Cut!

Take 31 - Best Song Ever - Part 2

A/N: Please comment as you read. It means a lot to me. 

I took a deep breath, and leaned against the cold steel that held a bunch of equipment. I had the best seats in the entire stadium, and I could see everything, without being seen from back here.

Everything was coated in darkness. Only a few dimmed lights around the back of the seating audience offered any light.

I looked out on the stage where I knew the guys were getting into position. They’d explained what would happen, but it would be so much better to see it with my own eyes.

The distinct chatter of the thousands of people in the audience reminded me of an annoying buzz. Harry had provided me with earplugs since I was so close to the speakers.

There was a loud note, and then the entire crowd grew silent. In the deafening silence, I was sure I’d be able to hear a pin needle fall to the floor. I held my breath—I knew what came next.

When the next chord echoed out over the stadium, the whole place exploded in lights. Projectors lit up the sky, and a spectacular color show followed on the big screen behind the guys.

I looked out over the audience, seeing several girls standing with their mouth open, probably screaming with all their might while the song began.

It seemed like a dream. Everything was just so… big. Everywhere I looked, the guys were enhanced on a big screen, illuminated by the fantastic lights.

Looking up, I tried to see if there were any stars visible. The stage was covered, but most of the standing places were right beneath the dark sky. However, the lights made it impossible for me to see anything.

The stage was elevated so high that it felt like I was looking down on everyone else. As someone who’d been a short stick all my life, it was a quite weird sensation.

Safe in my little hide-out, I began to sway to the music, my feet tapping and my lips moving to the lyrics. My eyes couldn’t stay on one point, and with every tone, my mood grew higher. It was like I was high on the music.

I listened to every chord, ever note and every word. I tried to focus on the guitar, piano and the drums on their own, but I kept going back to just listening. It was absolutely magnificent.

As they went from one song to the next, I barely noticed the time pass. It wasn’t until the distinctive sound of a drum that I realized I had to get ready.

“Are you guys ready?” Zayn shouted into the microphone. He was rewarded a loud unanimous scream in return.

“We have something special for you tonight,” Harry said as he walked to the front of the stage. “The cameras around us will begin to record, but don’t worry. Just act natural as always, and everything will be good.”

“We’re excited,” Zayn said.

“Really excited, actually,” Harry added.

Zayn chuckled. “Yes. Really excited to introduce none other than Ludmilla Hanson to the stage. Give her a big hand.”

My heart was still racing, but I took a deep breath. While Zayn and Harry had been talking, I’d gotten into position, and as the familiar tones of our song started, I closed my eyes, and lifted the microphone. I eased into the song, starting slow but then picking up both the volume and pace as I turned around.

I walked past Niall, Louis, and Liam, who were all playing backup music with each their instrument. I smiled and them when I passed by, and they all rewarded me a big smile in return.

It was an odd sensation to sing while I walked onto the stage. I focused on remembering the lyrics, and once I stepped out into the light, my eyes sought out Harry. He gave me an encouraging smile.

As the beat picked up, it pleased me to hear the crowd cheering for me. I moved across the stage, dancing, twirling and singing with all my might. Harry and Zayn joined in, and we performed our little routine without any problems.

We all stopped at the front of the stage, fading out in perfect harmony. There was a moment of silence before the audience cheered, whistled and clapped at us.

“Thank you very much,” I said into the microphone. I curtseyed, feeling a bit weird. I had done it. Looking out over the crowd. “Thank you, Milan,” I screamed. “Watch Love Beat it premiers.”

Then I turned on my heels walking to the back of the stage.

“Wait!” Harry said. “I have one thing to say.”

I halted, turning back to look at him confused. This hadn’t been part of the plan. I glanced at Zayn, who shrugged in return—he had no clue either.

Harry ran over to me, taking my hand. “This is my girlfriend,” he said.

I was happy for the colored lights, because I was pretty sure my face turned several shades of red. I didn’t get a chance to process anything before Harry kissed me right there on the stage in front of thousands of fans.

The kiss left me breathless, and I didn’t know what to say. In the background, I could hear the crowd cheering ‘encore’, ‘encore’, but I had eyes only for Harry.

Harry squeezed my hand, breaking me from the momentary spell. We smiled and faced the audience, ready to oblige their wish for an encore.

It wasn’t until later when I was sitting in the back again, that I had a chance to process what had happened on that stage. I took a deep breath, steadying myself.

That had to be the best song ever—it was certainly my favorite. I couldn’t describe it, it had been like magic.

In the background, I could hear the band finishing their set. I knew I had to go out there one more time to say goodbye, and it wouldn’t take long until that moment arrived.

“If you all yell really loudly, we can get Ludmilla out here again,” Zayn’s voice resounded. I snorted at the timing.

On heavy feet, I dragged myself up, plastering a smile on my face. Last public performance. Next time, I’d have a crowd in front of me, I’d be able to address them as myself. The thought made me oddly upbeat.

I walked out, once again staring at the sky. The audience in front of the stage was soaked with water, and I wondered why I hadn’t noticed the rain. I gulped, trying to stay calm as I bowed my head while the crowd clapped.

All summer it had been such a great weather in Milan. I hadn’t thought to check the weather reports. I saw the rain falling on the screaming group of fans.

I tried to focus on the ground, but when everything went silent for just a nanosecond, I looked up just in time to see a big flash of lightning spread across the dark sky.

The panic rose inside me. Out of all nights, this had to be the one where another thunderstorm hit. Even worse: I didn’t have my medication.

A/N: Give a comment. Your thoughts? And maybe spare a press at the vote button. It'd make me happy.