HAILEE IS MAKING tea as her father, Reverend Henry, paces around the kitchen. He was taken aback at the news she had just told him.

"Y/N L/N's coming here?" He asks, hands on his hips. "The boy's dangerous. He's careless. He's the worst kind of bully."

The girl smiles slightly. She starts putting some tea leaves into the pitcher.

"Daddy, what about forgiveness? You know, I—I thought we had discussed that I was gonna be able to decide how I wanted to spend my time in my life."

"Well, it's him I don't trust, not you." He replied, wiping a fork down with a towel.

Suddenly, the doorbell rings. Hailee stops what she's doing and leaves the kitchen to answer the door.

On the other side is Y/N, wearing a gray tee and faded jeans. His playbook was folded in the front pocket of his pants.

"Uh, hey." He greets.

"Hi."

"So...you gonna keep me out here all afternoon or what?"

She smiles. "Come on in."

He nods and goes through the narrow entrance, inadvertently bumping her arms as he does. Hailee shuts the door.

"My script is in my room, so I'll be right down." She makes her way up the stairs. "Make yourself at home."

"Oh, yeah. Sure."

Y/N watches her go and mumbles to himself.

"That's not likely."

He turns around and walks through the room, eyeing the pictures on the mantle on top of the piano. They were of Hailee as a little girl and there was also one of her parents.

Y/N looks over to the other side of the room, tilting his head and getting a better look at a small statue of Jesus Christ.

"Wow." He chuckled. "That is one scary lookin'..."

He spins around and sees Reverend Henry standing there. The young man gets startled.

"Jesus!"

"No, Hailee's father." Reverend Henry corrects slyly. "Hello, Mr. L/N. I understand you've managed to win the lead in the school play. Congratulations."

He stands there and simply nods. It isn't until a few seconds later, when the silence becomes too much that Y/N ends up replying.

"Listen, thanks for letting me come over and run lines with Hailee."

"I didn't let you." He shot back.

Y/N stuffs his hands in his pockets. "Oh."

"It's a school night," Henry says, then steps closer to him. "Let's get one thing straight, Mr. L/N. You think that on Sundays, I don't see you from where I stand..."

Y/N looks at Hailee's father, growing increasingly uncomfortable. He continues.

"But I see you." The man steps away. "I'll be in my office just here."

Reverend Henry leaves the way he entered the room. Y/N has an ughhh expression, and his shoulders drop. At the same time, Hailee makes it back downstairs.

"Ready?" She asks.

He sighs. "Yeah. Let's go."

Y/N walks over to her, and they soon leave the room.

• • •

THE NEXT DAY, Y/N makes it to school. In the yard, the boy's posse is there, having just met up with one another.

Andres and Matthew dap each other up before the Latino goes to hug Krystal. The girl then greets Casey with a hug as well.

Matthew parts from Laura and goes over to Y/N, who is walking toward them causally. He has recovered from his injuries and now doesn't need his crutches to get around.

"Y/N! Where've you been?"

He chuckles. "Nowhere, man."

They dap each other up, and Matthew leans in all close.

"Hey, come here. Listen."

"What's up?"

Matthew throws an arm over Y/N's shoulder.

"Are we cool?" He asks.

The question was rather strange to Y/N. He nods.

"Yeah, sure."

Matthew nods as well, patting his shoulder. The bell rings, and the two boys walk back toward campus with the rest of the posse following.

Later in the night, Y/N is driving his mom's Camry. She said she needed something picked up from the store, so he took it upon himself to do it for her. All The Stars by Kendrick Lamar with SZA plays on the radio.

Love, let's talk about love
Is it anything and everything you hoped for?
Or do the feeling haunt you?
I know the feeling haunt you

He suddenly slows the car when he spots a familiar-looking girl making her way into the cemetery he was just passing by.

It was Hailee.

Y/N arched a brow as he looked out the window. "What the hell?"

