Question: have you ever performed on a stage? Any kind of stage, it doesn't matter.

Answer: despite my stage fright, I actually have. A lot! When I was younger, I was in a dance crew. I also used to sing. Behold me in all of my awesome and talented. xD

Chapter 52 - Breathe.

Oliver

"Hurry up or we're going to be late to the concert and miss those front row seats," Khalid urged me to hasten up for the hundredth time in just ten minutes.

"I'm coming! Give me a minute!" I whined, trying to get my other leg into my jeans.

It was finally Saturday; the day of the end of semester concerts. Seemingly, it was a night event because it was said to commence by 7 p.m. Mako had already left because he was one of the freshmen students performing, so he had a lot to handle backstage and all.

I'd called Mason over ten times already but he didn't respond to any of them. It had been almost thirty minutes since the last time I called him, and he hadn't sent a text back or returned any of my calls.

Khalid almost got annoyed at me for worrying too much about Mason, but he kept his anger under control. He thoroughly understood my situation with Mason and why I cared so much about him. He was mostly jealous, not annoyed. I made sure to give him all the assurance in the world that I was his and only his.  Just as he was mine. 

"But I showed you how to manage when you've one hand in a cast," Khalid mentioned, getting on one knee and helping me get my leg into the trouser.

"Yeah, you did. But dressing up with one hand isn't that very effective. It can never be," I stated, letting him do the zipper for me. He literally had been doing everything for me nowadays. 

"That's true, though. I remember when I tried to force myself to become ambidextrous. Didn't work too well for me," Kevin chipped in, laughing. "You're lucky you're right handed. If you weren't, you would've had to force yourself to adapt to making use of only your left, and that can be a pain." 

Kevin was still around Lighthouse, but unfortunately he was leaving Denberg the next day. His uncle was coming to pick him up from school. He had already packed his stuff in my room back to his dorm room on campus. I couldn't believe the semester was coming to an end. Everything that had happened just felt like yesterday.

"How are you even always the first to get ready?" I ignored everything Kevin had said and threw a question at him. I was seriously beginning to wonder if he had some kind of superpower, because this wasn't so normal anymore. 

"Unlike you, he doesn't spend thirty minutes in the shower," Khalid pointed out, pulling me towards the mirror and helping me fix my hair. Although there wasn't much to fix because of the bandage wrapped around my head. My hair had never looked so unkempt before. 

"And unlike you, I've two fully functional hands," Kevin joked, waving his hands in the air and showing them off. "Sorry," he quickly apologised when Khalid shot him lasers with his eyes. 

"No, no, it's fine," I shortly intervened, smacking Khalid and gesturing for him to stop sending Kevin dirty looks. "I'm glad we can joke about this. I'm glad it didn't make everyone incredibly sad and gloomy. I'm glad we didn't let Casper ruin our happiness, thereby letting him win. And I'm glad your nose is finally going back to normal," I joked, gently pinching Khalid's nose. 

"Ouch!" He winced, drawing in air sharply through his teeth.

"I thought you said it wasn't broken," I sassed, shaking my head at him. 

Compared to mine, his bruises were healing fast. There were still red splatters around his eyes and cheekbones, but he was fine. His nose had also stood back erect. 

"It isn't. It was just… manhandled," he giggled, picking out the shoe I directed him to and knelt to help me put it on.

"Your whole face was manhandled," I stated, sitting at the edge of my bed and stretching out my leg to him to make it easier.

"Not as much as your head was. That boy is such a monster,"  Khalid murmured. 

"No, no, you do not mention his name," I cautioned him, pulling my leg away.

"I didn't mention his name," Khalid shrugged, roughly retrieving my leg and tying my shoelace. 

"Oh, yeah, you didn't," I noted to myself. "Well, if you've to refer to him, his name is nincompoop. That name is Chris certified, by the way." 

"I love the way Chris calls him a nincompoop," Kevin laughed, getting up from my desk chair with the rest of us. 

"I know, right? Me too," I laughed, and stood still as Khalid helped me put on my arm sling. I tried not to hiss in pain because then he'll feel bad for being too rough even though he was literally being as gentle as ever. 

"It's so funny," Khalid chuckled, conscientiously fasting it around the cast. 

