"Where have you been?" 

I winced as I looked up into Auntie's livid eyes. She was standing in the lobby with her arms crossed and her high-heeled foot tapping impatiently.

"I'm sorry, Auntie. I needed to clear my head." 

My excuse was pretty lame, I knew that, but Auntie's anger melted away and she rushed over, pulling me into a hug.

"Oh, sweetheart, you had me so worried! I'd better call Shin Woo and tell him you're back."

"Shin Woo went to look for me?" I asked guiltily and Auntie nodded.

"I was going to go after you when you didn't come back after the song finished, but then Lysander came out and asked where you had gone. I figured you wouldn't want to be interrupted, but I waited and waited and neither of you came back. I was so worried!" Auntie tightened her grip on me and I hugged her back.

"I'm sorry," I repeated and she shook her head.

"What happened? Did you two get in a fight?" she asked sympathetically and I sighed.

"Sort of. But we're okay; we talked it out. I just got really emotional and needed some time on my own," I explained glumly. Auntie nodded, rubbing my back comfortingly.

"I'm glad to hear you're okay."

She quickly called Shin Woo and when he burst through the doors and saw me he also scolded then hugged me. We all quietly slid into our seats just as the last act, an opera singer, was ending her song. Applause rang out and I joined in, trying to share their excitement. Alexy walked out wearing the black tux from earlier, but this time he had a green bow tie and hankie.

"Thank you, Rachel! Wasn't that incredible? Well, the time has come to vote for your favorite acts and choose the winners! Everyone, please pull out your cellphones!" 

I blinked in surprise as Shin Woo and Auntie both took out their phones. I hadn't brought mine with me since my pants didn't have pockets, so I sat back and watched.

Slowly a huge screen on a moving platform was inched onto the stage and I blinked when I saw that the one moving the platform was none other than Nathaniel. As he carefully pushed the screen, one of his fellow student council members carried in a stool with a projector on it. They quickly set things up and turned the projector on. A large five-digit number stretched across the top of the screen with a list of all the acts' names down below it numbered 1 through 25.

"I'm not sure if you've ever done this before, but just type in the five-digit number in the recipient space for a text, then in the message type the number that corresponds with the act you liked the best! Please note that we did not leave out Lady Mysteria on accident, she asked to be left out of the voting." 

A murmur spread through the audience and Auntie beamed.

"Looks like you would have won if you hadn't taken your name out," she said happily and I blushed. "Who should I vote for? I loved Lysander's band, but the basketball boys were pretty good and I loved the ballerina! She was so elegant!" 

Auntie hemmed and hawed before finally choosing Lysander's band and sending her text in. I watched the screen in fascination as different acts began to gather votes and a bar slowly grew next to their names before my eyes.

"Has everyone voted?" Alexy asked a few minutes later. When no one responded he nodded and glanced at the screen. "Well, it seems pretty clear who the favorites were! Ladies and gentlemen, please give another round of applause for our third-place winner, Madison Sweeton and her Ninja Nunchucks!"

Madison ran onto the stage squealing and waving. Mr. Tremont handed her a small bouquet and a $25 gift card to Outback Steakhouse. Alexy clapped enthusiastically and continued.

"Second place prize is a $50 gift card to Golden Corral which I think is appropriate because our winners seem like they have hearty appetites. Give it up for the Basketball Bros!" 

I jumped to my feet and cheered loudly for my boys as they ran onto the stage, jumping up and jostling each other in their excitement.

"Yes, well done to all those sexy boys," Alexy said with a wink at the audience. "And with almost half of the votes, our victors are none other than the Temporary Troublemakers!" Alexy yelled.

A huge cheer went through the audience as Castiel walked on with a smug expression, followed by his two friends and Lysander. As they accepted the $200 dollars and water park tickets my voice left me and I could only clap as I stared at Lysander who appeared as cool and collected as always.

Will I always feel guilty when I look at him after today?

"That concludes our talent show! Thank you all for coming and..." Dajan ran up and deftly snatched the microphone from Alexy's hand, effectively cutting him off.

"Hey! My name is Dajan, I'm the captain of the basketball team." He pointed to his players and they all clapped and cheered for their captain. Dajan turned back to the audience. "Thank you all for voting for us; second place is awesome! But I think I speak for everyone when I say that there is another act that deserves to be up here with us."

"Lady Mysteria!" A voice called from the audience and I gasped, covering my cheeks which were flaming hot. Dajan pointed towards the sound of the voice and grinned,

"Yah, you know what's up! So don't you think we should invite her up here?" 

The audience cheered and I sunk into my seat, but both Auntie and Shin Woo slipped their hands behind my shoulders and pushed me up. I desperately tried to reclaim my seat but Dajan noticed my movement and pointed toward me.

"Hey, there she is! Come on up here, Sato!" Dajan called. 

I shook my head firmly, but as I looked around the audience I saw tons of people smiling and clapping at me, cheering for me to go up.

