WHEN LOVE LAST A LIFETIME

"Iris! Look! The Xefora is playing next!" Max squealed and pulled my arm. She was running in the midst of a heavy crowd.

I tried to keep up with Max as she weaved her way through the throngs of people. The excitement was palpable in the air as the crowd made their way towards the stage where Xefora was set to perform. I could see the stage in the distance, surrounded by a sea of people cheering and waving their hands in the air. The music was already starting to reach us, a deep bass vibrating through the ground.

Max was bouncing up and down next to me, her eyes alight with excitement. "I've been waiting for this for months!" she shouted over the noise of the crowd. "Xefora is my favorite band ever!" As we pushed our way closer to the stage, the music became louder and more intense. The stage was a flurry of lights and movement, and the crowd was completely absorbed by the performance. I was starting to feel the excitement too, and I couldn't help but dance along with Max.

Finally, we made it to the front row, and I was completely blown away by the sheer scale of the performance. Xefora was in full swing, their music pulsing through the air and their movements mesmerizing the crowd. I felt my worries melt away as I got lost in the moment, caught up in the energy of the performance. Max was right - this was going to be an unforgettable night.

The band continued to play hit after hit, each song more electrifying than the last. The crowd was in a frenzy, jumping and dancing along with the music. I was having the time of my life, lost in the moment and completely absorbed by the music.

As the night went on, I felt a sense of unity with the crowd, as if we were all one, connected by the music. Xefora's music had a way of bringing people together, and for a few hours, all of our differences faded away.

At the end of the night, the band took a final bow, the crowd erupting into thunderous applause. Max and I cheered and clapped along with everyone else, and I felt a sense of sadness as the night came to an end.

As we made our way out of the concert, I couldn't help but reflect on the amazing experience I had just had. Xefora had given us a night to remember, a night filled with music, joy, and unity. I knew that this was a night that would stay with me forever, and I was grateful to have shared it with Max.

"You obviously enjoyed it, Iris." Max smirk at me, "They are so good looking which makes it more worth it." She laughs. I couldn't deny it as I surprisingly enjoyed the jam.

"I chuckled and nodded in agreement, "Yeah, they were definitely amazing to watch. And, I have to admit, they are pretty easy on the eyes too."

Max grinned, "I knew you secretly liked them. We'll have to come to their next concert together."

I smiled, "Definitely. That was such an incredible experience, I would love to do it again."

As we walked away from the concert, I felt a sense of excitement and joy. Xefora had given us an unforgettable night filled with music, energy, and good vibes. And I knew that no matter how much time passed, I would always look back on this night with fond memories.

It's past eleven in the evening when we decided to leave the place. Max and I were walking to the front gate when her phone rang. It was one of her friends telling her that we can meet xefora tonight.

Max's eyes lit up as she listened to the phone call. "Really?" she exclaimed, "We can meet Xefora tonight?"

I could see the excitement in her eyes and I knew this was a once in a lifetime opportunity. "Let's go!" I said, feeling my own excitement building.

Max hung up the phone and we quickly made our way back to the stage. We pushed our way through the crowd, our hearts racing with anticipation.

When we finally reached the backstage area, we were greeted by Xefora's manager who led us to a private room where the band was waiting. I couldn't believe it - we were actually going to meet our favorite band!

Max and I were in awe as we walked into the room. Xefora was even more impressive in person, their energy and charisma shining bright. They welcomed us with open arms, and we spent the next hour chatting with them and getting to know them on a personal level.

Max and Lance hugged each other tightly, both of them smiling from ear to ear. "I'm so happy to see you," Max said, "And to know that you're friends with Xefora is just amazing."

I nodded in agreement, "Xefora is definitely getting popular these days. I think every girl knows them and adores them."

Lance smiled, "Yeah, they've been working hard to make it in the music industry and it's paying off. They're amazing musicians and performers."

"I hope they don't disband even after high school," I added, "I hope they continue to pursue their passion for music."

