Love Like The Galaxy

New Year To Remember

Sora navigated the maze of bodies, the pulsating music a constant throb in her head. Finding the restroom felt like a victory in itself. And the embarrassing part of her trip to the rest room has been crazy, after a much-needed break and a few deep breaths, she felt slightly more equipped to face the concert chaos. She retraced her steps, the crowd seeming even thicker than before. Anxiety gnawed at her – what if she couldn't find Mia and her friends?

“Mia, I warned you, I didn’t want to come here at all.” Sora kept saying as she moved through the crowd looking for her daughter and the rest.

“Mia! Mia! Mia!” Sora panicked she began screaming her daughters name her hand shaking nonstop.

Finally, she spotted them, a small island of familiarity in the sea of faces. Sora was relieved as she squeezed through the remaining gap to reach them.

"There you are!" Mia exclaimed, her eyes shining. "The concert's about to start!"

“Mom, why did you take so long, I was thinking you had left for the house.” Mia added swaying her hips nonstop.

Sora forced a smile, trying to project an air of calm she didn't feel. The crowd was growing increasingly restless, a growing sense of excitement rolling through them.

"Maxwell! Maxwell! Maxwell!" The chant erupted around them, the name echoing like a thunderclap.

Mia, bouncing on the balls of her feet, nudged her mother. "See? I told you it would be fun! Just relax and enjoy the music."

Sora tried, she really did. But the noise, the lights, the sheer press of bodies, it was all too much. She felt a growing urge to escape, to find a quiet corner and hide.

Then, the chanting intensified, reaching a fever pitch. "Maxwell! Maxwell! Maxwell!"

Curiosity piqued, Sora turned towards the stage. A figure emerged from the shadows, bathed in the spotlight. Tall, with tousled dark hair and piercing blue eyes, he exuded an aura of raw energy that electrified the crowd. He raised his hand, a gesture that silenced the roar in an instant.

Sora's breath hitched. It couldn't be.

But it was. The young man on stage, the man the crowd was going wild for, was the same man she had encountered just moments ago in the restroom, the one with the kind eyes.

Maxwell, the rock star, was the same man who had smelled the awful smell she had left in the restroom. The same young man she just apologised to a while ago.

It’s not possible! No way.

A wave of disbelief washed over her. Of all the people in this town, of all the people in this crowd, she had bumped into him in the restroom? It was almost comical.

As Maxwell's voice, a powerful, raspy baritone, filled the air, Sora felt a strange mix of emotions – disbelief, confusion, and a flicker of something she couldn't quite name. This night was turning out to be far more eventful than she had anticipated.

The music swelled, a powerful wave that swept through the crowd, pulling them into its rhythm. People around Sora began to sway, then to dance, their faces lit by the stage lights and their voices joining in the chorus. Mia, Emily, and Henry were no exception, their youthful energy exploding in a moment of joyful movement.

Sora, still mesmerized by the man on stage, felt a tug on her hand. Mia, grinning, pulled her into the dance. "Come on, Mom! It's impossible not to dance to this!"

Sora resisted at first, her inherent shyness battling with the infectious energy around her. But then, their eyes met across the crowd. Maxwell, mid-verse, held her gaze, a playful smile curving his lips. Sora felt a blush creep up her neck as she quickly looked away. But she could feel his eyes on her, a warm spotlight singling her out from the crowd.

The song ended to thunderous applause. The band members conferred briefly, ready to launch into the next number on their setlist. But Maxwell, still captivated by the woman with the startled eyes and shy smile, had other plans. He strummed a chord, a completely different melody filling the air.

Confusion rippled through the band. The guitarist and bassist exchanged bewildered glances. Maxwell, with a mischievous wink, nodded towards them, his voice a low murmur that only they could hear. Understanding dawned on their faces, and with a shared grin, they fell into step with the new rhythm.

One of the drummers, a short man with a bushy beard, sighed dramatically and muttered under his breath, "Here we go again..." But his drumsticks joined the others, creating a driving beat that pulsed through the square.

The crowd, initially thrown by the unexpected change, erupted in cheers. This wasn't the song they expected, but it was undeniably catchy, a high-energy tune that demanded movement.

Mia, turning to share her excitement with her mother, gasped. "Mom! You're dancing!"

Sora, caught up in the moment, hadn't even realized she was moving. Her feet were tapping, her body swaying to the music. She met Mia's eyes, a surprised laugh escaping her lips.

"Well, what do you know?" she said, a hint of wonder in her voice. "Maybe coming to concerts isn't so bad after all."

Mia beamed, throwing her arms around her mother. "I told you! See? Fun!"

“Mom, this means you should always come along to all the concerts so you can unwind as well.” Mia kept mumbling non stop while they continued dancing with her mother who only kept nodding at her words.

To unwind? she does need to unwind. Sora thought dancing to the sound and lyrics of the music.

Sora, her heart lighter than it had been in years, pulled Mia close and danced, the music washing away her anxieties and leaving only the joy of the moment. And across the crowd, a rock star with a secret smile watched them, his voice weaving a magic spell just for them.

A new year to remember it is!