Flynn heard a familiar voice from across the room — faint, but unmistakable.
"Flynn! I'm here!"
He blinked, trying to see through the lights and the crowd. And there, in the far corner, was Dylan, holding a banner high above his head that read:
"THAT'S MY FAL!"
The world seemed to shift for a moment, as if it had stopped the instant he saw him. Every trace of nervousness melted away, leaving him seeing nothing but Dylan.
The mic feedback finally cut, and the crowd's laughter dimmed. But Flynn didn't notice. His focus was entirely on him.
Jacob leaned closer, whispering, "You ready now?"
Flynn took a deep breath, nodded, and let himself be grounded by Dylan's presence. He stepped fully into the spotlight, ready to perform.
As the music began, the room fell silent. The chatter, the laughter, everything faded the moment Flynn started to sing. Everyone was caught off guard by the clarity and warmth of his voice.
"The calm I knew, it shattered when you came
A quiet life now tangled in your flame
Every look, a spark, a rhythm I can't name
A simple world in chaos, yet I'm not to blame"
As he sang, the words weren't just lyrics — they were the things Flynn had wanted to say but couldn't. Ever since Dylan had come into his life, his once quiet world had grown loud. What he had thought was a colorless, predictable existence suddenly seemed to glow. Every little thing Dylan did, every small act or glance, was something Flynn had never experienced with anyone else.
"Your shadow lingers even when you're gone
I chase your echo, can't move on"
Even when Dylan was gone, Flynn could still feel him everywhere. His laughter, his teasing, the way he looked at him — it stayed in Flynn's mind, impossible to ignore. He tried to move on, but Dylan's presence followed him like a shadow.
"And I wish you felt it too
The way my heart spins into you
A fire I try to hide, but it breaks through
If only we could feel the same
If only you could feel the same"
As Flynn continue to sang, his mind suddenly drifted back to the time he was still writing the song. Back then, there was no one else in his thoughts but Dylan. The teasing, the playful mischief, the corny little jokes Dylan loved to pull — they kept replaying in his head. Flynn couldn't deny it anymore; he had been falling for Dylan long before this, but he could never say it aloud. Not only were they both guys, but he wasn't even sure if Dylan felt the same, or if he was just enjoying teasing him, as always.
Down in the audience, Dylan couldn't tear his eyes away from Flynn. Every line seemed pointed, almost like it was meant for him. Dylan's chest tightened as he recognized the words... Yes, Flynn... same here. I feel it too. First day, first moment, I already liked you.
Then Jacob's rap surged through the room:
I never thought a person could flip my world like this, one second I'm fine, the next my heart's skipping, my hands shake when you pass by and I try to act normal but it's impossible.
The audience was left in shock, caught completely off guard by Jacob's rap. No one had expected him to be this good — not even those who used to mock him for his rapping attempts. Every sneer and insult from before seemed to vanish as they watched him command the stage with effortless flow.
Every laugh you make sticks in my head like a melody I can't stop playing
I'm tracing every step you take, every glance you give, like a map I can't read but I can't stop following. I want to tell you everything I feel, but the words choke in my throat.
I catch myself staring too long, imagining what it would be like if you felt the same.
If you knew that this chaos you bring is the only thing keeping me alive. I'm running in circles in my mind, replaying moments we shared...
Overthinking every word, every smile, hoping secretly that your heart beats the way mine does when you're near.
It's intoxicating, confusing... like chasing something I shouldn't want but can't resist, and every night I lie awake imagining the day you finally see it too.
Imagining that we could exist in this chaos together and maybe, just maybe, we wouldn't have to hide anything anymore...
The chorus soared again, and Flynn's heart thumped harder with each word, each note carrying the weight of unspoken truths:
"And I wish you felt it too
The way my heart spins into you
A fire I try to hide, but it breaks through
If only we could feel the same
If only you could feel the same"
Dylan's eyes never left Flynn. He could feel the lyrics like a current, each word a quiet confession, and his own heart mirrored every unspoken emotion Flynn was pouring into the performance.
