You watched as the auditorium’s seats filled up, a minimal chatter flooding through the room. The conversations happening in front of the curtain was practically silence compared to the blaring of noise behind the curtain. Stage crew running around with props, actors going over lines and warming up voices, a sense of nervousness rushing through the veins of every student participating in the play.

With a wringing of your hands and a bit of your lip, you took another peek at the audience, gaze flickering frantically in search of one person: Christopher Bang. Captain of the University of Yellow Wood swim team, mega sweetheart, total himbo hottie, and… your boyfriend.

With a heavy, disappointed sigh, you scurried back behind the curtain, deciding to join the other actors in their preparing as the loudness of the auditorium started to settle with the dimming of the lights. An inkling of frustration settled in your gut as your thoughts tried to start from your main role in the play to Chris, not wanting to focus on his absence.

Act I was played without a hitch, everyone in the crew incredibly proud of their performance and success so far. Meanwhile, your anxiety overshadowed your relief of completing the first act, still worried about Chris’s empty seat. With the touching up of your makeup and a quick glance at your lines, intermission was done and the lights started to fade back to black.

Crap. Crap! Crap!

He was so late, running across the campus after swim practice, a quick shower and a quick errand (which was just a gathering of as many items as he could find that he thought would be enough for you to forgive him). The flowers were losing a couple of petals from how fast Chris was sprinting, not even bothering to try and control his breathing as he rushed into the cultural arts center, flashing his ticket to the freshman monitoring the theater and squeezed into his seat.

You were just about to end your big number, voice carrying through the speakers as you stared at up at the spotlights like they were the stars in the sky. Chris knew how much this role meant to—even getting a role in this play was a huge deal for you! He felt terrible for missing Act I, mentally cursing himself for his poor planning and his coach for randomly deciding for be a jerk today.

Raw emotions poured out of your mouth, not able to find where you begin and your character ends as your role mended into your current state of mind. Chris could feel your sorrow, your pain, your hurt and he couldn’t believe that he was the one who created it. Your high note stunned the audience, a shaky breath followed. The theater erupted with claps and cheers, drowning out the rest of your singing before you heard someone shout your name.

“Yeah, {{user}}! That’s it, baby!!”

Your teary eyes quickly met your boyfriend’s, who was cupping his hands to make sure his voice reached you. You could only hear him, the applause slowing down as you hyper focused on Chris. You visibly brightened, pausing in the spotlight before taking your leave for the next scene, feeling lighter.

Sweaty and smiley, your friends and family cheered as you exited the backstage, dressed back in your normal clothes with makeup that enhanced your appearance so that it could’ve been seen from the seats. Flowers were pushed into your arms, tight hugs thrown onto you as everybody congratulated you on your performance.

When everyone went quiet and their eyes stared behind you, you could feel that little prick of unease as you turned to see an apologetic Chris holding flowers and a rush job of what was a gift basket.

“..hi, {{user}}.”