Auntie shoved me roughly towards the stage and I stumbled, jogging to catch myself. A cheer went up and, with a sigh, I continued jogging up to the stage. Dajan reached a hand down to me and I took it, letting him guide me as I jumped onto the stage. Applause sounded throughout the room and I waved, feeling awkward but extremely happy. Dajan looped an arm around my shoulders and Troy came on my other side, taking my hand and raising it up.

"Opal Sato, everybody!" Dajan called and the applause increased a decibel as I grinned widely. After the cheer had died down a bit Alexy took his microphone back with sparkling eyes.

"And the audience has spoken. Congratulations to all of our winners! Thank you again for coming tonight and have a safe trip home!" 

Alexy switched off his microphone and the audience all got up as the dim lights brightened to full strength.

"Since when could you sing and dance?" Troy asked energetically and I shrugged.

"I've been taking lessons since the summer break. Did I do okay?" I asked and both he and Dajan scoffed.

"Okay? You were awesome!" Dajan declared and I laughed.

"Not as awesome as you guys!"

"Oh, please. You totally would have beaten them if you let people vote for you. We still would have won though," Castiel said, coming up behind me, and I rolled my eyes. "You looked pretty hot when you were dancing though," Castiel commented which made me blink and then blush.

"It's just because of Auntie. She did my makeup and clothes," I muttered and this time Castiel rolled his eyes.

"Could you guys help us take the screen down?"

I turned to see Nathaniel looking at us all from near the screen. I moved to help him but Dajan and Troy beat me to it. Against my will, my eyes slid over to see that Lysander was talking to Rosalya and a tall, black-haired boy I assumed was Leigh.

"So, I guess your singing isn't much of a secret anymore," Castiel said gruffly. I smiled, turning to look at him.

He had pulled most of his hair back into a ponytail, leaving only a chunk of hair on either side of his face to frame it. His outfit was much more revealing than Lysander's. It consisted of a black shirt that was cut high to show off his well-defined abs, a white vest that only enhanced his toned arms, and baggy black jeans with his customary chain looped on his left side completed the look. Feeling my cheeks warm up I stubbornly looked at his face, trying to ignore everything else.

"Yah, sorry." 

Castiel grinned and winked at me."I'm still the only one you've sung a lullaby to," he said. 

I blushed, looking all around me, but thankfully no one had heard.

"I didn't plan on auditioning at all, but Auntie and Shin Woo wouldn't take no for an answer," I explained awkwardly. Castiel tilted his head, narrowing his eyes slightly.

"Who's Shin Woo?"

"My dance instructor," I replied, glancing towards the audience to see that most of the students in the show were out socializing with their parents and friends in the audience.

"What did you think of our song?" 

Castiel's question caused a cold sweat to break out against my neck. I swallowed, turning to him with what I hoped was a natural smile.

"I thought it was amazing. But it wasn't really what I was expecting," I said nervously and Castiel shrugged, glancing over at Lysander.

"Yah, Lysander wouldn't tell us where he came up with it. But he said that we were singing this song or he wouldn't do the show. I liked the guitar part, so I was cool with it." Castiel looked at me and took a step closer, coming within inches of me and leaning down slightly as if he didn't want us to be overheard. "Did Lysander come talk to you after the song?"

No amount of preparation could have kept the guilt that was sweeping through me from showing on my face. I quickly looked away, taking a half step back from Castiel and the smell of his cologne which was a much sharper and masculine smell than I would have expected.

"W-why do you ask?" I asked, trying to keep my voice from trembling.

Castiel didn't move and I shifted my gaze from the audience to the stage floor, noticing that Castiel's shoes looked like they were brand new. Several seconds went by without a word between us and suddenly I felt a large hand rest against my head and gently pat my hat. Surprised, I looked up to see Castiel smiling at me gently, his eyes seeming to be filled with a mixture of emotions that I couldn't even begin to name.

"No reason. I'm going to go talk with Lysander. Want to come?" Castiel asked and I shook my head slowly.

"I should probably find my aunt. Congratulations on winning though!"

"I told you we were going to," he said, his old arrogance replacing the gentle look and I nervously laughed.

He left and I scanned the crowds for the familiar lime green of Auntie's dress. Just when I had spotted her though, I felt a light tap on my shoulder and I turned to see Nathaniel standing behind me.

"Hey, Nathaniel! Did you need some help?" I asked while looking over his shoulder, but he shook his head.

"No, we've got it covered. I just wanted to tell you how absolutely amazing you were! And apologize; I was kind of upset with Mr. Tremont and his Lady Mysteria. He wouldn't let me know any details which made my job a little frustrating," Nathaniel admitted and I shook my head.

"Honestly, I didn't want to do any of that. It was Mr. Tremont and Alexy's idea," I said with a pout and Nathaniel laughed. His laugh was so innocent and natural that I could almost feel it soothing my messed up emotions and I felt myself relax a little bit.

"I have to admit though, it was a great idea. And you completely blew me away! I had no idea you were so talented. Your voice is beautiful and you're really graceful," Nathaniel said sincerely and I felt myself blush once more.

"Thank you so much. Auntie had to practically force me to audition, but I ended up having a lot of fun," I admitted while smiling and Nathaniel grinned.

