Yeah, I know. I really suck when it comes to updating, yes? I had to reread the last few chapters to get back on track and provide a quick recap.

-Kenzie was Lance's pianist for the 40th Annual Denver Music Competition--High School Division. However, when Lance informed Kenzie that the competition would be held at Eldreez Point instead, Kenzie decided to back out for some reason. Lance figured out why and angrily told her to move on from her ex, which resulted in a fight between the two musicians. With the help of Rachel, Spencer, Cindy and Eunice, the two finally made peace with each other after a few days, and Kenzie was back as Lance's pianist.

-The gang also visited Kenzie's grandmother, Celestine Adams. Kenzie and Lance also had a heart-to-heart talk at Grandma Celestine's backyard.

-When it was finally the day of the contest, the gang (excluding Lance) met Rachel's friend (and love interest...?), Edwin Tyler, but was soon disrupted when Jung Won-keun, a member of Zephyrs and Chel's former friend, appeared. After Chel and Jung had a not-so-pleasant talk, the next person to appear was Kenzie's ex-boyfriend, Brandon Colfer. While Kenzie and Brandon talked with each other, Lance showed up. When Brandon and Kenzie finally had a closure, Lance comforted and complimented Kenzie. And they lived happily ever after.

Loljk. See how I also suck at making summaries? Oops. Apologies! XD
You may also wanna read chapter 28 because it has a Kenzie-and-Lance sweet moment. EEEEEEEEEEEE.

Okay, here's chapter 29!

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"I don't really know my fate
I just know I'm on my way
There will be mistakes movin' on
I try to get to the heart of it
Fly low but lookin' for Heaven

I know, I know I'm holding on

I won't figure everything out
I'll never figure everything everything everything out"
-City Dove by Tori Kelly

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Chapter 29: The Brilliant Sunset

| LANCE |

"How come you thought Brandon was gay, anyway?" Kenzie asked me as soon as we reached the backstage of the opera house. It was almost full-packed with performers, so Kenzie and I had decided to just stand in a corner while waiting for the competition to start.

"Well," I started grandly, "while I was washing my hands at the sink in the restroom and my gaze was in the mirror in front of me, a blond-haired guy came out from one of the stalls. When he saw me, however, he scrunched his eyebrows. I gulped, continuing to wash my hands like nothing out of the ordinary was happening.

"He washed his hands, looking at me through the mirror with narrowed eyes. Before going out of the restroom, he was still giving me a look that I don't know how I could describe it. So, there."

Rolling her eyes, she replied, "Such a wonderful narration back there. I'll bet Brandon was just glaring at you that time, because he knew who you were."

I furrowed my eyebrows. "That did not seem like it."

"And how did you know I was at the school's garden? Don't tell me it's because of your deductions or whatever."

"Rachel texted me. There, happy?"

"Hey, Lance!" someone suddenly greeted and patted me on my shoulder. "Wait, are you feeling sick? I hope not, 'cause that'd be a shame."

"Hello, Felicity," I greeted back with a smile, standing straight. "And no, I am not feeling sick, thankfully. Were you referring to the Elgar Community's Violin Solo Competition a few months ago?"

The black-haired girl just grinned. Last time I saw Felicity Michaels, her hair was in a bob style with blue highlights. But now, she changed it to curls with green highlights. She was wearing a tailored blazer underneath her black top and leather pants. Felicity always blended an edgy rock and roll vibe with her girly sense of style.

"What?" Felicity laughed while I was studying her outfit. "You know me, Lance; I don't like wearing dresses."

I blinked. "Er, no, I did not mean to offend you--"

"It's okay. I know how observant you are." But then her brown eyes bulged when she saw who was by my side. "Holy spit! So it's really true that Mackenzie Adams is your pianist! Holy brown cow!"

Waving a hand while smiling, my accompanist said, "Hello."

"Yes," I replied, chuckling. "I did not know you were an Adamster, Fel."

"Oh my gosh! You're one of my fave actresses ever!" She was now squealing with delight. "I was jealous when Gabe saw you in person at the Elgar Community's Violin Solo Competition, y'know. I was like, 'I should've been there! I shouldn't have joined the blasted and boring field trip!' Gabe didn't even ask for your autograph for me. Can you believe this--he forgot!" she ranted.

I tried to cheer her up. "Well, you can ask for her picture and autograph now. I am sure Kenzie will be happy to oblige."

"Really?" Felicity looked at Kenzie with hearts in her eyes.

"Yes, Felicity. Don't worry. I'm thankful for all your support," Kenzie reassured her.

