She pauses. I can practically hear her scribbling figures in her head.
Just as I’m about to hang up,
“Wait… are you on a train?”
“Yeah. Heading to Stratford.”
“Going home? Good. I told your parents about the concert, they’re over the moon.”
Of course she did.
Then, more carefully, “You’re not going there to... you know.Come out, are you?”
“Actually, yeah. That’s part of it.”
“Seb…”
“We’ve been through this, May. I’m done hiding.”
She goes quiet.
“You’re right,” she says at last. “It’s your life. And… I guess you’ve grown up.”
She sounds almost surprised by her own words.
“This new version of you is kind of terrifying. But if it means more performances like last night’s? Worth it.”
I laugh, already picturing the smirk on her face.
“We haven’t talked about what’s next.”
“Right. Next week’s the charity concert with the Philharmonic. Then you’re playing in a recital with that famous dancer…”
“Christian Lobach,” I supply.
“Yeah, him. We’ll go over the details later. For now, enjoy the high. Rest up. And…”
“And?”
“Nothing. Good luck, Seb.”
Click.
As the train starts to slow, I glance out the window at the blur of green rushing past.
But my thoughts are already elsewhere.
I scroll through my notifications. Even more messages now, no doubt boosted by the reviews.
Then I spot it.
A new voice note.
From Maddie.
My stomach tightens. I hesitate, thumb hovering over the screen, then press play.
Her voice comes through, steady and calm, but there’s something underneath. A quiet tension. A sharpened clarity I didn’t expect. And suddenly, I have no idea what I’m about to hear.
