"Sorry! I'm really sorry. Is there something I could do, please?" Wut said, rubbing the spot on his head where he had just collided with the stranger's chin.
"Something?" the guy snapped, holding his jaw.
Wut winced. Yep. I'm dead.
But the guy suddenly paused and looked at him again, almost amused.
"Oh shoot wait. I'm the one who sneaked up on you," he said, shaking his head. "Sorry."
"It's okay," Wut replied quickly. "Doesn't hurt that much anyway."
The stranger smiled playfully.
"Congratulations, by the way. Let me guess… music major?"
"Nah," Wut said, adjusting his guitar strap. "Medicine actually. I'm just covering for my friend today. School music festival."
He glanced around the empty practice room.
"Where are the others anyway?"
Before the guy could answer, the door suddenly swung open.
Wut's heart nearly dropped.
Two other guys walked in, laughing about something until they noticed him.
The stranger beside Wut straightened slightly.
"I have other things to take care of," he said casually. "See you."
Before Wut could respond, the guy walked out of the room.
Wut blinked after him.
What was that about?
"Heyyy!" one of the new guys said, approaching him with a grin.
"You must be Wut. Pheet told me about you. You practiced together, right?"
"…Yeah?"
Wut replied uncertainly.
"Cool. Then we won't have to go through the basics." The guy clapped his hands once. "Let's start, guys."
The second band member nodded.
"Welcome to the group," he added. "If you feel stuck, just tell us. Pheet was the lead singer, so we'll help you out."
Wut nodded, gripping his guitar a little tighter.
No pressure.
Later that evening, the auditorium buzzed with energy.
The crowd was as large as the room could possibly hold. Students filled the seats, voices blending into an excited hum as the stage lights dimmed.
Wut stood with the band under the darkness.
Okay… breathe.
Then the spotlight snapped on.
Music started.
As the band began playing, Wut scanned the audience out of habit. Among the crowd he spotted familiar faces.
His friends.
His sister.
And then..
Wait.
The guy from earlier.
Wut blinked.
What is he doing here? Planning revenge? But I already said sorry.
His thoughts spiraled.
Focus. Focus, Wut. It's your turn soon.
The lyrics continued, the rhythm building. But Wut's eyes accidentally locked with the stranger's again.
Shoot.
Okay now what?
Focuuus… just act natural. Yeah. Natural. Totally natural.
When his turn came, he stepped forward and sang, forcing his nerves to settle into the music.
Somehow, it worked.
The performance flowed smoothly, the band blending together like they had practiced for weeks.
When the final chord rang out, the auditorium erupted with applause.
Cheers filled the room.
Wut exhaled in relief.
That was... Goooood anywyas I survived.
Backstage, the two band members rushed over to him, grinning.
"Great job today!" one of them said, patting his shoulder. "You're a lifesaver, seriously."
"Don't mention it," Wut replied with a tired smile. "Anyway, I've got other stuff to do, so… let's call it a day."
"You're not staying for the party?" the other asked.
Wut shook his head.
"Gotta check on Pheet. Bye, guys."
Without waiting for further questions, he grabbed his phone and hurried out of the building while dialing Pheet's number.
The call rang.
And rang.
Still nothing.
As he walked across the campus path, he accidentally slammed straight into someone.
"Ouch!" Wut whined, stumbling back.
Then he heard a quiet chuckle.
"You again?"
Wut looked up.
The same guy from earlier stood in front of him.
"I'm Phol, by the way," he said casually.
"WUT," he blurted immediately.
Phol raised an eyebrow.
"I figured," he said with a small smile. "Why are you out here looking so rushed? You don't like the party?"
"No, actually. A friend of mine is at the hospital."
Wut's thoughts immediately spiraled again.
Is he going to bring up the chin incident? Am I going to have to pay for that?
Instead, Phol simply tilted his head.
"Do you need a ride?"
"YEAH!"
Wut froze.
"…Wait. What were you saying?"
Phol chuckled softly.
A few minutes later, Wut found himself sitting inside a luxury car.
He stared around the interior, wide-eyed.
"Your dad's?" he asked.
"I bought it myself," Phol replied calmly as he started the engine.
"Oh."
Wut blinked.
Okay then.
"So," Phol continued, glancing at him briefly, "which hospital?"
Wut pointed ahead.
"Just head north, then turn right at the third red light."
The car pulled smoothly onto the road.