I sat back, and the piano played the soft melody I’d painstakingly crafted over the past few weeks. Hours and hours of hard work played in the span of three minutes and fifty-three seconds.

My performance went off without a single hitch. The auditorium filled with applause as the last note reverberated through their eardrums. I waved as I left the stage and was met with Stacy when I was safely behind the curtains.

“Oh my god, Elly! That was beautiful! Do you think he was here?” She hugged me tightly and then pulled away.

I grinned at her and shrugged, “I don’t know. It was supposed to be your job to look for him.”

“I tried, but it’s so crowded out there.”

“I know. I wasn’t prepared for that many people. My knees feel like jello.”

Stacy walked with me towards the chairs that had been set up backstage. “Well, take a breather. Did you want to grab a bite after this?” She sat down next to me, her hands clenched between her legs.

“Ah, no. I think I need to go find out if Kent was here,” I said. Stacy grinned and then nodded. She looked so happy for me.

I hoped that look would be on Kent’s face later after I sang him my song. Stacy jumped and pulled my phone from her jean pocket. She held it out to me.

“It’s my mom,” I smiled as I picked up the phone. “Hey mom.”

“Hello, Elly. You were so good! I regret now that we didn’t push you harder earlier in life.”

I smiled to myself. She could’ve pushed but it wouldn’t have helped any. “I would’ve ended up hating music and you. Listen, I need to go talk to Kent but I’ll be home this weekend with all my stuff on your doorstep.”

“Alright, dear. I’ll be home waiting for you. I’ll make sure you have clean sheets.”

“Thanks, Mom. I love you.”

“I love you too. Bye.” My mother hung up the phone, and I stood up, looking at Stacy as she joined me.

“Moment of truth…” I nibbled on my lower lip nervously.

Stacy grabbed my shoulders and gave me a little shake, “He’d be crazy not to say yes, Elly. You’re amazing and I’ve seen it too. He does have feelings for you. You just have to get him to show it.”

As I left the concert hall, I was filled with confidence and ready to confront Kent. I knocked on his dorm door, guitar case in hand. Jen answered and smiled brightly at me.

"Elly! Hey, how are you?" She slowly pushed her blonde hair over her shoulder which I thought was weird.

"I'm good. Is Kent here?" I furrowed my brows and then tried to look behind her into the dorm.