He cuts the ignition and hops out of the car. He ambles down the hill to join her in the cemetery, walking through the gates.

"Hey!"

The girl spins around and is perplexed. They both look at each other with the same wonder.

"What are you doing here?" Y/N asks.

"I should ask you the same question." She replies.

"Well..." He stuffs his hands in his leather jacket's pockets. "Do you normally walk by yourself in the cemetery at night?"

She shrugs. "Maybe."

Hailee turns and walks away. Y/N calls out again.

"Where you goin'?"

The girl looks back and shines her flashlight in his eyes.

"Come and see." She answers simply.

With a smirk, Hailee makes her way down the lawn. Y/N blinks a few times and then hobbles after her.

Y/N follows her to an open area of the cemetery where she already has some things set up. Hailee picks up a part of the mechanism she had and connects it with the other half. She sets it down.

"Okay, what is that?" Y/N asks.

"This is my telescope." She answers. "I built it when I was twelve."

Y/N nods, somewhat impressed. Hailee gestures toward it.

"Take a look." She adds.

Y/N peers into the telescope. He sees the stars but mainly spots a giant red ball in the sky. He knows exactly what it is.

"Saturn." He steps away and looks up at the sky. "Very cool."

"Yeah. I'm planning on building a larger one so I can see the Pons–Brooks comet. It comes this spring, and it won't return for another 70 years."

He replies sarcastically. "Ah. Nature's miracles."

She was pretty hurt by his remark, assuming he really didn't care about it. Hailee looks at the ground.

"But I get it." He adds at the last moment.

"Get what?" She asks, looking back at him.

He gestures toward the telescope. "That you're into all this stuff."

"This...stuff." She repeats, taking a beat. "I—I have my beliefs, I have faith, but don't you?"

"No." Y/N quickly answers. "There's too much bad shit in this world."

"Without suffering there'd be no compassion." Hailee states.

Y/N glances from the sky back to her. "Yeah, well, tell that to those who suffer."

Hailee sighs and shakes her head. She pulls out her phone and starts to play music, which she often does when she is alone stargazing. Surprisingly, she starts to play All The Stars.

Love, let's talk about love
Is it anything and everything you hoped for?
Or do the feeling haunt you?
I know the feeling haunt you

Y/N stands there and watches as she sits beside the telescope on the grass. He lets out a sigh and keeps his hands in his pockets. He wanted to compliment her taste in music once more, but since he already did those days ago, he thought it'd be pretty cringe.

"So...uh...I gotta go pick something up for my mom. I was on my way there actually before..."

"Okay." She simply replies.

Y/N gestures toward his car and starts to step away.

"Okay. I'll...I'll see you at school."

Hailee nods and keeps looking up at the sky. Y/N nods and walks across the grass and out of the cemetery, leaving the girl alone with her telescope and music.

Y/N gets back into his car and turns the ignition back on. As he looks out the window back toward the cemetery where Hailee is sitting, All The Stars plays again from the radio and continues where it left off.

This may be the night that my dreams might let me know
All the stars are closer
All the stars are closer
All the stars are closer
This may be the night that my dreams might let me know
All the stars are closer
All the stars are closer
All the stars are closer

Y/N turns back to his wheel and puts the gear in drive, making his way down the road and leaving the cemetery.

• • •

THE POSSE IS back at school. They stand by the lockers and are hanging around in the hallway. Andres watched as two attractive girls passed them by, and his eyes light up.

"Oh, my goodness." He reacts. "See, this is what I love about early spring."

Andres steps forward, but Matthew holds him back, grinning.

"Where those legs been hiding all this winter?" Andres remarks as he reaches out toward the young women.

Even Laura and Krystal are checking out the legs of the two girls. Krystal laughs.

"She's trashy."

"Right," Casey replies. "But that doesn't take 'em out from my go-to list."

The two laughed. Laura looks over and notices someone strolling up.

"Well, if it isn't the Virgin Mary." She says.

