More than a Crush

Scene 4 : A night to remember

After Lena says her goodbyes and leaves, I'm left backstage with adrenaline still pumping through my veins from the performance. The entire night feels surreal, and I can't stop thinking about the fact that Zac Efron had been sitting in the audience. As I remove my cape and wipe off the layers of stage makeup, a whirlwind of emotions swirls in my mind. My idol, the person who inspired so much of my work, had watched me perform.

Suddenly, a knock at the door jolts me from my thoughts. My heart races with a mix of nerves and excitement. Could it be? I quickly open the door, and there he is—Zac Efron himself, standing right in front of me.

"Hey," he says with a warm smile. "I just wanted to say, your performance was incredible. You absolutely nailed it."

For a moment, I'm frozen, staring at him, unsure if this is even real. But then the words pour out of me, filled with both awe and gratitude. "Thank you so much. I can't believe you were here. You don't know how much you've inspired me."

Zac steps inside, leaning casually against the door frame, but there's a softness in his eyes that tells me this moment means more than I expected. After a pause, he begins to speak, his voice gentle but sincere. "You know," he says, "for the longest time, I just assumed people liked me because I was famous, or because they enjoyed the movies I was in. No one ever really seemed to care about who I was as a person, you know? It was always about the next project, the next appearance. But what you said in the video..." He pauses, glancing down for a moment before looking back at me. "It touched me. It was real. You saw me—the guy still chasing his dreams, not just the actor on screen. And I just had to thank you for that."

For a second, I'm speechless, but then the words come rushing out. "Zac, the whole reason I made this show was to show people how much you've inspired me throughout the years. You're more than just the guy from High School Musical or any of your movies. I mean, you helped me stand up for myself when I couldn't." I swallow, feeling a lump rise in my throat as the memories flood back. "When I was younger, I was bullied a lot. I wore clothes with your face on them, and people made fun of me because I was overweight. They'd laugh, call me names, make me feel small. But watching your movies, seeing how you handled yourself, and hearing your interviews—it gave me strength. It made me believe I could be stronger, that I didn't have to care about what anyone thought. You helped me find my confidence."

Zac listens intently, his gaze never leaving mine. "I'm so sorry you went through that," he says quietly, shaking his head. "But hearing that I was able to help in any way, that means more to me than I can explain. You don't know how incredible that makes me feel." His voice softens, and for a moment, I can see the weight of my words sinking in. It's like this moment is as important to him as it is to me.

And just like that, the connection between us deepens, not because of who he is to the world, but because of how much he's meant to me personally. I feel a sense of relief, like something that's been locked inside of me has finally been set free.

At first, I can barely believe I'm having this conversation. My nerves are still on edge, and I feel like my words are tumbling out in awkward spurts, but Zac's warmth is undeniable. As we talk, something inside me shifts. His relaxed posture and the way he listens intently to every word I say start to dissolve my anxiety. I no longer feel like I'm speaking to a famous actor, but just... Zac.

Soon, the conversation starts flowing effortlessly. We swap stories about the night, laughing about little moments in the show—like the quick costume change mishap I barely covered up and the perfectly timed dance routine that surprised even me. Zac shares some behind-the-scenes stories of his own from his time on The Greatest Showman and High School Musical. His stories are personal, and he laughs easily, telling me about times when he felt just as nervous as I do now, reassuring me that I'm not alone in this whirlwind.

The more we talk, the more the tension fades. The walls I'd built up in my head about this being Zac Efron start to crumble. It feels like talking to an old friend, someone who gets what it's like to pour your heart into something and hope it reaches people the way you intended. We bounce off each other's energy, our laughter filling the small room, and for a while, I forget my earlier nerves completely. I feel seen, understood—and more than anything, incredibly grateful for this moment.

Zac glances down at his watch, a hint of surprise crossing his face. "Wow, time really flew by, didn't it? I hate to cut this short, but I've got interviews early tomorrow." He looks back at me, apologetic yet warm.

I smile, doing my best to hide the slight disappointment but understanding completely. "I get it, really. Thank you for taking the time to come tonight, especially with how busy your schedule is. It meant the world to me."

His smile deepens, and he nods. "It was my pleasure, Nora. And hey, let's not make this goodbye. How about we exchange numbers? I'd love to keep in touch."

My heart flutters at the thought, excitement bubbling up inside me. "I'd like that a lot," I reply, nodding eagerly, barely able to believe what's happening.

We exchange numbers, and with a final smile and a lingering glance that leaves me feeling like this moment is something more than just a casual encounter, Zac bids me farewell. "I'll text you soon, promise," he says before disappearing into the night.

As I watch him walk away, I'm left with a heart full of hope and the exhilarating possibility of where this unexpected connection might lead.

I close the door, barely able to contain the giddy joy bubbling inside me. I'm on cloud nine, my heart soaring with hope and excitement. As I head back to my apartment, I can't stop replaying the night in my mind—my performance, Zac's praise, the possibility of a real connection, maybe even something more.

Whatever happens next, I know this is just the beginning.