Starstruck

10. Egypt

Egypt had spent an hour setting up the perfect FaceTime date spot in her practice room. Fairy lights strung across the piano (Marcus helped), take-out from Karma's favorite Miami Cuban place (that she'd been dying to try), and her saxophone ready for the private concert she'd promised.

     "This is gorgeous, baby," Karma breathed when the call connected. "You did all this for me?"

     "Miss you," Egypt said softly, and meant it. Even with everything changing, even with confusing feelings about Safiya, even with that night with Liliana occasionally haunting her thoughts – this was still her Karma. Still the girl who heard her through walls.

     "Tell me everything," Karma settled into her own dinner, the same Cuban food Egypt had recommended from an Atlanta spot. "How's the band? The house? That gorgeous queen of yours?"

Egypt's heart stuttered at 'yours.' "They're good. Amazing, actually. Maxwell does morning meditation. Marcus is like having another Osiris around. Leila's... warming up."

     "And Queen Safi?"

     "Professional," Egypt said too quickly. "Helpful. She, uh, actually recommended her therapist."

     "Baby, that's great!" Karma's smile was genuine.

     "Yeah, first session tomorrow actually." Egypt picked at her food. "Karma, about that night... with Lily..."

     "Egypt, don't." Karma's voice was gentle. "We've talked about this. It was before us, really. Before you let me in."

But it wasn't before us, Egypt thought but didn't say. Instead, she picked up her saxophone. "Want to hear what we're working on?"

She played the new arrangement, careful not to include the parts that made her think of Safiya. When she finished, Karma's eyes were soft.

     "You sound different," she said quietly. "Stronger. Freer."

"Good different?"

"Always good, baby. You're flying now. Just like I knew you would."

After they hung up, Egypt lay in the fairy lights' glow, chest tight with emotions she couldn't name.

Later, at rehearsal, Egypt tried to focus on the music. But Safiya moved like poetry, sang like prayer, and looked at Egypt sometimes in ways that made her forget everything else.

     "Again," Safiya called after their third run-through. "Egypt, that riff from yesterday? The one that made Maxwell tear up like a baby?"

     "I was experiencing spiritual movement," Maxwell protested, but he was already smiling, drums ready.

Egypt closed her eyes and played. When Safiya's voice joined her saxophone, everything else disappeared. Their sound merged like it was made in the same breath, like their souls spoke the same language.

     "That's it," Safiya breathed when they finished. Their eyes met across the studio. Something electric passed between them.

"Save it for the show tonight," Leila interrupted, but she was smiling too.

The venue was packed. Egypt's pre-show anxiety peaked until Maxwell appeared with tea.

     "Breathe," he said simply. "The ancestors are with you."

She stepped onto stage feeling strong. The lights were bright, the crowd eager, but all Egypt saw was Safiya. All she felt was music.

They played their hearts out. When Egypt's solo came, Safiya turned to watch her, something like pride and something else in her eyes. Their sound wove together like destiny.

After, high on performance energy, the team celebrated at their favorite late-night spot. Egypt found herself between Maxwell and Marcus, laughing at band stories, feeling like family.

Her phone buzzed – Karma sending love about the show. The guilt hit fresh.

Across the table, Safiya laughed at something Leila said, the sound making Egypt's whole body warm. Their eyes met briefly. The protection beads at Safiya's wrist gleamed in the low light.

Egypt touched her saxophone case, grounding herself. Everything was changing – her music, her heart, her understanding of love itself.

She just wasn't sure what that meant yet.

Or maybe she was just afraid to admit that she did.