Chapter 6: Too Much To Act

Samantha beams. “Welcome aboard. Looks like we’ve got ourselves a promising lineup already.”

Mrs. Smith claps once, loud enough to draw all eyes. “Everyone, follow me inside. Let’s break the ice with a few warm-up scenes. Old and new, pair up.”

Before I can make a move, her hand gently steers me toward the stage.

And just like that, we’re ushered into the theater space—dim lights, black walls, old red curtains hanging like heavy secrets.

The room smells like dust and paint and potential.

Samantha disappears to greet someone, and suddenly, I’m standing alone on the edge of the wooden floor.

Until someone steps beside me.

I don’t have to look.

“I didn’t know you were into this,” I say flatly.

Oliver doesn’t flinch. “You never asked.”

I turn just enough to meet his gaze. His expression is calm—too calm. Like this doesn’t feel weird for him. Like slamming into each other’s lives wasn’t the emotional wreck it was for me.

“You followed me here?”

“No,” he says, almost too quickly. Then, slow