolling his eyes.

"Aren't you guys nervous?" He asked them, while Marcus passed a bag of chips to Martin. Martin shook his head nonchalantly as he took a chip out of the bag.

"Hmm, yes? But not as much as you," Marcus answered, crunching the chip in his mouth. "Besides, your nervousness' not taking you anywhere," he continued. The assistant director seemingly interrupted their chat by shouting their band's name, signalling that they are about to go on stage in two. After all, they were the first ones to present among the others. "And, we're about to perform, so get your shit together, McIntyre," Marcus added.

Groaning, Austin got up from his seat, following Marcus and Martin towards the waiting area where their other band mates, James and John, were hanging around, too. The large crowd watching the show can be seen from where they were standing and Austin went nearer to the curtain drawn slightly to have a look of the open space filled with people. He tried to scan the place to find the familiar face that can calm him down, but it was nowhere to be seen. Was it because of the large crowd that he cannot see her, or because she really didn't go, that he didn't know. His mind was beyond conflicted during that time.

"And now let's call on the Dallas pride, Downtown Callants!" The host called out, and the crowd erupted in appreciation. Marcus led the way onstage and grabbed the electric guitar meant for him as the other band members did the same on their assigned instruments. Austin went in front of the microphone, grabbed an acoustic guitar sitting on the side and hung the strap on his shoulder. He strummed a chord nervously, testing the guitar before clearing his throat, and then he talked to the crowd.

"This song we're going to perform is an unexpected collaboration of two people who were under a certain circumstance," he started, the crowd slowly falling silent. Austin started to feel the nervousness clouding him awhile ago fading away as he shifted comfortably from foot to foot. He scanned the crowd, trying to look for her, but still failing.

Upon that short moment, he suddenly remembered the time she practically begged him to be her chaperone to the gig of her favourite band.

"Thank you for coming with me, Austin! This means so much!" She squealed, seemingly bouncing on the balls of her feet because of excitement. Austin stood beside her, his arms crossed on his chest.

"I can't believe you made me go to a boy band concert," he said, huffing, and she just gave him a sheepish grin. "I have a reputation to take good care of, Olivia."

She let out a laugh before standing on her tiptoes to give Austin a light kiss on the cheek. Austin's eyes widened in surprise and Olivia's hands rested on his right shoulder blade for support. "You love me," she said playfully as Austin rolls his eyes.

"Good excuse," he replied causing Olivia to laugh once more before she stood up properly, looking at the stage. Austin tilted his head to look at Olivia who was dreamily beaming at the stage where her favourite boy band was about to perform.

"You have to be there on my first major gig in the future, as a payment for making me come with you tonight," he said, making Olivia look at him.

"That is if I'm still alive at that time," she said in a serious tone, making Austin narrow his eyes at her. Olivia then laugh boisterously seeing his reaction, slapping a hand on his arm. "Of course, McIntyre! Front row, I promise." She said as she stuck out her pinkie finger. "Pinkie swear to my punk dude," she declared, making Austin laugh as he entwined his pinkie to hers, and then fist bumping her hand.

And just in time the lights dimmed, signalling the start of the concert, Austin placed a quick kiss on her cheek, taking her aback.

But right at that moment that he was on stage, as he tried to scan the front row, she was not there—nor in the second, third, fourth, or even the following ones.

Olivia was nowhere to be seen.