Chapter 25
Camryn held her first solo concert in Cloudville three years after debuting
As the show began at 8:00 pm, she rose from an elevator platform and appeared on stage.
The stadium, with a capacity of 10,000, was filled with electrifying energy. A sea of blue–green glow sticks luminated the night. It was a light show that belonged only to her.
Amidst the countless expectations and love, she began to sing just like the idols she had once looked up to
“If the starlight once shone upon me, it will forever follow you…‘
In the front row, Yvette held her camera, capturing every moment in its entirety.
The friends who had once commented on Camryn’s social media post, promising to witness her take the stage, all kept their word and were there to support her.
Amid the cheers of thousands, Zayne was so overwhelmed with emotion that he couldn’t hold back tears as he looked at the slim figure on stage. “I told you I’ll make sure you stand on the biggest stage, didn’t I? I wasn’t lying! Camryn, you’re amazing!”
The countless fans in the crowd sang along with the song, their voices uniting to perform the songs that had accompanied them for the past three years. One voice after another, one line after another, spread and rippled through the night like waves, resounding across the skies.
From her first song, “Ripples“, to her latest release, “Ode to the Shoreline“, Camryn’s eyes glistened with tears
Before the final song began, a video played on the big screen. It was footage she had recorded years ago at her favorite singer’s concert, right before she lett North Jascob for Vainea
Seeing her past self on the screen, Camryn was overwhelmed with emotion. She choked up as she spoke.
“Singing has always been my dream, and I’ve worked tirelessly toward it. But to be honest, I didn’t truly understand what the stage and an audience meant to a singer. It wasn’t until 1 attended my first concert that I had the desire to stand on a stage surrounded by thousands of cheering voices and sing the songs that once captivated me. You could say that was where my dream began.
“I was 22 at the time. Other than the songs I hadn’t yet had the chance to share with y you and a few family members and friends, Thad nothing. But that was only temporary. I didn’t let the harsh reality of my circumstances trap me in place. Instead, I took a brave first step. That’s how the Camryn Storm you see today came to be
“Thank you to my family for your patience and understanding of my stubborn choices. Thank you to my friends Yvie, Yolanda, and Eve for your support. Thank you, Zayne, for making my dream come true. And most importantly, thank you to each and every one of you who is here tonight.
“This last song, “Where Does the Bright Moon Shine Tonight“, is dedicated to the version of me who started it all and to all of you here now.”
The massive crowd erupted into waves of cheers and applause.
Amidst the sea of lights, Navion lifted his chin and quietly looked at the woman in the moon–white gown displayed on the screen.
Camryn stood there silently, yet her presence rivaled the brilliance of the moon itself.
For no reason, Xavion found himself remembering the first time he ever met Camryn.
It was springtime, when warm sunlight shone, casting shadows under trees.
Xavion had just walked out of the library when he spotted two girls ahead of him. One of them looked remarkably like Yvette, so he quickened his
s steps,
intending to greet her.
He raised his hand and playfully tapped the back of what he thought was his sister’s head twice. But before he could ask, “Where are you headed?” he froze in place.
The person who turned around wasn’t Yvette; it was a face that stirred long–lost memories within him–a face that made his heart race uncontrollably.
In that instant, he almost called out another name.
It wasn’t until his real sister, standing beside him, lightly tapped him twice on the shoulder that he snapped back to reality.
The two siblings chatted briefly before he turned around again, only to meet a pair of curious, doe–like eyes.
In those eyes, he saw his reflection. Just like now, his eyes reflected another figure..
As the intro to the final song began, he rose along with the crowd, waving his glow stick
This time, he was finally hearing the original version of the love song that had once been written for him exclusively live.
“If I were to paint with poetry, you should be the moon, illuminating me since our first encounter, through countless long and dark nights… My shadow Is the poem I write for you; will the moonlight be your reply…”
Every lyric and line was filled with raw, genuine emotion, making Xavion’s throat tighten and his nose sting
Everyone around him was singing along, but he couldn’t utter a single word even though he had listened to this song countless times to the point where every note was etched into his memory.
The bright moon that once shone solely for him was now shining elsewhere.
Chooter 25
All he could do was look up at that radiant glow, so near yet forever out of reach.