"You heard her, Fel," Vole said, appearing out of nowhere; the three of us were flabbergasted. "Now she can't wait to start this competition, Collins, Mackenzie. She's all fired up! And did you know that she didn't speak to me for a week 'cause I didn't ask for Mackenzie's autograph? It was kinda harsh." He looked at Felicity with a mock frown.

"You deserved it, you dum-dum!" Felicity roared with laughter, making some of the people around us shoot us irritated looks.

But when they saw the "saint" Mackenzie Adams, they suddenly gaped at her, amazed at who they were seeing.

It was a surprise for me that Kenzie could do such miraculous things like this.

"To be honest, I was also shocked when I heard that you were Lance's pianist," Vole said to Kenzie.

"And that you could play the piano," Felicity added, her eyes sparkling with feels. "I'm also happy that you and Brandon are now okay."

"I know, right?" Kenzie chuckled.

"I can't wait to hear your performance later, you two," Felicity added.

"I am also looking forward to your performance later," Kenzie beamed.

After the four of us did a group picture by using Felicity's phone (and Kenzie taking a picture with Felicity and telling her that she'd do the autograph later after the contest) we suddenly had an unexpected visitor.

"Lance!" Alice hugged me when she saw me. She was in a sweet flowery mini-dress and white high heels.

"Good grief," I said with a light chuckle, "you make it seem like we have not seen each other in years."

She stuck her tongue out at me. "It's kinda been like that, yeah." Then she also greeted Kenzie, Felicity, and Vole.

"Say, what are you doing here?" I asked Alice, though I was happy that she was here to watch our performance.

"You silly violinist," Alice said with a laugh. "I came here to wish you luck." All of a sudden she kissed me on my cheek. "I'm sure you'll do great." Then she turned to Kenzie. "You too, Mackenzie."

Kenzie glanced at her, and I thought I caught a flicker of emotion on her face for a second, although I was unsure exactly which emotion it was. Perhaps several. "Thanks, Alice."

"You nervous?" Alice asked me.

"Me? Nervous?" I scoffed. "Since when did I become nervous when I will be having a performance?"

"Whenever your parents watch you perform live," she pointed out.

I cringed at that. "Well, I'm thankful that Mom has a reunion today with her high school classmates, and Dad has a concert in Australia. If they are currently here, then...perhaps I cannot perform with splendor."

"Luh! Are you serious that you can't perform properly when your parents watch you live?" Kenzie asked, astonished.

"Why do you keep repeating that?" I frowned at her. "And do not be a hypocrite; I'm sure you also cannot act well when your parents watch you live."

She gave it a thought for a moment. "Ah, touché."

Alice gave me a hug, bade us good-bye, and then went back to her seat at the opera house. While Vole, Felicity, Kenzie and I were chatting with each other, I stole a glance at Kenzie and remembered what happened at the lobby.

I'd been planning to surprise her, but what happened was the opposite: Kenzie had been the one who'd unexpectedly surprised me. When she'd turned to me, I almost couldn't breathe. Her hair was in a waterfall braid, her face had light makeup, and, seeing her outfit from that distance, she was so sexy that I'd wanted to touch her skin that was exposed. Her appearance suited her well. But, of course, I'd quickly put on my best poker face while gazing at her from head to toe.

I will be waiting for you at the backstage of the opera house, was what I'd only said before leaving them standing there. When I'd reached a corner, I'd gasped for air and massaged my temples. And then when we had been at the garden, when she'd been in my arms, I--

"Collins!"

I was startled when Vole snapped his fingers in front of my face. "What happened to you, man? You just kept staring at Mackenzie for a while now."

I blinked. "H-huh? Was I? Why on earth would I...um..."

Oh, crap! Completing a sentence in this current situation was like trying to juggle one hundred balls into the air! Why couldn't I understand what I was feeling today? Wait, I was sure this was because of nervousness.

"And Mackenzie's blushing." Felicity tilted her head to the side, thinking. "Did something happen between the two of you earlier?"

"Nothing happened!" Kenzie and I denied at the same time.

Laughing, Felicity said, "You two look so cute!"

"I agree!" Vole seconded.

"How about you two? You should be a couple now," I rebutted.

They stopped teasing us with a blush on their faces. But before they could react to what I'd said, the emcee finally started the competition.

"Well, this is it. Best of luck to all of us, eh?" Vole said with a grin before he and Felicity went on their way to prepare themselves.

"So..." I started awkwardly, "how's life?"

"Please pray for me," was what Kenzie said, biting her lower lip, obviously apprehensive.

"Of course. And I am sure you will do just fine," I said, giving her a motivating smile.

"Let's hope so." Her smile couldn't mask a look of mild concern. "Anyway, before I forgot..." She retrieved something from her dress pocket and handed it to me. "It's my handwritten letter to you for being the highest bidder for Denver's House of Hope."

