The applause felt distant.
Ariana stepped off the stage, heart still racing.
Lily hugged her immediately. "You were amazing!"
"I forgot one word," Ariana muttered.
"No one noticed."
But she wasn't thinking about forgotten words.
She was thinking about the audience.
About blurred faces.
About shadows.
About the possibility that somewhere in that crowd—
He was there.
Backstage was chaotic again. Students laughing, teachers congratulating, parents taking pictures.
Ariana checked her phone.
One message.
UnknownUser: You didn't mess up.
Her breath caught.
SilentStar15: So you were here.
Pause.
Then—
UnknownUser: I told you.
Her heartbeat sped up.
She walked toward the auditorium exit, pretending she needed water.
Outside, parents were gathering. Some students were taking selfies.
She scanned faces carefully.
Every tall boy looked suspicious.
Every quiet corner felt important.
SilentStar15: Where are you?
Pause.
Then—
UnknownUser: Close.
She turned around instinctively.
Nothing.
Just a group of boys laughing loudly.
SilentStar15: Stop joking.
UnknownUser: I'm not.
Her palms felt slightly cold.
SilentStar15: Are you inside or outside?
Pause.
UnknownUser: Does it matter?
She frowned.
SilentStar15: Yes.
Three dots appeared.
Stopped.
Then—
UnknownUser: You look different under stage lights.
Her heart skipped.
How did he know that?
She turned slowly, scanning the balcony area.
Still nothing clear.
SilentStar15: This isn't funny.
UnknownUser: I'm enjoying this.
She rolled her eyes, but her heart was beating too fast for irritation.
SilentStar15: You're impossible.
UnknownUser: And you're searching.
That line made her stop walking.
He was right.
She was searching.
Not just casually.
Desperately.
She didn't know why.
Before she could type again—
Another message.
UnknownUser: Don't try too hard.
Her chest tightened slightly.
SilentStar15: Why?
Pause.
Then—
UnknownUser: Because you'll miss it.
Miss what?
She typed quickly—
SilentStar15: Miss what?
No reply.
The crowd started thinning.
Cars leaving.
Students going home.
She stood near the gate longer than necessary.
But he didn't appear.
And for the first time—
She felt disappointed.
Not dramatic heartbreak.
Just quiet disappointment.