Y/N turns to see who she's referring to. Matthew also spots them and snickers, patting the young man's shoulder before wrapping an arm around his girlfriend's neck.

"Oh, dude, here comes your leading lady."

Y/N braces himself as Hailee approaches them. The innocent girl beams as she holds the book for her next class.

"Hey, Y/N." She greets. "So, I'll see you after school?"

Matthew and Laura look at Y/N, waiting for his response. There is a beat before Y/N gives a smug look back at her.

"Well, in your dreams." He replies.

Andres winces. Matthew tries to stifle a laugh and looks away.

Hailee looks at Y/N, not hurt or angry or upset, but with well, okay type expression. Y/N continues to smirk at her as Andres finally laughs.

"Ouch." He says.

Hailee gives a quick nod and goes on her merry way.

As she leaves, Y/N's expression falls.

"Hi," Andres speaks in a hi-pitch voice, mocking her. "Where's your sweater?"

Matthew laughs with Andres. Y/N also does, but mostly feigns it.

The bell rings. Matthew and Laura kiss, and she walks away. Andres strolls off with Krystal and Casey. Y/N and Matthew grab their bags.

"Let's get outta here." Y/N says.

He nods and pats Y/N's back. As they leave, Matthew daps up a nearby classmate before making his way to his next class with Y/N.

Y/N parks the Camry in front of Hailee's house. He's unhappy with himself, especially after how he acted earlier at school. He cuts the ignition and exits the car.

He walks up to the door and rings the doorbell. There is no immediate answer. He waits a bit before ringing it again.

Immediately, the door swings open. Hailee looks at him and seems as if she isn't too pleased to see him. Y/N guiltily looks at her.

Before he can say anything, Hailee shuts the door. Y/N sighs and leans against it.

"Come on, Hailee. Open the door. Please."

Y/N knocks and the door re-opens. He steps back as the girl quickly comes out and joins him on the porch.

"Whoa."

"What do you want?" She asks as she shuts the door behind her.

"You're not in a good mood." He remarks.

"You don't miss a thing."

He sighs. "Listen, Hailee. I was hopin' we could run lines together."

She nods. "Okay, but just not so anybody knows, right?"

"Well, I just figured we could surprise everyone with how good I get."

"Like we could be secret friends?"

She smiles. Y/N's face lights up, assuming she understands.

"Exactly. Exactly. It's like you're reading my mind."

"Great. Umm...maybe you could read mine."

Quickly, her face goes blank. Y/N's face falls and he doesn't say a word. Hailee turns to go back inside.

"Hailee. Hailee..." He calls out. "I can't just be your friend."

She faces him and keeps a hand on the door.

"Y/N, look, I thought I saw something in you. Something good." She replies. "But I was very wrong."

Hailee shuts the door. Y/N sighs and heads down the steps of the porch.

"DAMN IT!" He shouts in frustration.

The door suddenly swings open, and Reverend Henry steps onto the porch, looking mighty pissed off. Y/N turns back to look at him as the man puts his hands on his hips.

"S—Sorry." Y/N apologizes before walking off.

It is nighttime, and Y/N is at home, lying on his side on his bed. He flips through his yearbook unhappily. His stereo continues to play his music, which was Blame by Calvin Harris and John Newman.

Can't be sleeping, keep on waking
Without the woman next to me
Guilt is burning, inside I'm hurting
This ain't a feeling I can keep
So blame it on the ni-i-i-i-ight
Don't blame it on me, don't blame it on me

He finally lands on the page he's looking for. He stares down at Hailee's picture, reading the caption.

Hailee Steinfeld
Red Cross; Stars and
Planets; Drama Club

Ambition: To witness a miracle.

Y/N looks to the side, considering the ambition. He bites the inside of his cheek. Y/N then shuts the yearbook.

