Heartless beasts

Cherry's POV

I was in a rush to get to my part-time job at the cocktail bar, so I picked the red dress from the closet, mostly because it was the first thing I saw, my phone kept ringing, but I ignored it several times until I was done with what I was doing.

When I finally checked it, I noticed that Belinda, my best friend, had left me a voice message. I almost ignored it too, until I realized she had been the one calling all along.

“Did she get herself into trouble?” I mumbled, I knew her well enough to know she wouldn’t call me over nothing.

I opened the message, my heart skipping a beat.

“Idiot! What are you doing!? Nathan is coming to our campus today! He’s performing his new song and—”

I didn’t even finish listening, because I dropped my phone.

Nathan! The famous pop star, my ride or die, the man I had spent years cheering for, dreaming about, was coming to my campus.

I would do anything to attend his concert, even though his shows were ridiculously expensive and way out of reach for someone like me. I didn’t care; I loved this man! No, we loved him.

This was a surprise none of his fans had expected Belinda could’ve been messing with me, but I had to confirm it myself. I opened the group chat for Nathan’s fans, and there it was. The news was real, he was actually coming.

I took a deep breath to calm myself down. I needed to stay composed! Then, without wasting another second, I ran to fix my makeup and changed my outfit. I chose the pink dress, the one I loved, or rather, the one Belinda loved on me; she had great taste, so I trusted her opinion. I knew I looked good in it, but I still checked the mirror, just to be sure.

I had never worn it on campus before, so it felt strange, but I didn’t care; Nathan was coming, and I had to look good, even if I knew deep down that he wouldn’t even look at me.

Before leaving the room, I kissed the picture of Nathan I had taped to my wall, I knew I was obsessed, and honestly, I didn’t mind.

I got into a taxi, and I was certain the driver could tell how excited I was, the way I kept smiling, my energy radiating that anyone could’ve guessed my heart was ready to explode! Just the thought of seeing Nathan up close was too much to handle.

I expected to see a huge crowd at the campus full of his fans, but to my surprise, it was mostly students. Then I realized why when the security guard asked for my student ID before letting me in.

That made me happy, honestly, It meant fewer people, maybe, just maybe, I’d get the chance to see him closely or even catch his attention. A girl could hope.

As I passed the gate, I overheard two security guards talking behind my back.

“What’s wrong with these girls? Why would she wear something like that on campus?”

“She’s obviously looking for attention! Maybe she thinks Nathan will notice her,” one of them said, laughing.

I didn’t care about their gossip, who in the world wouldn’t want Nathan’s attention? Even my grandmother in the countryside would dress up if Nathan was coming to her village.

I walked away with my head high Belinda was already waiting for me down the path, smiling like a fool.

“Oh my God, Cherry! What are you wearing?” she said, reacting immediately.

“Shut up! What’s wrong with this?” I replied, smiling.

“Girl, you’re not going to a party or anything,” she said, rolling her eyes. “But whatever. I already saved us seats.”

“Okay, let’s go,” I said, and we both laughed.

The event was being held in the cinema room, and of course, it was already crowded, but thanks to Belinda, my angel, she had managed to get us front-row seats and tickets, I was seriously proud of her.

We waited for about fifteen minutes, and then it happened! The screams began, Nathan had arrived.

He walked in, glowing like a literal star. For the first time in my life, I got to see him this close, and he was unbelievably attractive. I knew I would catch a grenade for him. Honestly, I would die for this man.

His black, messy hair, his sparkling eyes, the lips he always bit while performing, his broad shoulders and toned abs, he loved showing off when fans asked, Nathan was everything I had imagined and more.

I was so busy admiring his beauty that I didn’t even realize he had started performing, the crowd was screaming and singing along, and I was just standing

“Girls! I’m talking to you! You’re so damn beautiful, I’m losing my confidence up here!” he shouted playfully.

The boys in the room murmured out of jealousy, but Nathan didn’t care, he smiled and blew a kiss into the crowd! He knew what he was doing to us; he knew he was fine, and he loved it.

“This girl in pink, I would die for her,” he said, looking straight toward our side.

Wait, What?

Me?

No way Cherry, calm down.

My heart started pounding so hard, I thought Belinda could hear it from her seat.

“Can I get your name, Pinkie Pie?” he asked.

I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t look at anyone. Belinda asked what was happening, but I barely heard her. I stood up and slowly began walking toward the stage

And that's when I saw another girl in a pink dress, standing just a few steps away from where I had been.

It wasn’t me.

It wasn’t me at all.

My chest tightened with embarrassment, laughter filled the room, and Belinda stared at me, frozen in shock. Nathan was saying something else, but I didn’t hear anything; everything around me blurred. I had never felt more humiliated.