𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐭 || 𝐙𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐧 [𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐝]

19- Confrontation

Hayden, 18 years & 8 months old

It's finally the moment I've been dreaming for my whole life; going on tour and performing in front of thousands of people. I was so lucky to get this opportunity to tour with my best friend and his band mates. I finally get to follow my dreams.

I flew from Texas to California last night. I stayed with the boys in their house and got up early the next morning to get situated on the tour buses. As soon as we were ready, we hit the road and were on our way to Costa Mesa where we would all perform later that night.

I met Eben in the morning as we were all loading the vehicles. He was really nice and brought so much positive energy. He showed me some of his music and I became so happy to share the stage with him.

This performance will always be special to me. All the boys were solo artists before this and preformed for smaller crowds. I've been practicing in my bedroom alone. I've never played in front of people but my first show will be in front of thousands. I am super lucky to have this opportunity.

The trip to the venue was very lonely. Since I was not as big a deal as the boys, I got a van instead of a bus. I was in the back of the van doing nothing but scrolling through my phone out of boredom when a text from Jack came through.

How is it back there? He asked me.

Lonely I replied.

Same. All the boys fell asleep so I have no one to talk to.

What about that game you always play? Fortnite?

Eh. He messaged. I'd rather be talking to you anyway.

Why's that? I wondered.

You're our guest. Our tour guest, our house guest, and my brothers best friend. Can't I treat you nicely?

I hope you don't mind that I've kind of taken over your house recently.

Don't worry. You make that house more interesting.

I smiled at his comment then turned my phone off and put it away. I laid down on the back seats and decided to take a nap.

Zach came and woke me up once we were at the venue. I gathered my things before heading into the building.

"Here, let me get that for you," Jack said as he ran up to the door and opened it for me.

"Oh, thank you," I smiled. I walked through her door and he came in behind me.

Jon led the large group into the back of the venue and separated us into our dressing rooms. Then Eben and I had first soundcheck. I sat in the first few rows of seats and watched is set before doing mine. He is such a positive and fun person to be around and I love his music. When it was my turn to soundcheck, I grabbed my guitar and got a little taste of the stage view. It was unbelievable.

When I finished my set, a single stream of claps came from the empty seats. I couldn't see much because of the blinding stage lights but I could see a faint blob of curls standing and cheering.

"Jack? What are you doing out here?" I asked as Jack made his way onto the stage.

"Just watching your set since I won't be able to later. I wish I could get the crowd view of your first performance but this is the closest thing I got," he said.

"Why not go into the crowd during the show?"

"Do you know how many girls I'd get attacked by?" We both laughed.

Jack and I talked a little more about music and performing. After a few minutes, I spotted Zach on the side of the stage listening to our conversation. He saw me looking and ducked behind the stage. I was confused but I finished my conversation with Jack before confronting Zach.

After soundcheck, we all hung out in the venue until the show. When it was thirty minutes until Limelight, I found Zach in the boys dressing room alone and decided to ask him about his eavesdropping earlier.

"Zach?" I asked as I stepped into the room. Zach was sitting on the couch strumming his guitar.

"Oh, hey," he said as plucked the guitar strings.

"I caught you listening to my conversation with Jack earlier." I sat down next to him on the small cushions.

"Mhm," he mumbled, not even paying attention to what I was saying.

"Why were you eavesdropping on us? Do you not want us to be friends?"

Zach gripped the neck of the guitar harshly. "He's not trying to be your friend. Can't you see? He's flirting with you!" He yelled in my face.

"I told him that I just wanted to be friends. He was being friendly. He was treating me like a guest."

"Well I know how guys flirt and I know Jack. He was flirting with you," Zach scoffed.

"Why do you care if we're more than friends anyway?" I asked. I watched as Zach's face relax and his cheeks go red. "Oh my gosh, you're jealous of Jack!" I gasped.

Zach set down his guitar and threw his head in his hands. "I'm not jealous of Jack. I don't care if you date him or anything. It's just—" he sighed.

"You do care," I finished his sentence. I set my hand on his back in order to calm him down. His head shot up immediately and his eyes met mine.

Our eyes stayed focused on each other's and the room became so quiet I could hear each of our breaths. I felt so calm with him now that I know why he was so uptight. We stared at each other for a little while longer. At the mention of us being seven, I knew we both thought of the same moment. And at the exact same time, Zach and I leaned in for a kiss.

But of course, the door to the room opened and Daniel stood there with an apple juice in hand. Zach and I quickly repelled from each other before our skin ever met.

"Oh shit, sorry," Daniel said before closing the door and walking away.

:::

a/n: ;)