However, a treacherous hiss escaped my mouth and he abruptly stopped. 

"I'm done, I'm done," he hastily announced, terrified of causing me anymore pain. "Are you sure you don't want to take your pain meds?" 

"It's fine, Khalid. Stop fussing. I took it in the morning, and moreover, they make me sleepy. I don't want to sleep through Mako's performance. What kind of friend would that make me?" I replied, appreciating his sincere concern for me. 

"Okay then," he exhaled heavily. "Can we go now?"

"Sure." 

We all left my room, Kevin made sure to lock the door behind us. He was the one handling my keys for me. 

On getting to the garage, everyone was already there-- including the girls, which was a shocker. They were all engaged in various conversations, Chris and Shirley being boyfriend and girlfriend, Patrick and Justin jamming to some rap music, Jess and Yadiri talking with Alex… and laughing?!

That particular conversation caught my eyes. A tingly feeling was triggered inside of me and I felt bubbly. I couldn't be any happier that they'd set everything behind them and finally got along. We'd all gotten along with each other, and that was gold. 

We all got into our usual, separate rides and drove straight into campus. The concert was set to take place in the music auditorium; the biggest auditorium in the whole of Denberg. I hadn't been to the auditorium before because it was too far into campus and further away from my business, so I never for once came across it. 

At long last, I was going to get to see it. Most of us who hadn't seen it had only heard stories of its magnificence-- that word not being used as an exaggeration.

Fortunately for us, we arrived early so there were still reasonable, convenient parking spaces left. Just from the outside, one could tell that this building was worth quite an amount. It was so perfectly structured and foolishly massive, even when staring from afar.

We didn't waste time before making our way into the auditorium. The interior was a lot more magnificent than the already glorious exterior coated with grandeur. The chairs were covered in shiny, velvet leather and the wooden parts were polished to perfection. 

The rows were lined with colourful, decorative lights which made one feel like they were in some kind of dream land. The stage stood at the far end where everyone could see, no matter where they were seated. There was a projector mounted high above the stage which showed a clearer, closer view of the happenings on the stage. 

Nothing had begun yet, people were still trooping in and out and getting comfortable for the show. The spotlight skimmed through the auditorium, sometimes getting to us for a split second. Just that second alone was enough to make me jump. Being the centre of attention in a place like this was enough to make me melt into a timid puddle.  

"I just received a text from Damian. He saved seats for us in the front!" Justin announced, exhilarated, as he ran down the auditorium stairs to the front. 

We all quickly followed behind him. The auditorium was getting filled up really quickly. It seemed the students of Denberg really loved this end of semester tradition. 

"Oh, thank God you guys are here," Damian sighed when we got to him. "I almost had to fight someone to keep these front row seats unoccupied." 

Everyone took a chair. I sat right beside Damian and of course, Khalid sat beside me. Jess sat in between Alex and Yadiri, while the others got comfortable somewhere around.

"See? I told you I reserved these seats for my mates!" Damian turned around and yelled to someone. I couldn't tell who until they yelled back.

"Screw you!" 

"Okay! I've got a boyfriend to do that for me!" Damian yelled back, laughing. He wasn't even in any way bothered by the person's tone. 

"Ouch. You really almost got into a fight, didn't you?" I laughed, greeting him with a slight tap. 

"Nah, not really. It wasn't that serious--" his words caught in his throat when his eyes fell on my arm and the bandage wrapped around my head. "Oh my God, what happened to you?!" 

"Oh, this? Long story, but it's nothing serious," I waved it off. "Meet my boyfriend, Khalid. Khalid, this is Damian; Mako's ride or die," I introduced the both of them.

"Nice to meet you," Damian smiled and held out his hand across for a handshake.

"Nice to meet you too," Khalid smiled back and took the hand. 

"You got yourself a boyfriend fast," Damian whispered in my ear and I started giggling like a child.

"He's the _straight boy in my dorm. The one I had a crush on," I whispered back, trying my best to suppress my laughter. 

"Woah, he came around? Well, that's not very straight of him," Damian whispered back, but this time, I was certain Khalid had heard him because he chortled. "He's really handsome, though. I'm happy for you."

