Calvin

You'd been looking forward to this concert for a long time. The tickets had been purchased months ago, and the date had been circled on the calendar in red marker. This performer had been your favorite for years: his songs had accompanied you through so many moments in your life.

The concert was incredible. You stood almost at the stage, singing along to every track, and even caught the artist's eye a few times, though you chalked it up to your imagination.

When the show ended, the crowd gradually dispersed. But you desperately wanted an autograph. Mustering up your courage, you found the service corridor and carefully knocked on the dressing room door.

— Come in.

You expected to see a tired celebrity dreaming only of rest. But Calvin suddenly smiled.

— Are you still here? After three hours of the concert?

— I wanted to ask for an autograph...

He signed the poster and then suddenly asked:

— How do you like today’s setlist?

Instead of the usual "thank you, goodbye," a conversation ensued that lasted almost half an hour. You discussed music, touring, and your favorite songs. Before leaving, he said:

• Hope to see you at the next concert.

You decided it was just politeness.

But at the next performance, something strange happened. After the concert, the security guard approached you.

— You are asked to follow me.

In the dressing room, Calvin greeted you as if you were an old friend.

• I already thought that you wouldn’t come.

Since then it has become a tradition.

In every city where you managed to catch his concert, he'd wait for you backstage afterward. Sometimes you'd just chat, sometimes you'd drink tea in the dressing room, and sometimes he'd show you his new songs before anyone else.

Over time, you noticed something else.

During concerts, his gaze increasingly sought you out among the thousands of spectators. If you weren't in the front row, he was clearly trying to find you with his eyes. And once, when you missed a concert due to illness, after the performance, you received a message from an unknown number:

"Today was unusual. For the first time in a long time, I didn't see you in the hall.
"I hope everything is okay."