A Light in the Dark // Flicker Series Part I #wattys2019

Cloud Nine

Chapter 15
Evie's POV // Cloud 9 + Rock Bottom

Nine o'clock rolls around and Beck steps off the stage from his performance which signified the opening of the festival.

As his manager, it went swimmingly; but as his friend, I absolutely could not be more proud of him.

He came to me with this idea a year ago and to now see it come to fruition is incredible and I can see the pride beaming from his face.

The festival goers all seem to be happy and enjoying themselves as our carefully planned rotation of performers goes off without a hitch. A performance on each of the 4 stages, each performance lasting no longer than 45 minutes and a new performance starting every hour on the hour.

When Beck's performance was over, that meant I was free to go enjoy myself however I pleased. I set off to find friends, shake hands, meet new people from the industry, but mostly just enjoy the fruits of our hard work.

Beck grabbed my sister and drug her off to enjoy a few shows, but I would have felt like a third wheel with them and i'm not a cynic but they're sickeningly in love so I would be better off on my own.

With my finger on the pulse of everything happening at this festival I figured I would have at least heard of Niall's arrival by now, but i've heard nothing and i've seen him nowhere. When someone tells you they will see you tonight, you expect exactly that —to see them.

If nothing else, I'll see him at the after party tonight so I'll just have to keep myself occupied until then.

I settled at sound stage 3, as Niall and I had discussed earlier, because it happens to have an impeccable line up for the night. I arrived in the middle of a performance by James Bay, flashing my VIP badge and finding a good seat in the exclusive seating section.

James finished his performance, followed by Charlie Puth, and now on to one of my favorites —Shawn Mendes.

Eleven o'clock was quickly approaching and after starting my day before sunrise, I was feeling a bit like I would turn into a pumpkin the second the festival was over for the night.

I have no idea how i'll make it through an afterparty, but I'll have to figure it out if I want to see Niall again tonight because he has still not shown up.

I try to squash the disappointment looming in my head, but it's there nonetheless.

Shawn, just focus on enjoying Shawn.

I'm not usually one to be on my phone during a concert, but I pull out my phone to see if by chance I had missed a call or text from him wanting to meet up.

Nothing.

I miss out on Shawn's entire performance of Treat You Better because all my mind can focus on is coming up with excuses for Niall absence. It's not that big of a deal. He has no obligation to me, and I really shouldn't be banking so much on him saying he'll 'see me tonight.' People say things like that just to be polite, and even though we've both been looking forward to his visit and we've been in frequent communication during his entire absence I shouldn't assume that means we would see each other much while he's actually here.