The ground beneath Staples Center seemed to pulse as roaring cheers filled the air. Fans--a sea of eager faces and waving hands--had been gathering in the Los Angeles arena for over an hour, their excitement swelling with each passing minute. Tonight was more than just a concert; it was the moment they had all been waiting for, when the world's biggest boy band would take the stage.
Hunter Simmons bounced on the balls of his feet, an effort to dispel his nerves. Performing had always come naturally to him, but tonight was different. For the first time, PrimeFive would be performing three consecutive sold out nights in Los Angeles. The thought of singing live in front of twenty thousand screaming fans brought him equal amounts of terror and thrill.
"You ok, man?" asked Leo, offering a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
"Just doing my warm-ups," Hunter replied.
"You seem nervous."
"Well, yeah. Aren't you?"
"Nah," Leo said, collapsing onto the couch in their dressing room. "We've rehearsed so many goddamn times, I swear I'm doing the routines in my sleep."
"So why are you still off beat?" Hunter said, grinning.
"Shut up, dude," Leo laughed, lobbing a pillow at him. "I'm only a little bit off. No one's gonna notice, not when they're staring at these."
He lifted his tank top, revealing a set of six pack abs that seemed to glisten under the harsh fluorescent lighting. In fact, they were so perfectly sculpted and shiny that they looked like they belonged on a mannequin. Hunter squinted, taking a closer look. Leo was the biggest gym rat among the five of them, constantly pumping iron and downing protein shakes. Over the last year alone, he'd packed on almost ten pounds of muscle. Hunter was an athlete himself who swam competitively in high school, but his build was always more lean than muscular -- a fact Leo never let him forget.
"Leo, did you put glitter on your abs?" Hunter asked, struggling to keep a straight face.
"Glitter and oil," Leo smirked. "That should be the title of our next single."
A PA peeked into the dressing room, signaling showtime. Hunter and Leo left, making their way backstage to join Zak, Lenny, and Nathan. The five formed their customary huddle, a quick prayer before the storm. Tonight, PrimeFive weren't just taking the stage -- they were making an entrance that would sear itself into their fans' memories.
Secured in their harnesses, they began their descent to the stage, hanging upside down in a display that elicited gasps and cheers alike. Staples Center was alive, vibrating with the energy of thousands. Every song crackled with intensity, their choreography sharp and synchronized. As they launched into their chart-topper "But You're Gorgeous," the thunderous ovation confirmed it - tonight was the electrifying start to their fifty-eight city world tour.
The adrenaline high lingered as PrimeFive waved their final goodbyes, the stage lights fading into the lingering echo of the crowd. Backstage was a whirlwind of hugs, high-fives, and buzzing chatter from their crew -- relief and excitement blending in the air.
Once the celebrations ended, the boys peeled away from the post-show energy, slipping into a sleek black van that ferried them back to the hotel. The buzz of the crowd still hummed in their ears.
"Nightcap, anyone?" Leo asked, his grin infectious.
Hunter's answer was a quick, "Hell yeah."
"Seriously?" Zak's voice held a hint of exasperation. "We got another show to put on tomorrow, mate."
"Come on, Zak!" Leo protested, "We just kicked off our first ever world tour. Biggest night of our lives -- it deserves a proper celebration."
"We've just popped a couple of bottles of champagne backstage," Zak said. "Darren practically polished off three glasses all by himself."
"Yeah, but that was with the whole crew," Leo said. "I mean just the five of us."
"Always the voice of reason, huh?" Nathan teased, slinging an arm around Zak's shoulders.
"That mean you're in?" Leo pressed.
Nathan shook his head, "Nah, I'm beat. But Lenny might be up for it. Lenny?"
"That fool's already asleep!" Hunter chuckled, turning to find Lenny sprawled across the back seat, snoring softly.
Back at the hotel, the goodbyes were quick and tinged with exhaustion. Zak, Lenny, and Nathan disappeared into their rooms, leaving the other two grinning at each other.
"So, what'll it be?" Hunter asked as they entered Leo's room, the hum of the minibar a steady backdrop.
"Got a hankering for something tropical," Leo said, pulling open the tiny fridge. "Daiquiri?"
Hunter snorted. "That's it? Where's the hard stuff?"
"Look at the alcoholic here," Leo chided, raising an eyebrow. "How about a vodka tonic?"
"Make it a double."
As they sat on the bed and clinked glasses, a wave of nostalgia hit. PrimeFive was born by chance, a last-minute scramble while filming their season of Project Fame. That day, their solo voices had blended, and something clicked. It was Naomi Scott, the sharp-eyed guest judge, who saw it -- the raw potential that would change their lives forever.
"Crazy how folks still think Spencer Carter put us together just because he was the main judge," Hunter said. "Naomi's the one who saw the spark, gave us a chance."