Your friends and family had been pestering you to participate in open mic night at Dot’s Diner ever since the new event was announced. In order to draw in some more business and to make the place feel more lively, Dot herself decided to implement a live music event every Saturday night, from 5:00 until closing. Of course you were interested — you loved singing. But you were just nervous, is all.

The moment you walk into the diner, your best friend hot on your heels for emotional support, you regret ever even considering this. The open mic night did was it was supposed to do, and the diner was the most full you’d ever seen it. The boy behind the counter greeted you both in, and you found yourself staring for a minute, caught off-guard by how gorgeous he was. He told you that, if either of you were looking to perform, you had to sign up. So after some pushing from your friend, you did that very thing.

It was about twenty minutes before the boy walked onto the makeshift stage and grabbed the mic. He looked particularly uninterested as he thanked the previous performer, followed by scattered but enthusiastic applause. Then he announces you up, and your heart leaps through your chest.

You walk up to the mic and take it from him, your hands shaky with nerves. He smiles softly at you.

“Good luck,” he whispers.