Aegis woke to her HUD flashing a notification that made her sit straight up in bed.
Relationship Update:
Talia Stone (❤️❤️❤️🤍🤍)
[Three hearts? When did that happen?]
She rubbed her eyes, thinking back to yesterday's rehearsal.
That kiss in the practice room had been different from their stage kisses. Deeper. Hungrier. The way Talia had gasped against her mouth, the way her body had melted into Aegis's touch...
[Did she... actually like it?]
Aegis grinned like a madwoman. She couldn't help it; this was too juicy.
"You're awake early," Lune said from her easel. She'd been painting since dawn, apparently. "Nervous about tonight?"
"Nah." Aegis stretched, her oversized sleep shirt riding up. "I was born for the spotlight."
"Mm." Lune's brush moved across the canvas. "Your confidence is... educational."
Aegis glanced at the painting. It was her again, mid-stretch, with morning light hitting her face. The detail was incredible—Lune had even captured the slight bedhead.
