Samy felt an odd feeling about the day.
He couldn't quite tell what it was—just something… off.
He quickly finished his breakfast and went to get dressed for college.
Just as he was about to leave—
he noticed it.
The small painted stone.
"…Right."
He picked it up.
For a second, he paused.
"…I should've given this to Anna earlier."
But then he shook his head lightly.
"Whatever… I'll just return it myself."
He slipped it into his pocket and headed out.
At the college
Samy stood near the gate, taking a deep breath.
Fresh air.
Calm.
Trying to mentally prepare himself for the day ahead.
"Look who's early today."
A sudden thump hit his back.
Samy flinched slightly.
Theo.
"So you're not late for once," Theo added casually.
"And here I was," Julia chimed in, walking up beside them,
"about to roll out a red carpet for you."
She crossed her arms.
"But looks like you decided to show up like a normal human today."
Samy sighed, already annoyed.
"I wasn't late on purpose last time," he said.
"Give me a break."
Theo stretched slightly.
"So, did Ellie arrive, or is she still on her way?"
Samy shrugged.
"I just got here myself. Not sure."
He glanced toward the building.
"Let's head to the room and find out."
They started walking—
when Samy suddenly slowed down.
From a distance—
a familiar figure.
Wolf cut.
…Amy.
His hand instinctively went to his pocket.
"…You guys go ahead," he said.
"I'll catch up."
Julia stopped instantly.
"So you still plan on making us wait?" she snapped.
"You came early just to be late again?"
Samy sighed.
"It won't take long," he said.
"I'll be back."
Without waiting for more complaints—
he turned and walked toward Amy.
"Amy!" he called out.
She turned.
"…Samy?"
They met halfway.
"Morning," he said.
"Morning," she replied softly.
Samy hesitated for a second, then spoke—
"About yesterday… the thing you lost, I—"
"Oh yeah," Amy interrupted, smiling slightly.
"Thank you so much for helping me yesterday."
Samy paused.
"…Yeah, about that—"
"It was actually in my bag the whole time," she added.
Samy blinked.
"…What?"
Amy reached into her bag and pulled something out.
A watch.
"This," she said.
"My mom gave it to me."
Samy stared at it.
"…That's what you were looking for?"
Amy nodded.
"I thought I dropped it yesterday," she said.
"But turns out I just kept it in my bag."
She gave a small apologetic smile.
"Sorry for the trouble I caused."
Samy stood there for a moment.
Then slowly—
"…I see."
His hand tightened slightly inside his pocket.
If that's what she lost…
then what did I find yesterday?
He looked back at her and forced a small smile.
"I'm glad you found it," he said.
"Must've been a relief."
Amy nodded.
"Yeah… it really is."
But Samy's thoughts were elsewhere.
The small painted rock.
Still in his pocket.
Still unexplained.
From a distance—
"Samy! Hurry up—it's urgent!" Said Theo.
Samy frowned slightly.
"…Urgent?"
He glanced back at Amy.
"I've gotta go," he said.
Amy nodded.
"I'm looking forward to your performance later," she said softly.
"All the best."
Samy gave a small smile—genuine, but worried.
"Thanks… see you."
He turned and jogged back.
As he reached the room—
he slowed down.
Something felt off.
Too quiet.
Theo stood near the side, arms folded.
Julia wasn't saying anything for once.
And Ellie—
was already there.
Sitting.
Still.
"…You're here already," Samy said, confused.
He looked between them.
"…What's going on?"
Theo exhaled.
"…We might have to cancel."
Samy froze.
"…What?"
Samy stepped forward.
"Why? We finally got it right yesterday."
"We practiced so hard—what changed?"
Ellie lowered her gaze.
"I'm really sorry…"
Samy's voice softened.
"…Ellie?"
"It got dark yesterday," she said.
"And on the way back… I slipped."
A small pause.
"…I sprained my ankle."
Silence.
