A few hours before…
ANASTASHA.
The day of the concert arrived faster than I wanted it to. Liliana had been buzzing since sunrise, skipping through the hall like she has won the lottery. She had been humming songs under her breath all morning. "uhgggg. Someone sedate me" it had gotten so bad Kelvin was unconsciously humming them. I was starting to think she had cast some kind of auditory curse on all of us.
I on the other hand am trying to devise a plan to get me out of this mess, I ever so conveniently put myself in. But of course, Liliana had other plans for us. "Rookie!" she calls out as she pops her head into my room. And yes, that is her nickname for me.
Liliana: We Are leaving early! There is merch to conquer and light sticks to hoard!
I let out the loudest groan known to man. "Liliana… You've been awake since six. You've reorganized your closet twice. Can't you conquer merch at a normal hour? Please…."
Liliana: [Dramatically clenching her chest] Normal Hours are for the weak.
By late afternoon, the house was A hive of movement. Liliana Came downstairs first, dressed in high-waisted denim cargo pants that snatched her curves like they had been tailored by God himself. Her crop top glinted faintly under the sunlight, sneakers, spotless. She twirled once at the bottom of the stairway like she was walking a runway.
Liliana: Rate the fit. Be Honest, but not too honest.
I stare at her deadpan, Tugging at my oversized shirt. "You look like the lead singers muse. I look like the exhausted manager who has lost the car keys. She snorts
Liliana: perfect duo energy.
Kelvin appeared next, descending the stairs with that calm, careful air he always had. He was already in "parent mode" holding his tablet like it was a clipboard. He smiles softly at us before starting to speak.
Kelvin: Anna, I know you were technically forced to go, but… try to enjoy yourself, alright? Even a little. You might not get chances like this again."
There was something about the way he said it—not sad, just quietly aware. I smiled back, touched.
"I'll try"
Liliana slowly walks up to kelvin and wraps her arms around his neck pulling him down to face her and as she stares right into his eyes, planting a soft kiss on cheek before reassuring him
Liliana: don't worry to much about us. I will make sure she does have fun.
Kelvin: [half- smiling] that is what I am afraid of.
We laughed, and for a brief second, it felt normal — almost human. But as we stepped outside, that feeling shifted. Gabriel was sitting beneath the small hut by the garden, glass of whiskey in hand, his posture rigid and composed like always. His gaze lifted when he saw me, and for a moment, it was like the world stopped breathing.
He looked at me — really looked. His eyes traced me quietly, like he was memorizing something he'd already lost once before. For just a heartbeat, something softened in his expression. Then it was gone, masked behind his usual cold detachment. He turned his head away and stood, his movements deliberate, unreadable. He whispers quietly as he passes.
Gabriel: Stay Safe.
He didn't wait for a reply. He walked past, disappearing into the living room, leaving only the faint scent of whiskey and unspoken things behind him. Liliana exhaled dramatically.
Liliana: Every time he does that, I feel like I have been cursed.
"We've all been cursed."
Liliana: Fair point. Let's go rookie. Diva, LA Vie awaits.
The car ride was peaceful at first- sunlight streaking across the windshield, the city buzzing softly around us. Liliana kept tapping her fingers against the steering wheel to the beat of an invisible song, half way through, though, I asked her to take a detour. Liliana frowns in confusion as the GPS rerouted.
Liliana: Uh, this is not the concert venue.
I speak quietly trying to avoid her gaze. "I know. I just… need to stop by somewhere first."
Liliana: Anna….
"Gabriel said no attachment." I say gently. "Just for today. Let me just say goodbye."
Liliana sighed, Dramatic as ever, but there was a softness in her eyes.
Liliana: You realize we will miss the opening act, right? And he is going to murder us both.
"Then I will Resurrect you. Please."
She groans.
Liliana: Ugh… fine. But you owe me front row snacks and eternal gratitude.
"Deal" I grin.
The car stopped outside the school. The building looked smaller than I remembered, the courtyard littered with late afternoon sunlight and old flyers curling on the walls. I stepped out, my heart heavy with a strange ache — nostalgia mixed with guilt.
Inside, the halls smelled faintly of chalk and deinfectant. Inside the halls whispered with old echoes. One of the teachers stood by the door, older now, but still smiling like she had been expecting me this whole time.
"uh, Hi." I said dumbly.
She smiled widely. " I did not know you were coming today."
"Yeah." I said. "surprise I did not know either."
That got a soft augh out of her.
The room was chaos in the best way- kids talking over each, backpacks on the floor, someone arguing passionately about colored pencil. When they spot me, it was over.
"MISS ANNA!"
"She is back!"
"No way!"
Before I could prepare. A kid Full-on tackled my legs.
"Woah-Hey-Okay, hi, I missed you too. I laughed crouching. "careful, I bruise like a normal person."
A small voice piped up. "Are you staying this time?"
Oof. Right to the emotional kneecap.
I cleared my throat. "Not today."
