Under the Stars

Chapter 36

~CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX~

OCTOBER 2ND;

     Lyla sat at her desk, tapping her pen rhythmically against the wooden surface. The hum of the office was a constant backdrop, punctuated by the occasional burst of laughter or the soft murmur of conversations. She glanced at the clock; it was only mid-morning, but she already felt the day dragging on. Her mind kept wandering back to the past, to memories she tried so hard to forget. Carl's face would flash in her mind, his laugh echoing in her ears, and she'd have to shake her head to clear the images.

Just as she was about to lose herself in another daydream, her phone buzzed. Lyla looked down at the screen and saw an email notification from the New York Literary Festival. Her heart skipped a beat as she opened the message.

"Dear Lyla Smith, we are pleased to inform you that you have been selected as a keynote speaker at the upcoming New York Literary Festival. This prestigious event will provide a platform for you to share your journey and inspire fellow writers. We hope you will accept this opportunity and join us for what promises to be an enlightening event."

Lyla’s eyes widened in disbelief. She read the email twice, then a third time, before a smile slowly spread across her face. This was the break she had been waiting for. An opportunity to showcase her journey, to share her passion with others, and perhaps, to start anew.

Excitement bubbled within her, and she quickly replied, confirming her participation. She spent the rest of the day in a flurry of activity, planning her speech, making arrangements, and telling her close friends about the news. Their supportive responses only added to her growing excitement.

That evening, Lyla returned home with a spring in her step. She set her bag down and immediately headed to her writing nook, a cozy corner filled with books, notebooks, and the comforting scent of paper. She sat down at her desk and began to outline her speech. Each point she wanted to cover held a piece of her heart, a fragment of her journey. It was her way of telling her story without the filter of fiction.

As she worked, her phone buzzed again. She glanced at it and saw a notification about the festival’s entertainment lineup. Curiosity piqued, she opened the link and scanned through the list of performers. One name stood out, making her heart stop momentarily—Carl Stevans. He was scheduled to perform live at the festival.

Lyla’s breath caught in her throat. Memories of their time together came rushing back with an intensity she hadn’t felt in years. She could almost hear his voice, see his smile, and feel the warmth of his hand in hers. The shock of seeing his name jolted her, bringing back emotions she thought she had buried deep.

“No,” she whispered to herself. “I can’t let this affect me.”

Determined to stay focused, she pushed the thoughts aside and immersed herself in her work. The next few days passed in a blur of preparation. She poured herself into her speech, using it as an anchor to steady her swirling emotions. Friends and colleagues noticed her renewed energy and enthusiasm, but Lyla kept the news about Carl to herself.

On the day of the festival, Lyla arrived early at the venue, a grand hall in the heart of the city. The space was abuzz with activity as authors set up their booths and organizers made final adjustments. Lyla found her assigned area and quickly set up her display, ensuring everything was perfectly arranged.

As the opening hour approached, a mix of excitement and nerves filled the air. Lyla took a moment to step back and admire her setup. Each book represented a part of her soul, laid bare for the world to see. She hoped that visitors would feel the emotions she had poured into her work.

The doors opened, and attendees began to flow in. Lyla greeted readers with a warm smile, signing books and sharing stories behind her writing. The positive feedback was overwhelming, and she felt a sense of accomplishment that she hadn’t experienced in a long time.

As the evening progressed, Lyla found herself glancing towards the stage area where the performers were preparing. She knew Carl’s performance was scheduled for later in the evening, and despite her efforts to stay focused on her speech, a part of her couldn’t help but anticipate seeing him again.

Finally, the announcement came over the speakers: “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Carl Stevans to the stage!”

Lyla’s heart pounded in her chest. She tried to stay where she was, but her feet seemed to move on their own, carrying her towards the stage. The crowd gathered, and she found a spot near the back, where she could see without being seen.

Carl took the stage, his presence commanding and confident. The years had changed him; he looked more mature, more polished, but the essence of the boy she had once loved was still there. He greeted the audience with his signature smile and began to play his guitar.

The music filled the hall, a beautiful melody that resonated with the emotions Lyla had been struggling with. Carl’s voice, rich and soulful, wove through the air, drawing everyone in. As he sang, Lyla felt a mix of pain and nostalgia, her heart aching with memories.

Then, unexpectedly, Carl began to speak. “This next song is dedicated to someone very special to me. She was my muse, my inspiration, and my ‘starling.’ Wherever you are, this one’s for you.”

Lyla’s breath hitched. He remembered. He remembered everything.

As Carl played the familiar tune, tears welled up in Lyla’s eyes. She couldn’t stay hidden any longer. She stepped forward, moving closer to the stage, unable to take her eyes off him. The song ended, and Carl’s gaze swept over the crowd, finally landing on her.

Their eyes met, and in that moment, time stood still. The noise of the crowd faded, leaving just the two of them connected by an invisible thread of shared history and unresolved feelings.

Carl’s expression softened, and he gave her a small, hopeful smile. Lyla felt a rush of emotions—anger, love, sadness, and hope—all colliding within her. She didn’t know what the future held, but she knew one thing: this was the beginning of a new chapter, one that she would face with an open heart.