When Astra Fell

The Quiet Between the Notes

Lyric's POV

He blushed and smiled softly. “Well, thank you. Are you looking for something?”

I nodded, trying not to get lost in those eyes again. “Y-Yeah… my dressing room.”

He gave a polite nod. “Alright. Please, follow me.”

I fell into step behind him, heart still skipping a little. Judging by his uniform and quiet authority, I figured he was part of security. He didn’t say much, just led me through the back halls of the arena with calm confidence until we reached the door marked with my name.

“Here we are,” he said, glancing back at me.

I hesitated, then gave him a shy smile. “Would you… want to stay? Talk to me while I change?” I don’t know why I said it—maybe because for once, someone didn’t see me as a product or a paycheck.

He gave a half-shrug, smiling. “Sure. Seems like you could use a friend anyway.”

God, even his voice was soothing.

We stepped inside. I changed behind the folding screen while chatting, my voice pouring out more than I intended. I told him everything—about Don, the pressure, the control, how pink wasn't even my favorite color.

He sighed from the other side of the screen. “So your manager's basically been… doing all that?”

I stepped out, now in a red-and-black dress with a faded denim jacket and spiked black boots. “Yeah,” I said quietly. “Pretty much.”

He looked me up and down and smiled. “You look amazing, Lyric.”

I blushed. “Oh… thank you, sir.”

He chuckled. “When does the concert start?”

I glanced at the clock. “In like, half an hour.”

“Coolio,” he said with a grin.

But the air shifted when the door suddenly opened, and Don walked in. His gaze immediately zeroed in on me, then shifted coldly to Damon.

“What the hell is going on in here?” Don’s voice was sharp, laced with anger.

I instinctively stepped away from both of them. “He’s just a security guard… I—I asked him to come in.”

Don’s jaw clenched. “What did I tell you about letting people in your dressing room unless it’s me?” His voice dropped into that familiar, threatening tone. “No one. You hear me? No. One.”

Damon’s POV

I straightened, watching the older man carefully. His eyes burned holes into Lyric like he owned her. I didn’t like it.

“Sir,” I said calmly, “she’s allowed to choose who’s in her room. It’s her space. Her right.”

Don’s nostrils flared. He looked like he wanted to punch a wall—but instead, he turned on his heel and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

Lyric exhaled shakily, her eyes locking on mine. “Th-thanks,” she whispered, then stepped forward and hugged me tightly.

I held her for just a moment—just enough to ground her. She pulled back and giggled, cheeks flushing again.

Lyric’s POV

The call came over the intercom. “Five minutes, Astra!”

I looked up at Damon with a smile. “Alright, I gotta go get ready. See you after?”

He nodded. “I’ll be around. Good luck out there.”

I stepped out of the room and headed toward the stage. The roar of the crowd vibrated through the floor. I took a deep breath as the stage crew strapped me into the harness.

As Linkin Park wrapped their set, I rose into the air, flying high above the audience. The spotlight hit me, and I grinned down at the screaming sea of fans.

“HELLO, OHIO!!” I shouted into the mic.

The beat dropped, and I launched into my opening number. This was my escape. This was where Astra Vox came alive.

And somewhere in the shadows, I knew Damon Cross was watching.