I felt my heart skip several beats as I walked through the auditorium doors. Everyone's eyes, peering up at me as I made my entrance was beyond uncomfortable, to say the least. I didn't see Ms.Umbride, so I took a seat among the other first year students quietly, in hopes she wouldn't even notice I was late. As if I spoke to quickly, the side door opened, and both Ms. Umbridge and Brooklynn entered the room. 

The fact that they were together speaking in private got me a little bit concerned, I knew I had all rigtht to be when I watched Brooke leave her side, and Ms. Umbridge and I made eye contact. Her stare felt cold. She tilted her head sideways, and gestured me towards the same door she came in from. I was trying to convince myself she only wanted to speak to me because I was late but my suspicions were only confirmed when I passed Brooke along the way and she wouldn't wouldn't lift her eyes off he floor. As I passed Brooke, she gently reached out to grab my hand- only for a moment and whispered the words "I'm sorry." 

"McBride, do a sound check on all mics would ya" she yelled out to a fellow student before closing the side door behind us. As I stepped out into the hall, the hallway was filled with an unsettling stillness until she finally spoke up. "What's up kid. Why are you late, out of all days to be late you're late to rehearsal. Why? You best have a good explanation." I didn't know exactly what Brookelynn told her, so I remained quiet in hopes she may give me some sort of small hint as to what she knows. I remained silent, trying my best not to have another meltdown but, I was never good with confrontation. "Nerves I guess.  I had a rough nights sleep and woke up super late and when I woke up, I just wasn't feeling like myself."

She just smirked and let out a breathy chuckle, while she rest her hand on my shoulder. "Well, you know Brookelynn had different to say. I was hoping you would tell my yourself. I know it's none of my business what's going on, I just want to make sure you're going to be alright. Now, she told me you asked her not to say anything but in her defence, as your friend she's only concerned for you and as one of my students I only have your safety and best interest at heart. My door is always open if you ever need an ear to listen to you, I'd like to think you know that by now."

She was right though. I know Brookelynn only went to her out of concern but, I didn't know how to tell her it's about a stupid boy! I couldn't find the words to tell her I had enough bullshit in my life and this one little thing is almost ready to send me over the edge. 'I'm already in a pit of misery, could hell possibly be any worse?' We stood in silence for a moment while I allowed her thoughtful words to sink in. I squinted my eyes tight and could literally feel my cheeks turning every shade of red possible while they heated up. I slid myself down the wall into a sitting position, and buried my face into my knees while I sobbed. Feeling her warm hand patting my back, thinking about her carefully chosen, meaningful words reminded me even though I feel alone in this darkness, I'm not. 

"I can't go out there tonight. I can't go out there and sing Take a Bow. Rihanna makes it sound as if she's bitter towards her cheating lover. At first I felt like this was the perfect song but I can't sing with passion if I can't connect to the song, and I can't connect to this. Sure the message is the same, but I'm not bitter towards him. I'm grateful to have had him at all, and I still love him. I didn't wanna fall in love. However, I did and now I know, it's time to let go." 

"You're not the first to feel this way, and certainly not the last. In times like this I'd ask my students the same thing. What's in your heart?'  I looked up at her and whipped my tears away, really questioning that myself. "He is and probably always will be."--" If you could tell him anything, what would it be?" 
I thought about this question long and heart. There were so many things I wish I could tell him, but I was having a hard time trying to figure out what I would want him to know, until I found the exact set of words I was looking for. 

I stood up, and whipped the dust from the floor off of my pants. "Although I love him, I can't help holding on. I need to let go, and maybe tonight is the first step to doing that. I deserve better.Maybe I should sing about how I'm feeling, not about what happened. Is it to late to change my song choice?"  Ms. Umbridge shook her head with a light, warmhearted smile, grasped ahold of the door handle, and held the door open for me. "Let's get you in sound check, show starts in an hour." 
End POV

*Time Lapse Curtain Time* 

Mark's POV
"You're brilliant, (CY/N!) I'll take my laptop with me, and show her the video after the show case. I just hope she'll even take the time to listen to me." -- "She'll have no choice. When she's done with the performance she'll get off stage and come sit out in the audience for the remainder of the show, in a reserved seating area. Or at least that's why my aunt said will happen. That's when you'll make the move. She won't even know you're there until it's to late."  With a set plan in mind, we waved over our waitress and payed the billed. "We better make this quick, it's almost 6:30- she said vocals go on AROUND 7:00" 

