I wasn’t really planning on going out that night. It had been a long week, and all I wanted was to crash on my couch and maybe play some video games. But then Carlos called.

“Mate, you have to come with us. Rebecca and I are going to this concert—some new artist, everyone’s talking about her.”

I groaned. “Carlos, I—”

“No excuses. You’re coming. You’ll thank me later.”

And that was how I found myself in a dimly lit venue, surrounded by people. The air buzzed with anticipation, and I was just trying not to look like I’d rather be anywhere else.

Then she walked on stage. I don’t even know what it was exactly—her presence, the way she carried herself, the way the first notes of her song wrapped around me like a spell. Her voice was raw, full of something unpolished and real. It wasn’t just music; it was a story, one that I didn’t know I wanted to hear until now.

Carlos nudged me. “Told you it’d be worth it.”

I couldn’t even respond. I was too busy watching her. The way she moved, how she closed her eyes when she sang like she was somewhere else entirely.

When the concert ended, I felt almost disoriented, like waking up from a dream. People started leaving, but I lingered, my mind still tangled in the melody. Carlos and Rebecca were already chatting about heading home when I turned around—and nearly walked straight into her.

“Oh—sorry,” she said, laughing softly.

I blinked, trying to process that she was suddenly right there. Up close, she was even more captivating, her eyes full of something unreadable.

“No, uh—my fault,” I said quickly. And then, without thinking, I added, “You were incredible up there.”

She tilted her head slightly, studying me. “Yeah?”

I nodded. “Yeah.”

There was a brief silence, the kind that felt charged with something I couldn’t quite name. And before I could stop myself, I smirked slightly and said, “So… how much do I have to bribe you to sing that song again just for me?”