I woke up early the next day, the golden red light of dawn, filtering through my floor-to-ceiling windows, casting long, soft shadows over my bedroom floor. I stretched, rolling my shoulders, the familiar ache of yesterday's rehearsals still clinging to my muscles as I sat up, my mind already racing through the checklist of everything I needed to do before tonight.
Today was the day.
I needed to be mentally, emotionally, and physically ready. The Cultural Festival was scheduled to begin at six, but all performers were expected at the venue by nine in the morning for a run-through of the event, final sound checks, and last-minute outfit adjustments.
I reached for my phone, my thumb brushing over the smooth, cool surface of my comm crystal, my pulse spiking as the screen lit up with a new message.
Riven: Sorry babe, got home late. See you later x
I felt my lips pull into a small, relieved smile, a flicker of warmth spreading through my chest, the familiar, comforting weight of his words settling into my bones.
Shoving my earbuds into my ears, I selected my pre-performance playlist, letting the sharp, pulsing beat of the music drown out my racing thoughts as I moved around my room, pulling on a pair of high-waisted black leggings, a cropped tank, and my favorite oversized hoodie, the soft, worn fabric a comforting reminder of the countless late-night rehearsals that had led up to this moment.
I grabbed my bag, double-checking that I had everything I'd need for the day. I took a deep breath, rolling my shoulders one last time, feeling the nervous, excited energy building in my veins as I slung my bag over my shoulder and headed downstairs to grab a light breakfast.
As I passed the hallway mirror, I caught a glimpse of my reflection and paused, my breath catching for a moment.
All the angry, red lashes that had once marred my skin were gone, their harsh, jagged lines no longer visible, my skin smooth and unmarked, the potion Safyrr had given me working its temporary magic.
I knew it was only for one day, just a brief, fleeting reprieve, but it made me feel good. Lighter, stronger, a little more like myself again.
I managed a small, grateful smile, my heart swelling with a rush of appreciation for Safyrr's quiet, thoughtful support before I tore my gaze away from the mirror, forcing myself to focus on the day ahead. I took the stairs two at a time, my bag bouncing against my hip, as I made my way to the kitchen.
Lara was already sitting at the kitchen island when I got there, her hair pulled back into a loose, casual ponytail, her head bent over her comm crystal, her fingers tapping out a quick message. She looked up as I entered, her eyes brightening, a tentative, slightly forced smile pulling at her lips. "Hey! Morning," she said, her tone overly chipper, like she was trying a little too hard to sound normal. "The big day is finally here. Come sit. I made you some breakfast."
Leave it to Lara to put me in complicated situations. But honestly, I really didn't want any drama today. Even though I wanted nothing to do with her right now, I forced a tight, polite smile, stepping into the kitchen and settling at the island, two chairs away from her. Call me petty, I don't care.
She poured me a cup of my favorite morning beverage, the familiar, comforting scent filling the air as the steam curled up from the cup, and I murmured a quiet, automatic "thanks," my eyes fixed firmly on the smooth, polished marble of the countertop.
Thankfully, I had my earbuds in, the pulsing beat of 'You & Me (Rivo Remix)', by Disclosure and Eliza, drowning out the awkward, stilted silence that had settled between us. If she had anything else to say, she'd have to work for it.
I glanced down at my phone, my pulse skipping slightly as Zarich's text popped up on the screen.
Zarich: I'm here.
A rush of relief flooded my chest, and I quickly got up, grabbing my bag from the counter and heading for the door, my mind already shifting back to the long, chaotic day ahead. But then I heard her voice, cutting through the music, sharp and clear even through the steady thrum of the bass in my ears.
"Athens, wait!" Damn it. Why couldn't she just let me go without opening her fucking mouth? I paused, my shoulders tensing, my back still to her, my fingers tightening around the strap of my bag as I forced myself to take a slow, steady breath.
I didn't turn around, didn't pull my earbuds out, but I felt her words hit me like a punch to the gut, the raw, unguarded emotion in her tone cutting through the icy wall I'd built around myself. "I just... I'm really proud of you," she said, her voice softer, almost breaking, the trembling edge of vulnerability in her tone making my chest ache. "No matter what's happened between us, no matter what you might think of me now... you're still my best friend, Athens. My sister. You always will be. And I'll be there tonight, cheering for you, just like I always have."