Lance nodded, "Me too. They have so much talent and it would be a shame to see it go to waste. I have no doubt that they'll continue to make great music and entertain their fans for years to come."

As we continued to talk, I felt a sense of excitement for Xefora's future. They had already come so far, and I knew that they would only continue to grow and succeed in the music industry. Max and I left the backstage area with huge grins on our faces, feeling grateful for the amazing night and for the memories that would last a lifetime.

As I looked around the room, I couldn't help but notice that all of the members of Xefora were good-looking. But Felix, the vocalist, stood out to me. He was tall, with dark hair and piercing blue eyes that seemed to captivate everyone in the room. I found myself drawn to him, unable to look away.

Suddenly, I caught Felix's gaze and saw that he was looking at me too. My heart skipped a beat, and I felt a warm flush spread across my face. I gave him a small smile, feeling shy and nervous all of a sudden.

Felix returned my smile, and I felt a spark of connection between us. It was a moment that I would never forget, and I felt grateful to have been able to experience it.

As Felix walked over to us, I felt my heart skip a beat. He was even more handsome up close, and I couldn't help but feel a little nervous as he approached.

Lance greeted Felix with a smile, "Hey man, it's great to see you again."

Felix returned the smile, "Yeah, it's been too long. You guys have been enjoying the show?"

Lance nodded, "Definitely. You guys are sounding better than ever."

Felix chuckled, "Thanks man. We've been working hard to perfect our sound."

As the night went on, I couldn't help but think about Felix and the way he looked at me.

As I settled into my desk and started reviewing the notes that Max had lent me, I couldn't help but think about the amazing night I had at the Xefora concert. It was a welcome break from the usual routine of school and studying, and I was grateful to have had the opportunity to experience it.

But now, it was back to reality. It was a Saturday, but I had still woken up early to catch up on the lessons I had missed the previous week. I was determined to keep up with my studies and make the most of my high school years.

I worked hard all morning, reading through Max's notes and reviewing the material I had missed. I felt a sense of accomplishment as I understood the concepts and was able to answer the review questions.

With my work done for the day, I leaned back in my chair and took a deep breath. I was proud of myself for staying disciplined and focused, even on a weekend.

As I made my way to Isla's room, I couldn't help but smile. She was always up for a chat, and I was looking forward to catching up with her over breakfast.

When I arrived, Isla was just finishing up her own breakfast of fruit and yogurt. We sat down together at the table and chatted about our plans for the day.

"What do you have planned for today?" I asked.

"I was thinking of going to the park to do some sketching," Isla replied. "I've been working on improving my drawings and I want to try out some new techniques."

I smiled, "That sounds great. I was thinking of going for a run later, maybe we could do it together."

Isla nodded, "Sure, that would be fun. I could use a workout."

We continued to chat and catch up, discussing our interests and plans for the future. Having Isla around had been a real blessing, and I was grateful for her presence in our home.

As we finished our breakfast, I felt a sense of contentment. Life was good, and I was looking forward to what the rest of the day would bring.

As we walked to the park, I filled Isla in on the details of our encounter with Xefora from the night before. She listened intently, a look of surprise on her face as I described the energy of the concert.

"Wow, that sounds amazing," she said. "I've never been much of a fan of concerts, but I'm glad you enjoyed it."

I smiled, "It was definitely a once in a lifetime experience. Max and I had such a great time. I can't wait to see them again."

Isla nodded, "I can tell. You two are always up for an adventure."

We continued to talk as we made our way to the park. It was a beautiful day, and I was looking forward to getting some fresh air and spending time with my cousin.

As we arrived at the park, Isla found a quiet spot to set up her sketchbook and charcoal pencils. I went for a run, feeling the wind in my hair and the sun on my face.

It was a perfect afternoon, and I was grateful for the time I got to spend with Isla. Our lifestyles may have been different, but it was moments like these that brought us closer together.

I was jogging at the park listening to some music on phone when i received a message from max. I opened my phone and read her messages. I laughed at myself when I read her message telling me she's coming with lance to go to the practice of xefora.

