"Okay, that's it for today guys. Good job. Go get some rest, big day tomorrow." Our director announced as he clapped his hand, acknowledging the hard work everyone pulled up today.
"Thank you everyone, thank you for working hard." We said in unison as we bow our heads to the crew and production staff. Everyone worked extra hard today, seeing the 98% readiness of the venue and the technicalities behind the scene. It's three days before the first day of our concert here in Chicago, but we didn't waste a single moment to risk putting everything in jeopardy. We work our asses off, until we are confident that we can pull off the show that we envisioned to give out to our fans.
I roamed my eyes to the venue in front of me. In seventy two hours, this stadium will be full of our amazing fans, showing their support and appreciation. It makes me feel ecstatic, hearing their cheers and chants as we perform for them. It's been 6 years since I started performing for our fans, but I never get used to the feeling of being appreciated for what I do, for what I love doing.
But it won't be too long since I will have to put up with this fame.
"Cahill! I'm going to leave you now!" I turned my head to where that voice was coming and I see Yves standing at the exit, his face looking down on his phone. I noticed the rest of the members already went their separate ways, probably wanting to crawl up in bed considering the amount of practice we had earlier.
"You wont leave me, idiot." I said running towards the exit, and handing my microphone to one of the staff.
"Try me." He gave me a knowing grin and run towards the back of the stage. He muttered a lot of 'excuse me' as he probably almost hit the staff along the way. I ran, trying to keep up with his pace but that kid was so fast, I didn't catch him as he grabbed his things at the dressing room and ran towards the exit, leading to the parking area. His height must be of advantage to him because he find it so easy to duck on the platforms at the backstage which I tried really hard to not bump my head on. That little dwarf had the advantage this time.
I noticed we earned a lot of glances from the people working at the back, including Blaise, our leader, who I guess is the only member, aside from me, who haven't left the venue yet.
"What happened to Yves? Why was he running for his life?" Blaise questioned as he motioned her hands to where Yves ran to.
"Nothing, Blaise, just kidding around." I smiled, trying to catch my breath as I grabbed my bag.
"I figured out. Aren't you going back to the hotel yet?"
"I am, but I think I need to catch a ride from you." Deciding to that as I fished out my phone, reading the message of Yves, saying he's leaving now. That idiot. He really did what he said.
"Yeah we gotta get going."
I gazed outside the window as Blaise pulled out from the parking area. The streets are packed with people, more noticeable are our fans holding up banners and cut-outs of our photos while chanting our band name. I am not surprised that they knew we are at the stadium practicing, information spreads out too quickly like fire. But I won't deny that it feels really amazing to see our lovely fans from different parts of the world, making an effort to see us. It somehow comforts me to see the looks in their eyes that tells in one way or another, our music has helped them in whatever they are going through with their lives. I just wish that I can meet all of them, perform in every country just so I can reach them before I retire. But that's a lot of thinking to do, considering my plans in mind.
"They look so excited." Blaise said as he sped off towards the direction of the hotel.
"They really are. It's still three days till the concert, but they are so eager to see us now." I replied to Blaise as I compose a message to Keith, our eldest member, who asked me what food I and Blaise wanted.
"Yeah, it makes me nervous even more."
"Ah dont remind me of that Blaise, remember, nervousness is contagious." He chuckled and I continued. "By the way, Keith here is asking what food do you want, I guess they're getting take outs."
"Tell him I'll get whatever he gets."
"That's a little sweet bro." I smiled to him as I typed a response to Keith.
"I'm sweet to all of you, Cahill."
"But really Blaise, I'm nervous for this concert. Not that I wasn't nervous for the past concerts or anything, but this one, I have like, a funny feeling about this."
"What do you mean?" He raised an eyebrow at me, signifying that I needed to explain further.
"It's like, something's going to go wrong." I admitted. For the past few days, before we even boarded the plane from South Korea, I already have an edgy feeling about what's going to transpire once I arrived in the US. But I shook that thought away because so far, nothing concerning happened. But now, it's coming back again.
"You mean you kind of have a premonition? Oh Cahill that's what you get from watching all those Final Destination movies with Declan!" Blaise spatted, thickening his British accent he adapted while he was studying in London a couple of years back. Declan is our youngest member, a year younger than me and he kind of like have a hobby of watching thriller movies and he even drags me and Yves on his hobby.
