"Are you alright, Maple?" Kai ran up to me and grabbed me by the hand. I wondered if he was worried about me at all.

"Kai froze up when he saw you throwing up." Mr. Lemon laughed.

"I don't really want to remember that. It makes my stomach hurt more." I informed him. "I wonder if I will make it on stage."

"Don't worry, you will." Kai hugged me, trying to relieve my stress. I was happy that they were trying to calm me down. I was even grateful that that random person came in to help me. I wonder if she went into the restroom to do something else or if it was just for me. She left right after helping me, so I assumed she was an angel who appeared last minute in my dire need of help.

"Oh, you are doing better, Maple?" Jax asked, arriving with Gray by his side. "We just met up with Charlotte. She says that after the show, she's going to come backstage to meet Kai and you."

"Oh, really?" I tried to hide my jealousy. She knew Gray longer than I did, so if she was my rival, she would win by default.

"Well, the show is going to start in fifteen, so we should probably start heading backstage now." Jax suddenly grabbed my hand and guided me towards our destination. He must have been worried I might faint next after losing my dinner. I liked it more when Jax was nicer just like how it felt nice when Kai treated me kindly. Thinking of that put a smile on my face.

When we arrived backstage, the nerves that disappeared finally came back. All kinds of thoughts flowed through my head. I wondered if I was going to be fine on stage or if I was going to freeze up there.

I crouched onto the floor after hearing the helpers announce that we had five minutes before having to stand on stage. I closed my eyes, beginning to hear a ringing in my ear. The audience's voices were echoing throughout the venue, causing my head to hurt.

However, there was a warm hand that suddenly laid against my back. It sent a soothing feeling down my spine, masking over the nerves. I looked up and to my right, finding Jax crouching down with me.

"Maple..." He looked at me with his green eyes that shined under the light. "I need you to do a favor for me."

"Huh?" I was confused what he wanted me to do when we were about to go on stage.

"I want you to just focus on my voice, alright? I asked you to do that when we were practicing together, right?"

"Yeah."

"Do the same, okay? Don't look at the audience and close your eyes. Imagine that it's just you, Kai, Gray, and me." He then put his warm hands on my cheeks.

"Okay."

He then smiled which filled me up with serenity. I felt that I was able to do it as long as he was there. "Good girl."

He then released my cheeks, leaving no marks behind, and held my hand.

We both entered the stage together. I heard the great amount of cheering as we walked onto the stage. It got louder and louder.

I started to close my eyes after feeling Jax tighten his grip on my hand. It felt he was repeating those words over and over again to me. "Just listen to my voice."

When we had to stand in our places, Jax released my hand. I kept my eyes open for a bit to see where I was supposed to stand, but after, I did exactly what Jax told me to do. I closed my eyes.

I saw the darkness that felt as if it was swallowing me in. However, a sudden wood clanking sound appeared. I then heard Kai count down as loud as he could, so we were able to hear it over the screaming.

At that moment, Jax began to sing. I knew that was my cue to follow with my playing. I made sure to listen to each melody he sang, following it with my harmony. It was necessary for me to enhance his voice than play perfectly. Jax's voice filled my head as I followed with every note.

The audience was screaming and cheering, but I was only able to see blackness. What if I opened my eyes?

Tempted, I slightly opened them, looking down at my guitar. When I did, it was hard to concentrate on Jax's voice, so I quickly shut them again. I needed to focus.

My fingers moved on the guitar trying not to miss a note. Jax's voice was powerfully echoing through the venue, so I shouldn't worry. This time, he was singing louder than he normally does. It was probably because it was my first time.

After the final, the song ended. I then opened my eyes and looked over at the sweating Jax and Gray. They both were smiling at me and nodded their heads. I then looked at the audience who were clapping and cheering. They then began chanting, "Sunrise! Sunrise!"

The sense of achievement filled my heart, making me feel proud.

I did it!

"You did it, Maple!" Mr. Lemon patted my head. He then looked at the rest of the group. "Excellent job today, everyone."

"Thank you, Mr. Lemon." They all said in unison.

"Tonight we have an after-party with the students from the school and the neighborhood. So, we have your party gown and suits ready for you." He informed us.

An after-party? That sounded fun.

"Jax! Gray!" A girl's voice echoed throughout the backstage. I turned my head, and there was a pretty girl who came running towards them. It was the same girl who had helped me in the bathroom. "Good job tonight!"

"Thanks." Jax grinned.

I looked over at Gray and noticed him more than happy to see her. "Thank you, Charlotte."

"Oh, I would like you to meet Maple and Kai, Charlotte." Jax introduced us.

When the girl looked at me, her face brightened up. "Long time, no see. So you are Maple?"

"Ah, yes."

"You guys met already?" Gray's eyes widened a little bit.

"Yeah, she saved me after my makeup was rubbing off," I answered him.

"Well, we're going to have an after-party tonight, so why don't you join us in the van, Charlotte?" Gray suggested.

I looked at him with a shocked expression. First, we didn't have enough room in that car to fit all of us. And, second, I didn't want her there!

Even though she saved me, which I was grateful for, I didn't expect her to be "Charlotte." She was pretty and nice. Those were two things guys looked for, and Gray was no different from the normal guy.

"We don't have enough room, though." Kai blurted out.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, I did the most stupid thing.

"That's alright. I'll just go with Kevin."

All of them looked at me with shock. Charlotte, however, began blushing, looking like a docile bunny. "Is that alright?"

I had a feeling.

"Of course." I forced a smile.

"But Maple..." Jax looked at me with a concerned expression.

"Don't worry, Jax. I'll be fine." I answered, waving hands.

I quickly grabbed my bag and left backstage. I felt a lump well up in my throat. I wanted to cry.

I then scavenged my bag and took out my phone.

"Kevin? Are you still here?"