Blame it on the ni-i-i-i-ight
Don't blame it on me, don't blame it on me
So blame it on the ni-i-i-i-ight
Don't blame it on me, don't blame it on me
Don't blame it on me

At Granada Elementary, Dylan twirls a basketball as he sits down. Y/N sits on the table beside him.

"You know the answer?" He asks the boy.

Dylan looks the other way, bored. Y/N nods.

"Look, man, I know you know." He adds.

In the background, Hailee is at a table teaching her student. Y/N sighs and looks around before directing his attention out the window. He notices something: a basketball court.

Y/N and Dylan stand a few feet apart from each other and several feet away from the basket. Dylan still holds the basketball.

"Okay, it's you, me, and the basket," Y/N explains. "Okay, we form the three corners of a triangle. Now take a step towards the basket."

Dylan does so. Y/N copies his move at the same time.

"Now, am I at the same angle to you and the basket as before?" Y/N asks.

The boy nods. "Yeah."

"Are you?"

"Yeah."

Y/N turns to him. "So what did we just make?"

"Uh...a similar triangle?" Dylan answers.

"Yes." He points at him with a smile. "Yes."

Meanwhile, Hailee walks over to the window and watches the two boys outside. Y/N continues his lesson.

"Okay, make me an isosceles."

Dylan takes a huge step to the left. Y/N claps.

"You got it." He says. "Two sides the same."

Dylan smiles, proud of himself for finally understanding and getting through the lesson he'd been struggling with. Y/N looks at him and smirks.

"Okay, enough of this. Let's play."

Dylan smiles back and tosses the ball to Y/N. Immediately, Y/N throws it into the hoop, and it goes in. The high schooler holds up his his follow-through and steps back.

"Woo! Still got it."

He retrieves the ball and tosses it back to Dylan, where they begin to play.

Meanwhile, Hailee has seen what she wanted to see, which was for Y/N to help the boy from an angle he was comfortable with. She smiles slightly and turns away from the window.

• • •

Y/N PACES BACK and forth, reading from his Thornton's Way playbook. A pencil rests behind his ear, and one is in his mouth. He takes the pencil out of his mouth and jots down a note. Eat Pray Love by Paul Russell plays from his stereo.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

(A/N: The upcoming segments are my attempt at a montage with lyrics from the track above. It's also in the banner at the top of the chapter. Scenes are going to bounce around as I display a bit of Y/N's personal growth. If it's jarring, just bear with me lmao.)

In the theater, Mrs. Rosen helps position Y/N and Taylor on the stage. Danny observes from a seat with his playbook in hand.

They keep repeating the same action, with Taylor shoving Y/N and walking off. Y/N just leans against the makeshift bar, taking the constant shoves from both Taylor and Mrs. Rosen.

Girl, you got my pockets on apocalypse
Why you act like all these drinks is bottomless?

The teacher demonstrates her idea of a perfect shove: quick and rough. Y/N rubs his shoulder, feeling the after-effects of all the demonstrations.

Mrs. Rosen shows Taylor how to approach Y/N in a dramatic fashion. She mimics the teacher and, of course, adds the shove.

In his room later that night, Y/N reads from the book aloud. The song continues.

All these restaurants with girls you went to college with
All these courses, baby, I'm gon' need a scholarship

He stops pacing, taking the pencil from behind his ear to write something down.

Mrs. Rosen continues to explain more of the play to Y/N.

Okay, girl, meet at the club with your boy
Now you think you 'bout to eat, pray, love with your boy

The teenager goes back to the bar area and stands there as Taylor shoves him again.

And again.

And again.

And again.

Y/N is in his room and reads more from the play. He twirls the pencil around in his hand.

Give me more than receipts, babe, trust in ya boy
Maybe one day you can eat, pray, love with your boy

He stops pacing and looks up, thinking, before gazing back at the booklet.

Mrs. Rosen positions Hailee in a chair. Y/N sits across from them and watches with a bored expression on his face, his head resting on his hand.

