OffStage
Chapter 1: The One After All the Others Left
Author
This isn’t a story about the stage.
It’s about what happens when the music stops,
when the fans go home,
and the lights go black.
This is a story about silence—
and the boy who lived inside it
— lastnightwriter
Author
Lets being the story 😉
Backstage hallway. Dim lighting. Cassian stands alone, hoodie on, head low. He doesn’t acknowledge the approaching footsteps
Niko Lior
Niko Lior. I’ve been assigned to you starting today
Cassian Rid
....You're a kid
Niko Lior
Still your manager
Cassian finally looks up. Blinks slowly. Expression unreadable.
Cassian Rid
How long do you think you’ll last
Niko Lior
I don't play guessing games
Cassian Rid
You should. I give most of them three days
Beat. Crowd screaming outside. Neither move
Cassian Rid
Yqou know what they all complain about
Cassian Rid
No. My honesty
Niko Lior
Then I’ll be honest too. I’m not here to babysit you. I’m here to keep you on stage
Cassian Rid
You sound rehearsed.
Niko Lior
You sound defensive.
A long pause. Niko’s gaze never wavers. Cassian’s shifts just slightly—maybe surprised. Maybe bored
Cassian Rid
Fine. Rule one. Don’t talk unless I need you to
Niko Lior
Rule two. You drink the water I hand you. I’m not dealing with vocal cords that hate you
Cassian Rid
No. But we’re going
Cassian turns away, heading toward the prep room. Niko follows two steps behind. No more words. Just silence. Just distance
Chapter 2: Rule Breaker
Rehearsal lounge. Cassian is sitting on the edge of the couch, scrolling his phone, earbuds in. Niko enters quietly, holding a schedule printout and a bottle of water. The tension in the room is immediate
Niko Lior
Rehearsal’s in twenty. You’ll need to change before they mic you
Cassian Rid
(doesn’t look up)
I’ll go when I’m ready
Niko Lior
You’re expected in the sound booth at six sharp
Cassian Rid
If I’m five minutes late, the world won’t end
Niko Lior
I wasn’t worried about the world. Just your throat
Cassian Rid
(removes one earbud slowly, finally looking at Niko)
You do know you’re temporary, right
Niko Lior
Do I need to be?
Cassian Rid
Everyone else was
Niko Lior
Then I’ll be the excepton
Cassian Rid
(smirks faintly)
That’s what they all said. Right before they broke something and stormed out
Niko Lior
If I break something, I’ll write a report about it after
Cassian leans back against the couch, arms crossed. His expression doesn’t soften
Cassian Rid
You don’t flinch easily
Cassian Rid
Most people do. I make it a point
Niko Lior
I’m not most people
Cassian Rid
(stares at him for a beat)
That confidence’ll get you eaten alive in this industry
Niko Lior
Only if I play nice
Cassian stands slowly, walking past him toward the dressing room.
Cassian Rid
Rule two. Don’t assume we’re talking because I want to
Niko Lior
(quietly, behind him)
Rule three. I’m not afraid of silence, Cassian
Cassian stops briefly at the door. Doesn’t turn. Doesn’t speak. Then walks out
Author
If u don't want to updates on story
Chapter 3: Nothing Personal
Studio hallway. Cassian finishes rehearsal and steps out, sweat on his neck, jaw tight. Niko is waiting with a towel and a bottle of cold water. A third person lingers nearby—young, observant
Niko Lior
You skipped your second warm-up.
Cassian Rid
It was unnecessary
Niko Lior
Your vocal coach would disagree
Cassian Rid
She’s not the one singing.
Niko hands him the towel silently. Cassian takes it without thanks. The third person approaches, smiling too brightly.l
Jace
You’re Cassian Reid, right
Cassian Rid
(staring)
Do I need to answer that?
Jace
I’m Jace. Trainee under Sound line. I watched your set. Clean execution
Cassian Rid
You make it sound like I’m a math problem
Jace
(chuckles awkwardly)
Sorry—just meant it as a compliment.
(Niko watches silently, unreadable. Cassian wipes his face slowly, glancing at Niko.)
Cassian Rid
You hiring fans now?
Niko Lior
He’s not staff. Just a trainee
Cassian Rid
Keep him away from me
Jace
I didn’t mean to bother
Beat. The tension thickens. Jace retreats with a small bow. Niko watches him go before turning back
Niko Lior
You didn’t have to do that
Cassian Rid
They all are. Until they aren’t
Cassian tosses the towel into the bin. Walks past
Niko Lior
I’ll send the next week’s schedule to your phone
Cassian Rid
Send whatever you want. Doesn’t mean I’ll read it
Cassian glances over his shoulder. No emotion. No warmth
Author
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