When we arrived at the theater, the only noise was coming from behind a huge set of doors a little down the hallway. Muffled sounds of a beautiful violin echoed through the hall. We followed the music, only to be stopped by a security guard. "All those in attendance should have been in the theater over an hour ago. I'm sorry, but I can't let you in." I couldn't believe this guy was for real. "Please, I have to get in there to see (Y/N!) This may be the only shot I have. You don't understand!"  I tried reasoning with him, but he had a job to do. 

"What's going on here" a voice stuttered from behind. When we turned around it was an older gentleman. He didn't seem to impressed, and clearly witnessed the scene we were trying to put up. 
"Sir, please I have to get in ther--" "No one gets in after the doors close,I'm sorry but it's policy." The nameless gentlemen straightened out his suit jacket, and the security guard grabbed a hold of the door for him. 'Oh sure, you're allowed to go in. Like what the fuck.' 

I sat on a near by bench, clutching my laptop. I felt as if the whole world was against us. I couldn't help but feel like this was a sign that we're not meant to try and fix things. "Nothings worked out right any time I've tried to get her attention. Maybe this isn't meant to be, but I at least wanted to tell her I'm sorry, and explain. At least if I could do that, I'd get to sleep easier at night." --
"Can I ask, what business you two have being here?" I scratched at my face and looked up to a short middle-aged woman. (YC/N) took a hold of my hand dragging me up off the bench. "We're leaving now. We don't want any trouble, right Mark?"  I hung my head heavily in sorrow and silently shook my head.

I pulled my hand away from (YC/N) and followed her back down the hall way only to be stopped by the middle-aged woman again. "Your name's Mark? You wouldn't happen to be here to see (Y/N,) would you?" We stopped dead in our tracks and turned back around. The woman paiently stood there awaiting and answer, but I couldn't understand how she would link me to (Y/N.)

"Yes! Yes, I am." -- "Ah, you must be the ex boyfriend. Why exactly are you here? As I understand it, you and Miss. (Y/LN) aren't on good terms." The woman clearly knew more than she lead on. I egarly opened my laptop bag presenting her with my laptop. "I have something she needs to see."  After explaining to this woman the situation, I then proceeded to show her the video. Just like that, you could tell in her voice, her whole opinion of me and what we went through had changed.

"I have a better idea. It'll have to wait until after she gives her performance, but if this doesn't catch her attention and make her hear you out, I don't know what will. Follow me upstairs." The woman lead us down a second hallway, to a stairwell and up to the 3rd floor. We followed her lead into a door of a room over looking the entire auditorium; the stage, the jumbo tron and the audience. 
"Plug this into your laptop and pull that video up," she demanded, handing me a set of wires. 
End POV

Your POV
As Juliet Bishop played the last few notes, and hummed the last few words of the melody, the crowd began to cheer. I felt as if I was going to be sick. I never felt more nervous than I did at this very moment. "You'll do great! I know it. Sing what's in your heart."  Brookelynn wrapped her arms around me, and gave me a warm and comforting hug. When I walked out onto the stage, the spotlight on me, I looked out into the crowd. I couldn't make out a single face, but knowing there were several hundred people out there was a terrifying thought. I sat down on the piano stool, lowering the mic to my level, positioning my fingers on the piano so I can get reacquainted with the keys. 'You deserve better. It's time to let go.' I reminded myself, and I took a deep breath. 

*Cue Media* 

"Someday, you're gonna realize. 
One day, you'll see this through my eyes, 
but I won't even be there. I'll be happy somewhere,
even if I can't

I know, you don't really see my worth.
You think, you're the last guy on Earth...
Well, I've got news for you...
No I'm not that strong, but it won't take long. 
It won't take long. 

'Cause
Someday, someone's gonna love me.
The way, I wanted you to need me. 
Someday, someone's gonna take your place.

One day, I'll forget about you. 
You'll see, I won't even miss you. 
Someday.... Someday...


