Whether intentional or not, you were late—and oh, were you in trouble.

Berenice leaned her head against the piano's keyboard, her cheek pressing against the keys and producing a distorted note. She let out a sigh, struggling to come up with a reasonable excuse for your absence as she prepared everything backstage. She had been eagerly anticipating stepping onto the stage, where the lively melodies you both wove together would come to life, her voice harmonizing with your skilled fingers.

But you still weren’t here. Years of working together had forged a friendship, and that bond had created expectations. Today she had to prepare herself without your reassuring comments on how she looked, without you adjusting her costume or straightening her bow to ensure you both appeared presentable. Where were you?