The afternoon sun streamed through the large windows of the school auditorium. The festival had moved from the classrooms and halls into the main stage, where students gathered for music performances. The atmosphere was alive with excitement, laughter, and the occasional nervous whisper.
Anaya stood near the back, clutching her sketchbook. She had spent the morning showcasing her art, and now her heart was pounding for a completely different reason: Kian would perform on stage.
Rhea leaned in and whispered, "Don't freak out. He's going to be amazing. Just… watch and enjoy."
"I'm not nervous," Anaya muttered, though her racing heartbeat told a different story.
Kian walked onto the stage carrying his guitar, the crowd immediately quieting in anticipation. He looked around, scanning the audience until his eyes landed on the back where Anaya stood. A small, almost shy smile tugged at his lips.
He strummed the first chords, a melody soft yet confident. Then he began to sing.
"For the one whose art I've seen,
Your lines and colors speak to me.
I hope someday you'll know
How your world inspires me…"
Anaya froze. Her hands gripped her sketchbook tightly. The lyrics… they sounded like they were written for her. Could it be? No, it was just… coincidence. But every word made her heart flutter, a warmth spreading through her chest.
Across the stage, Kian glanced at her briefly, trying to read her reaction. She looked… stunned, maybe even emotional. That small glance was enough to make him smile quietly to himself.
Veer, standing off to the side, elbowed him. "Dude, she's reacting. See her? She's not just paying attention—she's… affected."
Kian nodded subtly. "I hoped she would notice. But I have to play it cool."
As the song ended, the applause was loud, but Anaya barely heard it. She was still caught in the music, in the way the song felt like it was meant for her, and in the fact that Kian had somehow made her feel… seen.
After the performance, Kian stepped down from the stage and walked toward the back. Anaya instinctively stepped back, her heart racing.
"You… you liked it?" he asked softly, stopping a few feet away.
"I… I… yes," she stammered. "It was… beautiful." Her face turned crimson. "I… didn't expect it to… feel like that."
Kian chuckled quietly, a soft, warm sound that made Anaya's chest flutter. "I'm glad. I wrote it for… someone special. I didn't want to make it obvious, but… I hope you knew it wasn't just random."
Anaya's eyes widened. It's me… he wrote it for me. Her heart skipped a beat, and for the first time in her life, she felt completely exposed and completely understood at the same time.
Rhea, standing nearby, grinned mischievously. "Finally. Someone notices how amazing you are. And not just your art."
Anaya glanced at Rhea, cheeks burning, before looking back at Kian. The world around them—the other students, the noise, the festival—seemed to fade into the background. It was just the two of them, connected by music, by admiration, and by a growing, unspoken bond.