And for the first time all day, I believed it again.
Wynter reached beside me and grabbed a hold of my makeup set and gently touched up my concealer, dabbing gently under my eyes. “Look up.” He spoke as he glittered my eyelids and replaced the fallen mascara. “You’ve got this Soh, I believe inyou.”
The auditorium was quiet. When I stepped backstage, I took a deep breath, and once the music started playing, I made my way onto the stage, it was mine. The curtain rose, and the whole world disappeared. I moved gracefully to the sound of the music, I became the performance and the performance became me. I was steady and unshaken my gaze met Wynter’s in the waiting, his eyes pinned on me guiding me through it.
And when the final note rang out, I struck the last pose. I felt like I had left a part of myself on that stage, raw and exposed yet somehow triumphant. The applause came in a roar and sea of approval, and I stood there, breathing hard, but smiling. I claimed the stage that day, and I would never ask for approval ever again.
After that Wynter stormed into the dean’s office as we detailed my account of what happened with Gillespie, and when he was met with apathy, he threatened to go to the media with the story and withdraw his services to the Institute. That’s certainly got their attention because Julliard didn’t need bad press, especially from one of the biggest names in the industry. They assured me that it would not happen again, and that Gillespie would be dealt with.
“I don’t want him dealt with I want him gone.” I clarified stepping in front of Wynter. “Gone.”
“What?” The dean questioned, “That’s asking too—”
“You heard her, that ignorant bastard should never be able to walk these halls again or so help me God this story will be on the front page of every newspaper in New York City before the clock strikes midnight.” Wynter placed both his hands on the oak desk, his eyes aflame with anger I hadn’t seen before. “If you try to silence her voice I’ll ensure she has the power to amplify it across the world.”
And at that I gather from the look on the dean's face that we had somehow reached a common understanding, Gillespie would be gone.
Later, as the sun began to set Wynter Sydney and Jax and I took a stroll to a nearby park, the city was bursting with fall. Autumn leaves crunching beneath our feet. Couples holding hands and joggers rush past us, along with the brisk wind that made us hold onto our jackets. It was peaceful in New York sort of way. Which was a rarity.
We wandered down a path to a small café, tucked at the edge of the park. It’s windows fogged from the warmth inside. It was much warmer there, and the chatter of people and the soft clink of mugs engulfed our senses, along with the scent of coffee.
I could feel the chill of the outside world slip away as I stood there, eyes scanning the chalkboard menu.
“What’s your go-to?” I asked, turning to the others.
“I’ll take a caramel latte,” said Jax, his hands already stuffed into his pockets, looking out the window.
Sydney nodded in agreement. “Same for me.”
I hesitated, then pointed to a steaming cup behind the counter. “I’ll go with the spiced pumpkin chai,” I said, the autumn flavours tempting me.
Wynter, who had been quiet, just smiled. “Black coffee. Strong. Like always.”
“You were amazing, Yesoh,” Sydney said, her voice full of admiration. “You deserve lead more than anyone I know, you’ll get it I know you will.”
“Same here,” Jax chimed in, nudging me playfully. “We’ve seen you work too hard for this to be a surprise, I know you’ll get lead and that Gillespie prick can’t buy his way out of this one.”
I smiled, feeling the weight of their words settle inside me, a warmth that felt like a homecoming after a long storm. “Thanks,”
“You don’t need anyone to hold you up,” Wynter said quietly, his voice calm as ever. “But I’m glad we could be here with you.”
I looked at him, my stomach flipping for a reason I didn’t want to admit. His eyes met mine, steady and unflinching, and I couldn’t help but feel something shift between us.
After we finished our crepes, the four of us made our way to the nearby ice rink. “Just for fun,” I said, trying to keep the mood light, though something lingered in the air, unspoken.
Sydney and I giggled skating around the ice trying to race each other back and forth as Jax struggled to balance— it was hilarious considering the fact that I’d been there before and knew it wasn’t easy. It was nice to spend time with my friends away from the hustle and bustle of the school.
Once Sydney and Jax had left Wynter stepped onto the ice, his movements easy, fluid, like he belonged there. He moved across the rink to me with ease, but he didn’t seem to be skating for anyone else. I leaned against the railing, watching him, feeling the pulse of something between us.
“Wynter,” I called, my voice louder than I intended.
He paused, glancing back at me with that unreadable look.
“Hm?” He wondered,
“Can I ask you to do something, just for me?” I questioned and an immediate flush caught his neck.
“What is it?” He swallowed towering over me like my very own ice prince.
