Xiarya's POV
The roar of the crowd shook the walls.
Even from backstage, I could feel the vibration in my chest. The chants, the clapping, the stomping—it was overwhelming.
"Sud-den! Mu-sic! Sud-den! Mu-sic!"
I gripped the microphone so tightly my knuckles whitened. Sweat trickled down my back even though the air conditioning blasted cold.
This wasn't just a school stage or a practice room. This was a full concert hall, packed with thousands of fans. Their eyes would be on us the entire night. Their eyes would be on me.
On Adra.
I wasn't him. But I had to be.
Backstage
Gelo adjusted his jacket, glancing over at me. "You okay?"
I nodded too quickly. "Fine."
He didn't look convinced. "You're pale."
"I'm always pale."
Mark smirked from the couch, sipping water. "She's fine. Probably just nerves. First big gig pretending to be Mr. Iceberg."
"Shut up," Steve muttered, throwing a towel at him.
I stayed quiet, focusing on my breathing. In. Out. In. Out. If I thought too much, my disguise would crack.
The stage manager poked his head in. "Two minutes. Get ready."
My stomach twisted.
The Stage
When we walked out, the noise doubled. Light sticks waved, cameras flashed, voices rose into a deafening wave.
I kept my head down, copying the way Adra always walked—shoulders squared, expression unreadable, every step steady.
The spotlight burned hot, but I forced myself not to flinch.
The music started.
Steve moved first, his energy bright, infectious. Mark followed, smooth and effortless. Gelo's voice cut through steady and strong, anchoring the sound.
Then it was my turn.
I lifted the mic. The crowd screamed louder. My chest tightened. My throat felt raw, dry.
Don't think. Just do it.
The first few lines came out steady enough, but halfway through, the dizziness hit. My vision blurred, the lights too bright, the sound too loud. My voice faltered, words catching in my throat.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Panic clawed at me. No, no, not here, not now.
And then—
Gelo's POV
The second I heard her voice break, I knew something was wrong.
Adra never cracked. Not once, not in all the years I'd known him. But Xiarya—she was trembling. Pale under the lights.
I moved without thinking.
Sliding up beside her, I leaned into my mic and picked up the line seamlessly, carrying it forward. My voice filled the gap, smoothing over the break, pushing the song ahead before the crowd could question.
Beside me, Xiarya froze for half a beat, then lowered her mic slightly, letting me take over.
The audience erupted again, not in suspicion but in excitement. To them, it looked planned—like a duet moment, a dramatic flourish.
Steve and Mark caught on instantly, adjusting their positions, hyping the energy to cover the shift.
The show went on.
Xiarya's POV
Relief and shame collided in my chest.
Gelo's voice steadied the song, steady and commanding, pulling the crowd's attention away from me. He didn't even glance my way, just anchored the performance like nothing had gone wrong.
But I knew.
I clenched the mic harder, forcing myself to move, to lip-sync where I could, to keep the illusion alive.
Every second on stage felt like forever.
By the time the set ended and we bowed, my legs were shaking so hard I nearly stumbled.
Backstage After
The dressing room door shut behind us, muffling the roar of fans still screaming outside.
I collapsed onto the couch, burying my face in my hands.
Mark whistled. "Well. That was dramatic."
Steve tossed me a water bottle. "You okay? You looked like you were gonna faint out there."
I couldn't speak. My throat felt tight, not from singing, but from everything else.
Gelo finally spoke, his tone calm but firm. "You pushed too hard."
I looked up, guilt flooding me. "I messed it up."
"No." He shook his head. "You almost did. But we covered it. No one noticed."
"But they could've." My voice cracked. "I could've ruined everything."
He crouched down in front of me, eyes locking with mine. Serious. Steady. "Listen. You didn't. That's what matters. You kept going. You didn't run."
I stared at him, my chest tightening again—but for a different reason this time.
There was something in his eyes, something unshakable. A promise.
"You're not alone in this," he said softly. "We'll cover you. Every time. Until Adra comes back."
My breath hitched. I nodded, swallowing hard.
For the first time since this all began, I almost believed I could do it.
Mark's POV
I leaned back against the wall, arms crossed, watching them.
Gelo crouched in front of her like some kind of knight in shining armor, and Xiarya looked like she was two seconds from crying.
I smirked. Well, well. Interesting.