"Yeah? Like that? I mean, not really. I dont actually see what's going to happen, but I just feel it." I truthfully said to him.
He sighed. "I understand what you are feeling Cahill. That's pretty normal, considering that this is one of our concerts that have a bigger audience. And not to mention, this is the United States." He explained, occasionally glancing at me. "I myself is apprehensive, knowing that while a lot of people wanted us to be on stage, performing, and throwing smiles at the camera, an equal amount of people also wants us to be out from the industry. We have no idea how many people are planning to take us down, plotting a shit ton of evil works just to erase our name. And we aren't talking about the little bashers here, we're talking about our competitors in the industry. Many have invested to debut another boybands to counter us, but they aren't successful. That's why even if I am anxious myself about this whole thing, I am not surprised that all eyes are on us. So relax yourself bro, we are all in this together. As clichè as that may sound." I spaced out with what Blaise said that I didn't noticed we already arrived at the entrance of the parking lot of the hotel we are staying. It made sense. What he said really knocked the hazy feeling out of me, reminding myself that what I was feeling was merely normal for artists like us.
I jumped out of the car after he stopped the engine. But didn't walked until Blaise went out. We walked through the elevators, still having in mind what Blaise had said.
"Thanks for that, Blaise." He broke his stare from his phone and looked up to me.
"No problem, Cahill."
We made our separate ways to our hotel rooms, and gathered to Keith and Brione's to eat. After consuming the foods they ordered and sharing little chat with the members, I decided to go back to Yves' and I's room, freshened up and got ready to have some sleep.
~
After a lot of tossing and turning, I figured out that I cannot put myself to sleep, so I decided to get up and change. Yves, still up on his phone, noticed that I was all dressed up and asked, "Where are you going?"
"Leaving you." I said not glancing at him.
"Oh so you decided to pull out that 'leaving you card' on me huh?" Yves laughed, letting his eyes disappear as his cheeks went all the way up. I playfully glared at him and threw at him the pajamas that I just took off.
"Ew gross!" He threw my pajama at my bed while acting to fan out the smell.
"What do you mean gross? I only wore that for about an hour. But whatever, even if I wore that for three years, it wouldn't smell, unlike you." I bent down to wear my black and white converse. I usually dont wear shoes when I just walk around, but today is a little chilly, so I have no choice but to protect my body temperature.
"Fiesty. But seriously, where are you going Cahill?" He sat upright, and took in my appearance. "And why are you wearing all black? I mean not really because your converse are black and white, but still, the majority is black." He blinked a couple of times, waiting for my reply.
I turned towards the mirror and stared at myself, and sure hell I was wearing all black, aside from the shoes Yves just pointed out. Black fitted jeans I dont usually wear, black shirt, black coat above it, and a black beanie.
"You dont look like yourself, Cahill. Can you tell me what the fuck are you trying to pull up?" This kid, seriously.
"I'm going out Yves. And is cussing really necessary?" I glared at him.
"That doesn't explain why you are wearing all black. And fitted jeans? So not Cahill. You only wear that when we are required during performances. But walking around with jeans? I think I'm seeing Declan instead."
"Now, why is that a big deal?" I walked towards my stuff and grabbed my camera. I wanted to go out to see the place myself, and ponder on Blaise's words earlier. I wanted to relax and calm this shaky feeling I have inside me.
"You really need to work on your manners to me, boy. I am older than you!" Yves pulled off a hurt face which we both know is fake.
"Yes you are, only for two months." I walked towards the door as another remark was thrown to me.
"You sure you're going outside? I think that's a bad idea Cahill, considering that a lot of people know we are already here in Chicago. I'm just concerned." I look over my shoulder and sure enough, Yves has this concerned face, not fake this time tho.
"That explains the outfit bro. I look like the average teenage boy who wanted to stroll down the street. But thanks for your concern I appreciate it." Without a second thought, I walked over to Yves, giving him a warm hug. I dont know, I just feel like I have to. This guy has been the closest to me among the members, we even consider ourselves soulmate. Im happy he does care for me and my whereabouts.
Walking towards the door, I put on my black face mask to complete the look. "Just tell the others I will be back later. I wont stay too long outside." I said as I closed the door of our hotel room.
I said I won't take too long, but deep inside I have an opposing feeling about it.