The memory faded and another began.
Young Aria ran to the door after the bell rang.
She opened it.
Lewis stood there.
"Lewis? What are you doing here?" she asked.
"Won't you invite me in first?" he said quietly.
"Oh—sorry. Come in."
He stepped inside.
"I came so we can practice," he said.
Then he paused.
His eyes shifted.
Magazines were lined neatly on the table.
A video of Evelora's performance played on repeat in the background.
Lewis didn't say anything at first.
Just looked.
And I thought I saw something like a small smirk.
But the memory faded before I could confirm it.
---
Then another memory began
Miss Sofia signaled them.
They started singing.
At first, it didn't fully align.
A pause.
Lewis glanced sideways.
Aria noticed.
She didn't speak.
Instead, she adjusted her timing slightly.
Their voices met again.
This time—
it held.
---
The next memory began.
The room was familiar now.
Young Aria and Lewis stood in place, already knowing where to start.
No hesitation this time.
They began to sing.
Due to their constant and heavy training, their voices flowed with harmony.
But in the corner, someone was watching.
Marie.
She hadn't meant to stay long, but she didn't want to interrupt either.
So she just watched quietly through the window.
Slowly the memory faded
---
The final memory appeared.
Young Aria stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection.
Behind her, her mother stood close, one hand resting gently on her shoulder.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then her mother's voice came softly,
"Are you ready for your big day tomorrow?"
Young Aria stayed still, looking at herself in the mirror.
Then she nodded.
"Yes, Mom. I'm ready… to make you proud."
As the memory faded, I realized tears were on my face. I wiped them away in silence.