Your Lie - A Rina Fic

Chapter 2

"What time does this competition even start?" Ej panted; his breaths uneven. The four teenagers were rushing towards the concert hall, which was still a good distance away.

Ricky, keeping pace effortlessly, replied. "The place doesn't open till 2, and the competition doesn't start until 2:30," he informed them, his voice calm and collected.

Nini's eyes widened. "What! It's already 2:20. We better hurry!" she panicked, her pace quickening.

"Relax," he reassured, his confidence unwavering. "We're gonna make it. Besides, I'm the fourth one up, so we've got time." He added, his calm demeanor contrasting sharply with the growing anxiety of the others.

Gina listened to their exchange, her own thoughts swirling amidst the chaos. As her gaze fixed on the ground, she concentrated on not tripping over her own feet and less on the fact that Ricky was still gripping her wrist for some reason.

When they finally reached the concert hall, their chests heaved with exertion. Gina leaned against a wall, taking a moment to catch her breath. Ej and Nini were doing the same, their faces flushed. Ricky stood there, composed, as he handed his guitar case and skateboard to Nini.

"Could you keep track of this for me?" Ricky asked, his voice slightly breathless. Nini nodded eagerly.

"Sure, no problem!"

Ricky exhaled deeply, regaining his composure before rushing inside. "See you guys in the crowd," he said with a determined smile.

"Break a leg," Ej yelled, though Ricky was too far away to hear them. As Gina watched him disappear into the concert hall, an uncertainty swirled within her. With a deep breath, Gina tried to push aside her doubts and followed her friends into the hall.

As they stepped inside, Gina's heart was pounding in her chest, reverberating in her ears. The concert hall, once familiar, now seemed imposing and grand. She was acutely aware of the hushed conversations that floated through the air, mixing with the soft shuffling of program pamphlets. Every sound seemed to magnify the uneasiness that was still lingering within her.

They walked towards the poster taped near the auditorium doors. "It's a piano competition," Nini said, their eyes scanning the details on the poster.

"Man, this kid must be talented. Playing both guitar and piano? Jeez," Ej remarked. Gina examined the poster, becoming increasingly more impressed by Ricky.

"I'm kind of nervous and I'm not even performing." Nini joked as she placed Ricky's stuff near the other competitors' belongings.

"Let's hurry and find good seats," Ej said. As they made their way toward the entrance of the auditorium, her steps faltered, and she felt a tremor run through her body. Time seemed to slow down as the murmurs of the surrounding people grew louder in her mind, almost drowning out her own thoughts. Ej's voice broke through the noise.

"Gi, are you okay?" Ej's concern was evident in his eyes as he and Nini looked at Gina, waiting for a response.

Gina managed to conjure a wry smile. "Uh, yeah, it was nothing," she reassured them, her voice wavering only slightly. She hoped her words would be enough to ease their worry.

Ej and Nini exchanged a quick glance. If that didn't completely convince them, they didn't press further. Gina took a deep breath, attempting to regain her composure as the group moved forward. But just as she thought she had regained control, a familiar voice echoed in her head, overpowering her thoughts.

You came here to win.

Her mother's malicious voice echoed in her mind, its potency as strong as ever. She proceeded to follow the others, attempting to shake off the noise.