Falling Fast

By Kylie Himebaugh

She did it. She finally met them. One of the most famous bands in the world was standing right in front of her. This is what Bri's been dreaming of for the past year and a half. However, she never saw herself dating one of the members! Nothing seems to go right! Bri starts rethinking everything. Was this the right choice? Is true love worth it a

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kylie Himebaugh
• Release date: May 26, 2021
• ISBN: 9781087968063

Kylie Himebaugh

Kylie Himebaugh is 17 years old and lives in Florida. She is a businesswoman, author, and speaker. Kylie is a coach on how to teach others how to write and publish their own book. Her book and accomplishments have been featured in magazines and newspapers.

Book preview

1

Concert Time

Why even go to the concert when we got one right here?  I think to myself as we drive to the arena.  Caroline and I dance and goof around in the car, singing along to the loud music.  We’ve been hyped for this concert for the last five months.  We are definitely prepared.  This has to be one of the most exciting moments to ever happen to us.

The colors of our outfits go perfectly with one another's. It’s almost springtime, so we got ripped jeans and our brand new shirts on. Our hair could not be more perfect. Caroline’s makeup makes her amazing diamond blue eyes pop. It's a great thing that she just got her braces taken off a couple of weeks ago.  I decided not to wear too much makeup. My face is smooth and clear, so there was no need for any foundation. I only have a little bit of mascara and my favorite pink lip-gloss on. We have had our outfits set out ever since we found out we were able to go

The pop boy band, Full Speed, was formed just two years ago. When I first saw them, I just thought they were another random boy band. However, I started getting ads for their music and some people I followed on Instagram were posting about them nonstop. Nevertheless, I decided to follow them and check out some of their songs. They have about two million fans and growing still to this day. These boys started by wanting to just make music, memories, and spread positive vibes. The happiness and joy that they spread are what made me start to become a fan of them. Caroline definitely is the craziest fan out of both of us. I’m actually pretty chill, but sometimes, I’ll admit, I get a little crazy too.

Caroline and I wanted to give Full Speed something to remember us by when we get to meet them, even though they get thousands of presents every day. They receive many gifts from other fans, so ours had to be really special. It’s a little crazy, but Caroline insisted that we make individual t-shirts for each of the five members. We had enough time to do them, so why not?  James plays basically every instrument, so we painted the t-shirt with every instrument imaginable.  Matthew is interested in anything that has to do with outer space, so we put the planets and even a little alien on it.  Ryan loves coffee, books, Harry Potter, etc.  Jack loves pizza and skateboarding.  Lucas’ was the toughest because he is very picky, so we decided to go with something that represents his personality. He is really confident and has a good sense of humor, so we did his shirt plain black with an equation with one of those strong-arm emojis plus a laughing emoji equals a picture of his face.  Also, they all have inside jokes that only the fans and the band would understand on the back of their t-shirts.  I really hope that they like them.

We decided to try to get there as early as possible.  I had to beg my mom to let us go early.  Although doing a whole week’s load of laundry and dishes was a lot, it was going to be totally worth it.  We arrived about five hours before the concert started. There were a good amount of fans there already.  All of them were next to the gate.  You can see the tour bus and a trailer next to it. The trailer door is open and the band comes out with skateboards and bikes. The small crowd starts to scream and the boys do some tricks. This is regular for them. They love putting on awesome trick shows for the fans. The crowd of fans is small enough to crawl around and get to the front. James and Lucas come over to sign autographs. I have them sign my plain white phone case. I bought it just for this occasion.

After about a half-hour, they go and get ready for the meet and greet. All the fans split up to go find their friends. Some of them are meeting face-to-face for the first time because they found each other over Instagram and other social media. It’s crazy how many friends I made over social media too. I find them and they hug me and we catch up on life. I’m usually not on Instagram or Twitter too much, but I do keep in contact with all my friends. Without Full Speed, I would have never met my best friend. If I didn’t meet her, well... that would suck.

Everyone that has VIP tickets literally runs to line up at the doors. Caroline and I are one of the first ones in line. We have the shirts we made in our hands. We couldn’t bring really big bags because of the rules, so we’re just sharing Caroline’s little purse. We wait around for about an hour, then the doors finally open. We’re in the fifth spot in line. I start getting butterflies. I can’t believe we are about to meet them!

Oh my gosh!  You’re Brielle, right? We talked over Insta. I can’t believe James remembers me. It has been at least a month since we chatted last.  He has so many fans and I can’t believe he recognized me from my Instagram. I hug him. Caroline is after me and she gives him his t-shirt. She also has Lucas’s and Ryan’s. I give Matthew his and he acts star-struck. He literally doesn’t know what to say. He just stands there in awe on his new shirt. You guys made these? That is so amazing. This is probably one of my favorite gifts.

I turn and look at Jack, the guy I have waited to meet for years. He's standing right in front of me. Don’t mess this up, Brielle. His super curly hair slightly covers the most beautiful dark brown eyes that I have ever seen. He gives a smile and holds onto both of my hands. We just stare off into each other’s eyes until the world starts to disappear. It probably looks weird to other people looking at us, but this feels super normal to me somehow. Caroline gives me a little shove to keep going and I snap back into reality. I give Jack his shirt. He holds it in front of him and looks it over with a grin. The back of his shirt says SKATEBOARDS AND PIZZA #weloveJack. He grabs me in a big, but gentle hug. I literally feel like I’m in heaven with him holding me close.

Jack holds me in his arms for what feels like forever. We both don’t let go. Even though we just met, it feels like we have known each other forever. The photographer starts to yell at us and tells us to get ready for the picture. He keeps his arm around me when we take pictures. The first one was just a regular, then goofy next. He smiles at me and we both look at the camera to make the funniest faces.