"I thought it would be fine by morning," she continued.
"i can somehow walk but… it still hurts to dance."
She gave a faint, almost embarrassed smile.
" I had to take a cab just to get here."
Samy's eyes dropped briefly—
noticing the way she sat.
Careful.
Guarded.
Theo spoke gently.
"Don't worry about it. Just focus on healing."
"There'll be other chances."
Julia nodded.
"Yeah… we can just consider this as early preparation for next program."
Ellie shook her head.
"I don't want you guys to miss it because of me," she said.
"You two can still perform as a duet…"
Then she looked at Samy.
"…but I'm really sorry. You'll have to miss out because of me too."
A pause.
Samy exhaled slowly.
Then—
"…Come on."
Everyone looked at him.
"You don't have to apologize," he said.
"It's not like you did it on purpose."
He shrugged lightly.
"What happened, happened."
Ellie looked at him, unsure.
"…But—"
"Although…" Samy added,
"You do owe me something."
Julia raised an eyebrow. "…Here we go."
Ellie blinked.
"…What?"
Samy smiled a little.
"You're my partner for the next program."
A small pause.
"Since we're missing this one," he continued,
"you don't get to escape next time."
Julia snorted. "…That sounded less like a deal and more like a threat."
Samy ignored her.
"If you agree to that," he said, looking at Ellie,
"then I'm fine missing out on with this."
Ellie hesitated.
"…You're not disappointed?"
Samy scratched the back of his head.
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't."
Then he smiled faintly.
"But honestly…"
"I kinda like the excuse."
Theo. "…Excuse?"
"Yeah," Samy said.
"Now we'll get to practice together again, anc we'll get to spend more next time."
Julia crossed her arms. "…You're unbelievable."
Samy shrugged. "I'm just thinking long-term."
Ellie stared at him for a moment—
then slowly…
she smiled.
And for the first time since she entered the room—
the weight on her shoulders felt a little lighter.
Theo let out a breath.
"…Then I guess we'll have to make it a duet."
Julia straightened immediately.
"Just watch Theo and me on stage."
She pointed at Samy and Ellie.
"Cheer properly, alright? You might actually learn something, and might get motivated to beat us on next program."
Ellie let out a small laugh.
"We'll see about that, we'll not be defeated easily either. " she said.
Then she glanced at Samy.
"Right?"
Samy smirked.
"Of course."
He crossed his arms.
"If I wanted, I could beat both of you alone."
Julia blinked.
"…This isn't a solo performance."
She tilted her head.
"What are you going to do? Dance with a ghost?"
Samy didn't miss a beat.
"I'll dance with myself."
He shrugged.
"Don't need anyone else to beat a pressure cooker like you."
Julia stepped forward.
"Say that again—"
Theo quickly stepped in between them.
"Alright, enough."
Ellie shook her head, smiling faintly at the usual chaos.
Then—
her expression shifted.
Like she remembered something.
"…Theo," she said quietly.
Theo looked at her.
"Yeah?"
"…Can you come with me for a second?"
Julia narrowed her eyes.
"…Where are you going?"
"…I'll be back," she said.
Theo followed her out.
The door closed.
Silence.
Julia looked at Samy.
"…You think she's okay?"
Samy glanced at the door.
Then—
his hand slipped into his pocket.
The small painted stone.
"…Yeah," he said quietly.
"She will be."
A few moments passed.
The noise from outside began to rise.
Music. Announcements. Applause.
The program had started.
But—
Theo and Ellie still hadn't returned.
Julia clicked her tongue, clearly annoyed.
"…What are they even doing?"
She crossed her arms, pacing slightly.
"I'm getting bored of waiting, let's go and see the program."
Samy glanced at the door.
"...you should wait for Theo and reherse a couple of time"
Julia shook her head.
"No point."
She exhaled.
"We already know the routine."
"And even if he comes back now—there's no time to rehearse."
