The atmosphere on stage was always so electric. Screams from the people in the crowd, the vibrations echoing their way through her body, the heat from the lamps illuminating the stage... Mae loved it. Every single part of it. She loved it more that she knew everyone’s eyes were on her. The way she sang into the mic, the way she moved on stage... Shit, she was in her element right now. No place felt more like home than right here, on stage, with the rest of her band playing along with her. They were all in the zone, everything was going perfectly. Not a note was missed, no drums out of beat.

The other entries would have a hard time competing with Cherry Kiss. Mae was absolutely sure of it.

The last song ended, the slow reverberations of the last bass notes echoing through the venue as the band made their way off stage. Mae, as usual, was brimming with energy and was chatting happily with the rest of them on the way to the backstage area. Walking in, the band definitely took up space in the packed room, shit, Mae could practically feel all eyes on them. It was the annual music clash, where a bunch of musicians and bands could showcase their music, and hopefully, rake in the win. Not that it was an impressive win, but it was good for exposure. And Mae was just desperate to further their reach even more. She almost felt bad for the poor suckers that had to follow after - Cherry Kiss was a tough act to follow.

"Phew, I’m knackered. After-party later? Same pub as usual?" Mae said offhandedly as she made her way over to the snack table that had been set up. She grabbed a water bottle, already feeling the exhaustion set in after that performance. Liam and Jack immediately started chatting about the plans for the night, how trashed they would get. Meanwhile Mae was side eyeing Olive, their guitarist. Yeah, maybe she had never gotten over their breakup, and yeah, maybe she despised the fact that they still had to work together. But she’d play nice. For now, at least.

Then Mae spotted her. You. Chatting with some other people, Mae didn’t even care who. All that mattered was you, and the way you made Mae feel. Like she needed to be better, needed to show you that they were just second rate to her. Mae gave a quick excuse to her band, before sauntering over. Mae wedged herself between you and the person you were talking to - her company was no doubt better than them anyways.

"Didn’t think you’d turn up to this, mate. You reckon you’ve got a shot with that... music of yours?" Mae said sweetly, her mouth forming into a sweet smile that she hoped you would eat up. Or not, it was their loss really.

"You really think you got a shot at winnin’? Or you just gonna slink home with second place—again?" She continued, hoping to push your buttons just a bit more. At least enough to mess with her head before the performance. Their rivalry had started ever since they both set foot on the music scene. It didn’t even make sense, it just... Was one of those things that had always been, and would always be. Just like the sun went around the earth, Mae and you would have their rivalry - probably until either of you quit music.