player [ 𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 | 𝗮𝘂 ]

ten

Five years had flown by since I'd left Australia, and in that time, I'd carved out a life I had only dared to dream of. As I stood on the bustling streets of New York City, I couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement. I had become a journalist, a role that allowed me to explore stories that mattered, challenge perspectives, and make a name for myself in a competitive field.

Today, I was on my way to interview an up-and-coming band—5 Seconds of Summer. The excitement buzzed in the air as I walked into the venue, clutching my notepad and a voice recorder. They were gaining traction in the music scene, and I was thrilled to have this opportunity.

I arrived earlier than expected, eager to get a feel for the space and the band. But as I set up my things, I realized I should have done more research on them. The guys were talented, but beyond the headlines, I didn't know much about their music or their story. I leaned against a wall, scanning the venue when suddenly, I heard a voice that sent my heart racing.

"Cal, I know I'm early but are you sure this is the right place? This doesn't look like the typical venue for an interview."

I turned, my breath hitching in my throat. There he was—Luke. My heart skipped as I took in the familiar tousled hair, the playful grin that had once made my stomach flutter. He looked different yet the same, a successful edge to him that hadn't been there before.

"Luke?" I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Daphne!" he exclaimed, his expression shifting from surprise to delight. He hangs up the phone faster than I can form a thought. We stepped closer, the years between us suddenly shrinking as we embraced awkwardly, both unsure of how to navigate this moment.

"It's so good to see you!" I said, trying to mask the whirlwind of emotions. "I can't believe you're here. I mean, the band—you're with them now?"

"Yeah, it's been a wild ride," he replied, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "We've been touring like crazy. How about you? I see your name everywhere. You're killing it here!"

"Thanks! It's been a journey," I admitted, feeling a swell of pride. "I'm really excited about this interview. Your guys' music is making waves."

"Thanks! They'll be thrilled to see you, too," Luke said, glancing around as if he were expecting the others to arrive any moment.

The moment felt surreal—catching up with him after all this time, yet the tension in the air was palpable. It was as if we were both standing at the edge of something we weren't quite ready to dive into.

"So, how has life been treating you?" I asked, trying to fill the space with conversation, a bit clumsy but genuine.

"Pretty good, I guess. You know, just trying to make music and live the dream," he replied with a shrug, but I could see the ambition burning in his eyes. "Honestly, I didn't think I'd see you again after everything."

"Neither did I," I said softly, the memories of our past swirling in my mind. "But here we are."

"Yeah, here we are," he echoed, a hint of nostalgia lacing his words.

We stood there, caught in a moment that felt both familiar and foreign. Luke glanced at me, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. "Since we'll be waiting a while... do you want to play a game?"

END.