𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲, 𝐥𝐮𝐤𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧: 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞

"How would you all feel about performing at graduation?"

The group stood frozen in front of Principal Turner, wide-eyed and speechless. This was the last thing they expected to hear when they were summoned to her office. Perform at graduation? They hadn't even known that was an option.

"Wait, what about the end-of-year presentation?" Kelsey finally managed to ask.

"You'd be exempt from that," Principal Turner replied, rising from her chair. "Instead, you'd perform at graduation."

Principal Turner paused, her expression softening as she continued. "I was there that night you performed at the Orpheum."

"You were?" Luke asked, his confusion evident.

She nodded. "My daughter is a huge Mariah Carey fan, and when I saw you were the opening act, I was pleasantly surprised. You didn't disappoint—not one bit. I can't imagine anyone else performing at graduation."

The group exchanged glances, unsure of what to say. All eyes eventually turned to Aurora.

"It's up to you," Luke said quietly.

"Me?" Aurora was taken aback.

Her friends nodded in unison. "None of us would be here if it wasn't for you," Alex added.

Aurora looked at Principal Turner, then back at her friends, and sighed. "We'll do it," she agreed.

Principal Turner's face lit up as she clapped her hands together. "Excellent! I'll take care of everything. You won't regret this."

The group nodded, with Reggie adding, "Thank you for the opportunity."

As they began to leave the office, Principal Turner called out, "Aurora, one more thing."

The group stopped, and Aurora turned to her friends. "Give me a minute," she said, causing Luke to nod and close the door behind them.

Aurora faced Principal Turner again. "What is it?"

"There's something else I'd like to run by you," Principal Turner began, her tone more serious. "Of course, you don't have to do it if you don't want to, but the school board and I were wondering if you'd consider giving a speech at this year's graduation."

Aurora's eyes widened. "A speech? Isn't that the valedictorian's job?"

"Yes, traditionally," Principal Turner admitted. "But we think you should speak as well. Aurora, you're not just any student—you've made a real impact here. You're America's Sweetheart, and we'd love for you to share some words with those who are about to start the next chapter of their lives."

Aurora hesitated, then smiled. "I'd love to."

"Wonderful," Principal Turner said, returning the smile as Aurora left the office.

__

Aurora sat in the studio, her journal open in front of her, trying to piece together thoughts for her graduation speech. Usually, writing a song came naturally to her, but speeches were another story. It had taken her a full week to write the one for her aunt's funeral. She still couldn't quite understand why the school board made such a fuss about her coming to this school. Had she really made that big of an impact?

As she tapped her pencil repeatedly against the journal, searching for the right words, the studio doors creaked open. She turned to see Luke standing in the doorway, a smile on his face.

"Hey," he greeted her softly.

"Hey," Aurora smiled back.

Luke walked over and peered at the open journal. "Working on a new song?" he asked.