You talking 'bout this your summer, finna find yourself
Hit a coastline, nice hotel

Later, the teacher shows Hailee how to walk to the bar. The girl mimics the action.

Girl, I'm not paying, so remind yourself

Mrs. Rosen then shows the girl how to walk across the stage in an elegant manner. Y/N and Hailee watch as she strolls past them, in which the latter cracks up.

Back in his room, Y/N looks down at his outfit and does some movements with his hands.

If I'm in a Hyundai with an iPhone 12
Then I'm sure not buying y'all flights on Delta

He continues to recite more lines from his booklet as he sits on his bed.

Hailee is positioned in the middle of the stage, and Mrs. Rosen moves her head toward Y/N, where her eyes fall on him. His back is turned to her as he looks at his booklet.

It kills me to tell ya, okay
But we done had every soufflé in the state

Y/N takes a huge bite from a sandwich as he paces back and forth in his room, reading.

He chews his food as he exaggeratedly moves his hands as he recites the lines.

Mrs. Rosen positions Hailee's head to face sideways again. Y/N looks over and checks her out, his head resting on the top of his hand.

Can we let it just breathe?
Is you tryna break bread, break bread when it isn't on me?

The teacher places the girl's hands together as if she's about to pray. He smirks, his expression reading as if he's thinking not bad.

Y/N marks something down in his playbook with his pencil.

He sighs as he erases it and jots another thing down.

Is you tryna spend time, spend time if it isn't all free?
Baby, is you in it for you or me?

Y/N and Taylor are now in their stylish costumes. She wears a red dress while Y/N wears a black suit jacket and a hat. The young man sets a drink down on the table.

Okay, girl, meet at the club with your boy
Now you think you 'bout to eat, pray, love with your boy

Taylor shoves him once...then tries again...and again...and again.

Now you think you 'bout to eat, pray, love with your boy
Give me more than receipts, babe, trust in ya boy

She keeps going to perfect the take.

Y/N recites some more from the play in his room. He's really into it now as he adds some physicality to it.

Maybe one day you can eat, pray, love with your boy (Eat, pray, love)
Maybe one day you can eat, pray, love with your boy
Meet at the club with your boy

The next day, Y/N holds the strap of his backpack and walks through the crowd in the school hallway. Hailee is also amidst the crowd, passing each other by.

Now you think you 'bout to eat, pray, love with your boy
Give me more than receipts, babe, trust in ya boy
Maybe one day you can eat, pray, love with your boy

They look at one another as they go. The girl looks back at Y/N.

(Eat, pray, love)
(Eat, pray, love)
(Eat, pray, love)

She quickly faces forward again and keeps walking. Y/N makes some distance before glancing back at her. He watches for a second before he keeps moving.

Moments later, Hailee turns around and sees him walking away. She stares for a second before also going on her way.

Maybe one day you can eat, pray, love with your boy

• • •

THE HIGH SCHOOLER enters the rehab center on Balboa Boulevard. He is shown the room of the patient he wants to see, and he goes inside.

On the bed is Michael Dunlop, sporting a cast on his arm. He is watching Sam Raimi's Spider-Man on the television but isn't really paying attention.

He glances at Y/N for a moment, aware of his presence, before looking back at the TV.

"I came to say I'm sorry," Y/N says, his hands in his pockets.

Michael shrugs. "Well, you did. You feel better?"

"No. I feel like shit."

"You know what?" He turns to Y/N. "I—I actually thought I wanted to be your friend."

Y/N stays silent. Michael scoffs and shakes his head.

"And now...I have no idea why." He adds. "No idea."

An explosion on the television sounds off, and Michael brings his attention back to the movie. Y/N lets out a sigh.

"I made that jump once. And thought I was a badass. I remember actually saying that I—I meant to bellyflop."

Y/N chuckles. Michael looks back at the teenager.

"Did it hurt?" He asks.

"Like hell." Y/N replies.

