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1152 Words
CHAPTER 28 — Stage Orientation Tension
The event organizers gathered all the participating bands in the main auditorium for stage orientation. The massive venue, decorated with golden snowflakes and towering Christmas garlands, buzzed with excitement from artists around the world.
Jane entered with her band, maintaining her usual composed stride. Jimmy came in minutes later with his group, leading them confidently. But the moment they ended up on the same aisle, the air grew stiff.
The orientation guide spoke about lighting cues, stage movement zones, sound checks, and positions for the opening ceremony. Yet Jane and Jimmy barely heard half of it — not because they weren’t paying attention, but because they were too aware of each other standing only a few steps apart.
Whenever Jane shifted, Jimmy noticed.
Whenever Jimmy adjusted his jacket, Jane noticed.
Their members absorbed every detail of the instructions, while their leaders quietly battled their own distraction.
At one point, the organizer requested all leaders to step up to confirm their teams’ technical details.
Jane walked forward.
Jimmy walked forward.
They ended up side-by-side at the front.
They didn’t look at each other.
They didn’t speak.
But everyone standing behind them whispered about the strange tension filling the front row.
The orientation felt longer than usual.
When it finally ended, Jane walked away swiftly.
Jimmy stayed behind for a moment, pretending to analyze the stage — but really, he was just gathering himself.
Nothing dramatic had happened.
But something was definitely shifting.
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CHAPTER 29 — Backstage Christmas Preparations
That afternoon, the auditorium transformed into something magical. Staff rushed around, hanging sparkling ornaments, testing snow machines, and adjusting stage props that represented different cultures celebrating Christmas across the world.
Jane’s members wandered backstage between tasks, admiring the displays — a German Christmas market booth replica, a Spanish nativity corner, French holiday pastries arranged for display.
Jane found herself standing beside a wooden structure painted like a snowy cabin. Her band members were giggling as they tasted samples offered by one of the event volunteers.
Meanwhile, Jimmy’s group arrived from another direction.
His members blended easily into the lively backstage scene, cheerfully greeting Jane’s band, laughing about the Christmas tree that looked tall enough to touch the ceiling.
Everyone mingled naturally — except the two leaders.
Jimmy spotted Jane across the room.
Jane noticed him noticing.
Neither spoke.
But both glanced away too quickly, pretending to be immersed in their work.
Still, they kept appearing in the same spaces — the makeup section, the sound-check corner, the decoration area — bumping into each other without trying or wanting to.
At one point, a staff member mistakenly asked:
“Are you two coordinating your performances together?”
The shock on their faces was identical.
“No,” Jane said immediately.
“Not at all,” Jimmy added.
The staff member blinked, confused at their overly synchronized denial.
Their members, however, were now convinced more than ever:
Something was definitely off between those two.
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CHAPTER 30 — The Unexpected Elevator Ride
Later in the evening, both bands finished their rehearsals and began heading back to the hotel. The long day left everyone exhausted. The hotel lobby was full of artists checking in, staff carrying equipment boxes, and decorations glowing softly under warm lighting.
Jane arrived first with her band, heading toward the elevator area. All cars were full, so they waited.
A moment later, Jimmy’s group arrived as well.
His members greeted Jane’s warmly, unaware of the sudden tightness in their leaders’ chests.
One elevator opened.
It was empty — but not big enough for everyone.
Before anyone could sort out who was entering, Jane stepped in.
Jimmy tried to let his band take the next one, but someone pushed him forward.
“Go, bro, you’re closest!”
Suddenly, the elevator doors closed…
…with only Jane and Jimmy inside.
Silence crashed instantly.
Jane stood on the left corner.
Jimmy stood on the right.
Neither made eye contact.
The elevator began to rise.
One floor…
Two floors…
The silence was louder than any argument they’d ever had.
Jane tapped her fingers against her jacket.
Jimmy cleared his throat quietly.
But nobody spoke.
The elevator reached their floor.
When the doors slid open, both stepped out quickly, going opposite directions — not running, but close enough.
Their members exited the next elevator just in time to see the awkward escape.
Curiosity levels skyrocketed.
Everyone had questions.
But neither leader planned to answer any.
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CHAPTER 31 — Night Thoughts and Hidden Worries
That night, in their separate rooms, both leaders faced the same problem:
Why did it feel like avoiding each other was becoming impossible?
Jane removed her makeup slowly, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She told herself that her thoughts about Jimmy were just illusions created by stress and competition.
But then she remembered the elevator moment — the silence, the tension, how aware she was of his presence.
She pressed a hand against her forehead.
“This is ridiculous,” she muttered.
Yet her heart kept bringing up the images she wanted to forget.
She sat at her desk, rewriting parts of their upcoming performance. She wanted her mind focused — but every time she paused, she ended up thinking of him again.
Across the hall, Jimmy lay on his bed with his arm over his eyes. His mind replayed the day on loop — stage orientation, backstage decorations, the elevator ride.
He didn’t understand why such ordinary interactions felt so heavy now.
He wasn’t angry with her.
He wasn’t annoyed.
He wasn’t even trying to compete with her at the moment.
He was just… thinking.
Too much.
He sat up, frustrated, and began sorting through music sheets to distract himself. But even that didn’t work.
He sighed deeply.
“What is happening to me?” he whispered.
He didn’t have an answer.
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CHAPTER 32 — Morning Rumors (Again)
By the next morning, news had spread around the hotel that the two leaders had been seen leaving an elevator together.
People talked.
Whispered.
Speculated.
Now, artists from other countries were watching them carefully, curious about the growing tension. Rumor blogs on social media even posted blurry pictures from the hotel lobby, stirring up more questions among fans and neutrals alike.
Jane saw the whispers happening during breakfast — she felt the stares, sensed the gossip. Her members insisted she ignore it.
Jimmy experienced the same. His band members joked about it, teasing lightly, unaware of how real the tension was for him.
Both leaders walked into the rehearsal venue at nearly the same time…
…and the entire backstage area fell almost silent.
Everyone noticed them.
Everyone watched.
Everyone expected something.
But Jane simply walked past Jimmy.
Jimmy moved aside politely.
No words.
No acknowledgment.
Just tension.
It was clear:
Whatever was happening between them wasn’t staying hidden anymore.
And soon, something would have to break.
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- Writer