"Thank you," I beamed. 

Just then, the anchor for the event came out from behind the curtain, looking all dashing and glittery. She had her blond hair in two buns and the brightest smile was plastered on her face to the extent that her teeth shimmered in the light. 

The auditorium fell silent the instant she began speaking into the microphone. She introduced herself to be Belle and got right into the business of the night. 

It appeared freshmen weren't the only ones performing, there were sophomores and a few students in higher years performing as well. Four girls and three boys had performed already, and they were all spectacular. Not as spectacular as Mako would be, of course, but that didn't stop me from acknowledging their talent and cheering them on. 

Not for once did I stop checking my phone for feedback from Mason. Yet nothing ever came. No call, no text-- nothing at all. I couldn't even guess if he was here already or not. Khalid noticed my uneasiness, and knowing the cause of it, he refused to interfere. 

When the last performer exited the stage, Belle came on and carried out her usual routine duty of asking us to clap even more. After that was settled, she began speaking into the microphone to introduce the next performer. 

"The next performer is a self-taught, ace guitarist with an otherworldly voice. His voice is most definitely one of the undertones I've ever heard in my life. Ladies and Gentlemen, the last but not the least performer is… Welcome on stage… our very own… Mako Pereira!" She yelled with so much hype. 

I didn't even know what got into me, but the second his first name was mentioned, I tried to clap, only to feel pain in my left arm. Then I remembered that I had one broken arm. 

Bummer.

But that didn't stop me from yelling till my lungs hurt. Everyone else started cheering. Mako seemed to have a whole lot of lovers, I hadn't seen anyone who got the entire crowd to clap and cheer like Mako's name did. 

He emerged from the back of the stage with his guitar hung around his neck. He gave Belle a quick hug and made his way to the high stool and the standing microphone, settling in and getting comfortable.

"Cheers everyone," he spoke into the mic with his unique melodic undertone, and everyone started squealing and cheering all over again. 

Even I, who had been hearing the voice for so long now, couldn't help but shudder and join the rest of the crowd to cheer at the way he spoke. When the frenzy came to a silent end, he continued speaking.

"Thank you so much for having me. I'd initially intended to perform a song cover because I wasn't confident about my own work, but when a certain someone spoke to me and helped me boost my self-confidence, I decided to person an original I wrote sometime ago with the help of said someone. So yes, I'm performing an original song which my boyfriend helped me write. I love you so much, Roman," he finished and I could swear he looked in our direction. 

How exactly did he know that we were here? I do not know. But he looked in our direction! At this point, I felt like I was friends with a real celebrity. 

The minute he finished speaking, everyone just went right back to cheering, whooping, clapping, and blowing wolf whistles. 

"The song is titled 'Breathe'." He strapped his guitar properly and got ready to play. 

"Wait a minute, Mako is a southpaw?" I leaned towards Damian, asking him once I noticed the way the guitar was placed on Mako's laps.

"No. Actually he's ambidextrous," he corrected.

"Oh my God. How did I not know?" 

"He only uses his left for serious occasions like this one. He does it to keep his left free and always in good shape. Maybe that's why you never noticed," Damian explained.

"Wow, that's so cool," I said in complete awe of this realisation. "And here I am, one handed." 

Damian laughed but Khalid heard me and slightly nudged me.

"No, Olly, don't say that!" He whined. "You're not one handed. It's going to heal," he told me, a sad frown on his face. 

"I know, honey. I just want to keep making this into a joke so it seems less serious. The less serious it seems, the less I feel sad and worry about it," I related to him, reassuring him that he had nothing to worry about. 

Mako then started playing and all of our attention was directed to him. Just like always, at first he wasn't completely relaxed, but as he got deep into performing, the angel in him came right out. He became an absolute idol and eased into the performance, giving the best yet. 

(Play the song now.)

It really was wise of them to keep his performance for the last, because it was the best. Not just to me or his closest friends, it was undeniably the best so far. 

The entire concert came to an end after the Dean of school activities gave a closing/end of semester speech. This was around 11 p.m. 

We all waited outside the auditorium-- near our cars-- for Mako to come out. Damian parked a little further away from us but he stood with us so it would be easier for Mako to sight us. When we all exited the auditorium, the cold air caught every one of us off guard and we quickly fastened the buttons of our coats. 

