Chapter 25

• David watches her from the stage wing, the spotlight shining on her like the sun he believes her to be. Her fingers move across the keys in a forceful, but delicate manner; a river with an unstoppable current. When she finishes and receives a standing ovation, he knows there isn’t a single person in the audience more proud of her than he is—not her parents, not her friends, and definitely not that piece of shit boyfriend of hers either. The bouquet of her favorite flowers, laid across the boy’s lap, does not fool him. Mikaela bows before the audience with the same grace that her fingers displayed, but he knows her well enough to recognize the jittery excitement rippling beneath her elegance. She just completed her senior year showcase, and she absolutely nailed it.
• She walks off the stage slowly, head held high, until she is hidden behind the curtains of the wing. Then her soft smile transforms into one that beams bright as she runs over to him, leaping into his arms. Familiar guilt laces with bliss, the feel of her warm against him. He does his best to ignore it and squeezes her tight, lifting her off the ground as he hugs her. She giggles; a sound of pure delight.
• “I did it,” she says breathlessly, pulling away. He forces himself to let go of her, but his hands linger on her waist. “I did it, Dave.”