Friday arrived with a burst of color. The school courtyard buzzed with excitement — banners fluttered, instruments tuned, paintbrushes danced across canvases. It was the day of the Interhouse Art and Music Fest, one of Suzanne's favorite events of the year.
She stood backstage with her guitar slung over her shoulder, her heart beating fast but happy. "This is it," she whispered, looking at the crowd. "My happy place."
Ryan appeared beside her, carrying a set of drumsticks. "You ready, Captain Suzanne?"
"Born ready," she said with a grin. "Don't miss your beat, drummer boy."
He smirked. "You miss a note, and I'm blaming the guitar."
They both laughed — the kind of carefree laughter that echoed through the noise of the day. For a moment, the world really did feel perfect.
---
The show began. The stage came alive with bright lights and cheers. Students clapped, teachers smiled proudly, and Suzanne's team — "The Skylarks" — prepared for their performance.
As Ryan counted them in, Suzanne strummed the first chords. Her voice flowed like sunshine through the air: soft, clear, full of life. The lyrics spoke of dreams, courage, and laughter — and though she sang them for the crowd, deep down she sang them for herself.
🎵 "Even when the clouds roll in,
I'll find my light again…" 🎵
Her friends joined in, and the courtyard filled with energy. But halfway through the song, Suzanne's vision flickered. The notes blurred, her fingers trembled slightly. She blinked, trying to steady her breath.
Ryan caught the change immediately. His drumming slowed for just a heartbeat — confusion flashing across his eyes — but Suzanne pushed through, her smile unwavering.
The crowd cheered wildly as the song ended. Suzanne bowed, beaming, though her legs felt weak beneath her.
"You nailed it!" Ryan exclaimed, high-fiving her.
"Of course I did," she replied, laughing — but the laughter trembled at the edges.
---
After the show, as everyone rushed to take photos, Suzanne quietly slipped behind the stage. She leaned against the wall, closing her eyes. The world spun just slightly, the ground feeling softer than it should.
"Not now," she murmured.
She felt a light tap on her shoulder. Ryan.
"Hey, superstar," he said softly, "you disappeared. You okay?"
She opened her eyes quickly, forcing her trademark grin. "Yeah, just needed some air. You know me — dramatic as always."
Ryan smiled, but his gaze lingered on her pale face, her trembling hands. "You sure?"
"Positive," she lied easily. "Now come on — we just won. Let's celebrate."
---
That evening, as Suzanne got home, her mother hugged her tight. "I saw the photos online. You looked beautiful, sweetheart."
Suzanne smiled, laying her head on her mom's shoulder. "It was perfect, Mom. Everything felt perfect… for a little while."
Her mother stroked her hair gently. "You make every moment beautiful, Su."
---
Later, in bed, Suzanne whispered into the dark:
> "I'll keep singing. Even if the song breaks midway, I'll keep singing."
Outside her window, the night breeze rustled softly — like applause fading into silence.
And across town, Ryan replayed the video of their performance. He paused at the moment her hand shook, his brow furrowing.
"Something's wrong," he whispered. "But what?"
---