The day of the event arrived faster than she expected.
The school looked different — decorated entrances, chairs arranged neatly, parents arriving, students dressed slightly more formally.
Backstage was chaos.
"Where's the mic?"
"Who has the cue sheet?"
"Five minutes!"
Ariana stood near the curtain, script in hand.
Her palms were slightly cold.
Lily squeezed her shoulder. "Don't faint."
"I won't."
But her heart was pounding.
Not just because of the stage.
Because of something else.
The thought that somewhere—
In the audience—
He might actually be there.
Watching.
Before going on stage, she checked her phone quickly.
One message.
UnknownUser: Don't look for me.
Her breath stopped for a second.
SilentStar15: You're actually here?
Pause.
Then—
UnknownUser: Maybe.
Her heartbeat became uneven.
SilentStar15: This isn't funny.
UnknownUser: I'm not joking.
She looked toward the curtain instinctively.
Rows of people.
Blurry faces.
Could he really be there?
SilentStar15: How will I know?
Long pause.
Then—
UnknownUser: You won't. But I'll know.
Her stomach flipped again.
That certainty.
That confidence.
It wasn't playful anymore.
It felt real.
The stage coordinator whispered, "You're next."
Her heart jumped.
She typed quickly—
SilentStar15: If you're lying—
Pause.
Then—
UnknownUser: I'm not.
Another message appeared before she could reply.
UnknownUser: And you look better when you're nervous.
Her eyes widened.
How would he know that right now?
Was he watching?
Her name was called.
She slipped her phone into her pocket.
The curtain opened.
Bright lights.
Audience shadows.
Rows of faces.
She couldn't see clearly.
But suddenly—
She felt something.
Not fear.
Not embarrassment.
Just awareness.
Someone in the crowd knew her.
Recognized her.
Watched her without her knowing who he was.
She took a breath.
And began speaking.
Her voice was steady.
Clear.
Stronger than she expected.
And somewhere in the audience—
Maybe—
He was smiling.