I felt my throat tighten, my pulse spiking, my vision blurring at the edges as my heart twisted painfully in my chest, the familiar, aching longing for the girl I used to call my sister surging up without warning.
"Thanks," I replied, my voice a little too rough, my fingers tightening around the strap of my bag as I blinked back the sudden sting of tears. For a brief, fleeting moment, I wished she was just Lara. The girl I'd grown up with. The one who promised to always have my back.
No time for this right now. I straightened, my jaw tightening as I forced my legs to move, each step feeling heavier than the last as I made my way to Zarich's waiting car, the cool morning air brushing against my flushed cheeks, the sound of the door clicking shut behind me a sharp, final punctuation to the moment I hadn't wanted to have.
As soon as Zarich pulled up to the Arena's entrance, I reached for the door handle, pausing as he turned to me, his sharp eyes meeting mine, his expression calm but serious. "Good luck, Athens," he said, his tone low and steady. "I'll check on you later."
I managed a small smile, my pulse already racing, my mind already shifting into performance mode. "Thanks," I replied, slipping out of the car, my bag slung over my shoulder, my comm crystal tucked securely in my pocket. As soon as I put my foot through the main door, I was immediately swamped by two ushers who flanked me on either side. They moved with brisk efficiency, guiding me down the hallway, their uniforms crisp, their steps perfectly in sync.
Without much of a word, they led me through the maze of backstage corridors, the hum of final preparations vibrating through the air, until we reached a wide door marked with our group's emblem. One of them opened it, gesturing for me to enter.
I stepped inside and immediately spotted Ezzy, Jade, Nova, and Rey already gathered, chatting animatedly while organizing their costumes on the racks. They looked up as I entered, Ezzy immediately flashing me a wide, relieved grin.
"There you are!" Ezzy said, her tone bright, her eyes lighting up as I dropped my bag on one of the side tables.
"Ladies and gents, our shining star is finally here," Rey teased, throwing me a wink.
I couldn't help but smile, the familiar banter settling some of the nervous energy buzzing through my veins. A few minutes later, the door swung open, a woman with a clipboard tucked under one arm and a faintly glowing communication rune etched into the collar of her fitted black suit stepping inside.
"Ladies," she said, her tone crisp, her eyes sharp as she quickly scanned the room. "Main lobby in five. We're running through the festival schedule."
She gave a quick, practiced nod before slipping back out, the door clicking shut behind her, the faint glow of the communication rune on her collar flickering as she stepped into the hallway.
Ezzy groaned, tossing her head back dramatically. "Five minutes? Are they trying to kill us before we even hit the stage?"
Nova just rolled her eyes, slinging her bag over her shoulder. "Come on, drama queen. Let's go." The main lobby was already buzzing with conversations by the time we got there, the sharp, overlapping voices of performers and stage crew echoing off the polished, rune-etched walls. The air was thick with nervous energy, the sharp, metallic tang of enchanted stage equipment mixing with the faint, lingering scent of protective spells being cast by the security teams at the entrances.
I greeted a few familiar faces from the other Lowmere schools as we made our way into the main gathering area, exchanging quick, excited nods and small, breathless smiles. Despite the competitive undertone, there was a shared, electric anticipation crackling in the air, a sense of unity that only came from weeks of grueling rehearsals and shared nerves.
I slipped into a seat near the front, my fingers tapping an absent rhythm against my thigh as I tried to settle my nerves. Ezzy dropped into the seat beside me, folding her arms behind her head with a dramatic sigh.
"They better have moonlight berries elixir waiting for us after this," she muttered, her eyes flicking around the crowded room, her lips pulling into a small, excited smirk as she took in the chaos around us.
The festival coordinators, Ralph and Gretch, stepped forward, their crisp, black suits perfectly pressed, their expressions sharp and focused as they took their places at the front of the room. Ralph adjusted his clipboard, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd before he cleared his throat, his voice cutting through the low buzz of conversation.
"Alright, everyone, listen up," he said, his tone brisk, his gaze sharp. "We're running through the final soundcheck schedules and the main event lineup. Pay attention, because this is the final version. No changes after this."
Gretch, her dark hair pulled into a severe, no-nonsense bun, stepped up beside him, her eyes just as sharp, her voice slicing through the room like a blade. "We've made a few adjustments to the schedule," she said, her tone firm, her gaze sweeping over the assembled performers. "This is the final lineup. No changes after this."
