Music Strings • Luka Couffaine

|Chapter 23|

"Alright everybody! The competition is about to start in five minutes. Please, kindly group up and write your names on the board." Clara Nightingale then instructed, her voice firm yet still nice and warm.

(Y/N) looks at Luciana one last time, and gave her a small smile.
"I'll see you later, Luc." She then says, and then walks away. With Luka following suit, trailing hot behind her heels.

(Y/N) started to feel anxious for some off reason as they reach the board. Her heart beating rapidly against her chest, as she watches Luka write down both their names on the list.

Luka finishes writing, a small smile on his face as he heaves out a content sigh. His gaze then turned to (Y/N), seeing her worried look gave him a sense of discomfort.

"Hey."

(Y/N) looks up to see Lukas soft teal eyes looking straight at her. His gaze warm and reassuring that it had her smiling a bit.

"What's up?" She then asked. Luka gave her a shrug.

"Are you okay?" Luka then asks. (Y/N) was silent for a few minutes, softly biting on her bottom lip as she contemplates about telling him her worries. But with one last look at Lukas calming teal eyes, she decided to give in.

"My mom's probably gonna be here to judge the contest. I just don't know if I can look at her straight in the eye while I sing." (Y/N) then explains.

"Your mother?" Luka repeated, his eyes turned as wide as saucers as he listens to (Y/N)'s story unravel.

"Yeah. (M/N) (L/N)? Famous music composer and harshest music critique of all time? You don't know about her?" (Y/N) then said, tilting her head to the side as to show that she was confused.

"Never heard of her." Luka then said. (Y/N) could only look at him in disbelief.

"Do you live in a pineapple under the sea or something?" She then said. (Y/N) started walking to the meeting area, with Luka following suit. His eyes were lingering with surprise.

"Actually, I live on a boat." Luka corrected.

—

(Y/N) silently watches Jake and his duo partner finish their last notes. Her hands crossed, her body shivering, but not from the harsh cold of the ac.

Her heart was beating rapidly against her chest as she sees them walk down the other side, her eyes meeting with Jakes for a brief second.

(Y/N) knows what's gonna happen next.

"That was a very beautiful duet, don't you guys think?"

(Y/N)'s head shot up, her eyes darting up to Clara's frame. Her eyes frantic, her hands were shaking.

'Maybe I should bail while I still have the time. '

" But the competitions not over yet! Everybody, give a round of applause for (Y/N) (L/N) of (Bands Name). And Luka Couffaine from Kitty Section!" 

Luka started to walk up the stage, a proud smile on his face. Clara then gestures for Luka to come closer, and he followed suit.

"Where's (Y/N)?" Clara then asked. Luka gave her a confused look, and then he looks to see that (Y/N) was still on the bottom of the stage. A small frown forming on his lips.

"Can we please have a minute?" Luka then asked Clara. She could only give him a confused look and a shrug, but nonetheless, she agreed.

"Alright." Clara agreed, nodding her head with a small smile on her face.

Luka then rushes down the stage, his eyes never leaving (Y/N)'s terrified form. His eyes felt weary and sad when he saw how shaken up she looks, her eyes were filled with fear and sorrow.

He didn't take second thoughts and decided to take her hand in his, just like all those times before. (Y/N) looks up at him, her eyes wide like a deer caught in headlights. Then a small smile formed on her lips, her eyes started to glisten.

Luka will always be there for her, supporting her along the way. Being that one good supportive friend.

A friend.

Is that all he is thought?

She shook her heard, trying to ignore that lingering question in her mind. (Y/N) looks up at Luka, and squeezed his hand. She was ready, ready to face this challenge she so desperately despises.

"I'm ready."

Hand in hand, they walk up on stage. The crowd was already mumbling to one another, gossiping about their public display. But Luka and (Y/N) could care less about that. It didn't matter to them.

Clara looked at them with surprise. She then clasps her hands together and let's out a whistle.

"Whooo~ So, you guys ready to perform?" She then asked, a cheeky smile plastered on her face.

Luka gives her a small nod, and then looked at (Y/N)'s form. Looking for some sort of approval from her. (Y/N) bit down on her lip, something she does when she's nervous or unsure about things.

She looks down on the crowd, looking for a familiar face. Looking for her Mother in the crowd, probably silently contemplating on her daughters existence. Or asking herself why she's here in the first place.

The last thing that (Y/N) wanted to do was to create the scene and embarrass not only herself, but also Luka. She doesn't want her mother to think of Luka as an easy target.

She doesn't want Luka involved.

'If I don't stand up for myself now, entering this competition will just be a waste of time.' She then thought to herself.

(Y/N) looks back at Luka, then at Clara.

'It's now or never.'

"We're ready." (Y/N) then said. A wide smile forming on her lips.

Luka could read (Y/N) like a book. After all the time they've spent together, he's learned to understand her language. Lukas learned to understand every little bit of meaning behind everything (Y/N) says and does. And he can tell that—

She was scared.

But she was also determined. And that made Luka happy.