"Oh, I totally forgot about this." Opening the letter, it read:

Dear Cocky Violinist Freak,

Congratulations for being the top 1 bidder of Denver's House of Hope for Kids with Cancer's fundraising campaign! You helped a lot of people and our friendship was restored. I'm so thankful and blessed to have an awesome friend like you. We have our ups and downs, but we still manage to get through them at the end of the day.

I hope you can help me out with our performance later. He-he. I'm still nervous as fudge, to be honest. But, of course, positivity! :D

I'm not sure what else to write in here, since we mostly see each other at school. But I'm sure of two things: you'll ace this contest, and you'll make your grandfather proud of you up in heaven.

Thank you so much for everything, Lance. Let's do this!

Mwahugsss,
Midgetzie

I was teary-eyed after reading her letter, but I managed not to let my tears fall. Not yet. I hugged Kenzie instead, showing her how much I was also thankful and blessed to have a friend like her. She embraced me while drawing soothing circles on my back.

"Of course," I said as I leaned back. "Let's do this, Kenzie."

Kenzie nodded while grinning.

🎻 🎻 🎻

"Now, the next competitors are Lance Collins and Makenzie Adams from Weyral High!" the emcee announced as it was our turn to perform.

Kenzie was normally so confident, but right now she seemed a little fidgety, her left hand holding her iPad. She'd be using an application for the musical score so that she wouldn't be needing a page-turner anymore.

"Hey," I whispered to her, "I'm here for you."

"Is it really all right for me to perform in front of the audience with this level of technique?" she whispered back.

Not bothering to answer her nonsense question, I held her right hand instead as I gently pulled her along to the stage. Her eyes widened, but at least her hand wasn't shaking anymore.

Murmurs were heard among the audience:

"Isn't that Mackenzie Adams? The 'Oscar-Winning Actress'?"

"I can't believe she's also a pianist."

"She looks like a goddess in her dress."

"I wanna marry her."

Oh, great, I sarcastically thought. Looks like Kenzie has the spotlight on her and not on me.

Oh, well. By nature, it wasn't hard to notice an actress who excels at her craft.

Stealing a glance at Kenzie, I saw her smiling at the audience. The smile on her face was now natural, not timid or nervous. This was a clear fact that she was used to having all sorts of people she didn't know look at her.

No more long introductions were done. Kenzie seated on the piano bench while placing her tablet on the rack, as I placed my violin on my shoulder. I was half-facing the audience and Kenzie, so that I could check up on her once in a while. When we were ready, we nodded at each other, her hands hovering over the piano keys.

And the melody of "Polonaise Brillante No. 1 in D Major" by Henryk Wieniawski filled the opera house. (It's a popular violin showpiece for its melodic beauty and technical virtuosity.)

Kenzie was the one who started the piece; her fingers pounded over the keys in forté, and I was glad that the notes were correct. I Iifted my bow over the strings, then let out a full sound.

I was imagining that we were in a wide grass field, the sun rising behind us. Kenzie was steadily holding her gaze on the musical score while her fingers were flying over the keys, her face bore an expression of intense concentration. The notes were accurate. Good.

We were playing in sync until the middle part, where the melody was slow yet mesmerizing, like a calm sea before a tsunami forms. The sun was now up in the sky, but dark clouds started appearing from the east. I glanced at Kenzie and saw she was starting to show her nervousness, and some of the notes she were letting out weren't precise.

I let out fuller sounds this time so that my violin could cover the piano's music and guide her, but I knew full well it was futile, since the judges had perfect pitch.

Kenzie, listen to my violin. Synchronize with me on the next part.

But she wasn't following me and it seemed she was having her own version of Polonaise Brillante. The clouds had now covered the sun, and a strong wind was blowing in our direction. She was having a hard time keeping up with me.

It's not all about technique, Lance. Please remember that, I suddenly remembered what Dad advised me before. I tried to sort through the pros and cons, and...

To heck with it, Lance!

After a few debates with myself, I decided to keep up with Kenzie instead. Even though the tempo had changed, I accurately caught up with her. She glanced at me, confused, but I told her with my eyes, Continue with your music.

Amazingly, the dark clouds were disappearing, and the sun was near to set. The joyful notes were back to a full bloom. I smiled softly and it grew bigger and bigger. And Kenzie's smile, too.

I was actually having...fun.

Kenzie and I were lost in the music, almost reaching the last note. The piano carried me on a comfortable zone. I didn't care anymore with the precision of our notes. As long as the players and audience were having a great time, then it was worth it.

The sound grew louder and I could feel the excitement growing in me, my heart also pounding faster.

