On Finding Chance

Part 1 - Chapter 9

The fans are screaming. Ethan entered the stage first. He is doing a drumroll for Vincent who comes in next. He then joins in and plays his bass to welcome Seth. He starts playing his guitar for a minute. Everyone is waiting for the lead vocalist to come out. Harvey says a quick prayer, "Father God, help me" and steps in.

The crowd is going crazy as Harvey walks to his keyboard, breathes in and hits the notes.

"I'm still into you...oh baby can't you see?"

After two more songs, the band makes their introduction and the stage is all left to Vincent. A video of him dancing to MJ's "Beat it" flashes on the screen. He puts away his bass, gets his cap from the floor and grabs the microphone.

"Hey everyone! Aren't I cute? As you all know, the theme for tonight's show is about love. Love for music. Love for friends. Love for a special someone. Who came here with their special someone?"

A few people put their hands in the air.

"Good for you! Tonight, I have the opportunity to share with you my first love."

Vincent starts dancing to a remix version of their song and the audience is surprised at how graceful he is. No one expected that the most reserved member of the group could turn into a dance machine.

Following his performance is a duet of Seth and Mika. They became a love team when both of them guested in the noon time show and the management thought they have undeniable chemistry together. However, this chemistry is plainly on screen. When no one is watching, they hardly talk. At the beginning, they made an effort to get to know each other. They thought they could become friends. But, as time passed, they accepted that they did not get each other's drift. They have far too different interests in life but when they are with fans, they give them what they want - a sweet and happy couple.

Third on the list is Ethan's solo. He sits in front of the keyboard and starts his speech.

"Good evening, arena. What I am about to sing is one of my favorite compositions. It is about unrequited love. I know, at one point in time many of us experienced loving someone from afar, someone who will never love us back the way we love them. To the girl in this song, this is the only time I will tell the world how I truly feel about you. I know you are listening. I hope, in some way, you can feel my love."

Madie feels as if Ethan is looking straight into her eyes as he is telling the last line. The conversation in the car flashes back.

"Nevermind. It's not true. What the guy said about Never Ending. It was Ethan."

"OHHHHH...so it is Ethan's story?"

A chill runs down her spine. Could Ethan possibly be Chance?

I will never be on the go

Wishful thinking can hit me low

Yet I still dream of a forever

Where we gaze at the stars together

Ethan finishes his song and it is Harvey's turn to perform.

The screen displays a video of an acoustic guitar with scribbles on it. It travels from a chair in Harvey's room, to a chair in a cafe, then a chair in the recording studio. The owner picks it up and starts tuning it. He notices the camera and acts surprised.

"WOAH! Hello there! Having fun, Go.O.D fans? I hope you're enjoying the concert. Since this night is all about love, let me share with you a little secret of mine. My love and passion for music started with this."

*shows the guitar*

"This is Shickles, my very first guitar. It was a gift from my parents, my sister, her best friend and my best friend."

*shows the birthday messages on it*

"Back then, I was more into basketball but I had to stop playing for a year due to an injury. My sister thought I could try playing a guitar so she asked these people to help her buy it and the rest they say is history. To Ethan, Gabby, Madie, Mom and Dad, thank you for this wonderful present. Thank you for giving me the passion for music. To everyone, here is my very first composition, 'Lie'."

A spotlight is focused in the front row of the audience. The fans did not notice that Harvey is sitting in between Madie and Gab. The cap and casual clothing did the trick. He stands up and goes to the stage where Shickles is waiting.

Once the individual performances were done, the band sang a few more songs and said their final "thank you's".

With that, the 3rd concert of Goals over Drinks ends in success.

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The crew is busy taking out the setup. Chairs are put in a stack. The screens are rolled down. Cameras are kept. The band is in the waiting room with a few people from the media. Madie and Gab go up the stage to take their obligatory after-concert-selfies.

Ethan sneaks in behind them, "BOO!"

"WOAH!" the startled best friends said in unison.

"Why are you here?" Gab asks.

"I have a special delivery for the both of you" and hands out a blue rose to each of them.

Each rose has four small hand written notes, one from each member. Of course, Gab reads and rereads and rereads Harvey's message. It may be simple but it is enough to make her swoon.

"Thank you for coming, Gabby. I really appreciate it. Visit me in the hospital. See you soon. ☺ -Harvey"

While Madie is reading her messages, Ethan gives her another flower. A sunflower.

Her whole body freezes. Ethan is Chance?

"Ahem. I think you have a secret admirer" he says, breaking the silence.

After a few seconds, she managed to respond, "you?"

To his astonishment, Ethan shakes his head so fast it looks as if his neck is going to break.

Madie is disappointed. Is she expecting him to be Chance? Does she want it to be him?

"Where did you get this?" she asks.

"It was on the table. Who is it from, anyway?"

She reads the note.

Madison Alexandra Lee,

You're still pretty when you smile.

-Chance