I collapsed onto the couch, arms wrapping around myself as if I could somehow shield my heart from what I was about to say.
The room was dark, shadows dancing on the walls, and the flickering TV cast a dim glow that seemed to mock my mood.
It was already night—so late that even the stars seemed to be hiding, probably because they knew what I was about to reveal.
I adjusted my glasses, not just because they slipped, but because I needed something to do with my trembling hands.
Across from me, my mom sat on the couch, completely immersed in her popcorn and her show, unaware of the storm inside me.
I tried to put on a face—long, sad, and full of despair—like I was the star of a tragic movie, but honestly, it looked more like I was about to cry over a lost sock.
My mom finally looked up and saw my face, and her eyes widened. She kept her popcorn in one hand and asked softly,
"What happened, dear? You look so sad I could cry… or maybe just scare the popcorn right out of me."
I shook my head dramatically, sighing like the weight of the universe was on my shoulders.
"It's nothing," I whispered, voice trembling with the effort it took to keep from breaking down.
But my mom wasn't fooled. She set the popcorn aside, leaned forward, and her voice softened even more.
"Don't tell me that," she said gently, her eyes full of concern. "Come on, Ayana. You can tell me anything."
I looked at her, really looked, feeling the tears prick at my eyes.
"Mom," I finally managed, voice cracking with the pain I'd been holding back,
"I met Mr. Ronson… I mean, Dad… again." I paused, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure she could hear it.
"He asked for a second chance," I whispered, my voice barely a whisper. "He wants you to forgive him."
My mom's face froze for a moment, then she shifted, her eyes filling with a mixture of shock, sadness, and something else I couldn't quite name.
She leaned back like I'd just told her I was moving to Mars.
"Ayana," she said quietly, "if he really wanted another chance, he'd ask ME himself. Not you. Because I'm the one who has to decide if he deserves it, not you."
I felt my throat tighten, and my heart ache with a thousand unspoken words.
"But, Mom," I choked out, tears threatening to spill over,
"I need to know what happened. I need to understand. I need to know if I should even bother hoping or if I should just hide under the bed forever and never come out."
She sighed deeply, reached out, and held my hand like it was the most precious thing in the world.
"We'll talk when the time is right," she murmured, standing up and walking away toward the kitchen, leaving me sinking deeper into the couch.
I stared at the ceiling, feeling helpless, overwhelmed, and painfully raw—all at once.
And inside, I was a mess—confused, angry, desperate for answers, and somehow, despite everything, holding onto a flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, things could someday be okay.
--
Mr. Rick clapped his hands together like he was about to announce a plot twist no one asked for.
"Alright, everyone. Listen up."
We were gathered in the school's movie theater—the drama club's sacred ground. Dim lights. Endless empty seats. The faint smell of burnt popcorn that had probably survived three generations of students.
Regina sat straight-backed, arms crossed, chin lifted like she already had her victory speech prepared.Emma leaned back casually, smiling like she was here for fun.Ethan slouched against a seat, looking like he'd rather wrestle a bear than participate.Liam blinked slowly, halfway between awake and dead.Mark stood quietly near the aisle, eyes observant, unreadable.And me?
I was breathing wrong.
"We need a lead vocalist," Mr. Rick announced. "So we're testing today."
The word testing alone made my palms sweat.
Regina shot up first.
"Of course," she said smoothly. "I'll go."
She stepped into the center like the stage had been waiting for her all its life.
Music started.
She sang:
🎵 "I rise above the fire,Watch me shine, watch me soar—" 🎵
Her voice was strong. Loud. Technically correct.
Too correct.
Ethan muttered, "Why does it feel like she's yelling at the song?"
Liam nodded. "I feel attacked."
Regina hit the final note dramatically, hand pressed to her chest like she'd just survived emotional trauma.
Silence.
Mr. Rick smiled politely. "Thank you, Regina."
That was it.
Regina blinked. Once. Twice.
"…That's all?" she asked, laugh tight.
"Yes," Mr. Rick replied cheerfully. "That's all."
Her jaw clenched.
Next, Emma stood.
"Oh, okay!" she said lightly, brushing her hair back.
She sang softly:
🎵 "If I fall, I'll learn to fly,Even broken wings still try—" 🎵
Her voice was beautiful. Clean. Warm. Almost… too safe.
Mark nodded slightly, impressed.Ethan crossed his arms. "She sounds like a Disney ending."Liam whispered, "I kinda like it."
Mr. Rick smiled wider. "Very good, Emma."
Regina's nails dug into her sleeve.
Then—
Mr. Rick turned.
"Ayana."
The world stopped.
Me?
"I—what?" I squeaked, genuinely checking behind me.
"You," he confirmed. "Warm up your vocals. And learn this speech. You'll be leading the girls."
Dead. Silence. I don't sing, I only sing on high pitched.
Regina's smile shattered.Emma blinked.Ethan straightened fully.Liam whispered, "Ohhh."Mark's eyes sharpened like he'd just found a missing puzzle piece.
"I… sing?" I whispered, voice trembling.
Mr. Rick nodded like he'd just asked me to pass him a pen. "You do now."
My hands were shaking.
"I— I don't— I mean— I sing in the shower," I panicked.
"Perfect," Ethan muttered. "The acoustics are great there."
Music started.
I stepped forward like I was walking toward my own execution.
My voice came out soft at first:
🎵 "I don't know where I belong,But I've been quiet for too long—" 🎵
My heart pounded.
Then something clicked.
I sang louder.
🎵 "If this is my moment,Then I won't let it fade—" 🎵
Regina stiffened.Emma's smile faded into surprise.Ethan's eyebrows lifted.Liam sat up fully.Mark stopped breathing for half a second.
I finished on a shaky but honest note.
Silence.
Then—
"Oh my—" Emma whispered."No way," Liam said.Ethan muttered, "…Huh."
Mr. Rick beamed. "That's it."
Regina exploded. "WHAT?"
"She didn't even know she could sing!" Regina snapped.
Mr. Rick shrugged. "That's usually how talent works."
Regina looked like she was five seconds away from combusting.
I just stood there, stunned, heart racing, thinking—
When did my life turn into a musical?