Everyone fell silent, the buzz of whispered conversations dying out as they leaned in, their eyes locked on the two coordinators, as they announced the Festival's confirmed line up.
Gretch paused, letting the tension build for a moment, her eyes scanning the room as the anticipation thickened, every performer holding their breath, the air crackling with nervous energy.
"And finally," she said, her sharp gaze cutting through the room, her voice rising slightly, "our closing act for the night: Ezzy, Jade, and Athena. We took the liberty to pick a name for your band. You will be presented as The Trix."
I felt my pulse spike, my heart skipping a beat, my mind struggling to process what I'd just heard as the crowd around us erupted into a fresh wave of shocked whispers, a ripple of excitement spreading through the room like a shockwave. Ezzy's hand shot out, gripping my arm in a tight, almost painful squeeze as she leaned in, her breath coming in short, sharp bursts, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Tell me I just heard it right," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly, her nails digging into my skin.
"I was expecting you to confirm I wasn't hearing things," I whispered back a little too breathless, my hands still trembling slightly in my lap.
Jade's sudden, triumphant "Fuck yeah!" confirmed that we had heard right, her voice cutting through the low, stunned whispers around us, drawing a few startled glances from the performers nearby.
We were closing the night. That was huge. I felt my pulse spike, a wild, heady mix of nerves and exhilaration flooding my veins, the pressure of the moment settling heavily on my shoulders.
Quinn and Ms. Evira took charge for the next few hours, their voices sharp, their instructions clear as they guided us through our pre-show preparations, their energy a steady, grounding force amid the chaotic buzz of final rehearsals.
Ezzy, Jade, and I had just finished up our sound check, the massive, rune-etched speakers pulsing with the bass-heavy beats of our set, the sharp, metallic echo of our voices still ringing in my ears as we made our way back to the dressing room for hair and makeup.
As we pushed through the door, we all came to an abrupt halt, our steps faltering as we took in the flurry of activity unfolding before us. Beauty technicians, makeup artists, and hairstylists moved around the space with practiced precision, their tools already laid out, enchanted curling wands and glowing makeup brushes hovering in midair, their hands moving quickly as they set up their stations.
"Oh!" Jade said, her eyes wide, a slow grin spreading across her lips as she took in the scene. "You guys really went all out to make us look good."
Quinn and Ms. Evira, who had followed us in, exchanged a quick glance before Quinn responded, "As much as I'd love to take credit here, that wasn't us," she said, folding her arms over her chest, a small, amused smile pulling at the corner of her lips.
"Really?" I said, my brows furrowing, my pulse quickening with a mix of confusion and curiosity. "Then who?"
We stepped further into the room, my eyes still flicking over the swarm of stylists and technicians, when a familiar, polished voice cut through the chaos.
"Miss Athena, hello," a tall, elegant woman in a sleek, all-black uniform said, her sharp eyes locking onto mine as she stepped forward, her head dipping in a small, respectful nod. "Lady Myrren sent us to get you and your crew ready for tonight."
"Oh," I said, a small, relieved laugh slipping past my lips, my shoulders relaxing as the tension I hadn't realized I'd been holding eased just a little. "That explains it. How nice and supportive of her."
We all hit the showers before the stylists and technicians could get started, the warm, pressurized jets of enchanted water washing away the sweat and exhaustion of the morning rehearsals, the steam filling the air with the sharp, invigorating scent of enchanted cleansing oils. By the time we stepped back into the dressing room, our skin still flushed, our hair damp, the stylists were already waiting, their tools hovering in midair, their fingers poised and ready to transform us into the polished, stage-ready versions of ourselves.
We were one hour away from the big night, and I could already feel the energy of the crowd from backstage. I slipped into my violet outfit, the cool, sleek fabric hugging my skin, the faint, comforting weight of the enchanted runes stitched into the seams settling around me like a protective embrace. I pulled on the black silk robe given to all performers, tying the sash tightly around my waist, and headed for the main lobby to chill a bit with the others, my pulse already racing, my mind already spinning with anticipation. As I stepped into the bustling lobby, my eyes immediately locked onto a familiar figure moving gracefully out of the backstage left wing hallway. Camila. Her dark, glossy curls cascaded over her shoulders, her perfectly contoured face framed by the soft, flattering glow of the overhead lights.
Her lips curved into a wide, heartwarming smile as soon as she spotted me, her eyes brightening, her arms opening slightly as she approached.
