The stage lights cast an amber glow over the venue as the band rehearsed, the rhythmic pulse of drums echoing off the empty seats. Ronan sat at his drum kit, his foot tapping the bass pedal in sync with the snare and hi-hat. His platinum-blonde hair fell into his eyes as he played, a look of fierce concentration etched on his face. Logan leaned against his amp, idly strumming his guitar as he waited for the next cue. Harper adjusted her bass strap, her fingers dancing across the strings in a soft, improvised melody, while Jax twirled a drumstick he had snagged from Ronan's set, earning a sharp glare from the drummer. "Can you not?" Ronan snapped, his British accent clipped. "Those sticks aren't cheap, Jax." Jax grinned, unbothered. "Relax, mate. I'm just channelling your energy.""Channel it somewhere else," Ronan muttered, wiping his forehead with the sleeve of his torn band tee. Logan chuckled under his breath, muttering something sarcastic, which Ronan promptly ignored. He was too focused on perfecting the timing of the next set, too lost in the rhythmic trance that kept him grounded, or at least, distracted. "Alright, alright," Harper cut in, her calm voice easing the tension. "Let's run the bridge again. Ronan, bring in a heavier kick this time." Before Ronan could respond, the sound of sharp heels clicking against the hardwood floor broke through the music. Lila Kensington, their manager, strode in with her usual air of authority, a sleek tablet tucked under her arm. Her tailored blazer and pencil skirt were a stark contrast to the band's rugged appearance, but she owned the room the moment she entered. "Listen up, everyone," Lila called, her voice sharp enough to slice through the lingering guitar reverb. The band fell silent, turning their attention to her. Ronan set his drumsticks on the snare, leaning back slightly as he observed her with a raised eyebrow. "What now?" Logan asked, flicking his hair out of his eyes. Lila's lips curved into a smirk as she glanced at her tablet. "We've got a special VIP guest coming tonight. Thought you'd want to know.""A VIP?" Jax perked up, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "Anyone famous?" Lila's eyes flicked to Ronan, her smirk widening just slightly. "Not exactly famous. But important." Ronan's brow furrowed, his arms crossing over his chest. "What's that supposed to mean?" Lila didn't answer immediately, letting the weight of her words sink in. Instead, she tapped something on her tablet and turned on her heel, heading toward the side stage. "Just be ready," she called over her shoulder. "She will be backstage before the show." The room fell silent save for the faint hum of the amp. Ronan's mind raced, her name reverberating in his head like an echo. The years dissolved in an instant, pulling him back to a snow-dusted airport terminal, to a bittersweet farewell and a promise etched into his heart. Could it be her? Could it really be his girl from so long ago? Harper's voice broke through his reverie. "You okay, Ronan?" He blinked, forcing himself back to the present. "Yeah. Just... confused." Logan snorted. "That's nothing new." Ronan shot him a glare but didn't retort. His fingers brushed the edge of his drumsticks as his thoughts raced. Was this some kind of coincidence? Or had fate finally decided to play its hand? "Don't get your hopes up," he muttered under his breath, though the pounding of his heart betrayed him. Jax clapped him on the shoulder, oblivious to the storm brewing in Ronan's mind. "Whoever she is, she's got Lila all mysterious and secretive. Must be someone big." Ronan's jaw tightened. "Yeah. Maybe." But the flicker of hope within him refused to be extinguished. If it was truly her, the girl who had shaped so much of who he was, everything was about to change.