Michael responded rather coldly. "Good."

There is a beat. After some time, Michael slightly smiles. Y/N reciprocates.

"So, I guess I'll see you at school then." He tells Michael.

The teenager nods. Y/N nods back and soon leaves the room.

• • •

AFTER THREE WEEKS of preparation, the night of the play has arrived. A Thornton's Way banner hands over the theater door as people shuffle inside the building.

The play continues. Y/N, as Tommy, speaks to the person at the bar.

"Pour me a drink, Joey."

Everyone on the stage looks very stylish with their prohibition-era clothing. A couple of guys are playing a game of cards at a table, and another couple is behind them enjoying martinis. A waitress strolls over to the bar where Y/N and Taylor stand.

She stands a foot in front of him, hands on her hips and looking pouty. Y/N looks down at the hat in his hands before he fixes his gaze on her. He isn't looking too happy, either.

Taylor, as Betty, speaks.

"You promised me, Tommy. No more of your no-goodnik schemes." She faces him, sadly. "You promised me we'd go to Paris."

Meanwhile, Danny and Mrs. Rosen are by the curtain. The boy checks the crowd while the teacher looks anxiously at the performers on stage.

A man wearing a business suit enters the theater quietly, looking up at the stage, specifically at Y/N, as he heads to a seat.

In the audience scattered about are Laura and Matthew, who sit side by side, and Andres, who is a row in front of them asleep. Casey, Krystal, and Y/N's mom, Anna, sit in the same row.

"I'm not gonna sit on my keister and watch all the fat cats in this town get rich, okay?" Y/N responds to Taylor. "Trust me."

Taylor folds her hands. Y/N continues.

"This is a sure thing."

Taylor sighs, and Y/N picks up his drink.

Back in the audience, Principal Wilson watches the play, looking a bit grumpily. His friend and another teacher at the school, Mr. Barnes, notices his mood.

"Lighten the hell up, Sam." He whispers. "What? Rather be listening to Marvin Gaye alone in your living room?"

Principal Wilson snaps back. "Put a cork in it, Buck."

The play continues.

"That's it," Taylor says, then walks a few paces ahead. "We are through."

Krystal snaps a picture of the performance as Taylor continues to scold Y/N. He stays in character and sets his drink down, ignoring her.

"Go ahead and run your booze. You big dope!"

She shoves him roughly, harder than the many times they practiced. Y/N had to stop himself from absentmindedly rubbing the area and just looked at her angrily. Taylor strolls past him.

"And I hope you drown in it." She adds.

Taylor stops abruptly. A mysterious hooded stranger comes out from the back and stands in her way. In the audience, Reverend Henry watches, intrigued.

"So..." Taylor checks out the stranger while Y/N looks at his hat. "You must be the new girl he's hired. The singer?"

Y/N drums his fingertips on his hat as he looks at the two ladies. Taylor speaks to the stranger.

"You want some free advice about this one?" She asks, glancing at Y/N. "Stay far away. He's nothing but trouble and cheap spats."

Y/N just snickers at her statement. Taylor leaves the scene, leaving the young man and the stranger.

The play went on. In the audience, Laura looks bored, Matthew doesn't care about the performance at all, and Andres is snoring.

Back on stage, Y/N is in a scene with the stranger. He sits on a chair, having been shot, as some specks of blood are on his shoulder. His left arm rests on his thigh and is unmoved.

"Look, I ain't blamin' you." He says. "I ain't askin' for forgiveness either."

The stranger then removes her hood, revealing Hailee as the mysterious club singer to the audience. Y/N keeps looking forward and sighs.

"I just did what I had to." He adds.

Hailee removes her cloak to reveal a gorgeous rose-pink satin gown with sheer black gloves covering her hands and arms. Her hair is done as well, contrasting from her usual straightened look.

Y/N finally turns to look at her and is quite taken aback. He had never seen her like this before and never thought she could even pull off a look like that. She stares back as she sets the cloak aside.

