Chapter 16: Beyond the Spotlight

The days had started to blend together in the best way possible. Every morning, Iris would wake up to the familiar warmth of the sun filtering through the curtains, and every night, she would fall asleep with the comforting weight of Luke beside her. She was still getting used to the idea of having someone so close in her life, but it didn't feel intrusive—it felt natural. His presence was constant, like the quiet hum of a song that played softly in the background.

They had started spending more time together, even outside of practice and the gym. Sometimes they would race motorcycles through the streets late at night, the world around them reduced to the sound of engines roaring and the rush of wind in their faces. Other times, they would just go on long walks around the city, wandering aimlessly, talking about everything and nothing. It was these simple moments, these little exchanges, that made her feel like she was really living.

Today, however, was different. Luke had mentioned something about "meeting the guys" after practice, but Iris wasn't entirely sure what he meant by that. She assumed they were going out for drinks or maybe just hanging out at his place, but when they arrived at the studio, she noticed something odd. Instead of the usual post-practice routine of everyone winding down and heading home, the Apollo members seemed to be preparing for something. The atmosphere in the studio was more charged than usual.

Luke turned to her with a grin. "Ready for something a little different today?"

Iris raised an eyebrow. "What's going on?"

"You'll see." He winked, and Iris couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement in her chest. She had gotten used to his playful teasing, but today, there was something else in his eyes—something more mischievous.

As the members of Apollo moved to the front of the studio, Luke took her hand, guiding her toward the back. The sound of music echoed in the background as they passed by the mirrors and rows of chairs. They finally stopped at a small side room, where a few members of the crew were setting up equipment. There were lights, cameras, and a whole bunch of stuff that looked like it was straight out of a music video.

"Luke?" Iris asked, still not quite understanding what was going on.

He turned to her, his grin widening. "Surprise. Today, you get to see how the magic happens."

Before she could say anything else, the music started—loud and fast, the bass thumping through the room. The guys from Apollo took their places, and the lights shifted to reveal a stage setup. It wasn't just practice—it was a live recording session for a new music video.

Iris's eyes widened as she watched the members take their positions. Luke stood in the center, his body poised and ready, eyes focused with a mixture of intensity and excitement. The other members surrounded him, all in sync as they started to move to the beat, their bodies moving with effortless grace.

She couldn't tear her eyes away from them. Luke was completely in his element, his movements sharp and fluid, his entire being consumed by the rhythm of the music. There was something captivating about watching him perform. It wasn't just his obvious talent—it was the way he commanded the room, how every movement seemed deliberate and perfectly timed. Watching him was like watching a storm—a beautiful, chaotic force of nature.

As the song continued, Iris felt a smile tug at her lips. She wasn't just amazed by Luke's talent; she was in awe of how he was able to merge his passion for dancing with the lightness of his personality. It was like two halves of him that she never knew could coexist—his sharpness and his softness.

When the song ended, the room erupted into applause, and Iris was the first to clap. She couldn't help it; the performance had been electrifying. Luke caught her eye as he made his way to the side of the stage, a wide grin on his face.

"Not bad, huh?" he said, his voice teasing as he leaned toward her. He was panting slightly from the exertion, but the glint in his eyes was enough to show just how much he enjoyed performing.

"Not bad?" Iris repeated, shaking her head in disbelief. "That was incredible, Luke. You guys were amazing."

"Well, we do our best," he said with a shrug, though his smile suggested he was pleased by her reaction.

The other members of Apollo joined them shortly, all sweaty and laughing from the intense performance. "So, what do you think, Iris?" Jae asked, wiping his forehead with a towel. "You still think we're just a bunch of kids?"

Iris laughed, shaking her head. "I think you guys are ridiculously talented. I'm a little jealous."

"Jealous?" Hae added, smirking as he slung his arm over her shoulder. "You should be! We're basically the coolest group in the world."

"Well, you certainly know how to put on a show," Iris replied with a laugh. She felt a little overwhelmed, but in a good way. The members of Apollo had a certain magnetism about them, and their chemistry was undeniable.

After the video shoot wrapped up, Luke took her aside. "You didn't get to see the best part, though," he said, lowering his voice.

"Oh? And what's that?" Iris asked, curious.

"You haven't seen the choreography from the beginning of the song. I saved that just for you."

Iris raised an eyebrow. "So, you're saying I get a private performance?"

Luke's grin was mischievous. "You bet. But only if you're ready to keep up."

Iris felt her pulse quicken. "Oh, I'm ready. Show me what you've got, superstar."

And with that, Luke stepped into position, calling out to the others to join them. What followed was a whirlwind of fast footwork, sharp turns, and moves that left her breathless. But it wasn't just the choreography that had Iris's heart racing—it was the way Luke moved, the way he looked at her as if he were performing just for her.

Each time their eyes met, there was something more there—something that wasn't just the friendly teasing they'd shared over the past few weeks. It was a spark that neither of them could ignore, even if they weren't ready to name it just yet.