Right now
I know you can tell.
I'm down, and I'm not doing well. 
But one day these tears, they will all run dry. 
I won't have to cry, sweet goodbye.

'Cause
Someday, someone's gonna love me.
The way, I wanted you to need me. 
Someday, someone's gonna take your place.

Woahhh 

One day, I'll forget about you. 
You'll see, I won't even miss you. 
Someday.... I know someone's gonna be there.

Someday, someone's gonna love me.
The way, I wanted you to need me. 
Someday, someone's gonna take your place.

One day, I'll forget about you. 
You'll see, I won't even miss you. 
Someday.... Someday..."

As the song ended, the crowd clapped and cheered but little did they know how much my heart was breaking. I stood up, and bowed gracefully to the audience before making my exit stage right. "Aww, hunny are you crying!" Brookelynn brought me in again for another comforting hug. 
End POV

Marks POV

"Go, now while she's getting off the stage, that small section in front off to the left-- she'll be somewhere in there. Now go!" 

I didn't need to be told twice, although my nerves were getting to me and I felt sick there wasn't really even a moment for me to waste. I flew out the door, and down the hall as fast as I possibly could, down the stairs. 'I really hope that wasn't the way she really feels.' I was  partly blinded from my fogged up glasses. When I approached the doors, the security guard was still here blocking my way. a static infused voice came in over his walkie-talkie sounded like the woman from up stairs. "Rick, It's Ms. Umbridge. He has my approval. Let them in." 
End POV

Your POV

On my way to my seat, I managed to find my mother in the crowd, she was smiling and I waved to her. It was great to see her here but I was really surprised (YC/N) wasn't with her. 'I guess she didn't wanna come?' I took my seat with all the other first years that already preformed. Each one whispering to me about how they were really touched by my performance or confused by the change of song. I felt a sense of pride I didn't know I could feel. I felt accomplished, as if the Heaven's were smiling down on me. The feeling was completely over-powering. I just graciously thanked them, and focused my attention back on stage to watch my friend Abby North settle down at the piano. 

The first few notes of the song were cut off, and eventually she stopped playing when noise from the loudspeaker over shadowed her. I couldn't figure out what was going on, until someone pointed out there was something on the jumbo tron. 'No fucking way. Is this some kind of sick joke!?' 
When I looked up onto the jumbo tron is was a video. Not just any video. The dimly lit footage showed Mark, getting up to answer his door. My heart raced, and my mind raced even faster. The only thing quicker than that was the tears I began to shed seeing Mark on the big screen. 'What the fuck is going on!' We all watched in silence as the events within the video unfolded, only to be interrupted by a particularly loud squeak, from the back of the room made by the large doors. 

The whole audiences attention, including mine was brought to the back where 2 people made an incredibly noticeable entrance. It looked like my cousin, and walking beside her was a shorter guy, with dark hair and glasses. My heart stopped, and the feeling of wanting to puke was sensational and not in a good way. I glanced back up at the jumbo tron for a few moments, continuing to witness the events that ruined my life.  'She really did come on to him...he didn't cheat? Oh my god, he never cheated on me!' 

It was than a very warm and familiar hand took a hold of mine. 
"I hope that day never comes 'cause I don't want someone to take my place." 
His voice was like a shock back into reality. I was completely speechless. The only thing I could do to even show my happy I was, was cry. Mark crouched down to my level, and I just collapsed into him. I draped myself around him, and held him as if I never wanted to let him go because, truthfully I didn't. He held me, in his strong toned arms, and once again I felt safe. I felt the darkness fade away. Someone had found me while I was trapped, and saved me from myself. He broke our embrace only so he could whip my tears away. 

Locking eyes with him again was only something I had done in a dream up until this moment. He gentle traced his fingertips around the side of my face, and I grabbed his hand to hold it there. 
"I meant what I promised, that I'd do anything to make us work. Hopefully this proves it." 
I tearfully smiled at him, smiling back at me. "I love you, (Y/N.)" Again, I threw myself on him, wrapping my arms tight around his neck, gently embracing his lips with most passionate kiss we've ever had. I only broke away from out kiss to whisper back, "I love you too, Mark."