Still, I stayed. Helped with reading. Explained a math problem using snacks as visual aids. Mediated a very serious argument about whose turn it was to sharpen the pencil. It felt… easy. Too easy. I smiled at teachers, said goodbye to kids I'd helped, and tried to inject some humor where I could.
At the door, the teacher joined me again.
"You're good with them," she said.
"I bribe them with attention," I replied. "Works every time."
She smiled, then softened. "Will we see you again?"
I shook my head gently. "I'm moving."
She nodded like she'd already known. "Then thank you for what you gave while you were here."
By the time I returned to the car, my chest felt lighter and heavier at the same time.
Liliana Grinned.
"Mission Accomplished?"
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah Yeah… now let's go ruin our ears and buy overpriced merch.
We rolled into the concert venue and immediately the chaos hit me like a bass drop. The parking lot was a sea of glitter, neon light sticks and people dressed like they had raided every pop idol merchandise shop in the country. Liliana practically vibrated in her seat.
Liliana: First things first.
She said, flipping open her seatbelt.
Liliana: Merch. We attack merch.
I groaned.
"Fine Lead the way"
Liliana: that is the spirit rookie.
We darted into the merch tent, and I was immediately overwhelmed by the scent of new shirts, plastic, and something I could only described as "fan adrenaline". Liliana tore through racks like a tornado, holding up everything she could find.
Liliana: Look at this!
She shouted, waving a glow stick like it was an Excalibur.
Liliana: It's glowing! Anna, do you know what that means?
"That you are going to poke in the face with it?"
I let her run wild while I grabbed a couple of t-shirts and a hoodie that I thought wouldn't make me look like I was trying too hard. Liliana returned to me with a stack of merch that could probably clothe a small army.
"Merch conquered. Light sticks acquired. We are ready"
Shi did a tiny victory Dance in the middle of the tent, nearly knocking over a display of keychains.
We quickly made our way to the entrance, where the guards checked our tickets, and surprisingly escorted us somewhere that did not look like normal front row seats. Instead, It was a cordoned-off VIP area: padded seats, a small balcony overlooking the stage, and even a mini bar with more snacks than I thought possible.
"Excuse me" I address the guard escorting us. "I think I might be a misunderstanding. We are supposed to be in the front row. We bought front row seats." I show him the tickets.
"Ther are no mistakes" a chauffeur chimes in. "Instructions were given to move any last-minute front row tickets to the private section. If I apologize for the inconvenience if you have any questions or requests. Please do not hesitate to ask me."
"Of course, thank you". The chauffeur nod before returning to his position by the minibar.
Liliana squeals.
"What are the oods."
She grins as she settles into her seat.
I settle into my seat, taking in the scene. From Our vantage point, the stage looked enormous, the light flickered and pulsed even before the music had started, bouncing off the crowd like a thousand tiny stars. People below were screaming, waving their wands like a sea of butterflies. I felt a strange mixture of excitement and terror.
"Don't be so stiff rookie."
Liliana whispered, leaning over with that grin that meant trouble.
"You're supposed to feel the music. Lose yourself a little.
"I'll try" I muttered.
The lights dimmed suddenly. A roar erupted from the crowd. Smoke machines hissed, lasers carved patterns in the darkness, and the first beat dropped. My chest practically vibrated from the bass, and I had to bit my lip to stop myself from screaming along with everyone else.
Liliana was already up on her feet, waving her wand like a maniac. "c'mon Anna! Don't die on me now!"
I chuckled, shaking my head, but I stood anyway, letting the music wash over me. The drum thrummed through my body, the stage lights painting the VIP section into colors I did not know even existed.
Midway through the first song, I realized my stomach was growling- probably from all the jumping and streaming- I tried to go to the mini-bar for some snacks. The guard however was not having it.
"Is anything the matter?" the chauffeur comes to the rescue.
"I didn't mean to cause a commotion. I just wanted some snacks." I say, glaring at the guard.
She just nods and moves toward the mini-bar. I watch as a uniformed attendant brings churros, popcorn and soda over to our table. I tried not to feel slightly ridiculous, but hey- luxury comes with rules.
Even in the exclusive area, the crowd's energy was infectious. I felt the sweat, the occasional elbow and the testosterone, and for a moment I hated it. Then Liliana screamed in delight like she was part of the act, and I laugh despite myself. Music has a way of braking down walls, even the ones you didn't know were there.
After a while though, something felt… off. My legs felt heavier than usual, my head a little light. I brushed it off as excitement. After all is not like we could get intoxicated our body heals way to fast- that was until Liliana also pointed it out. "uh… do you feel weird too?"
I blinked at her. "Yeah… I thought it was just me.
Within minutes, it become clear that "weird" wasn't just a mild buzz. Standing up suddenly felt like I was swimming through molasses. My vision wobbled, and I realized with growing horror that something was very wrong.
"We need to get out of here" I muttered, grabbing her arm.
"Already on it" Liliana said, her grin replaced with a rare flicker of serious concern I'd only seen a handful of times.
We weaved through the crowd of people, who by the way I had not realized, at the VIP section, but the guard at the entrance stepped in blocking our way.
I gritted my teeth. "No. We're leaving"