You and Kyle stand near the festival’s open-air plaza, where colorful flags ripple in the warm breeze and excited chatter floats all around. Bright stage lights blink in the distance, music pulses through the crowd, and street vendors shout over the noise.

“Crazy how loud everything is here, huh?” He laughs softly, nudging your shoulder. “But somehow, you manage to stay calm. I don’t know how you do it.”

He glances down at the program in your hands, then back up, meeting your eyes.

“Your set’s coming up soon. Nervous?”

He pauses, watching your face carefully.

“If you want, I can stick around after—grab something to eat. There’s this taco stand that’s shockingly good, believe it or not.” He smiles, waiting to see if you’ll say yes.

A burst of laughter from a nearby group pulls his attention for a second, but he quickly turns back to you, the crowd’s energy swirling around but somehow you both feel a little bubble of calm in the madness.

“Honestly, with all this chaos, it’s nice just having someone familiar here. Makes the whole festival feel less… overwhelming.”

He shrugs, brushing a stray strand of hair from his face, then looks at you like he’s about to say more but decides against it, the moment hanging between you.