LOGINThanks for reading!
Yvo sat with his head bowed over his desk, one arm folded beneath him, the other resting loosely at his side. To anyone passing by, he looked asleep, worn down by the long school day. His hair fell forward, hiding his eyes, and his stillness discouraged attention.But he was wide awake.His eyes remained closed while his hearing sharpened to the quiet conversation unfolding across the room. He did not move. He did not lift his head. He simply listened.Near the window, Darren and Lareina stood close together, their voices low.“I am just not comfortable seeing Sean absent for three days straight. Maybe he really is just sick,” Darren said, concern threading through his tone. “He did look awful that night.”Lareina nodded, hugging her notebook against her chest. “Yeah. It has been a long time since he performed. Maybe the stress really caught up to him. He has been pushing himself hard even before the festival.”The explanation was reasonable. Almost convenient.Yvo’s fingers twitched
Sean stepped out of the stall looking steadier than he felt.He did not lift his head right away. Instead, he moved straight to the sink, as if instinct guided him there, as if the simple routine of washing his hands could restore order to everything spiraling inside him. He turned on the faucet and let the cold water run over his fingers, focusing on the sensation. Cold. Sharp. Real. He scrubbed his hands carefully, deliberately, each movement controlled, measured.Only when he reached for the paper towels did he finally glance up.His breath caught.Darren stood a few steps behind him, worry etched deeply into his expression. That part Sean had expected. What he had not expected was the second figure leaning quietly against the counter near the sinks.Yvo.His posture was relaxed, almost casual, arms loosely crossed, but his eyes were sharp and attentive, fixed on Sean with an intensity that made his skin prickle. He had not announced himself. Had not spoken. He was simply there.Fo
Sean stumbled toward the nearest men’s restroom, his vision blurring as a cold wave swept through his body. He barely registered the concerned voices calling after him. The only thing he could focus on was the sink just inside the door. He gripped its edge as his stomach clenched violently, bile rising fast and unforgiving. His reflection stared back at him, pale and hollow-eyed, before he lurched forward and shoved open the nearest stall.He barely had time to drop to his knees before his body betrayed him. He vomited harshly into the toilet, the sound sharp and uncontrollable as it echoed off the tiled walls. Each retch felt like it tore through him, leaving his throat raw and burning. The cramped room magnified every sound, and outside the restroom, the sudden silence made it clear that everyone had heard.Darren stopped just short of the door, his hand hovering uncertainly in the air. “Sean,” he called, his voice tight with alarm. “Sean, talk to me.”Another wave hit before Sean c
Sean lowered the microphone back onto the stand and gave a final, respectful bow, while the golden spotlight highlighted the faint smile tugging at his lips. The applause washed over him in waves, and the cheers were loud enough to rattle the wooden stage beneath his feet. For a moment, he let himself bask in the energy, allowing it to calm the nervous tension that had clung to him just moments before.He stepped back and moved toward the side of the stage, taking a deep breath. His pulse still raced, yet a quiet satisfaction settled in his chest, along with a sense of pride from having poured everything he had into those few minutes. He adjusted his jacket and tried to steady his breathing as he walked through the backstage entrance.Darren was the first to greet him. His wide grin, paired with energetic claps, made Sean’s lips twitch. “Man, that was insane. You really brought it tonight. The crowd loved every second.”Sean gave him a small, exhausted smile and nodded. “Thanks, Darre
Sean slipped backstage, weaving through the flurry of students carrying instruments, props, and stage outfits. The lingering energy of Lareina and Yvo’s performance still buzzed in the air, and he spotted them near the dressing area, sharing a quick laugh.“Hey,” Sean said, approaching cautiously. His phone, thankfully still functioning aside from the lost recording, was tucked into his pocket.Lareina looked up first, her smile bright despite the faint flush on her cheeks from performing. “Sean! You made it!”Sean forced a small smile. “Of course, I would not miss it.”Lareina’s brow furrowed slightly as she studied him. “I am so happy. You looked pale earlier, and kind of out of it, and I was worried about you.”Sean blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “I am fine,” he said quickly, forcing a laugh. “It was just something on my mind, I guess. By the way, well done. Your performance was really good.”Yvo stepped forward, crossing his arms with a faintly smug grin. “You mean our per
The night sky above the academy shimmered with color. Strings of lanterns swayed gently in the evening breeze, their warm glow rippling across rows of eager faces. The open-air stage gleamed beneath the spotlights, and the courtyard pulsed with laughter, movement, and sound.The host bounded onto the stage, his bright jacket catching the light as he raised the microphone. “Good evening, everyone!” he called out. “Welcome to the second night of the school festival concert! Let’s make some noise!”The crowd erupted in cheers that rolled across the campus like thunder.Backstage, Sean watched the host beam into the lights as the sound of the audience vibrated through the wooden floor beneath his feet. Performers hurried past him, whispering last-minute pep talks, fixing costumes, or clutching instruments. The air was alive with nervous energy and excitement.The first act set the tone with a high-energy dance number, earning wild applause and rhythmic clapping from the crowd. A pianist
Several minutes passed before Sean returned to the cafeteria, now wearing the spare shirt that Yvo had casually thrown at him earlier. As he walked back, he tugged awkwardly at the hem, trying to adjust the loose fabric that hung from his shoulders. When he first saw the shirt, he thought for sure
The bell had already rung, and Room 3A had slipped into the slow rhythm of the afternoon. The air was thick with the lazy hum of post-lunch drowsiness, heavy enough to make every sound feel muffled. A few students lay draped over their desks, their heads pillowed on folded arms, already drifting bet
When the bell rang signaling their break time, Sean wasted no time. As soon as he finished discussing the song arrangements with Darren, he dashed out of the music room in search of Lareina. He found her in the corridor, chatting casually with some classmates. Without hesitation, he strode over with
The morning air buzzed with a kind of nervous excitement that only the start of a school festival could bring. Long before the first bell rang, the campus was already alive. Banners in bright colors flapped above the courtyard, strung across windows and doorframes. The smell of fresh paint, sweat,







