After his fourth win of the night, Landon finally changed into his clothing for performing and it's time finally came.It was opened selena Gomez performing 'Same Old Love." The crowd sang along, their voices a powerful wave of support. As her song ended, she was met with a thunderous ovation, and as she made her way offstage, she was greeted by Ariana Grande, who was preparing for her own performance.
The two shared a warm hug, a quiet moment of camaraderie amidst the controlled chaos.
The lights shifted, a vibrant purple washing over the stage as Ariana stepped into the spotlight. The opening beats of her hit single "Focus" dropped, and the crowd erupted in a roar. Ariana, with her signature ponytail and powerhouse vocals, commanded the stage, delivering every note with precision and grace. She was a force of nature, and the energy in the room was at a fever pitch.
Then, just as she launched into the chorus, the unexpected happened. The infectious beat of "Focus" began to fade, slowing down and morphing into a completely different rhythm.
A hushed murmur spread through the audience as the new melody became clear,a gentle, acoustic guitar riff accompanied by a familiar, soulful piano chord. It was the introduction to "Stuck with U." A collective gasp swept through the venue as Landon Asher emerged from the wings, looking every bit the superstar he had become. He was holding a microphone, his presence commanding, and the look of sheer surprise on Ariana's face was quickly replaced by a bright, genuine smile. Together, they began to sing. Landon's smooth, effortless vocals blended perfectly with Ariana's melodic runs. The unannounced collaboration was a masterstroke, and the audience lost their minds.
Their voices intertwined in perfect harmony, a duet that felt both intimate and monumental. The chemistry between them was palpable as they sang about finding comfort and love in a world that was constantly changing. The song was a show of incredible talent, a performance that solidified Landon's status not just as a multiple award winner, but as a musical giant in his own right. As they held the final, lingering note together, the crowd rose to their feet, their cheers deafening. It was the perfect, unforgettable end to a perfect, unforgettable night.
As the final notes of "Stuck with U" hung in the air, a perfect, ethereal echo. Landon and Ariana stood center stage, their arms wrapped around each other as the crowd's cheers reached a fever pitch. The energy was electric, a moment of triumph and shared artistry. Then, just as the applause began to swell, a simple, rhythmic beat played through the speakers. A single, distinct sound that everyone in the arena recognized instantly, the opening loop of "Shape of You." The crowd, which was already on its feet, erupted in a fresh wave of screams.
From the opposite side of the stage, Selena Gomez, now in a more casual, free-flowing outfit, jogged back into the spotlight. Her face was lit up with a huge grin as she reached her friends. The three of them stood shoulder to shoulder, a powerful trio of music's biggest rising stars. Landon took the lead on the first verse, his voice filled with an easy confidence as he belted out the familiar lyrics. Ariana and Selena swayed with him, singing along and occasionally joining in on the background vocals. The performance felt less like a carefully choreographed show and more like three friends having the time of their lives on the biggest stage in the world.
During the chorus, they came together, sharing a single mic as they sang in perfect harmony, their voices blending into a rich, captivating sound. They moved effortlessly, a natural, joyful energy flowing between them. Landon's eyes sparkled as he looked from Selena to Ariana, a silent acknowledgment of the incredible moment they were sharing. This wasn't just his night; it was a celebration of a new era in music, an era led by them. As the final beat dropped and the music faded, the three friends took a shared bow, their faces beaming with a mix of exhaustion, gratitude, and pure, unadulterated joy. It was the perfect, unforgettable final moment to a night that would define Landon Asher's career forever.
Jennifer Lopez, the host made her way back to the stage to continue the show. "Wow." She said out loud before continuing. "No one told me that Landon was going to perfom that so damn hard. Had I knew I would've asked the producers of the show to place him at the end of the show. Talk about talent."
After her statement she introduced the presenter of the next award 'Song of the year.' The presenter made to the stage and introduced the nominees and to no surprise the winner of this award as well was none other than Landon with his record breaking hit "Shape of You." His speech was humble, sort amd sweet. The next category he also won was ' collaboration of the year' along with Selena Gomez for their song 'Eastside'. With him winning 6/6 the night he made a statement, he was here to stay. He became the second Male artist to win the most awards in a single night (6). A record that may or may not be broken by Bruno Mars in 2018.
