The servers come out with a cake and we all sing happy birthday to him, led by Adriana on stage.
When the candles are blown out, Adriana pulls the attention back to her. “I’ve been working on a new song that hasn’t been released yet, and you all will be the first ones to hear it. It’s called ‘Always Be Mine.’”
The music swells through the speakers, a haunting melody wrapping around her voice as she takes the mic.
“All those years…
I thought I’d moved on.
But when I saw you again,
I knew I couldn’t have been more wrong!”
The rhythm pulses through the floor, and her voice rises with raw emotion.
“No matter distance or time, you will always be mine!”
Everyone’s eyes are on the stage, captivated by Adriana’s angelic voice, but mine are on Annalise. I shoot her a smile and she returns it. A warm feeling blooms through my chest.
Not only do the lyrics deeply resonate with me, but hearing Adriana live again has me feeling nostalgic. I took Annalise to an Adriana Garcia concert for our first date.
I spot Annalise by the lockers and head her way. I have the biggest crush on her, and I’ve been trying to get her to go on a date with me for months, but she’s turned me down every time. The rejections stung, but I didn’t let it stop me. I’m hoping she’ll say yes this time around.
“Hey, Monroe.”
“What do you want, Kamado?” She continues pulling books out of her locker, not sparing me a glance.
“Sooo… I have front-row seats to the Adriana Garcia concert this weekend. Do you want to go with me?”
Her brow ticks upward. “You’re quite persistent, aren’t you? I thought you’d take a hint after I turned you down the first ten times.”
“What can I say? When I want something, I go after it until I get it.” I wink, earning an eyeroll from her. “Did I mention there will be backstage passes?”
She shuts her locker, her eyes widening. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah. But since you don’t seem interested, I think maybe I’ll ask someone else.”
I start to walk away but she grabs my arm. “No, wait. I’ll go with you. But don’t read too much into it. I’m only agreeing to go because I’ve been dying to meet Adriana Garcia, and I couldn’t get my hands on tickets.”
I try my best to keep my cool, but I’m jumping with joy on the inside.
“If it means I get to spend time with you, I'll take it.”
The party continues after Adriana’s performance. Needing a break from the festivities, I escape to the rooftop. I lean against the cool railing of the balcony, gazing upon the night sky.
The sound of heels clicking against the floor catches my attention. I turn my head, a smile ghosting across my lips when I see it’s the person I was hoping for.
The moon casts a glow on her beautiful tan skin and illuminates her sapphire and emerald eyes. The gentle breeze tousles her long brown hair as she walks toward the balcony.
“You following me now?”
“Oh, yeah, totally. I couldn’t stand to be apart from you,” she says, her tone laced with sarcasm.
“Clearly, since you left your bodyguard behind,” I tease.
“I only came to see Adriana Garcia, so I’m ready to leave now.” She digs in her purse, pulling out a joint. “Is it okay if I smoke? That’s why I came up here.”
I shake my head. “I don’t mind.”
