Rachel Zhao hurriedly finished applying the last touches of makeup, her fingers lightly dabbing her cheek as she looked at the clock. Time was slipping away, and she could already hear the impatient voice of her friend echoing from the hallway. "Rachel! Rachel! Let's go! The bus is here! This girl you have been there for over 2 hours" The urgency in her friend's voice was clear. It was the kind of frantic, last-minute reminder every group of girls experienced before a big event. Rachel couldn't help but smile at the sound, even as she glanced at her reflection in the mirror.
With one last swipe of her mascara, she set the brush down and gave herself a quick once-over in the full-length mirror. Her eyes scanned her appearance as she ran her fingers through her hair, fixing the stray strands. "Perfect," she murmured to herself, a satisfied grin spreading across her face. The mirror reflected a polished version of herself—radiant skin, carefully styled hair, and makeup that enhanced her features without being overpowering. She had spent the last half hour meticulously preparing, knowing that tonight was going to be something special, something they had been anticipating for months.
Hearing the commotion outside her hotel room door, Rachel quickly grabbed her bag, slinging it over her shoulder, and stepped out. The hotel room she had just left behind was luxurious, in that understated way that made it both cozy and grand at the same time. The parlor area was spacious, with soft, plush carpets beneath her feet. The large windows let in an abundance of natural light, casting a warm glow over the room's carefully arranged furniture. A comfy sofa in the center of the room was flanked by delicate lamps with golden accents, creating an inviting atmosphere. The polished wooden coffee table in the middle held a few decorative items—a small vase with fresh flowers and a bowl of fruit. Rachel couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and excitement as she glanced around before stepping out into the hallway, closing the door behind her.
As soon as Rachel emerged, she was greeted by the sight of her friends—three of the most important people in her life—standing in the hallway, each of them engaged in their own little world. The first was Mariam, her best friend who had been a constant in Rachel's life ever since her family moved to Dubai. Mariam had been the one who welcomed her into the fold when they first became neighbors, and their bond only deepened when they both attended the same high school. Right now, Mariam was furiously typing away on her phone, her fingers moving faster than Rachel could keep up with. Her brow was furrowed in concentration, completely oblivious to everything going on around her. Rachel knew Mariam—this was how she got before events or anything honestly, checking messages, confirming details, making sure everything was lined up just right. She was always organized to the point of obsession, and it was one of the things Rachel admired most about her.
Next to Mariam stood Jumana, another close friend who had been part of their circle since high school. Rachel remembered the first time she met Jumana on the staircase on her first day at school. It had been a serendipitous encounter, with Jumana's warm smile making Rachel feel instantly welcome in a new place that, at the time, felt foreign and intimidating. Jumana was currently adjusting her outfit in front of a mirror, ensuring everything was in perfect order. The way she checked herself out, making small tweaks to her appearance, showed that she had a little bit of a perfectionist streak, too. Jumana always looked flawless, and Rachel couldn't help but admire her confidence. The girl had a sense of style that was all her own, something Rachel was constantly envious of.
Finally, there was Jasmine, the one who had been calling Rachel's name from the other side of the door. Jasmine, an African American girl who had joined their school just last year, had become an inseparable part of their group. The bond between them had been immediate. From the first time they met, there had been an instant connection—an unspoken understanding. It was as if they had known each other for years, not just months. Jasmine was the type of person who brought energy wherever she went, and she had been the one to rally the group for this trip to Iowa. She was practically bouncing on the balls of her feet, unable to contain her excitement. The bus was waiting, and they were about to embark on the adventure they had been planning for months. A trip to see Ethan Jones in concert.
Rachel's mind raced as she took in the sight of her friends, all of them so different, yet bound together by the shared experience of their lives and the excitement of what was to come. Tonight, they were going to experience something none of them would ever forget. Ethan Jones, the breakout pop star who had taken the world by storm, was performing live in Iowa City. It was the type of event that girls like them, living in the middle of a whirlwind of dreams and aspirations, couldn't resist.
Rachel's heart fluttered with anticipation. She knew this was going to be one of those nights—an unforgettable experience filled with music, laughter, and memories they would all cherish forever. This was their time to live a little, to escape from the pressures of school, life, and everything else that weighed them down.
"Alright, let's go!" Rachel called out, her voice laced with excitement and a wide grin spreading across her face.
The moment her voice echoed through the hallway, the other girls instinctively turned. Mariam paused mid-text, her thumbs frozen above her phone screen. Jumana halted her final outfit check in the mirror. Jasmine, who had been pacing in frustration, snapped her head toward the source of the voice with a huff of dramatic relief.
But when their eyes landed on Rachel—standing tall and proud in the doorway—they all reacted at once.
Jasmine was the first to speak, her words coming out in a breathy mix of disbelief and sass. "About ti—" But she didn't finish. Her jaw dropped slightly, her eyes widening.
Mariam, usually unbothered and collected, let her phone slip slightly from her hand as she blinked in stunned silence. "Ooh honey… your face," she said slowly, her voice laced with genuine shock.