Later*
The night air was a shock to the system after the controlled climate of the venue. Fashbulbs from waiting paparazzi lit up the street like a second thunderstorm, and the sound of cameras clicking and fans screaming was a deafening roar. Landon, with Rachel and Emma on either side, navigated the chaos, trying to make his way to the waiting car. That's when he saw her.
Just a few feet away, standing in a small circle of light, was Liz. She looked exactly as he remembered, even in the quick flashes of light, her smile was radiant. But she wasn't alone, alongside her was Michael Corcoran. They were laughing together, a moment of intimacy that felt foreign and sharp. When they spotted Landon, their laughter faded into a new kind of smile. "Landon!" Liz called out, her voice a warm sound in the cool night. "Congratulations on the win. I'm so proud of you."
Landon managed a small, genuine smile in return. "Liz, it's been a while," he said softly, the words coming out more wistfully than he intended. "You haven't been replying to my texts, so I thought you wouldn't come."
A faint blush colored Liz's cheeks. She looked down at her feet for a second before looking back at him. "I know, I'm sorry. I just had a lot to think about," she said, her voice dropping a little. "Honestly, I wouldn't have even come tonight if it wasn't for my boyfriend."
Landon's smile wavered, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. Boyfriend? The word hit him with a coldness that had nothing to do with the air. As if on cue, Liz moved closer to Michael, their linked arms tightening. "Landon, this is Michael," she said, her voice a little brighter now. "And Michael, this is Landon."
Michael stepped forward with an easy confidence and extended his hand. "Great to finally meet you, man." he said, shaking Landon's hand firmly. Landon returned the handshake, his mind reeling as he tried to put the pieces together. The coldness he felt turned into a sharp pang of hurt. He looked at Liz, then back at Michael, and a question slipped out before he could stop it. "How long have you two been... a thing?"
Michael answered before Liz could, a small grin on his face. "Well, we've been unofficially together since 2012. We took a break earlier this year, but we recently found our way back to each other a few months ago after Liz's vacation in Canada."
For a moment, Landon's stomach twisted. He thought about the months they had spent getting close. The words felt like a punch to the gut, a cold, hard slap of reality. He didn't show it, though. He simply nodded, his expression going flat. "Oh, I see," he said, his voice void of any warmth.
Sensing the sudden shift in atmosphere, Liz jumped in. "Michael is actually a huge fan of yours. That's why we came, I really wanted to introduce you two. He was so excited when you won."
Liz's attempt to ease the tension was immediately swallowed by the cacophony of the crowd. A paparazzi, with a camera lens the size of a dinner plate, spotted the interaction and shouted above the noise.
"Landon! Liz! One for the cameras, just you two!"
Landon flinched, the request feeling like an icy hand on his back. Liz's smile tightened with discomfort. Michael, however, simply put a possessive hand on her lower back and gave a firm, polite shake of his head to the paparazzo. The gesture, though small, felt deliberate. The conversation had not gone unnoticed. Just a few feet away, a freelance entertainment journalist with a beat-up notebook and a shrewd glint in his eye had overheard every word. He had been scribbling notes on Landon's triumphant night, but the exchange he'd just witnessed was pure gold. As Landon, Liz, and Michael stood in an awkward stalemate, the journalist pulled out his phone, his fingers flying across the keypad before he put it to his ear.
"Hey, it's Mark. Listen up, I've got a scoop for you," he said in a low, conspiratorial voice, turning his back slightly to the chaos. "I'm outside the AMAs. I just caught Landon Asher talking to Liz. And get this, she's here with her boyfriend. Apparently, she and this guy have been together since 2012, and just got back together after a break. Landon didn't even know."
He lowered his voice even more, a grin spreading across his face as he watched Landon's back stiffen. "That's right. Six awards tonight and the biggest star in music, and it turns out Landon Asher didn't manage to win Liz's heart after all."
The words hung in the air, a final, cruel coda to Landon's perfect night. The noise of the crowd seemed to fade as he looked at Liz, then at Michael, and finally at the journalist walking away, already on the phone. Rachel's hand was on his arm, gently guiding him. "Landon, let's go," she said softly. He didn't say a word. He just nodded, his expression now a blank mask. He made his way to the car, leaving the flashbulbs and the whispers behind, a single, bitter thought settling in his mind. He had won the night, but not the girl.