We air kissed each other, our perfectly done makeup making a real hug too risky, our faces hovering close for a brief, shared moment of silent support, the faint, slightly sweet scent of her perfume mixing with the sharp, metallic tang of the arena air.
"Look at you, my love," she said, pulling back just enough to take me in, her eyes sweeping over my face, her expression radiating warmth and pride. "I am so incredibly proud of you. You are going to shine tonight. You were born for this, Athena."
"Thank you, Cami," I said, my voice a little rough, my heart swelling with a sudden, overwhelming rush of gratitude. "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you. You believed in my talent and potential. You nurtured me. And here we are."
Camila's eyes softened, her smile widening as she took my hands in hers, her thumb brushing a small, comforting circle against my skin. "No, my love," she said, her voice low, warm, her eyes locking onto mine with a fierce, unshakable pride. "You believed in yourself, Athena. You made this happen. All I did was point you in the right direction."
She pulled back, her eyes flicking over my shoulder, a small, knowing smirk pulling at the corner of her lips as she leaned in a little closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Well," she said, her dark eyes sparkling with mischief, "I think there's a gentleman who is waiting his turn to talk to you." She winked, giving my shoulder a small, encouraging squeeze. "Go ahead, my dear. We'll talk later."
I turned, my heart skipping a beat, my breath catching in my lungs as my eyes took in the hotness that was my boyfriend. Riven stood near the entrance of the main lobby, his tall, lean frame casually leaning against the polished stone wall, his dark, fitted shirt open at the top, revealing the sharp cut of his collarbone and the faint, defined lines of his chest, the fabric clinging to his body in all the right places. His sleeves were rolled up to his forearms, his leather bracelets and silver cuff, catching the light, his dark, tousled hair falling perfectly into place, a few loose strands framing his sharp jawline.
He had his hands shoved into the pockets of his black pants, the fabric sitting low on his hips, a thin, silver chain dangling from one side, adding a touch of dangerous edge to his already infuriatingly perfect look. His eyes found mine, a slow, wicked smile pulling at his lips as he straightened, his gaze flicking over me, his eyes darkening slightly as they lingered on my face. We met halfway, the distance between us closing in a few quick strides, my pulse spiking as his dark eyes locked onto mine, his lips pulling into that familiar, crooked smirk that never failed to send a rush of heat through my veins.
"Hey, Athens," he said, his voice low, his eyes never leaving mine, his head tilting slightly as his gaze swept over me one more time. "You look... incredible."
I felt my cheeks flush, my heart skipping a beat, a small, breathless laugh slipping past my lips as I stepped into his space, my fingers brushing against his forearm, my pulse still racing, my mind still spinning.
"Wait till you see the outfits," I whispered, my lips pulling into a small, teasing smile, my fingers tightening slightly around his arm.
"Oh, I can't wait," Riven replied, his eyes darkening slightly, his thumb brushing a slow, lazy circle against my wrist, his head dipping a little closer, his breath warm against my cheek.
Before I could respond, the sharp, clipped sound of approaching footsteps cut through the moment, and I turned just in time to see one of the stage managers striding toward us, her comm rune glowing softly at her collar, her clipboard clutched tightly in one hand.
"Athena!" she called, her tone brisk, her eyes sharp. "Final run through in the dressing room. We need you now."
I groaned, my head falling back slightly, my fingers slipping from Riven's arm, my pulse still racing, my mind still spinning.
"Gotta go," I muttered, already stepping back, my heart still pounding, my skin still tingling from his touch.
Riven reached for my hand, his grip firm, his eyes locking onto mine one last time as he lifted my hand to his lips, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to the back of it, his eyes never leaving mine.
"Go be the rockstar that you are, my love," he whispered, his voice low, his eyes dark, his fingers still wrapped tightly around mine. "I'll be in the crowd, cheering you on."
I managed a small, breathless smile, my heart still racing, my mind still spinning as I pulled my hand back, already taking a step toward the stage manager, my robe swishing around my legs, the cool, smooth fabric brushing against my skin. "I'll see you out there," I whispered, my voice a little shaky, my fingers still tingling from his touch.
Riven's smirk widened, his head tilting slightly as he watched me walk away, his hands slipping back into his pockets, the thin, silver chain at his hip catching the light as he leaned back against the wall, his gaze never leaving me.