Standing before them was Rachel Zhao—usually the most subtle, poised, and effortlessly stylish of the group—now transformed by an explosion of color and contour. Her makeup was bold, unapologetically extravagant. Swirls of shimmering teal eyeshadow framed her lids, with a hot pink wing cutting across the edge. Her cheeks were dusted in vibrant coral blush, and a highlighter so luminous it could've guided ships at sea shimmered on her cheekbones. Her lips were painted a fierce electric purple that stood out like neon under the hallway lights. It was… a look.
And a lot of it.
Rachel, still beaming with pride from her effort, caught sight of their expressions—frozen in a mix of awe, confusion, and something else she couldn't name. Her smile faltered. Her excitement dimmed like a flickering bulb. She shifted awkwardly, her voice now soft, uncertain.
"…What? Is it not nice?" she asked, eyes flickering between their stunned faces.
Immediately, the girls snapped out of it, their voices overlapping in hurried reassurance.
"No, no—it's fine!" Jumana blurted out first, waving her hands frantically. "It's really pretty, it's just…"
"It's… not you," Jasmine chimed in, stepping closer with a gentle, apologetic look as she eyed the glittery chaos on Rachel's face. "Rach, this is so…"
Before she could finish, Mariam jumped in quickly, her voice loud and certain. "Perfect!" she said, cutting the tension. All heads turned toward her.
"You look so beautiful, Rachel," Mariam continued, her smile warm and completely sincere. She stepped forward, placing her hand gently on Rachel's arm. "Seriously. You look like someone who knows she's going to have the best night of her life."
Rachel blinked, a hesitant smile forming again. "Really?" she asked, still unsure.
"Of course," Mariam said with a soft laugh, nodding. She turned to the other girls, raising her brows in a way that demanded backup.
"Yes, it's perfect!" Jumana chimed in, smiling widely now.
"You look like a popstar," Jasmine added, her earlier doubt replaced by playful admiration. "A crazy, fabulous one—but still a popstar."
That earned a laugh from Rachel, who finally relaxed, her posture loosening as her confidence returned. The moment turned warm—genuine. All four girls looked at each other, grinning as the energy shifted again.
"Are you all ready?" Jasmine asked in a low, mischievous voice, her eyes sparkling.
The girls looked around at each other, and then—just like that—they all burst into giggles. It was the kind of laugh that came from friendship, from memories, from knowing you were exactly where you were supposed to be.
This was it—the night they had all been waiting for.
They spilled into the party bus like a tidal wave of laughter and color. The interior was glowing with soft purple LED lights that ran along the ceiling, flashing gently to the beat of the music playing from the sleek built-in sound system. Velvet-lined seats wrapped around the space in a curved U-shape, with a mini-fridge tucked in the corner stocked with sodas and snacks. Neon lights lit the edges of the floor, and a small mirrored pole stood proudly in the middle—not that any of them had the nerve to try it. Yet.
The bus smelled of citrus perfume and bubblegum lip gloss, and as they sank into the plush seating, their voices filled the space in a happy chaos.
"Okay, so spill the tea," Rachel said, already kicking off her heels and curling her legs underneath her. "Why did you really break up with Khalid?"
Jasmine rolled her eyes dramatically as she threw her head back. "Because he was dulling my shine, girl. Dulling. My. Shine!" She fanned herself as if the very memory exhausted her. "I mean, seriously, I'm going to an Ethan freakin' Jones concert. I need a man who gets that kind of energy. Khalid was sweet, but sweet doesn't turn heads."
Jumana gasped, laughing. "But Khalid was so nice! He literally carried your books one day!"
"Exactly!" Jasmine said, raising her hands in mock horror. "Do I look like a girl who needs help carrying books? Please."
They all burst into laughter again as the engine hummed and the bus began to move. Outside the tinted windows, Iowa City passed in a blur of lights and people, but inside, it was all music, giggles, and anticipation.
"Let's get this show on the road!" Mariam declared, reaching for the music controls. She scrolled for a moment, then hit play.
The opening synths of "Blinding Lights" by Ethan Jones filled the bus.
All four girls screamed in unison.
"Yes!!" Jumana shouted, bouncing in her seat. "OHHH I can't wait! I hope he starts with Fire on Fire! That's my favorite!"
"If Taylor shows up, I could just die," Jasmine said dramatically, fanning her face again. "Like, fall on the floor. Gone. Done."
Rachel was already singing along to the lyrics, dancing in her seat with her hands in the air, laughter bubbling from her throat. "Whatever happens," she said between the beats, "I just know this is going to be the best night ever."
The party bus rolled on, filled with the vibrant energy of four best friends, all dressed to the nines, hearts open wide, headed into a night none of them would ever forget.
And this was just the beginning.
A/N
I know some of you might be tired of the other updates, but I really wanted to share a fan perspective on the concert—what it's like for them to experience it all. The energy, the emotions, the buildup... I just felt it needed to be seen through their eyes too. I hope you enjoy it!