How to Say Goodbye

Chapter 2

The seats absolutely sucked. You could hardly see the boys and had to pretty much rely on the big screen the whole time! And it was such a downer because their music made my knees weak. In practically every song, I found myself singing along by the end as best as I could. How could people hate this group? How had I not already fallen head over heels for them?

They boys finished up "More Than This" and Niall started talking. His solo in the previous song had the girl next to me crying. It was beautiful, and his voice made my heart hurt.

"Hello everybody! Massive thank you to all of you coming out tonight! But I do just want to point out one thing. You guys are CRAZY! Next time can we be a little more careful crowding around us? Someone got hurt today, but she's alright! We love you all so much and are so happy you came out! Sage Tucker, this next one's for you!"

Rylee squealed and jumped up and down. "SAGE!! OHMYGAWD!! He's talking about my BEST FRIEND!!"

I quieted her down and looked to the ground to try and distract my mind so my blush would fade away. "Shhh Rylee. I don't want people to mob me again."

The one in plaid started the song (again). "The lights shine. It's getting hot on my shoulders. I don't mind; this time it doesn't matter. 'Cause your friends, they look good, but you look better. Don't you know all night I've been waiting for a girl like you to come around, round, round?"

The curly-haired one continued, "Under the lights tonight, you turned around, and you stole my heart with just one look. When I saw your face, I fell in love. It took a minute girl to steal my heart tonight! With just one look, girl! Been waiting for a girl like you!"

Throughout the song, the biggest blush showed on my face, and I tried my best to relax and not get overly happy. Sometimes I had the habit of laughing and crying when I was completely through the moon content. C'est la vie! Little did I know that life had a few surprises in store for me filled with overjoyed hilarity.

The end of their concert was amazing. I wasn't sure my beat up head was making everything flash and go bananas or whether it was real, but either way, I was so happy Rylee took me. Heck, I got to meet Niall Horan and got backstage passes! Girls would kill for backstage passes, let alone the chance to meet and have a conversation with Niall Horan!

The arena slowly cleared out. Some girls remained in their seats, animated expressions still on their faces as they waited for a surprise encore from the band. I smiled at them as I passed them on my way to the backstage entrance, and they shot me accusing glances, as if they knew I was Sage Tucker, the girl who got a shout out from Niall Horan in front of thousands of Niall-hungry fans. Yikes.

After getting lost a few times, eventually, Rylee and I found our way backstage and found the guys standing in a circle, arms wrapped around each other's shoulders, giving one final hurrah for the night.

I stood at a distance behind the one with suspenders, careful not to disturb them. Rylee had other plans. She jumped right up behind the one with gorgeous black hair and darker skin."Zayn Malik! OHMYGAWD!! I can't believe it's you!"

Zayn turned around questioningly and when he saw it was a fan, he yelled, "VAS HAPPENIN'?!"

I knew Rylee well enough that I knew she was having a hard time breathing.

I laughed at her forwardness and found my laugh to be joined with another one, one I had briefly heard earlier.

I looked across from Zayn and saw Niall staring at me, so I waved.

"Hello. I'm Sage. What's your name?" I hit myself in the head. I was meeting the most talented band in the world and I used my super awkward, cheesy greeting?! What was wrong with me?!