"It looked like you were. The hat trick was amazing! It didn't look like you were even looking and then you snapped your hand out and caught it! I could never do something like that," Nathaniel said energetically and I laughed awkwardly, spinning a lock of hair around my finger.

"Yah, that was..."

"OPAL!" Suddenly I was tackled in a fierce hug from behind and I laughed, turning to face a very excited Rosalya with Iris not far behind. "Opal, you were so amazing! I didn't know you could sing!" Rosalya squealed and I laughed again, shrugging my shoulders.

"I never would have expected you to be Lady Mysteria! But when the spotlight came on and you looked at the audience it all made so much sense!" Iris exclaimed.

"It wasn't my idea," I said honestly and both Rosalya and Iris laughed.

"I should probably go help organize the microphones," Nathaniel said somewhat reluctantly then smiled over at me. "You really were amazing though, Opal."

"Thank you, Nathaniel. And thanks for all of your help with the backstage stuff," I said sincerely.

He nodded with a shy smile at me before turning and walking off the stage.

I smiled happily as he walked away and then turned my attention to Rosalya and Iris. We chatted for a couple of minutes before Alexy joined us, handing me my bag of clothes. More conversation followed until I finally excused myself. Jumping off the stage, I wove my way through the crowd to Auntie and Shin Woo who were back in their seats, talking comfortably.

"There's my starlet!" Auntie exclaimed, standing and pulling me into a hug. "Are you ready to go home? There isn't an after-party or anything?" 

I shook my head as Shin Woo stood and clapped my back fondly.

"Don't worry about coming to practice tomorrow. You've earned a break," he said kindly and I smiled.

"Thanks Shin Woo! I could use a break, but I'll be back on Monday," I promised and Shin Woo laughed.

"Perfect! There's a new song I want to start working on. I think you'll like it."

We all left together and got some celebratory frozen yogurt on the way home. Auntie and I said goodnight to Shin Woo then at Auntie's insistence we put in a movie. The movie that Auntie chose was a romantic melodrama and as I watched I couldn't help but think of Lysander's song.

I hope he will be able to forget about his feelings for me, I thought to myself. To my frustration, I felt a tear slip from my eye. Suddenly the movie paused and I felt Auntie's gentle finger brush away the treacherous tear.

"Opal? Are you okay?" Auntie asked, turning on the couch to face me completely.

I blinked and opened my mouth to say I was fine but another tear slipped out and before I knew it I leaned forward and buried my face in Auntie's lap as uncontrollable sobs came out so fast I thought I might choke. Auntie rubbed my back and I could hear her soothing voice even though I couldn't make out what she was saying through my own sobs. I didn't know how long I stayed that way, but finally, my tears stopped and I slowly sat up, wiping my eyes and sniffing.

"Sweetheart, what on earth happened?" Auntie asked, reaching out and sweeping my bangs out of my eyes with one hand and cupping my cheek with the other.

"Lysander... he... his song..." 

What could I say? How could I explain without telling Auntie that I was a mistake? I wondered desperately and Auntie tenderly moved a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Was his song about you?" Auntie whispered. 

I closed my eyes as the pain of the experience threatened to drown me. Without a word, Auntie scooted closer to me and pulled me into a hug. Gratefully I buried my face into her slender shoulder.

"Go ahead and tell me. I'll listen, sweetheart," Auntie said quietly.

In a halting voice, I found myself explaining how I had fallen asleep in the garden back when I sprained my ankle. Without going into detail, I told her I'd had a nightmare and that Lysander had misunderstood it to be something it wasn't.

"Did it scare you that he said he loved you in his song?" Auntie asked gently and I stiffened. My father's cruel but true words of, "You don't deserve love," floated in and out of my mind and I nodded against her shoulder.

"I just want us to be friends..." I said, almost as a moan. Auntie rubbed my back comfortingly and held me tighter.

"So you told him you just wanted to be friends?" she asked and once again I nodded against her shoulder. "And now you feel guilty because you are afraid you broke his heart?" Auntie asked. 

I raised my head from her shoulder, giving her an astonished look and she chuckled lightly.

"Don't be so surprised. I've had to turn down more than one guy who professed their love for me. If you don't love them back, then that's really the only thing you can do. It was better that you were honest instead of trying to date him and having to break up with him later down the road after they get even more attached," Auntie said in a reasonable tone.

I tilted my head, considering her words. A feeling of relief swept through me as my fear that Auntie would realize I was a mistake dissipated and I tried to pretend I was a normal teenager that had turned him down just because I didn't share his feelings.

"Thanks, Auntie," I said, trying to give her a watery smile before she pulled me into another long hug.

"Why don't we save this movie for another time. How about we watch some cooking tutorials and I'll make us some tea," Auntie proposed.

I let out a watery smile, feeling exhausted from all of the emotions I had both released and pent up today. We stayed up late watching random online cooking videos and talking about Auntie's work. Slowly the tightness in my chest relaxed and I let out a breath. As long as I had Auntie's love, I could get through anything.