Breathe...

Okay...you could do this.

My fingers absentmindedly played with the guitar strap that was swung across my shoulder, holding the instrument in place as I shuffled from one foot to the other. Momentarily looking away from the stage where a group of four boys were doing some sort of comedic dance routine, I peeked around the backstage curtains and looked for Charlie.

It was dark in the audience, but it was easy to spot her since she was sitting in the front row. She was laughing along with our fellow school mates as the boys did something ridiculous, and I did my very best to mentally call her attention to me. It worked. Her eyes went to me, and she gave me a questioning look.

I shook my head frantically, and mouthed, I don't think I can do this!

She rolled her eyes, then pointed over her shoulder. I looked past her and over to the general direction her finger was facing. It didn't take long for me to find what she wanted me to see. Leo was cackling away with his friends, their eyes trained on the stage. The stage I was going on as soon as the current act was over.

I felt like throwing up.

Breathing deeply, I hid back behind the curtain and clutched at my guitar's neck with both hands. I quickly let go of it, and checked if it was still tuned.

"Girl."

I almost screamed, but spun around on my heel instead. Charlie clamped her hands down on my shoulders and looked straight into my eyes. "You got this. Stop freaking. You're good. Crazy good! And if Leo doesn't figure that out, then good riddance to him."

"I still can't believe I'm doing this!" I whisper-shouted, resisting the urge to bounce on the balls of my feet.

"Did he text you back?" She raised a brow down at my jean's pockets where my phone was currently stored.

I nodded.

She held out a hand, and I placed the device on it. As she read my exchange with Leo, I went over it in my mind. I have read it so many times in the past two days I knew every word by heart.

Me:
So I was thinking...

Leo:
Uh oh...

Me:
Don't be a dick, I'm serious.

Leo:
Uh oh.

Me:
So...we should meet.

Leo:
For real?

Me:
Yea...h.

Leo:
You're not shitting me, right??

Me:
No shitting happening.

Leo:
Dude!! This is awesome!!!

Leo:
Where do you want to meet??

Leo:
When???

Me:
Calm your tits there Bracci. I'm getting there.

Leo:
I'm sorry! I'm just so excited!!

Leo:
Wait...did you just call me Bracci?? I never gave you my last name.

Me:
That's cuz I know you. Well...of you. I go to the same school as you.

Leo:
What?

Me:
Yeah, it's complicated, and I'm sorry.

Me:
You still there?

Me:
Would really like a response from you right now.

Leo:
Why didn't you tell me? Why keep it a secret?

Me:
Because you're Leonardo Bracci...and I'm just me. I'm nobody. I'm not like you.

Leo:
Like me? What's that supposed to mean?

Me:
It means you're popular, and I'm not.

Leo:
And that's relevant because?? If you go to the same school as me then you would know that I really don't care about that stuff. And to be honest, I hate the whole popular thing. I don't think it's right.

Me:
I know. If I learned anything from getting to know you for the past couple of months, it's that. But, you don't see things the way I do from my point of view. From where I stand, I can't reach you.

He called.

"Then let me reach you."

My stomach tightened, and my heart skipped a beat. There was so much passion behind his words. My hands shook as I continue to hold my phone up to my ear.

I ended the call.

Me:
The talent show at school this Friday...

Leo:
I'll be there.

"And he's there." Charlie points out, as she hands me back my phone. "You can't back out of this now, Jus."

I slipped the phone back into my pocket and sighed. "I know."

"Thank you...Ragtag Boys for that entertaining number!" The MC and school music teacher, Mr. Gloss says as he steps back unto the stage. He looks down to the piece of paper in his hands, then back up to the crowd. My heart was threatening to jump right out of my chest. "And our next contestant, Miss Justine Grant!"

The crowd clapped, and Charlie gave me an encouraging smile. "Go get 'em."

I took a deep breath, holding it for a second, before exhaling. I nodded. "Thanks."

***

I swear, the next chapter isn't going to be a cliffhanger!! So just...hang in there! I'm working on it already!

Love y'all!!!
DG❤

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