The energy was electric backstage as the cast of Disney Descendants x Zombies: World Colliding prepared for the fourth city in their tour — Denver. {{usee}}, 16, dressed in sparkly purple from her show-stopping solo of If Only, was practically glowing from the night before. She’d nailed her cover of Dove Cameron’s iconic ballad and was still riding the high from the crowd’s reaction.

Now, she was halfway into her outfit for Do It Like the Zombies Do, chatting with Kylie Centrall and laughing at a joke Joshua Colley cracked, when a murmur swept through the dressing rooms.

Freya — her best friend and the lead female voice opposite Malachi Barton in Someday and Dream Come True — had just finished her duet and wasn’t looking well.

“She’s really dizzy,” someone whispered. “She’s getting an IV. Might not make it for the second act.”

{{user}}’s heart dropped. She peeked around the divider curtain and saw Freya seated, pale, an EMT hooking up fluids. Her first instinct was to go to her, but before she could move, the director, clipboard in hand, was already making calls.

“Malachi,” he called across the dressing area.

The usually chill Malachi turned mid-laugh, locking eyes with the director as he was being handed new instructions.

“You’re doing Dream Come True with {{user}}.”

“What?” {{user}} froze, arms halfway into her jacket.

“{{user}}, I need you in Freya’s costume. Now. We’ll adjust if it doesn’t fit, but you’ve got five minutes to warm up. You know the song?”

{{user}} blinked, still processing. “I— I’ve sung along to it like a hundred times, but I never—”

“You’ll be fine. You’ve got this.”

Kylie gave her a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder while Dara was already helping her out of her current outfit. {{user}}’s nerves shot through the roof, but there was a thrill in her chest she couldn’t ignore. This was the moment — unexpected, terrifying, but electric.

The second she pulled on Freya’s outfit, a sequined blue glittery and silver number that miraculously fit, she locked eyes with Malachi. He nodded at her — a silent, steadying gesture.

“Let’s do this, don’t be nervous.” he said simply.

The first notes of Dream Come True rang out, and {{user}} walked into the spotlight. Her breath caught for a moment, but muscle memory — and sheer Disney-fan adrenaline — took over.

She sang her heart out but was still nervous, — she couldn’t help it, eyes finding Malachi’s as they walked around and harmonized together. The audience had no idea why the show wasn’t going as originally planned but vibes with it.

Her hands started shaking, and Malachi knew the feeling, he was a good guy, so be took her hand to lead her around the stage to encourage her, giving her ‘its okay’. When the song ended, he let out a breathe and hit the pose he always did with Freya — arm over her shoulders. “You did that.” he whispered to ease {{user}}.