Max

We're currently lined up backstage, watching one couple after the next state the same set of lines, waiting as the music cues up and the girl starts singing. The song is mostly written for the female lead, leaving me roughly two lines to sing. Watching how Liv's hands roll into fists, pressing firmly to her sides each and every time that first key drops, is a heavy reminder of the fact she has to get up there and take over the majority of the audition.

I've been watching her this whole time, as each act walks out on stage and we all edge closer to it being our turn. With every step forward, her hands wrap tightly around her chest, holding there until the final line is shared. That's when she drops them. When she stands a bit straighter, shifting her weight between her feet before clenching her fists.

I want to reach out. I want to grab her up in my arms and hold her against me. Let her know that it's all going to be okay. It will be over before she knows it and then she never has to step foot on stage again.

I want to be there for her.

"We've so got this audition in the bag," Cassandra sings out as she wraps her arms tightly around mine.

I don't miss the small tick Liv's head makes at Cassandra's voice.

My thoughts drift to Liv's birthday last year, to the moment we almost kissed, to the night I lay beside her in her bed. She asked me to stay and I thought maybe, just maybe, she was starting to feel what I felt. And then the dreaded word friend fell from her lips. I don't think I've ever felt such a heavy hit of the friend zone as I did at that moment.

The right thing to do probably would have been to be honest. To tell her that I somehow crossed that line along the way. Tell her that every time she touches me there's this little skip to my steady heartbeat. That I still can't seem to keep my eyes off of her.

But I'm a coward. I'll own it. Shit, I have nothing left but to own it. The fact that I hooked up with Desiree this fall is me owning it. And the fact that Cassandra is currently sliding her hand across my chest is me fucking owning it.

I'm sure there are a lot of better ways to attempt to get over someone. I'm sure there are healthier ways, ways that actually work. But this is me trying to push all the jumbled stuff aside and prove to myself and everyone else that I can move on. Because I have, right?

"I'm pretty sure Rachel's nailing it right now," I say, glancing at the blonde currently killing the shit out of this song before looking back down to Cassandra.

"I mean, yeah," she acknowledges. "Her voice is awesome, obviously. But the look on your mom's face tells me she's not just looking for a good performance. She's looking for a connection, chemistry," she draws out the last word, pressing herself against me as she turns to get closer. "Which is exactly what you and I bring to the table."

There's a laugh sounding in front of us as Liv quickly coughs. That tiny little reaction from her has me fighting back a smile. For one, it distracted her, even if for the slightest moment. And two, I like that she cares what Cassandra just said. Does that make me a horrible person?

The song slowly comes to an end, my eyes now trained on the golden brown in front of me. She's next. I glance between her and Theater Guy, watching as his hands begin to shake. I lean around, trying to get a better look only to see the drain of color fall from his face. I think he might puke.

I can't seem to help but stay glued to the girl shaking up on stage. And more than that, the guy standing across from her who seems to be on a count down to blowing chunks.

Liv starts, hesitantly stating her first line as her eyes stay stuck to his. There's a different set of worry behind her eyes now, one of concern laced with a hefty amount of fear.

I look over at him, watching his statuesque figure take up space on stage. Say something, idiot.

Liv takes a step forward, reaching out a hand and resting it on his arm. He looks down, taking a breath before squeaking out his line. It's barely even audible but Liv jumps back in with a nod, giving her lines and waiting again for his.

This is pure fucking torture watching their train fall off the tracks, plummet to a rocky ground before being obliterated and bursting into flames.

The final line is shared when I realize I'm holding my breath. This is it. The music cues up, my eyes fall to Liv's sides, watching as her hands fold into fists once again. I just want to tangle my fingers with hers, unwind them and let them grasp me instead.

"Oh my gosh," Cassandra blurts out, my eyes shifting from Liv's hands to the boy in front of her. The very one who takes one giant leap off stage and bolts through the doors, hand cupped to his mouth.

My eyes immediately flit back to Liv, my body already taking a step forward. Her mouth falls open before quickly snapping shut. She's trembling yet completely rooted in place as her eyes stay trained on the doors her partner just left her through.

"Well, that's unfortunate," my mom speaks up now, pulling her clipboard to her chest. "Olivia, sweetheart, we'll just re-cue up the music and you can sing it solo, okay?"

"But..." she begins, her words stuck in her throat as her head begins to shake.

"I know," my mom reassures her, taking a step forward now. "But I know you can do this. Just a one minute clip of the song, and you'll be done."

My eyes fall back to Liv, watching as the rosy color of her cheeks begins to fade. She still hasn't moved, except for the small, barely noticeable nod of her head. My mom nods back as she lifts her hand for the music to start.

My heart is slamming against my chest, my breaths frantically attempting to find a pattern. Come on, Liv. You got this.

