SINCE DAY ONE ― luke hemmings ?

20

"There's a place off Ocean Avenue where I used to sit and talk with you. We were both sixteen and it felt so right. Sleepin' all day, stayin' up all night."

It was Luke. And he initiated singing the song, followed closely by his band and, holy shit I can't breathe.

"If I could find you now things would get better. We could leave this town and run forever..."

As far as I could remember, they never performed this song because I played it on repeat for a whole month they got soooo pissed off they had to ban me from playing on the stereo. But here today, standing in the middle of the freaking hall, they were playing one of my favorite songs—and made it so much better than the original. And I recorded every bit of it.

"There's a piece of you that's here with me. It's everywhere I go, it's everything I see."

I tried begging my eyes not to look at him but as always, they betray me. And they betrayed me at the exact same time he was looking at me, too. And I wanted to melt under his gaze. I had to hold on to something or I was gonna fall.

"I remember the look in your eyes when I told you that this was goodbye. You were beggin' me, not tonight. Not here, not now. We're looking up at the same night sky and keep pretendin' the sun will not rise. We'll be together for one more night. Somewhere, somehow..."

I can't wonder now why it became my favorite song.

"Let your waves crash down on me and take me away..."

The finished the whole song and I freaking clapped. I clapped so hard my palms were red but I didn't mind. "Thank you." It felt like everything was normal for a second there. Like I was Theo before she went away. Like I was Theo when the one she loves smiled right at her for a little.

Before reality struck—and before their fans outside squealed, shaking us off of our daze.

And everything was back to zero again.

*・。*゜・。・o゜・。*゜・。・o*゜・。・o*

I was tasked to be at the front while Kyle took backstage. We exchanged roles when he remembered again that he was supposed to be my boss and I followed the order immediately when I also realized I couldn't face Luke like that. I couldn't ruin his day again like I almost did. So, I stayed just in between the stage and the barracade, standing there waiting. Of course, I didn't forget about my disguise. I still wore the bucket hat, and the face mask, without the shades for the fear of looking like an idiot wearing it indoors.

The intro took longer than I expected that I only found Kat speed-walking beside me after a while, "You've got to help me, Theo." She pulled me away from the audience and by the corner where she looked agitated more than ever.

"Kat? What? What's wrong?"

"The boys are gonna be running late for a few minutes. There's been a problem in wardrobe and since you're doing the content here, I need you to hype up the fans for a little. Stall them. Make them do something and just put it in the video! Please?" What?! Again?

"Kyle—"

"Believe it or not, that man has stage fright, so, I'm counting on you, Theo! It'll just be a few minutes. I promise."

"Kat—no! I already did that at the airport!"

"Few minutes!" But she already left. Leaving me at the corner thinking just what the hell I was gonna do. I mean—was I even supposed to do this? Of all the people she had to ask a favor to! It's gotta be me? I can't let the fans be disappointed at the boys but even then—what was I gonna do?!

What could I do?!

Kat appeared at the other side of the backstage and pulled her hands together, pleading, before she disappeared again that I groaned. Gathering the attention of the guards and hurrying my way back to the stage where Kyle was missing—and I had no one to rely to.

If I didn't have any stage fright, now's the time I'm actually gonna get one.

There was already a mic at the middle of the stage and the intro kept playing over and over again—and the looks of the crowd doesn't seem pleased that I heaved heavily and laid the camera down at a table. The hat away from my head and the mask with it. Fixing my hair and straightening my shirt for a minute before—emerging fully in the middle.

A bright light shining right onto me—and I feel close to passing out soon when surprisingly... they cheered on. "Theo!" They still remember me. They still do.

"What's going on, everybody!" I was gonna cry soon. "Holy crap! You guys still know me?! After all these years?!" They screamed just the same and I was getting into it slowly. "Well, it's good to be back! So much has happened. Our boys released new music! A music video! Even an acoustic, can you believe that?!" The crowd warmed up to me and I was very glad my trembling knees were hidden from the light. "If you don't know me, I'm—" Wait! Is this a great idea? Am I gonna do this to myself? Am I supposed to be back? Shit. Shit. What am I gonna do?!

"Theodora Auclair! Our fifth half!" Ashton emerged from the side and the squeals became more prominent it hurt my ears. But—But Ashton did that... He just did that. "We're actually keeping this as a surprise but heyyyy! She's here now! Let's welcome her, everybody! Welcome back, Theo!" Ash went close and rounded his arms around me as everyone, completely in-sync, shouted the words he said. And I—can't believe this was happening to me right now.

"Thank you! Now! Are you guys ready?!" Ashton left me the other mic after giving me a kiss on the cheek and this—this was absolutely the next best thing in my life right now.

A flickering light distracted me for a bit and saw that Luke, Mikey, and Calum are all set and ready. Finally. "I guess there's no need for more introduction. I give you, our favorite boys in the whole world!" They emerged from the side one by one the same time I disappeared backstage. Watching them there all with smiles that reached their eyes. And I was happy for them.

"For our first song! Wildflower!" Luke yelled, "This is for Theo."

*・。*゜・。・o゜・。*゜・。・o*゜・。・o*

u guys!
we're so close to 7k and i can't
believe u all made that happen!
thank you so much!
leave a vote and comment!
i love reading every single one of them.
🥺

oh, i have a little disclaimer
before we continue.
i didn't mention the exact disease
theo had because i didnt wanna
offend anyone who went through
it and/or who knew someone that
went through the same thing.
we're all for spreading love, positivity.
and respect over here!

once again, thank you!
more interesting chapters soon
after this ;)
stay tuned!