The boy can't turn his attention away from her. He's so tongue-tied that he's forgotten his lines. His voice is somewhat shaky as he begins to remember.

"W—When you walked out of the rain..."

In the audience, Reverend Henry looks a bit troubled. He rubs his chin and keeps watching. Hailee sits beside Y/N, and the two don't take their eyes off each other.

"And into my club." Y/N softly says. "That wasn't just a coincidence, was it?"

She shakes her head and speaks as Emily.

"Nothing's coincidence."

Laura and Matthew are suddenly fascinated by the play. Andres was, too, now wide awake and gazing at Hailee and Y/N.

"Your face...you looked so familiar." Y/N gently says. "Like this dame I knew once, only..." He inhales sharply. " It wasn't real. It was a dream."

"Tell me about this dream girl." Hailee replies.

Y/N gazes at her silently for a moment. He seemed to have lost the ability to speak. He looks down. In the audience, the man who came in late waits expectantly for the line.

"Well..." Y/N shakily says. "I don't...remember."

He looks at Hailee again. Danny and Mrs. Rosen stand behind the curtain and start to get worried.

"All I know..." Y/N says.

Hailee watches him thoughtfully and patiently. He immediately says the first thing that pops into his mind at that moment.

"Is that you're beautiful."

Hailee is a bit stunned by this. Reverend Henry looks around, also confused. Krystal looks on and is visibly upset. All the while, Y/N can't remember what he's supposed to say now.

"The song!" Mrs. Rosen whispers sharply. "The song!"

Y/N looks over at them and then quickly back at Hailee. He speaks gently.

"The dream...help me to remember."

Hailee looks at him nervously. He gazes back with soft eyes.

"Will you sing for me?" He asks.

He had absentmindedly been reaching out and touching her arm. Hailee brushed him away as someone at the piano begins to play Only Hope, a song she wrote for the play.

She starts to sing.

There's a song that's inside of my soul
It's the one that I've tried to write over and over again
I'm awake in the infinite cold

Hailee looks at Y/N.

But you sing to me over and over and over again

Mrs. L/N watches the play, starting to get emotional. Hailee stands and strolls to the bar.

So I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands and pray

She puts her hands in a prayer position.

To be only yours
I pray to be only yours

Y/N looks at her pensively.

I know now

She looks at Y/N as she sings the next part.

You're my only hope

Hailee walks back over to Y/N and sits down, singing to him. His eyes stay fixated on her.

Sing to me the song of the stars
Of your galaxy dancing and laughing and laughing again
When it feels like my dreams are so far
Sing to me of the plans that you have for me over again

She rises and crosses in front of him.

So I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands and pray
To be only yours
I pray to be only yours
I know now you're my only hope

She circles around him.

I give you my destiny
I'm givin' you all of me
I want your symphony singing in all that I am
At the top of my lungs
I'm givin' it back

Hailee walks towards the audience. Y/N looks like he's about to cry tears of...amazement.

So I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands and pray
To be only yours
I pray to be only yours
I pray to be only yours
I know now you're my only hope

She looks back at Y/N and rejoins him. Sitting down, she finishes the song, vocalizing.

Y/N stares at her, feeling many feelings at this very moment. After a beat, he tentatively leans over to kiss her...to which she reciprocates.

When they part, he can tell she is surprised. It wasn't a part of the script, and he had just acted upon instinct. He looks back at her with a soft gaze that even made her feel some type of way. Still, she was disquieted and a bit bemused by the act.

Immediately, the audience cheers. Krystal looks on, shocked at what she had just seen. Then there is Reverend Henry, who seems agitated. The rest of the guests are pleased, though, as they continue to applaud.

Y/N licks his lips as he stares at Hailee, his mind racing at finally realizing what he had just done.

As the curtains close and the lights dim, the two continue to stare at each other, drowning out the sound of applause and cheers on the other side.