Everyone kept talking about how glorious Mako was on stage until we saw him making his way up to us. Of course, Damian had rushed to him, pulled him into a very tight embrace, lifted him up, and spun him around even with his guitar strapped on his shoulders. 

Giggling, Mako squirmed and tried to free himself from Damian's kisses. 

"I'm sorry for keeping you guys waiting," he apologised as they both got to where we all stood.

"Are you kidding me? You could stay an hour backstage and I wouldn't even complain!" Yadiri squealed and gave him a hug as well.

"Realistically," Jess supported, taking her own turn to hug him. 

"Well, guess what you guys," Mako started in his oh-so-mysterious voice. 

"Ugh, God no. Don't tell me you're doing this again! Just say it!" Justin groaned, his ears itching to hear what Mako had to say. 

"Please don't make us guess. Just tell us." My ears were itching as well.

"Okay, fine. So the reason why I spent so much time backstage is because one of Sam Smith's record labels wants to sign me!" He pitched, swelling with excitement. 

Most of us fell into a speechless trance. I just couldn't believe my ears for a while.

"Wait, seriously? S-seriously now?" Shirley was the first to speak, even stuttering a little. 

"Mhmm. I'm as serious as seriousness can get," he confirmed, bobbing his head and puckering his lips to stop himself from grinning so much.

"Oh my God, congratulations!" Jess screamed, smashing herself into him once again. Thankfully, he was fast enough to catch himself and also support her weight, preventing them from toppling over. 

"I-I don't even know what to say, that's freaking huge!" Yadiri gushed. 

"A young lad is going far," Patrick commented. 

"He's my roommate," Justin jabbed defensively, sticking his finger in our faces. "You're my roommate!" He then turned to Mako, forcing a hard tone. "You're my roommate. Don't you ever forget that even when you're going on tours and such," Justin warned, glaring at Mako.

"Chill, bro. I could never. Don't worry," Mako giggled, gently taking Justin's finger out his face. 

"Congratulations, bruv. You actually deserve it," Alex said calmly.

"Actually?" Mako raised an eyebrow at him, still smiling though to show that he wasn't annoyed by Alex's choice of words. 

"No, shoot. I meant you really do deserve it," Alex quickly rephrased. "I'm sorry."

"It's fine, mate. I'm just messing with you," Mako shrugged it off. 

"Alex isn't what he used to be anymore. He's taking long baby steps and I'm shook," Jess chuckled, tickling Alex who began jerking and vibrating while giggling like a child.

"Jess, stop please," he begged, chortling. She eventually stopped. 

"Seriously, Damian? You're not going to say anything?" Mako turned to his boyfriend. 

Damian covered his face with his hands and started faking a cry. "Oh God, my boyfriend is going to become a celebrity. This is a nightmare!" He grumbled into his hands. 

"Oh, please don't be dramatic," Mako groaned, pulling his hands away from his face. "It doesn't change anything. You know you're my ride or die, don't you?" Mako spoke with so much assurance before stealing a quick kiss from Damian who seemed to want more but showed some resilience. 

"I hope it doesn't," he fake sniffled and Mako gently smacked his head. 

"Me, too. I truly hope it doesn't, because right now I can't believe I've a friend who is going to become a celebrity. Wait, scratch that. A friend who is already a celebrity," I corrected myself. 

"We should get going, it's getting really late," Kevin pointed out. He seemed to be the only one who had been looking at his wrist watch and keeping track of time. Just like always, he was the very collected and responsible one.

We had all stayed there a little longer, chatting, we hadn't even realised how late it had gotten until he mentioned it. All we knew was that the cold was gradually becoming unbearable. Most students had already started going back to their various on and off campus dormitories. 

"Yeah, we really should," Yadiri supported. 

"Okay then. Bye guys. We'll see tomorrow at the dorm, I'm spending the night with my boyfriend," Mako announced, draping an arm around Damian who drew him closer. 

"Oh, you better be back by tomorrow because most of us are leaving on Monday," I warned. 