She turned toward the exit.
"Let's just go watch."
Samy hesitated.
"…Your performance is soon, are you sure you don't want rehearsal?"
Then, with a small grin Julie answered—
"Relax. We're not amateurs."
Samy sighed.
"…Fair enough, let's go then"
As they reached—
the atmosphere hit them instantly.
Lights.
Music.
Energy.
Students cheering.
Performances flowing one after another.
For a moment—
they forgot everything.
Julia leaned forward slightly.
"…Okay, they are actually good."
Samy smirked.
"Scared?"
"Please," she scoffed.
"They're decent… not us level."
They both laughed.
Then—
Buzz.
Julia's phone lit up.
She glanced at it—
"…Theo."
Samy looked at her.
"What did he say?"
"He told to come at backstage."
"I guess it's time now, all the best" Samy wished her.
Julia without a word grabbed his wrist.
"Come on."
Samy resisted slightly.
"Wait—why me, it's be better for me to watch from here?"
"I mean, the view's perfect—"
Julia dragged him anyway.
"He called us, both of us. We're going."
Why me? Samy questioned.
No idea, she answered, but your coming with me.
"Kidnapper," Samy muttered under his breath.
They made their way behind the stage.
And there—
Theo was waiting.
"Where's Ellie?" Samy asked immediately.
Theo didn't answer directly.
"She's coming."
Samy frowned.
"…Coming?"
"Aren't you supposed to be with her? She's injured."
Theo shook his head.
"She's fine."
A small pause.
"She got help."
Samy's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…What do you mean?"
Theo just smiled faintly.
"You'll see."
Before Samy could question further—
Julia stepped in, impatient.
"We're up next."
She crossed her arms.
"And where were you? We missed rehearsal."
Theo casually patted her head.
"We don't need it, we know each other well.
Theo smirked slightly.
"We're already good.
"…We still should've rehearsed," she muttered, trying to recover.
Theo chuckled softly.
"We'll be fine."
A beat.
From the stage—
"Next performance!"
The announcement echoed through the hall.
"Participants—please get ready!"
Julia straightened immediately.
"Finally," she said under her breath.
Without waiting—
she grabbed Theo's wrist.
"Come on, it's our turn."
"Wait—" Theo started, trying to say something.
But Julia was already pulling him along.
Samy watched them go.
"…All the best," he said.
Theo gave a small nod—
but didn't get the chance to say anything more.
A moment later—
they stepped onto the stage.
The crowd erupted.
For Julia—
everything felt different.
Louder.
Brighter.
Heavier.
This wasn't practice anymore.
This was real.
The lights hit her eyes.
The cheers filled her ears.
But still—
she smiled.
"This is nothing," she muttered under her breath.
She glanced at Theo.
"Don't mess up."
Theo smirked.
"Right back at ya."
The lights shifted away from them.
Then they took their positions.
The music was about to begin—
But then—
Julia frowned.
"…Wait."
Something felt off.
Her eyes shifted—
past Theo—
toward the side of the stage.
There was movement.
Another figure.
Standing there.
Calm.
Still.
Not nervous.
Like they belonged.
The light shifted back slightly—
just enough to reveal—
"…Samy?"
Julia blinked.
Why is he here…?
For a split second—
she actually considered it.
Is he seriously going to perform alone?
But then—
Samy stepped forward—
and raised his hand.
He wasn't alone.
He was holding someone's hand.
Julia's gaze sharpened.
"…Who—"
The figure stepped into the light.
Em.
Julia's eyes widened.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
She glanced at Theo.
Theo just smiled.
And that's when it clicked.
"She got help."
"…So this is what you meant."
Julia looked back at them.
Samy.
Em.
A slow grin formed on her face.
Not annoyed.
Not surprised anymore.
But Challenged.
"Alright…" she muttered. "Now this is interesting."
Her stance shifted slightly, screaming with confidence.
The music started.