I stopped my jog and replied to Max, "You guys are so lucky! I wish I could join you at their practice. I'll be cheering you on from afar."

Max replied, "Don't worry Iris! You'll get to see them again soon enough. Just wait until their next concert. It's going to be epic."

I smiled as I put my phone back in my pocket and continued my jog. I couldn't wait to see Xefora perform again.

As I jogged, I thought about how lucky I was to have friends like Max and a cousin like Isla. They always made sure I was having a good time and kept me entertained. I felt grateful for the people in my life and for the experiences I had had so far.

It was a beautiful day, and I was excited for what was to come. I couldn't wait to see what other adventures awaited me in the future.

"You know, Iris, drawing is a skill that can be developed with practice," Isla said, noticing my admiration for her art. "Why don't you give it a try?"

I smiled at her offer and replied, "I've always wanted to try, but I've never been good at it. I'm afraid I'll just end up ruining the paper."

Isla chuckled and said, "There's no such thing as ruining paper. It's just a matter of learning the techniques and finding your own style. Here, let me show you."

She handed me a sketchpad and pencil and showed me the basics of sketching. I was amazed at how easy it was with her guidance, and I soon found myself lost in the moment, sketching away.

As the sun set, I looked at the page and was pleasantly surprised by what I had created. It was rough and far from perfect, but it was a start. I felt a sense of pride in my accomplishment and knew that I wanted to continue developing my skills.

Isla smiled at me and said, "See, you have a natural talent for this. Keep practicing, and who knows, you might end up being the next famous artist."

I laughed and thanked her for her encouragement. I felt inspired and excited for the new hobby I had discovered. I couldn't wait to continue practicing and see where it would take me.

we went home after, and while walking inside our village. I saw a familiar face.

it was red the drummer of the band. "i thought you have a band practice," i said to him, " we have, but I couldn't come today i ran some errands." he replied

with a warm smile. "It's good to see you again," I said. "Likewise," Red said as he walked with us towards our house. We chatted about the concert and other things, he was such a nice person. As we reached our house, I invited him inside but he politely declined saying he has to go back to the studio. We said our goodbyes and exchanged numbers. I couldn't believe I just had a conversation with a member of Xefora. This was definitely a day to remember.

Max was beside me when I wondered what school Xefora's members were attending, so I asked her and she replied, "They all go to different schools, but Felix and Red go to Howard University. I heard they're pretty talented, not just in music but in academics too." I was surprised to hear that, it just goes to show how multi-talented they were. "Wow, that's impressive," I said. Max nodded in agreement. I smiled to myself when I remembered that red asked for my number yesterday, so I told max about it. "did he message you already?" she asked, "No, not yet." I said.

Max seemed a little disappointed, "Well, maybe he's just busy with band practice. Give him some time, I'm sure he'll reach out soon." I nodded, still feeling a little giddy about the whole situation. It's not every day that a member of a rising band asks for your number.

"by the way, max. how was the band practice yesterday?" I ask her again. She turned to me and smiled widely, "Felix was looking for you, but based on what you just said today it seems like Red was interested in you, he even ask for your number" she said while giggling.

I couldn't help but feel a little flustered. I had no idea that Red was interested in me, and now Felix was looking for me too. I didn't know what to think. Max was still giggling at my reaction. "Don't worry, Iris. Just wait and see. Who knows, one of them might end up being your prince charming."

Later that evening, I finally received a message from Red. He asked if I wanted to grab a coffee with him the next day. I was nervous but also excited at the same time. I agreed to meet him and we set a time and place.

I couldn't sleep that night, my mind was racing with thoughts about the upcoming meeting. I wanted to make a good impression but at the same time I didn't want to seem too eager.

The next day, I dressed nicely and made my way to the coffee shop. I saw Red waiting for me outside, and my heart started racing. I took a deep breath and walked towards him with a smile.

"Hi, Iris." Red greeted me with a warm smile. "Hi, Red." I replied, feeling a little nervous.

