Backstage was buzzing.
The music had barely faded before Ethan started making his way toward Sydney. But before he could reach her, chaos found him—again. The paparazzi, somehow still allowed backstage despite new restrictions, swarmed the area like moths to a flame. Ever since that Texas show, security had tried to limit press access, but loopholes always seemed to remain plus they couldn't chase them all away. And this time, they found him.
He caught sight of Sydney just as the first camera flash went off. Her smile faded, her eyes darted toward the incoming photographers, and then—she turned. Without a word, she walked away.
Ethan stood there for a second, watching her retreating figure, a quiet twinge tugging at his chest."Hmm... Seems she doesn't want to be seen by the press," he thought.
Before he could even consider following her, the paparazzi closed in like a pack of wolves.
"Ethan! Is it true you've got a new track dropping with Eminem and 50 Cent?"
"Why did you bring those two girls on stage? That's a first—what's the story there?"
"Are they some industry kids? Daughters of record executives?"
"Any truth to the rumors about you and Billie Eilish collaborating?"
"Will she be appearing at any of your shows?"
The questions came hard and fast, flashes blinding, microphones shoved into his face.
"Okay, okay!" Ethan said, holding up his hands, voice calm but firm. "You guys need to chill. One at a time, please."
The chaos only intensified.
"Well," he started, offering his signature crooked smile. "Yes. I do have a record with both Eminem and 50 Cent."
The crowd went wild.
Flashes burst like fireworks, overlapping questions rising again until Ethan chuckled and said, "Wait—Please, please lets settle down."
He pointed to the side of the stage where Lily and Emma stood awkwardly, nearly forgotten. "As for the other questions... why don't you ask them yourselves?"
The girls looked startled, clearly overwhelmed by the attention. They huddled together, blinking under the camera lights like deer in headlights.
"Okay, okay—guys, relax," Ethan said, stepping in front of them protectively. "You're scaring them. No, they're not some secret nepo babies, if that's what you're thinking."
He paused, letting the air settle. "And as for why I called them on stage? Watch the show. I'm sure you'll get your answer."
A final wave to the cameras. "And Billie? No collab yet. But never say never."
The paparazzi didn't budge. They lingered, watching, whispering, unwilling to leave but too nervous to push harder and risk being banned.
Ethan rolled his eyes and turned back to the girls.
"Lily. Emma." He smiled warmly. "Thank you both for tonight. You were amazing."
They were still in disbelief, voices soft. "No... it's you. Thank you so much for calling us up. That was... everything."
He chuckled, pulling them in for a quick hug. "It was nice meeting you both. You've got a beautiful friendship. I wish you nothing but a blessed life."
A few pictures, a few more grateful words, and then he watched them walk off, waving back at him one last time.
With that done, he turned and made a beeline for his dressing room.
Inside, Rebecca was lounging on the couch, legs crossed, sipping something cold. "Nice show," she said. "Didn't expect you to call people on stage. That's a first."
Bella, curled up on a beanbag beside her, nodded. "Yeah, it was a nice touch. You should do that more often."
Ethan grunted, distracted. "Hmm. Hm."
Rebecca raised a brow. "The internet is chewing it up."
"Especially those girls," Bella added. "People are already trying to figure out who they are."
Rebecca smirked. "If they're smart, they'll capitalize on this fast. TikToks, interviews, open DMs, maybe a YouTube channel. One good PR rep and boom—they're on their own path to fame."
She turned to Ethan. "Don't you think so?"
Ethan had been rifling through a pile of things on the counter. Suddenly, his hand paused. "Yes! Found it!"
Bella blinked. "What?"
"Oooh yeah... perfect idea." He didn't explain. He just smiled, turned on his heel, and rushed out the room.
The girls exchanged a glance."What was that about?""No clue."
Ethan slipped out the back, masked up and hoodie on, expertly avoiding more press.
The crowd outside had begun spilling out of the stadium. Laughter, shouting, fans taking selfies, security directing foot traffic—it was a sea of movement under the glow of stadium lights.
He moved fast, ducking and weaving, until he reached the tour bus area. Several dark buses were lined up neatly, engines humming faintly.
He stepped into one of them, looked around. Empty.
Not the one.
Back outside, he leaned against the bus door and exhaled slowly. The night was cool, crisp. The sky was clear and littered with stars, the moon casting a silvery glow across the lot.
