The Spotlight

Chapter 11

The world is still cloaked in darkness as I lace up my running shoes, my fingers trembling slightly from the early morning chill. I step out of the house, the cool air immediately nipping at my exposed skin, causing goosebumps to rise along my arms. I take a deep breath, letting the crisp air fill my lungs, before I set off down the quiet street.

My footsteps echo in the pre-dawn silence, a steady rhythm that matches the pounding of my heart. With each stride, I try to outrun the doubts that have plagued me since yesterday's performance. Gary's inscrutable expression flashes in my mind, and I push myself to run faster, as if I could somehow leave those worries behind in the shadows. I feel my stomach twist into knots. What if I wasn't good enough? What if all this was for nothing?

The darkness around me feels oppressive, mirroring the uncertainty that's been gnawing at my insides. I can barely make out the outlines of the houses I pass; their windows are dark and lifeless. It's as if the whole world is holding its breath, waiting for the sun to rise and decisions to be made.

As I round a corner, my thoughts drift to the afternoon ahead. In just a few hours, Gary will announce his final four. The weight of that impending moment sits heavy on my chest, making each breath feel labored. I try to focus on the sound of my feet hitting the pavement, the steady in-and-out of my breathing, anything to distract me from the swirling vortex of what-ifs in my head. Did I hit that high note perfectly? Was my timing off during the bridge? The doubts start to creep in, insidious and persistent, like a shadow growing longer as the sun sets.

Gradually, the inky blackness begins to soften, and the world around me slowly comes into focus. Shades of gray emerge from the darkness, outlining trees and buildings that were previously invisible. It's as if the landscape is slowly waking up, stretching, and yawning its way into existence.

The gradual lightening of the sky mirrors the growing anticipation in my chest. With each passing minute, we draw closer to the moment of truth. I can feel my heart rate increasing, and I'm not sure if it's from the exertion or the anxiety.

I push myself harder, my legs pumping furiously as I sprint up a small incline. The burn in my muscles is a welcome distraction from the turmoil in my mind. For a moment, I can pretend that this run is all that matters and that there isn't a life-changing decision looming on the horizon.

As I crest the hill, I notice my shoelace has come undone. In my distracted state, I don't notice the uneven pavement beneath my feet. I stumble, my arms flailing as I try to regain my balance.

But it's too late. My foot catches on the loose lace, and suddenly, I'm falling. Time seems to slow down as I brace myself for impact, my arms outstretched, my eyes squeezing shut. I wait for the sting of the pavement against my skin, but it never comes.

Instead, I feel strong arms wrap around me, catching me mid-fall. For a moment, I'm too stunned to move, my heart pounding from the near-miss and the unexpected rescue. Then, slowly, I open my eyes and look up.

My breath catches in my throat as I find myself staring into the familiar face of Gary Barlow. His green eyes, filled with concern, are mere inches from mine. I feel the warmth of his arms around me, steady and secure, and my mind goes completely blank.

"Are you alright?" Gary asks, his voice low and tinged with worry.

I open my mouth to respond, but no words come out. A deeper flush creeps across my face, stemming not only from my recent exertion but also from the wave of mortification washing over me. Here I am, sweaty and disheveled from my run, literally falling into the arms of Gary. It's like something out of a ridiculous dream.

"I... um... yes," I finally manage to stammer out, my words tumbling over each other in a nervous rush. "I'm fine. Thank you. I'm so sorry. I didn't see you there. I mean, obviously, I didn't see you, or I wouldn't have... Oh God, I'm babbling, aren't I?"