Dove's
The courtyard was filled with the usual chatter of students enjoying their lunch break, but I barely heard any of it as I sat with Megan and Hyejin. My nerves were surprisingly calm, almost too calm. It felt good. My outfit was ready, my voice was as ready as it could be, and everything seemed to be falling into place.
Megan was always the one to tease, and Hyejin had a way of joining in with just the right amount of sass. Today, they were having fun imagining all the things we'd do after I won the competition. I couldn't help but smile at their enthusiasm.
"You know," Megan said, leaning back on her chair with a mischievous grin, "after you win tomorrow, you have to take us out for lunch. We need to celebrate, obviously. Maybe somewhere fancy."
Hyejin nodded dramatically. "Oh, definitely. We'll go somewhere with a view. And when you get your chance to represent KISS-" she paused, raising an eyebrow-"I'll be there, watching you get all the attention you deserve."
I rolled my eyes playfully, feeling the excitement bubble up. "You two are getting way ahead of yourselves. I haven't even performed yet," I said, though the excitement was hard to suppress. It was tomorrow. The big day. It was right there, so close.
"Oh, please," Megan snorted, "we both know you're going to kill it. You've been practising so hard. All we need is a victory dinner and maybe a cute little celebration with a drink or two." She raised her water bottle like it was a glass of champagne.
Hyejin laughed, shaking her head. "I'm already imagining the headlines. 'Dove Noelle Chauvin: The New Face of KISS!' Maybe they'll make a whole special feature about you!"
I laughed along with them, but there was a flicker of doubt in the back of my mind. What if I didn't win? What if it wasn't enough?
But the thought vanished just as quickly as it had come. I wasn't going to let fear take this moment from me. I had worked too hard for it. I wasn't going to let anyone-especially someone like Stella-ruin this for me.
"Okay, okay," I said, trying to sound a little more serious but failing, "if I win tomorrow, we'll go all out. I promise."
Megan leaned forward with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Oh, don't worry. We're holding you to that."
Hyejin grinned, her voice lowering to a teasing tone. "And I'm already planning to get a selfie with you and your new KISS contract. It'll be the best picture ever."
I chuckled, feeling the tension in my shoulders start to melt away. These girls had my back, and that was all that mattered. No matter what happened tomorrow, we were in this together.
"I think I might actually be excited now," I admitted with a grin.
"That's the spirit!" Megan cheered.
"I'll even buy you a celebratory drink," Hyejin added with a wink.
I shook my head, laughing again. "Okay, fine. But only if I win."
As we all laughed together, I felt the butterflies settle, replaced by a quiet, steady confidence. Tomorrow was my day. And no matter what happened, I was going to make the most of it.
After a few more teasing comments, I excused myself to grab something from the cafeteria. As I made my way to the counter, I spotted a small, cozy drink station. The warm honey and lemon water looked so inviting, and I knew it would help calm my throat for tomorrow. I grabbed a cup and returned to the table, savouring the warmth that spread through me with each sip.
Megan raised an eyebrow as I sat down. "What's that, your secret weapon?"
I smiled, cradling the cup in my hands. "Something to keep me grounded. It's like my little ritual before big moments."
Hyejin tilted her head. "I might need to try that before my next presentation. Looks like magic."
I chuckled and took another sip, feeling the tension of the day melt away. "It works for me."
As the conversation continued around me, I felt at peace. Tomorrow was mine for the taking, and nothing could stand in my way.
-ËËââââââââââââââââââââ
Dae's
My feet pounded against the floor as I raced through the hallway, heart hammering in my chest. The sharp, rhythmic sound of my shoes hitting the tiles was drowned out by the rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins. Every breath came in sharp, ragged bursts, but I couldn't slow down. I couldn't stop.
Fear clawed at my insides, twisting and tightening around my chest. I could feel the sweat dripping down my face, stinging my eyes as I blinked rapidly, desperately trying to see through the blur. But I couldn't focus on anything except the overwhelming panic surging through me.
I rounded a corner, barely dodging a group of students who gave me puzzled glances. They didn't know. They wouldn't understand. None of them did.
I was almost out of the school now-just a few more steps, just a few more moments of flight. The doors were ahead, and I could taste the cool air outside, but it felt so far away, like I was chasing it through thick fog.
My thoughts were a mess. I tried to focus and tried to convince myself to calm down, but it was impossible. There was no slowing down, no turning back now. I had to get out. I had to escape.
My pulse echoed in my ears, and I could feel the heat of fear rising in my chest. Why was this happening? Why now? What happened?
The school doors came into view, and without thinking, I pushed them open with all my strength. The cold air hit me like a slap, a momentary relief, but it didn't stop the pounding of my heart or the shaking of my hands.
I had made it outside and continued running towards the nearest hospital.
-ËËââââââââââââââââââââ
Dang.... what do you think happened?
I'm getting worried.