The next day was Sunday. Chris and Khalid were travelling back home on Monday. Jess, Yadiri, and I were travelling back home on Monday, too. Alex and Patrick were also leaving school on Monday, I think. In summary, most of us were leaving on Monday, or at least sometime this week, that was for sure. 

"Of course I will, cutie. Damian is going home for the winter break tomorrow, anyway," he answered, talking directly to me. 

"Really? So is Shirley and Kevin," I mentioned, looking over to my two course mates and jutting my lower lip. "I'm going to miss you guys," I squeaked, making a sad face. 

"It's not like we're not going to see each other again. We'll still come back to continue next year, so don't worry," Kevin promised, but I could tell he was a bit sad as well. 

The look on his face said it all.

"You guys go. Chris and I will drop Kevin and Shirley off at their dorms before coming back," Khalid announced, making his way to the driver's side of his car. 

"I refuse! I must come with you guys. I need to see my circle off," I protested, rushing to the car door. "Bye Jess. Bye Yadiri. I'll see you both at Lighthouse," I called out to them. 

"Oh, you're seeing me in the morning because once I get back I'm going straight to bed," Jess called back, opening her car door and getting in. 

Yadiri got in with her, while Alex rode with Justin and Patrick in theirs. Damian drove off with Mako, and we drove off as well.

* * *

"Babe, are you seriously about to cry?" Shirley giggled, a bit worried. 

"No, I'm not crying," Chris sniffled, wiping his eyes but his trembling voice spoke volumes. 

"Oh, don't hide it. Let it show. Even I am emotional," I revealed, holding on to Kevin's hand so tight, I thought he was going to let go but he didn't. He just held me back. 

We'd gotten to the dormitories on campus and this was where we were to depart, for the very last time this year. 

"Oh, baby!" Chris gushed and pulled Shirley into a tight embrace. "I'll miss you so much," he mumbled into her neck. 

"Same," she wrapped her hand around his back and fisted his shirt. 

The three of us just stood there, watching them publicly display affection. Seconds later, Chris pulled away from Shirley and pressed their lips together. His face was wet now, his eyes had finally given up and let the tears roll down. 

"Just bring back a souvenir from Dubai for me," Shirley instantly stated the second they broke the kiss to lift the mood a little. It was getting a little too emotional, anyway. 

"Even Thanos couldn't make me forget," Chris giggled, sniffling.

"Khalid, please make sure to remind him," Shirley turned to him.

"Of course. I'm going to get something for my baby, Olly, so surely I'll remind him," Khalid promised.

"Okay, so, everyone is getting something for everyone except me," Kevin mumbled. 

"Oh, honey, I'll personally get something for you!" I shortly replied and pulled him into the warmest hug which he eased into, hugging me back after laughing for a while. He made sure not to put too much pressure on my broken arm.

"We should get going now," Shirley hugged Chris one last time before letting go. "You don't want us to be locked outside the dorm do you?"

"No," Chris muttered, reluctantly letting go. 

"Bye, Olly. I'm so glad I met you," Kevin hugged me once more. "I hope your arm heals quickly." 

"Same here." I let myself bask in the love of my friends. 

We all said our goodbyes and farewells before departing. Chris rushed back into the backseat of the car and leant his head backwards to prevent more tears from rolling down his eyes. 

Khalid and I slowly got in afterwards. I sat in the passenger's seat. 

"Yo, cousin, when did I become this emotional?" Chris sobbed, sniffling right after.

"That is what happens to you when you're in love," Khalid replied with a smile, starting the car and driving out. 

"God, I just want to go back to Dubai. Being in Denberg without Shirley doesn't feel right anymore," he groaned, wiping his eye. 

I watched him from the rearview mirror with a smile on my face. This was the first time I'd seen Chris shed tears. It seems this goodbye really got everyone feeling too emotional.

We drove back to Denberg in the silent, cold night. The only thing around us was the tangible memory of our friends we'd just said goodbye to, and the scary truth that we were all going to say our last goodbyes as well very, very soon. No one said anything, nothing needed to be said at this point. 

Our emotions were already a jumbled mess. It was best to not stir it any further until our inevitable departure. 

* * *

AN: I know this looks like the end but it's not. We've just one chapter left. This chapter made me really emotional, by the way.

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