I’m Brielle, by the way. Most people call me Bri for short though, I tell Jack.

Brielle. I love that name and I absolutely love this shirt. I blush when he compliments me. How old are you?

We are both eighteen. Caroline butts in. Jack looks sort of satisfied with that answer. He just turned twenty about a month ago. That’s not too far apart from each other…not that I’m thinking that far ahead.

Next! The photographer yells and we are told to move along.

I’ll see you after the show, Bri. Jack gives me one last hug. Oh. My. Gosh. I cannot believe that just happened. We just had a total moment back there. I just felt so comfortable in his arms. It was the best feeling ever.

Spill!  What was that with Jack? Caroline grabs my arms and has an anxious look in her eyes.

I don’t really know, but it was one of the best things that have happened to me. I shake my head in unbelief and we continue to the concert. We go and get our seats for the show. We are right in the front row. I can’t believe we pulled off getting so close to the stage.

We sit in our seats on our phone for a little bit, but then, ten minutes before the show starts, a couple of groups of girls come one at a time and start to crowd around the stage, so Caroline and I get up close to the stage before we get shoved to the back. The music slowly starts and the concert begins.

We dance around and sing at the top of our lungs. Jack catches my eye off stage and stands right in front of me. I reach out my hand for him and he grabs it and sings right to me. Can’t you see that we’re in love? He sings. My knees began to shake a little and my heart was pounding out of my chest. What is happening?

2

Our Dance

After the concert, we head to the after-party. It’s for the fans who bought the VIP packages. We are all still a little half-deaf from the loud music. As we arrive at the party area, the music is the same volume. There is a good amount of people here, but not too crowded.

We wait and dance around, then the boys arrive. Everyone starts to scream. The real party has just begun. Girls surround them to take pictures. This is probably going to take a while. Then, I felt a tap on my shoulder while I’m talking to one of the girls. I turned around and there’s Jack. I don’t even get the word Hi out of my mouth.

Wanna dance? He asks with his hand reaching out.

I can't.

Oh. He looks down, devastated, and starts to walk away.

No, wait! I mean I can’t dance. Literally. I suck at it. I look like an octopus having a freaking seizure. He laughs. At least he thinks I have a good sense of humor.

Don’t worry. I’ll teach you. A beautiful slow song comes on. Perfect timing. I close my eyes, shaking my head, thinking this has to be a dream. He grabs my hands and we take it slow, one step at a time. He looked into my eyes and gave me the cutest grin. I have to be dreaming. I look over his shoulder and see Caroline waving at me. She smiles and gives me the thumbs up. I laugh.

So, tell me a little about yourself. He says to me.

Well, there’s not that much to tell. I’m from a small town about half an hour from here. I just moved from Illinois about a year ago. I love basketball. I’m actually shy most of the time, which is surprising cause here I am, slow dancing with a celebrity and talking to him like he is someone I have known for a long time. He laughs as I babble.

You know, I happen to be pretty good at basketball myself, so I could probably take you on.

Oh really? I don’t know. I think I have some serious skills. He laughs and shakes his head. I’m dancing with a guy who has millions of followers on Instagram. How is this happening? You know, you’re not at all who I expected you to be. Why are you hanging out with me? There are like twenty other girls in here who would die to even take a picture with you.

I just want to get to know you. I meet a lot of people on the road. I like meeting girls like you who are funny and chill.

Does it get crazy at times?

Yes, definitely. But, we’re lucky to have these amazing fans who support us. He replied.

This is probably the only time I’ll ever see you through.

It doesn’t have to be. Here, give me your phone. I open my iPhone and give it to him. I don’t even think about asking what he is doing. Here’s my number. Text me. But, no matter what, don’t give it to anyone else, please. I trust you. I’m not usually allowed to do that, but I need to see you again. He must really trust me, even though we just met. If his phone number ever got leaked, it would be a fiasco.

I promise I won’t give it to anyone. He smiles and I put my phone back in my pocket. He holds my hand and walks over to the rest of the band. They're in the middle of a massive crowd, dancing around. The crowd cheers and screams. Jack releases my hand out of his grip and goes to join his friends. He starts to dance and act all goofy.

After a little bit more dancing, I head over to Caroline who’s at the snack bar. I grab a pack of Sour Patch Kids, my favorite. Caroline looks like she is having a blast. Dude, this is awesome. I just got about a hundred pictures with James. He made me laugh so much, my side hurts now!

I know! I’m so glad I get to spend this night with my best friend. I grin and hug her.

Hey, you. Jack slings his arm over my shoulders.

Hey. I look at Caroline. She nudges me a bit and smiles. This is my best friend, Caroline. We actually met because of the band.

Hi, nice to meet you. Jack hugs her.

You too. It is so cool meeting you guys. You are amazing singers and just awesome people. You inspired both Bri and me to work hard for what we want and our dreams. We worked our butts off for the money to get us here. Thank you.

That is amazing. I love you guys. Full Speed would not be here if it wasn’t for fans like you. Jack says, smiling widely.

Has she challenged you yet? Caroline abruptly changes the subject.

Challenged me? What for?

I guess she hasn’t asked you to go head-on yet? Bri is one of the stars on our school's basketball team. She secretly thinks she’s better than you. Caroline whispers to him.

Really? We’ll have to test that someday. He grins at me and I blush.

Seriously?! Caroline asks in shock.

Absolutely, as long as Bri is okay with that?

I look at him stunned, For real? I mean, yeah, totally, but just don’t come crying to me when you lose.

Oh, so you think you can beat me?! I don’t think so. He gets this silly grin on his face and I just lean back and laugh.

The night slowly