We went inside the coffee shop and ordered our drinks. We talked about our interests and hobbies, and I found out that we had a lot in common. Red was charming and funny, and I couldn't help but laugh at his jokes.

"I ask felix to come with me today. He was actually shocked to know that I ask you to grab a coffee with me," he said laughing.

"Why didn't he come?" I ask then drink my coffee.

"He's the vocalist on our band, he needs to practice some new songs," he said.

"He really have a good voice. There's no doubt about it, i'm sure he'll do great." I smiled at him

As we finished our drinks, Red asked if I wanted to hang out again sometime. I agreed, feeling happy and excited. I couldn't believe that a member of Xefora was interested in me.

I walked home with a big smile on my face, feeling grateful for the unexpected turn of events. I was excited to see where this would lead and I couldn't wait to spend more time with Red.

lance and max had a date tonight so I decided to stay at home with Isla. She's been feeling sick lately, and I wonder why. I don't know if she went to see a doctor already.

I made some tea for Isla and asked her if she was feeling better. "Not really," she said, "I think I might have caught a cold." I felt worried for her and decided to make her some soup for dinner. We spent the night watching movies and talking about our plans for the future. I was glad that I was there to take care of her.

An hour later while I'm still in Isla's room. I received a call from Max. "hello?" i answered. "Iris, oh my gosh! you wouldn't believe what happened today," she said giggling. "what is it?" I asked. "Lance kissed me." I burst out laughing at her, "You're acting like it's your first time kissing him," i said. " I know, but i feel so happy about it"

"I'm happy for you two, you're still so in love with each other about 2 years of being together. I hope I can find someone who'll love me like what Lance have for you," I said.

"You're being a sad girl now," she laughed. "Anyway, how was your date with red?" she asked.

"It wasn't a date, max."

"It think it was."

'I don't think so, Felix was supposed to be there but he needs to practice for a new song. It's definitely not a date." I smiled to myself.

"Oh! I remember. Lance told me that Felix was a bit curious at you. He kept asking Lance about you. OMG! Maybe he likes you." max said giggling at the other line.

"Stop it, max. I don't want to assume," I took a deep breathe as i said those words.

Imagine Felix liking you. It seems so unreal, why would he like someone like me. I'm not that pretty, and there's nothing special about me.

I went back to checking on Isla, and she seemed to be sleeping soundly. I decided to give her some space and went to my room to catch up on some reading but when I head to my room, I check my phone to look at my social medias and forgot about the book i wanted to read.

I checked my social medias and i was astounded to realize that red followed me

The next day, I received a message from Red. He asked if I wanted to hang out with him and some of his friends. I was ecstatic and quickly replied saying yes. I couldn't believe that a member of Xefora wanted to spend time with me. I immediately told Max and Isla about it, and they were both happy for me.

I got dressed for the day, picked out the perfect outfit, and made sure I looked good for the meeting. I was a little nervous but excited for this opportunity to spend more time with Red and potentially get to know the other members of Xefora.

I arrived at the designated meeting place, a café near the park. I saw Red waiting for me outside, and he greeted me with a smile. He introduced me to the other members of Xefora and some of their friends. I had a great time chatting and laughing with them, and I felt like I fit right in.

"Felix will be here anytime soon," Red whispered to me.

"Really? It'll be great to meet him again," I smiled at him, trying to hide my excitement to meet Felix.

when Felix arrived he sat beside me. Red can't keep his smiles to himself, so i asked him why is he smiling like an idiot beside me. He laughed at me and whispered "Felix likes you, don't tell him I told you," I don't know how to react to what he said because it actually made me shy.

As the day went on, Red even showed me some of the music that he had written. I was impressed by his talent, and I told him so.

Felix and I talked for just a minute. It was actually me and Red who vibe all along.

Overall, it was an amazing day, and I felt grateful for the opportunity.

I went home feeling a bit tired. I lay down on my bed and open the notifications. Red tagged me in a photo on Instagram and this time it was Felix who followed me. I checked his social media and I noticed that all his photos were black and white. I wonder why.