Iris frowned as she lined up outside Samsung Mall at SM Aura while waiting for the start of the band Rai's concert.
"What are you frowning at there, Iris?" Ali asked her best friend and also Rai's girl. That's what Rai's fangirls are called. "Aren't you the number one fan of Rai's? You should be happy and proud of their second major concert."
Ali was right. While in college, she was already following Rai's, the band made up of brothers Rykard, Rydell, and Ryford McDonough. The ages of the three are not far apart. Rykard was twenty-two, Rydell was twenty-three and Ryford was twenty-four. The three are also known as the "McDonough brothers."
Ryford was Iris's age and had been a classmate in high school. Rai's wasn't popular then, she followed the band until she and Ryford became friends. That’s why Ryford is her “bais” in the band why she’s a Ryford’s Girl. Add to that she's president of Ryford's Girls Philippines, the name of Ryford's fandom in the Philippines. The popularity of Rai's has also reached some American states as half Irish siblings and plays in Florida and Ireland whenever the opportunity arises.
Iris works as a writer at Baby Pik Magazine, the magazine that features “Here are Your Boys” that teenagers admire. They are featuring men in the magazine who have a purely wholesome image to inspire and model the youth.
Because of her work, she became even closer to Rai's. Rai's has a good image among the youth because even though it is a rock band, the siblings have other jobs that they can be busy with. Rykard was a chef. Rydell is a college professor. And Ryford was into charity work. That’s why Baby Pink once featured the McDonough brothers.
The article about Rykard, Rydell, and Ryford was Iris's big break in Baby Pink, and that's also the reason why even though she was just a fresh graduate then she immediately became a regular writer of the magazine.
Iris became emotional. "How can I be happy? They're no longer the Rai's I used to know."
Ali sighed, then tapped her on the back. "Iris, aren't you still able to get over what happened? It's been half a year already." Ali said to her.
She sniffed. "Even half a millennium later, I can't get over that they removed my Ryford from the band just to replace someone."
The entire Rai's Girls Fandom was shocked when the band announced Ryford's departure six months ago. Rykard and Rydell did not explain other than that Ryfrod was allegedly on vacation in Florida. And all of a sudden, the band's new frontman was introduced to the public. Ryford disappeared like a bubble, the young man also disappeared on social media.
Irish did everything to contact and find Ryford. Pro she didn't succeed, especially since Rykard and Rydell didn't want to help her.
But the most painful thing for her was the fast moving-on of Rai’s Girls. Many quickly forgot about Ryford's departure and the new member of Rai's was quickly and warmly welcomed by the fans. Even Rai's new fans but they no longer knew Ryford.
