I slowly opened my eyes, getting blinded by the light. Once I was fully awake, I went through my text messages.
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Kenzie and I both got ready and went downstairs for breakfast. After eating, I couldn't take it anymore and we got in an Uber and headed to the rehearsal.
We went up to the door and were greeted by Nate. We said hello, and he led us into the building.
"Ruel is right through those doors, warming up. I wasn't sure how you wanted to surprise him." Nate said, pointing to the doors down the hall.
"I was thinking I could go in there when he's singing Dazed and Confused, considering it's our unofficial song." I said with a light blush on my cheeks.
"Okay, well that song is next. I'm going to head back inside so he doesn't get suspicious and I'll text you when he starts Dazed and Confused." Nate said, walking backwards towards the door.
I nodded and turned to Kenzie. "I'm nervous. Like really nervous." I said, trying to slow my breathing. "It's going to be great. I'm sure of it." She said, pulling me in for a hug.
"How do I look?" I said, pulling away from the hug. "Gorgeous." Kenzie said with a smile. I was about to respond when my phone dinged. It's time.
I took a deep breath and held Kenzie's hand. We went towards the door, and I put my shaky hand on the handle.
I slowly turned the knob and walked into the partially lit room. There was a makeshift stage and the management team crowded around watching.
I let go of Kenzie's hand and made my way up to the front of the room towards the stage.
The intro of the song I know all too well plays, and I can't help but be amazed by his stage presence.
Eventually, I'm right in front of the stage and waiting for him to see me. I hum along, waiting for him to turn around to face me.
Once he does, he immediately catches my gaze and drops the microphone in his hand. He runs and jumps off the stage and engulfs me in a hug.
I inhale the scent of his cologne and am immediately comforted. "What are you doing here?" He asks, still not letting me go. "I missed you, and I had to see you again." I said, a tear falling down my cheek.
He backs away, keeping me at arms' length. He cups my cheek in his hand and strokes his thumb along my jawline. I smile, and he pulls me into another hug.
At this moment, we both couldn't stop crying and when I pulled away, I saw my mascara on his white T-shirt. I pointed at the black marks, and we both laughed at how ridiculous we were.
"How long are you here for?" He asked, holding my hands. "We fly back the seventeenth." I said, squeezing his hands.
"You're coming to my show, right?" He asked with a nervous smile. "I wouldn't miss it for the world." I said with a smile.
"Okay, lovebirds, Ruel you need to finish rehearsing. He's free for the rest of the day, Ella" Nate said with a wink.
Ruel gave me a quick peck on the lips and he went back onstage, picking up where he left off. I don't think I'll ever get sick of listening to him singing.
The whole time, Kenzie and I were softly singing along, careful not to be too loud.
When he was done, he came off the stage a sweaty mess. He jokingly gave me a hug, and I wiped his sweat off of my body.
"I'm going to take a shower, but I have the perfect thing we can do today." He said with a wink. I nodded and watched him walk towards a dressing room, closing the door behind him.
"What was that wink?" Kenzie whisper yelled. "I have no idea." I said with a slight tint to my cheeks.