The notes drop, the first few beats falling around the now stoic room. Everyone's watching. All eyes are now intently trained on her, alone. She's so fucking alone up there.

The moment for the first line comes and goes, the music playing for a few more beats before my mom holds up her hand.

"Olivia, honey. Can you finish the audition? If it's too much, we can try again later."

Liv doesn't speak. She stays planted on that stage and I know exactly what's going on through that head of hers. She's telling herself she can't do it. To run and screw the grade. But the other half of her is screaming to suck it up and finish.

"Okay," my mom says now. "If you can't finish, I understand." She pulls her clipboard from her chest, taking her pencil and resting it to the page.

Without thinking, I grab the guitar resting along the wall backstage, taking quick, purposeful strides forward.

"Max!" I can hear Cassandra shout behind me, reaching for my arm to stop me with no luck.

I take two more steps, centering myself on stage. "She can do it," I shout out, fully aware of how many eyes are now stuck on me. But there's only one set glowing with that halo I love. Only one pair of eyes that actually matter. And those graceful orbs are locked on mine.

I walk straight up to her, closing almost all space as I lean in, dropping my voice for only her to hear. "It's you and me, Liv. On the dock, me with my guitar, you falling into the melody. Just you and me, okay?"

She still doesn't move, but there is a shift in her eyes. They're softer, the fear that once glazed them over falls aside, allowing me to see that glow. She nods now, still keeping our space limited. I can't help but reach up, tucking the small strands of hair behind her ear, letting me really see her before I take a step back and pull the guitar in front of me.

I play a couple notes, adjusting the chords as she continues to watch me, not letting her gaze fall anywhere else. Once I have everything set, I pull my eyes back to hers.

"Ready?" I whisper as she nods again, her hands still tight against her sides. I reach out without thinking, sliding my fingers into hers, unwinding the tight grip she has before letting her hands fall back down. My touch lingers for a brief moment, settling the subtle shake of her hand. I nod, placing my hands back against the guitar as I stroke the first note.

I play a few chords, letting the beginning build slowly as I keep my gaze intently on her. And when her moment comes, she doesn't hesitate. Her voice falls out, wrapping itself around the notes so perfectly, causing my heart to swell for so many goddamn reasons.

She's singing. She's actually fucking singing. I've only ever heard the soft hum of her tranquil voice as it swims around my made up songs. I've heard the words she writes muffled behind the music I play to match. The very music I've been writing in the journal I gave her. The one she adds the words to later.

But I've never heard her sing.

Not like this. And she's fucking perfect. So beautiful and eloquent and...

My voice falls out alongside hers without my knowing consent. It's not my line. I'm supposed to be a spectator but I can't help it. There's a pull to wrap my words with hers, to feel every once of this moment. I don't care that I'm off script, I don't care if my grade suffers because of it. I just don't fucking care.

We stay that way, staring at one another, singing in complete harmony until the chords find their end. Until our voices fall and the silence of the room blankets us both.

I can't seem to move. Her luminescent eyes still penetrate mine. And it's not until my mom lets out a quiet exhale that I slowly pull my eyes from Liv.

"Holy shit," my mom whispers, though in a room that's fallen eerily silent, it's a lot louder than I think she intended it to be. She quickly clears her throat, straightening her stance before taking two steps toward us. "Congratulations," she beams, looking from me to Liv.

We're both quiet, waiting for her to clarify exactly what it is she's congratulating us for. That we made it through without fainting?

She laughs, probably taking in the humor of our blank stares. She takes a step back, her eyes shifting their attention to the crowd. "Everyone," she calls out now, not that she doesn't already have the attention of the entire room after what just happened. "Meet your new leading lady, Olivia Wyatt, and your new leading man, Max Hayes."

What the fuck did she just say?

"You can't do that!" Cassandra's voice comes ripping from the back as her heavy steps pummel their way on stage. "We haven't all had our auditions yet."

"I told you," my mom states, taking a small step forward. "I told everyone, actually. I am looking for something special for these roles. Something that I just so clearly found. There's no changing my mind. But there are still plenty of roles up for grabs. So if you have not yet had the chance to audition, I will still be looking to place you in other spots."

The crowd begins buzzing again, a frantic collection of complaints and random congratulations from a few. But it all falls into a muffled buzz when I roll my eyes back to the girl beside me.

She's still frozen. Her eyes glued in front of her. I can't quite tell what she's looking at, but I know she wasn't expecting this.

The thing is, I wasn't either. But I do know one thing. I fucking love singing with this girl. And I really want to do it again. So if that means we're about to be the leads, then I'll do everything in my power to make sure she feels confident on that stage. Because more than anything else, she deserves to be seen. And not just by me.