Then, the sun had set. We reached the last note in a loud manner. All was silent as my imagination disappeared; we were back at the opera house. After playing, I felt amazing. It was like all of my problems had been lifted off from my shoulders.

One person started clapping while standing up, two, then most of them followed suit, even some of the judges. The opera house was now raining with applause. I was awed at what I was witnessing, to see people praising you with genuine smiles on their faces, even our friends. Was this what Dad had been telling me all along?

Standing beside me, Kenzie stared at me with a grin. I did the same and we bowed our heads together while facing the audience. Before we could exit the stage, however, I saw a man on the left wing looking at me. He was wearing sunglasses, a hat, and face mask. When he noticed me staring at him, he quickly turned around and fast-walked back to the seating area.

"Hey, hold your horses!" I cried, catching up to him at the empty hallway. "Who are you?"

"I remember you," Kenzie said, following behind me. "You're the guy who asked us for directions earlier at the lobby."

The man let out a bravado laugh. "Well, well. There's no escaping this." He faced us. "I must thank you, young lady, 'cause this boy finally learned his lesson."

"Um, what?"

"Oh, shoot," I muttered. "That voice...it can't be..."

"You are correct!" the man said as he removed his disguise. "Long time no see, Lance."

Panicking, I said, "What the heck are you doing here, Dad? I thought you had a concert in Australia!" Then a thought occurred to me. "Don't tell me Mom is here, too, at the seating area! And that Mom lied regarding her high school reunion!"

"Percy's here, too."

"He's your dad?" Kenzie was baffled. "Oh my gods!"

"Yes. My concert in Australia is in two days, and your Mom's reunion was a lie. It's not my fault you're not reading the news to verify."

"It is not my fault that it hadn't occurred to me that my parents would lie to me," I rebutted, frowning.

"You can't blame us," Dad said with wide eyes. "You don't want your family to watch you perform on stage!"

"That is because I want you to watch my performance that will make you guys proud," I whispered.

Grinning, Dad said, "Well, you did just that, Lance. At first I could only hear technique. But when you followed Mackenzie, emotions also started flowing out of your music. Percy, your mom and I are so proud of you. You've finally stepped out of my dad's shadow." He hugged me while I was stupefied at what he just said. Was this for real?

"And to you, Mackenzie, for being by my son's side," Dad said when he released me from his hug, gazing at Kenzie. "Thank you. You are still an amateur, but you could produce such moving notes. And performance for a pianist isn't just through facial expression; it's also through your body language--the way you move your arms and put your body into it, which you did stupendously."

"N-no problem, sir," Kenzie stuttered. "He's my friend, anyway. Best friend." She grinned at me when she saw my eyes widen in shock, then turned back to Dad. "And wow! Thanks so much for your compliment!"

My dad smiled. "Both of you played with such finesse and made the piece so expressive. May you continue to be an inspiration to other people." But then he was suddenly alarmed by something. "I'd love to stay and chat, but my flight is at 7 P.M. tonight. Have to go to the airport early and I don't want to let the paparazzi know that I'm here, heh." He put on his disguise. "I'll see you again after my concert."

"Thank you so much, Dad." I said with a grin while he was walking away from us.

"Have a safe flight, Mr. Collins," Kenzie added.

When Dad was gone, Kenzie and I moved to a corner where we were alone, then she said, "I'm so glad it's done! Wooo!" Kenzie seemed to relax after saying that. "No wonder that person was familiar; it's because the tone of his voice is like yours."

Not listening attentively to Kenzie, I leaned my back on the wall. "I have...moved on."

Kenzie squeezed my hand. "I'm so happy for you, Lance. Though I'm sorry for messing up our performance back there; my anxiousness crept up and--"

"No need to apologize," I cut her off gently. "It was not your nervousness that did it; your true interpretation of the piece showed up. I am glad you took a whole new take on Polonaise Brillante, and that I was able to follow you. You put love in our performance. The melody that came out was magical and the audience was amazed by it."

"R-really?"

"Yes." I nodded.

"But what if we loose--"

Chuckling, I squeezed her hand back. "I do not care about that anymore."

"It makes me happy that I get to see you looking so full of energy." Kenzie smiled warmly at me. "You've indeed crossed over!"

"You, too, Kenzie." And that's when tears of relief and joy poured out of my eyes. I was happy for the both of us. The theme for this contest meant many things, but for Kenzie and me, it was letting go of our past.

The vault from the deep recesses of my mind had vanished.

I hope I finally made you proud, Grandfather.

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Ah, the power of friendship is indeed a beautiful thing. Anyways, happy Valentine's day to you, friends! ❤️