Author's POV:
Section E's classroom looked like the calm before a storm.
The kind where everyone knows something is wrong, but no one wants to say it out loud because saying it makes it real.
Ci-N sat on a chair in the middle like a patient on an operating table.
"Okay," Rakki said, holding a palette like it was a sacred artefact. "We are doing simple makeup."
April nodded very seriously. Too seriously.
"Yes. Simple. Natural. Effortless."
She picked up a brush.
Rakki squinted. "Why are you holding it like that?"
"Like what?"
"Like you're about to paint a wall."
Ci-N peeked at his reflection in his phone. "If I come out looking like abstract art. I'm suing you, ate."
April leaned in, tongue sticking out in concentration.. always a bad sign.
She dabbed.
Ci-N hissed. "ATE WHY IS IT WET."
"It's… dewy?"
"That's not dewy, that's SWEATY."
Rakki grabbed April's wrist mid-dab. "Stop. You're done. You're FIRED."
April blinked. "I was getting the hang of it."
"You were about to give him a villain origin story."
Ci-N nodded solemnly. "I saw my life flash. Rakki is the best."
Rakki smiled.
April's laughter faded first.
Her eyes flicked to the door.
Still empty.
She checked her phone again.
No notifications.
No missed calls.
Nothing.
She typed "Where are you?"
Didn't send it.
Deleted it.
Ci-N noticed. He always did.
"Jay's late," he said, trying to sound casual. Trying.
"She's probably stuck," April replied immediately. Too quick.
"She'll come."
Rakki glanced at the clock.
Someone from another section popped their head in. "Section E, you're on in thirty minutes."
Thirty.
The word dropped like a weight.
April's fingers tightened around her phone.
She called. Ringing. Once.
Twice.
Voicemail. Again.
Nothing.
The room shifted. Jokes stopped landing. Movements slowed.
Keifer leaned against the wall, arms crossed, jaw tight. Yuri stood near the window, quiet, eyes sharp.. not panicked, just watching.
Watching April.
Ten minutes passed.
Rakki finally said it. "April… what if-"
"She's coming," April said. Louder now. Firm. Like if she said it hard enough, it would obey.
Another ten minutes.
"Twenty minutes left," someone announced.
April stood up so fast her chair scraped loudly.
"I'll be back."
"April-" Rakki started.
Already moving.
She reached into her bag. Paused.
"…I didn't bring my keys."
She looked around. Her eyes landed on a familiar set resting on the table.
Yuri's car keys.
No hesitation.
She grabbed them.
Yuri noticed instantly. "April."
She was already halfway to the door. "I'll explain."
Then she was gone.
April barely remembered the drive.
Her hands were steady, but her heart wasn't.
She parked crooked. Ran.
The door opened.
"AY, APRIL?" one of the titas exclaimed. "Why are you here, anak?"
"No time," April said, breathless. "I need clothes. Black. Anything. NOW."
"Oh!" another tita clapped. "Festival?"
"Yes. And emergency."
They moved like professionals. Yes, they are.
Closet open. Drawer pulled. Clothes passed hand to hand.
"Yuri keeps your things here," one said casually, pulling out a familiar shirt. Then pants.
April froze for half a second.
"…Okay," she said softly. "I'll take those."
They fixed her hair. Straightened her outfit. Someone handed her lip tint.
April stared at it as if it might explode.
"I don't really-"
"Just a little," the tita said gently. "You don't need much."
"Where did it even come fr-"
Her phone buzzed.
Yuri calling.
She answered while tying her shoes.
"Where are you?" he asked.
Not angry. Not accusing.
Just worried.
"I'm on my way," she said. "I promise."
A pause.
Then quietly: "Be careful."
Her heart ached.
"I will."
She ran.
Section E was lined up backstage.
Ci-N in full confidence mode. Keifer silent, but tense. Yuri standing off to the side, hands in pockets.
Someone whispered, "Next up.. Section E!"
And then-
April ran in.
Hair perfect. Outfit black and sharp. Eyes burning with adrenaline.
Everyone turned.
Ci-N's mouth fell open. "ATE??? WHERE DID YOU-"
"No time," she said, sliding into place. "We're doing this."
They were pushed forward before anyone could argue.
Lights hit. Noise roared.
April's mind went blank.
Heart pounding. Hands cold.
For a terrifying second, she forgot everything.
Then-
She remembered Jayjay.
Standing in class. Walking back and forth. Saying:
"Not fast. Not slow. Walk like you belong."
April stepped forward.
Measured. Steady. Confident.
She spoke her lines clearly. Her deep voice strong despite the turmoil inside.
Ci-N followed, dramatic and perfect.
Applause hit like a wave.
When it was over, April barely felt her legs as she walked backstage.
She turned-
And went straight to Yuri.
Didn't look around. Didn't think.
Just him.
"I made it," she said quietly.
Yuri felt it immediately.
He shifted just enough to look down at her, one hand still steady at her back.
"Hey," he murmured. Not loud. Not urgent. Just there.
April looked up at him. Her lashes were damp, makeup slightly smudged, confidence hanging by a thread.. but she was standing. Still standing.
"That was scary," she admitted quietly. No jokes. No bravado. "I don't know why I took a sudden decision without thinking."
"I know," Yuri said.
Then.. without making it a thing, without looking around, without pausing to ask permission like it was some grand moment-
He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek.
Quick. Warm. Familiar.
The kind that says you're safe more than I like you.
April froze for half a second.
Then her shoulders dropped.
Just a little.
Like something finally settled.
"You're unfair."
"How?" Yuri pulled back just enough to look at her.
"You do that," she said, gesturing vaguely at him, "and my brain stops panicking."
"That's the idea."
Jayjay wasn't there.
But in that moment, April wasn't alone.
Steady. Certain.
And for now?
That was enough.