Just what was he planning?
Quin leaned into the curtain. “Ooooh. You should see the crowd. You might actually feel something. Terrifying, I know.”
Against her better judgment, Riya took a look.
The auditorium was full to bursting. Students packed shoulder to shoulder. Parents balancing programs and lattes. Teachers clustered near the exits, arms crossed. The air buzzed—not with chaos, but with expectation. And it hit her like a gust: This wasn’t just a school event anymore. It was hers. Something she’d helped build.
She felt the pride start to rise—and then, just as quickly, the uncertainty. Was he out there?
She suddenly felt sick.
“RiiiiiRi!”
A finger jabbed her shoulder.
She turned—and there was Mel, glittering from cheek to boots, her dress black and soft as a cloud.
“Mel?” Riya blinked. “What are you—why aren’t you in your seat?”
“I just wanted to check on you,” Mel said. “You’ve been working your butt off.”
“What about Andrew?”
Mel grinned. “He’s saving our seats. He’ll survive a minute without me.”
Riya shook her head but smiled. “Well, you look amazing.”
Tonight Mel wore a black plaid mini dress with tights and long boots adorned with little bows. Her hair was pulled up with matching bows, and her cheeks sparkled with a hint of glitter.
“I had to,” Mel said. “Tonight’s going to be something.”
Something. The word sat heavy between them.
“Break a leg!” Mel waved before flitting off into the wings. Quin glanced at their phone.
“Five minutes left till showtime. Should we do this?”
“Wow,” Riya murmured. “You’re being responsible. Shocking.”
“Don’t get used to it.” Quin offered their arm like a storybook prince. “Come on, my favorite VP. Time to charm the masses.”
She took their arm. They made it three steps before Riya pulled back slightly. “Quin—wait.”
They turned, head tilted. “Mm?”
“I just wanted to say...” She hesitated, but didn’t look away. “Thanks. For pushing me. Even when I hated it.”
Quin blinked.
A smile touched their lips. A real one.
The curtain suddenly jerked open. The roar of applause swallowed everything. Light poured down on them—blinding and warm. Riya stepped forward with Quin, eyes adjusting slowly to the sea of faces.
Her family was there. She spotted them instantly: Nyra and Amara were on their feet, waving. Her mother let out a whistle, and beside her, her father beamed proudly. She found Andrew, too, one row from the back. Grinning and giving her a thumbs-up. But to his right—the seat was empty.
Riya frowned. Maybe Mel had just gotten caught up somewhere backstage.
Quin’s voice rang out through the auditorium. “Hello, Abbersett!” they yelled into the microphone. That earned them a fresh round of applause, an ear-deafening wave of shouts and whistles. Ever the natural performer, Quin grinned, soaking in the energy.
