Someone tapped my shoulder just as I finished adjusting the mic wire clipped to my dress.
"June," a girl from stage crew whispered. "You're next. Five minutes."
Five minutes.
My stomach flipped.
"And Ren?" I asked too quickly. "Where's Ren?"
"He's already set up," You're on together."
I nodded, even though my hands were shaking.
As soon as she left, I exhaled hard and pressed my palms to my cheeks.
"Bubble nibble… bubble nibble…" I muttered under my breath, doing my stupid voice warm-up. My lips buzzed.
"You can do this," I whispered to myself. "Don't think about Ian. Don't think about Ren. Just… sing."
I stepped out from backstage, and there he was.
Ren stood beside the keyboard, already waiting. When he saw me, his face softened immediately, like the room had quieted just for us.
"Hey," he murmured, taking my hands before I could even think. "I'm here."
My throat closed.
"I'm terrified," I admitted.
"Jellybean," he said softly. "You're going to be amazing."