After this... I'll tell him. No more hiding.
As the outro faded, Flynn's voice trembed with emotion. The auditorium erupted into applause. He stood frozen for a moment, letting the energy wash over him, then glanced toward the crowd. And there, standing tall and grinning with pride, was Dylan. The sight grounded him, steadied him, and a warmth bloomed in his chest that had nothing to do with the lights or music.
"Lost in your orbit, can't find my way
But I hope someday, you'll feel the same"
Flynn let out a quiet breath, a small smile tugging at his lips, knowing in that instant that maybe, just maybe, Dylan felt it too.
The hall erupted into thunderous applause and cheers after Flynn and Jacob's performance.
The two of them stood there, stunned, barely able to process what was happening. They never imagined the crowd would respond that way.
After leaving the stage, Flynn and Jacob stayed backstage to wait for the announcement of winners. Their nerves started creeping back in, the excitement slowly sinking into anticipation.
After a short break, all the contestants were called back onto the stage.
The Sports Department was announced as 4th runner-up, followed by the Star Department as 3rd.
That left only two groups: the Creative Arts and the Regular Department.
Flynn and Jacob glanced at each other, disbelief written on their faces. They never once thought they'd make it to the top two. At this point, they weren't expecting a win at all. The Creative Arts Department had won every year without fail, so they fully expected them to take the title again.
And then, the announcement came.
The crowd exploded into screams. Shock rippled through the hall, quickly replaced by wild celebration as the Regular Department broke into cheers, jumping, hugging, completely losing themselves in the moment.
Flynn and Jacob froze when their names were called. For a heartbeat, neither of them could speak or even move. They simply couldn't believe it — that they had actually won. Them. The duo with no full band, no elaborate preparation, no fancy setup.
Jacob only wanted to show everyone his rap skills. Flynn only wanted to support him.
Yet somehow, against all expectations, they ended up taking first place.
For the first time ever, the Regular Department had won the Battle of the Bands.
Dylan, still in the audience and clapping with everyone else, felt nothing but pride swelling in his chest for Flynn. He always knew Flynn had it in him—he believed in his talent long before anyone else did.
But just as he was caught up in the celebration, his phone buzzed. He frowned and his expression darkened as he answered, his jaw tightening. He gave Flynn one last quick glance... then slipped out of the hall without a word.
After the awards were handed out, Flynn immediately scanned the crowd for Dylan. But when he stepped off the stage, only Nathan appeared to greet him and Jacob.
"Flynn! Jacob! Wow! Congrats, you two! You were incredible earlier. Jacob, I didn't know you could rap like that!" Nathan exclaimed, practically vibrating with excitement.
"Thanks," Jacob replied, still a little overwhelmed.
"Have you seen Dylan?" Flynn asked, eyes darting around.
"He was just here..." Nathan turned around, confused, only to find the space behind him empty. "He was with me earlier, though..."
Flynn sighed. "It's okay, I'll find him. I'll leave you guys for a bit," he said, heading out toward the campus.
He walked quickly through the corridor, irritation simmering beneath his chest. Where did that troublemaker go now? He disappears every damn time, he muttered to himself.
As he walked across the campus, he found himself at the exit.
Dylan was there, standing with his back turned, talking to a woman. Flynn couldn't see who she was because Dylan was blocking the view, but it looked... serious.
Flynn decided to give them space. Maybe it was someone Dylan knew. Maybe it's important... I'll come back later. Besides, Flynn was desperate to pee, and he'd been holding it in since before the awarding.
After finishing in the restroom, Flynn went to wash his hands, but the faucet suddenly erupted, water spraying uncontrollably. He yelped, soaked the front of his shirt, and cursed under his breath.
Still wiping at the damp fabric with tissues, he stepped out of the restroom. Distracted, Flynn accidentally bumped into a girl heading to the women's restroom. His trophy slipped from his hands, clattering to the floor.
He crouched down to grab it, and the girl helped him. When Flynn finally stood up to apologize to the girl, he froze in shock.
It's Anna.