In a place where dreams are written in melodies and futures are uncertain a girl must figure out what's real and what's just the echo of rumors. And as the final note approaches, one truth becomes clear, nothing ever unfolds the way it was expected.
It's funny how quickly everything can change. One minute, I'm helping Verena with her little crush on Nevan Blodwyn, and the next, he's telling me that he likes me. I still don't quite know how to process that.
I'm sitting on Verena's bed, the weight of his confession stuck on my mind like a song on repeat. My fingers trace the edges of her floral-patterned comforter while she brushes through her hair, her usual night routine seemingly unaffected by the bombshell I'm about to drop.
"So, what did he say exactly?" Verena asks, glancing at me through the mirror, her eager smile reflected back at me.
I take a deep breath, still unsure how to bring it up without it sounding like a betrayal. "He said he likes me."
Her brush freezes mid-stroke. "Wait. What?"
"Yeah." I nod, feeling my heart pound in my chest all over again. "He told me when we were working on that duet together. Out of nowhere, he just confessed."
Verena's lips part in surprise, her eyes wide with disbelief. For a split second, I expect her to be upset, to feel hurt or betrayed. But then, without warning—she practically squeals, the sound bursting from her as if she couldn't contain it. "Ruelle! That's amazing!" She puts her brush down, rushes over to me, and grabs my hands, pulling me into her excitement. "I knew it! I knew there was something between you two."
I blink, momentarily stunned by her reaction. "Verena, you had a crush on him. Aren't you upset?"
She shakes her head, her face still glowing with happiness. "No, not at all! Honestly, I had this feeling. The way he looks at you, the way you guys match when you're singing together, it's obvious. I just want you to be happy, Ruelle. And Nevan—he's a great guy."
The words hang in the air, but I can't help the tightness in my chest, like I'm waiting for some kind of consequence. "But what about you?"
She gives my hands a squeeze, a knowing smile on her lips. "I'll be fine. He's just my ex-crush, Ruelle, but you? You're my best friend and you deserve this. You've been holding back for too long. You and Nevan, it just makes sense."
Her sincerity takes me by surprise, and I feel a lump form in my throat. "I don't know what to do, Verena. What if it's awkward between us now?"
"It won't be," she insists, nudging me lightly. "So, what are you going to do about it?"
Before I can respond, my phone buzzes on the bed. I glance down and see a new message from Nevan.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
I stare at the screen for a moment, my thoughts spinning. Maybe this is it. This is the moment where everything could change, where I could step into something new.
"Is that him?" Verena asks, leaning closer to peek at my phone.
I nod, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. She lets out a soft laugh. "Well, what are you waiting for? Say yes!"
