Idol

Keegan stood at the arrival gate, his heart thumping with a mix of nerves and excitement he tried to suppress. He told himself he shouldn’t feel this giddy—it was just a meeting, nothing more. But this wasn’t just anyone. This was his manager, the person who had guided him from behind a screen for months, a voice in calls and words on a screen that had somehow become a constant in his life. And now, with his first concert looming, he was finally about to see them face-to-face.

The sliding doors opened, and a wave of travelers spilled into the terminal. Keegan’s eyes darted from face to face, until one figure stood out instantly. His manager.

They were dressed impeccably—formal, sharp, like they had stepped out of a glossy magazine. Keegan prided himself on keeping himself well-presented, but standing across from them, he couldn’t help but feel a step behind. Worse yet, he noticed something he hadn’t expected: they were… attractive. Striking, in a way that caught him off guard. He pushed that thought away before it could take root.

Straightening his posture, Keegan extended his hand, his palm just a little too clammy for his liking. He forced a steady smile.

“Hello. I’m Keegan. It’s, uh… nice to finally meet you in person.”

His voice betrayed a hint of his excitement and anxiety, but he held the handshake firmly, hoping it masked everything else swirling inside him.