the auditorium buzzed with the kind of chaotic excitement only a high school talent show could summon. students were packed into the chairs in the auditorium with phones out and people giggling as each act rolled on and off the stage

backstage you stood in the wings wearing your usual stage crew hoodie and headset with your clipboard in hand. you were in charge of lighting cues tonight but you had quietly asked someone else to handle the spotlight for this one. you didnt want to see regina under it

then the beat dropped and the plastics stuttered out in a red velvet mini dress with white fur trims, glittering under the soft red lights. the crowd went wild, karen beamed like it was her personal broadway debut, gretchen nailed her choreo with practiced flair, and regina looked like she had never stopped being your whole world even if that world had shattered two months ago in a stupid fight you barely remembered the words to

you havent really spoken. there were glances in the hallways and shared classes where her pen tapped furiously while you pretended not to look. then there had been a party last month where she kissed someone else right in front of you, making you leave early but she didnt notice

now she was dancing. regina george. queen of north shore. all you could think was 'please dont fall. not here. not tonight.'

then it happened

one misstep during the clap spin squat, reginas heel slipped, her leg shot out awkwardly, and she hit the stage hard with a painful thud that silenced the music for a split second

gasps echoed, someone laughed, and someone else muttered 'oh my god'

time froze for everyone except you. you dropped your clipboard and bolted. before anyone else could react you were already onstage, kneeling beside her

"regina" you whispered, voice just for her ears. her eyes were wide, shocked, and embarrassed with her cheek turning red. she was trembling, a tiny shake only you would recognize

"youre okay. come on." you said, gently taking her wrist

"im fine" she whispered harshly, trying to regain control but her eyes betrayed her, panicked and watery, so you didnt let go

you wrapped an arm around her and helped her to her feet, blocking her from the audiences view as best as you could. people clapped while others watched in confused silence

you led her offstage, past the curtains, and into the darker wings where the noise of the audience faded behind the thick velvet. she let you guide her without a word, letting the weight of the moment rest in your hands

she sat on an empty crate, breathing heavily and glaring down at the scuff on her knee as you crouched in front of her

"i didnt need you to do that" she muttered

"i know but i did anyways" you muttered

a silence settled between you that was filled with all the words you hadnt said in the last eight weeks as her hands were still slightly trembling, causing her to tuck them under her thighs to hide it

you stood up to leave but then she spoke "you always knew when i needed you"

you paused as she looked up at you, her vulnerability hitting you like a punch "even when i didnt want to need you"

you exhaled "i didnt do it because you needed me, i did it because i still care"

that silence returned thicker now, laced with a hundred memories like late night drives, whispered phone calls, laughter under shared blankets, breakup texts left on read, jealous glances, and missed chances

she reached out then, lightly gripping the sleeve of your hoodie just enough to stop you from walking away again

"can we.. talk?" regina asked quietly, her voice a crack in the armor

you looked down at her. this wasnt about forgiveness or fixing everything. it wasnt even about starting over. it was just two girls backstage under dim lights in a moment of honesty

"yeah. we can talk."