He closed his eyes, ran a hand through his hair.
Then, a voice behind him.
"Hmm... Who were you looking for?"
He opened his eyes.
There she was.
Sydney.
Bathed in moonlight, hair cascading around her shoulders, her expression calm—curious, almost amused.
She smiled.
And Ethan... he couldn't help smiling back.
Wordlessly, he stepped forward, reached for her hand, and gently tugged.
"Come with me."
Ethan led her down the narrow path behind the stadium, weaving through the shadows. Sydney followed, her heels clicking against the pavement until she hesitated, glancing around.
"Where are we even going?" she whispered, nervously glancing back. "People might see us."
He stopped mid-step. "Ooh. That's true." A mischievous grin curled on his lips.
Then, with a flourish, he turned around and pulled out what he'd been searching for earlier—an extra hoodie and a spare mask. His own hoodie was already on, snug over his head. He held the other one out to her.
"Take."
She blinked at it. "This?" she asked, taking it reluctantly, eyes trailing over the baggy fabric. "It's going to ruin the theme of my dress," she mumbled. "And it doesn't match the color scheme at all."
She looked so genuinely sad about it, standing there in her elegant dress and clutching the hoodie like it had offended her sense of fashion. Ethan tilted his head, genuinely confused.
She sighed, then shook her head. "Okay, okay." And with a little groan, she slipped it on. The sleeves swallowed her arms completely. "There. Happy now?"
Ethan chuckled. "Very."
Sydney pulled the hood over her head, casting a playful glare at him. "So, where are we going?"
He didn't answer—just flashed a grin and tugged her hand gently.
They walked slowly, the night still alive with post-show energy. Fans spilled out into the streets, laughter echoing, camera lights still flashing in the far distance. But here, behind the crowd, in their little bubble, it felt like the world had calmed just for them.
Hand in hand, they strolled along the sidewalk, unnoticed and hidden beneath their oversized disguises.
Sydney was the first to break the silence. "So..."
"Hmm?" Ethan said without looking, his thumb rubbing soothing circles on her hand.
She hesitated. "About earlier. Me leaving like that—"
"Don't worry," Ethan said gently, cutting her off. "I get it."
She stopped, blinking. "Wait, really?"
He nodded. "You were afraid of the press, right? The attention. The headlines. The assumptions."
Her shoulders relaxed a little. "Yeah… that's part of it. But not just that."
Ethan looked over, studying her. "You're scared this won't work out. That all of this is too good to be true."
She inhaled sharply. "Yeah. Exactly that."
Ethan's expression softened.
"It's been magical," she continued. "These past few days… It doesn't feel real. Like it's all happening too fast. You're too…" she trailed off, then laughed lightly. "Too nice. Too kind. Too… perfect. And guys like that don't just show up out of nowhere."
Ethan arched a brow, amused.
Sydney sighed. She let go of his hand and stepped ahead of him, gesturing dramatically as she spoke.
"You're like… I don't know. A fictional character. And here I am—me. Overthinking everything. Panicking. People would kill to be in my shoes tonight, and I'm acting like I don't know what I want."
She stopped, letting out another breath before slapping her hand lightly to her forehead. Her face disappeared behind her hands, now swallowed by the oversized sleeves.
Ethan smiled.
"I get it," he said softly. "I feel the same way sometimes."
Sydney peeked out from behind her fingers. "Really?"
"Yeah," he nodded. "I mean… look at you. You're too beautiful. And we all know beautiful girls"
She tilted her head. "Wait—what?"
Ethan's eyes widened slightly as he realized what he'd just said. "Ehm… I mean…" He looked around like he was searching for a save—and then, his eyes lit up.
There, not too far away, was a man with a guitar, strumming softly on the street corner, a few coins clinking in his open case.
Ethan's grin returned.
"Come. I'll show you what I mean."
He started walking.
Sydney followed, eyebrows furrowed. "Wait—what did you mean by that 'you're too beautiful' line?" she asked, clearly still hung up on it.
He didn't answer. Instead, he leaned down and whispered something to the street musician, slipping some folded bills into the man's palm. The man nodded and gently handed over the guitar.
Sydney's eyes widened. "Wait… what are you doing?"
Ethan turned, the guitar now in his hands, eyes locked on hers. "Since I'm not great with words... let me explain the only way I know how."
He settled the strap on his shoulder.
And then—
He strummed.