Her Song, His Heart

The Shoot

The days following the episode were a blur for Mannon. She had moments of clarity, followed by long stretches of anxiety and exhaustion. But as the days passed, the sharpness of the pain seemed to dull, and she found herself clinging to the reassurance that Chan’s words had given her: She wasn’t alone.

Her phone buzzed on the desk, the screen flashing with a reminder of her next appointment. She stared at it for a moment, the usual tension settling into her chest. The reality of her condition had never been more palpable. Her schizophrenia wasn’t just something she could ignore anymore. It was a part of her life that she couldn’t outrun, and it weighed heavily on her every decision.

She had a shoot coming up for Versace, a major milestone in her career. It was the one thing that could give her life some semblance of normalcy, but it also meant pushing through the mental exhaustion she’d been battling.

Can I really do this? she wondered, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of her coffee cup.

The soft knock at the door snapped her from her thoughts. It was Chan, his presence as comforting as ever.

“You alright?” His voice was calm, but there was an underlying concern that he always tried to hide.

Mannon forced a smile, not wanting to worry him further. “Yeah, just thinking.”

Chan stepped inside, sitting beside her. His gaze softened as he noticed the tiredness in her eyes. He reached over, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. “You don’t have to carry this alone, Mannie. I know you’re strong, but you also have a right to ask for help.”

Mannon let out a shaky breath, resting her forehead on her knees. “I don’t want to drag everyone down. I don’t want to be a burden…”

“Stop,” Chan interjected softly, his hand gently squeezing her shoulder. “You’re not a burden. You’re my sister, and I will always be here for you. Always.”

Her heart twisted with emotion, the weight of his words sinking deep. She knew that no matter how much she tried to push people away, Chan would never let her go.

“I’m scared, Chan,” she admitted in a whisper. “I’m scared that one day, I won’t be able to come back from it. That I’ll lose myself. That everyone will leave.”

Chan’s eyes softened, his hand still on her shoulder. “You’re not losing yourself, Mannie. You’re just going through something right now. And when it gets tough, you have people who love you. People who will fight with you, not against you.”

Mannon leaned into his touch, allowing herself to relax, if only for a moment. His words had a way of calming her, grounding her in the midst of the chaos.

---

The Photo Shoot: Facing the Spotlight

The next few days passed in a haze of rehearsals, fittings, and appointments. Mannon’s Versace photo shoot was one of the most important of her career, and she knew she had to push through for it. But as the day approached, the anxiety began to settle in her chest again.

She stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the silver necklace around her neck, her thoughts a whirlwind of doubt. What if I can’t keep it together? What if something goes wrong?

She had always been able to compartmentalize her emotions before, but now it felt like everything was teetering on the edge.

“Hey,” Chan’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. He appeared in the doorway, looking effortlessly stylish in a black hoodie and jeans, a calm smile on his face.

“You’re going to rock this shoot, Mannie,” he said, his voice confident.

Mannon forced a smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I hope so. I’m just…” she trailed off, her hands fidgeting with the necklace.

“You’re nervous,” Chan finished for her, stepping closer. “I get it. But you’ve got this. You’ve been working so hard for this moment. Don’t let fear control you. Just go out there and do what you do best.”

She nodded, but there was a knot in her stomach that wouldn’t ease. What if this is too much for me? What if it all falls apart?

Chan seemed to sense the lingering doubt. “Mannie… you don’t have to be perfect. You just need to be yourself. And if you need me, I’m right here. Every step of the way.”

Her heart warmed at his words, and for a moment, the anxiety seemed to ease. He always knew what to say to calm her, to make her feel seen, understood.

“Thanks, Channie,” she whispered, a faint smile curving her lips.

“Anytime,” he replied, his voice soft but reassuring.

---

The Spotlight: A Test of Strength

The shoot was everything Mannon had dreamed of—elegant, glamorous, and perfectly executed. The camera flashes were blinding, and the styling was impeccable. But in the midst of it all, she could feel her nerves gnawing at her. Every movement felt calculated, every smile forced.

She could hear the whispers of doubt creeping into her mind again, the voices pushing at the edges of her thoughts. What if I’m not good enough for this? What if I mess it all up?

As the shoot continued, she fought to keep her composure, but the pressure was starting to mount. Her chest tightened, and the familiar panic clawed at her from within. Just breathe. Just breathe. She repeated the words in her head, trying to ground herself.

At one point, the photographer asked her to change positions, and she froze, feeling the weight of the world pressing down on her. Her hands were shaking slightly, and she struggled to take a deep breath.

“Is everything okay?” one of the assistants asked, noticing the shift in her demeanor.

Mannon forced a smile, her heart racing. “Yeah, I’m just fine. Just a little tired.”

But inside, she could feel the familiar storm building up. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could keep up this façade.

The photographer, sensing the shift in her energy, paused the shoot. “Let’s take a short break,” he suggested, concern in his eyes.

Mannon took a few steps back, away from the set, her breathing coming in short bursts. She needed a moment—just a moment to breathe and regain control.

And then, just as she turned to leave the set, she caught sight of Chan.

He was standing in the corner, watching her with a knowing gaze. His eyes softened when he saw the distress on her face. Without a word, he crossed the room and pulled her into his arms.

“Take a moment, Mannie. You’re doing amazing. Just breathe,” he whispered, his hands smoothing her hair.

And for the first time that day, Mannon allowed herself to let go, to lean into his support.

The voices in her head didn’t disappear, but in that moment, she remembered that she wasn’t alone.