"I still don’t understand why you chose photography over being a singer," Lyka exclaimed, turning to me after listening to my voice through her headphones. She asked me to add a melody to some lyrics she wrote, hoping to turn them into a full track.

"I just don’t like the exposure that much," I replied, spinning idly in the leather chair. "And if you’re planning to release this, please don’t put my name on it."

"What the heck, Moriah? What am I suppose to put in here, then?"

"I don’t know. Maybe just pretend you’re the singer?" I teased, moving behind her to watch her work on the cover art.

"I’m not doing that! I mean, I might have an ear for editing, but my voice? It’s awful!" Lyka huffed, shaking her head. "I know this will be a big hit, but I’m terrified people will ask me to perform it live. These high notes are impossible for me."

I couldn’t argue with that; the range on her track was no joke.

"Maybe just use an alias?" I suggested.

"Ooh, I love that idea! We could go for something giving a.. a ‘Sia’ vibe," she squealed, excited by the thought.

"That’ll work," I murmured, feeling a quiet pride in Lyka’s steps toward her dream.

She paused, glancing over at me. "But I still don’t get it," she said. "Don’t you think using your voice might be an easy way to get closer to Evan?"

She knew how much I wanted to meet in person that name she just dropped.

"He’s not a celebrity, Lyka," I replied, pacing slowly around her room.

"Well, yeah, but if you became famous, maybe he’d finally see you."

"That’s not how I wanted to meet him again," I murmured uneasily, reaching for my camera in my bag. I settled back on the couch near Lyka’s station, scrolling through the photographs I had taken then noticed Lyka rolling in front of me on her swivel chair.

"Look, Moriah," she said firmly. "It’s been ten freakin' years! Are you planning to become a nun? First, you ended your two-year relationship because Evan kept haunting your brain. Now you’re free! What are you going to do with this freedom if you’re not looking for him?"

I sighed and leaned back against the couch. She wasn’t wrong. I thought diving into a relationship would help me forget about Evan, but it only made things more complicated. I couldn’t understand why the memory of him and our first encounter a decade ago still lingered so vividly in my mind. It wasn’t a fairytale like everyone else’s, but the feeling I had when I first saw him was unforgettable and unlike anything else.

"Let it be, Lyka. What’s meant to be will be. We both know he’s completely out of my league. Right now, my focus is to finish my internship and get my own exhibit," I replied, meeting her gaze firmly to make my point and, hopefully, get her to stop bringing it up.

"Alright, alright," she said, backing away with a playful smirk before jumping up excitedly. "Enough of that. You did promise to come to the gig with me!" She began rummaging through her dresser, searching for something to wear.

"About that..." I started in hesitant voice, catching her fierce glare, which made me think twice. "I’ll go," I finished quickly, and she shrieked in excitement.

An hour later, Lyka and I were in her car, heading toward the city. The streetlights were just beginning to flicker on, casting their glow as the sun dipped below the horizon. Weekends brought a fresh energy, and the streets were starting to buzz as people finished up their work week. Lyka, a freelance DJ, often have booked gigs to play music in local pubs or parks, lifting people’s spirits after a long week. She asked me to help out tonight, mainly to take photos for her social media marketing.

This time, she had a gig at Greenpark, a public space that always comes alive every Friday until weekend nights with people unwinding, dancing, and celebrating.

After about thirty minutes of driving, Lyka pulled into a public parking lot near the park. Crowds were already gathering, drinks in hand, while food trucks lined up along the park’s edge, catering to the growing excitement. As I scanned the area, taking in the sights and sounds, I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket.

"Moriah, it’s almost six. I’m heading over to set up," Lyka said, balancing her equipment as she looked at me.

"Sure, I’ll catch up after this call," I replied, nodding as I picked up. "Hello?"

"Hey, Moriah!" a familiar voice chimed, bright and unmistakably upbeat. Its Gale.

"What’s up, Gale?" I asked, a little surprised by the sudden call.

Gale is working at the same university where I was completing my Master’s in Entertainment and Photography Arts. I asked him to help me find an internship that would make a solid addition to my resume for when I apply for gallery exhibitions.

"I have good news, Moriah!" he exclaimed, practically buzzing with excitement.

"Seriously?"

"Yep! I found you an internship that I think is perfect for you. And guess what?" His enthusiasm was contagious, and I couldn’t help but grin.

"The company is in Alpharise City!" he squealed.

My eyes widened. I could hardly believe it.

"Are you for real, Gale?" I asked, half-wondering if this was all a dream.

Gale is also a close friend to me, aside from giving a satisfactory photographies of him to post in his social media, my friendship grew close to him and allowed him to know about my secret past desire of Evan. So no wonder that he is also excited to mention to me the internship he got for me at Alpharise City.

The same city where Evan lives—or at least the last place I’d seen tagged in his photos, especially those posted by his sister. Yes, I even followed his little sister’s social media years ago, back in my “desperate and delusional” era. I remembered the long night Lyka and I tried to find out where he lived after he told me, in our last conversation, that he moved following his mother’s death. I never dared to ask his specific location, ofcourse, I don't want to sound like a freakin stalker! With some top-tier “investigation skills,” Lyka and I finally pieced together that he was living in Alpharise.

Back then, it felt impossibly far—a whole world away on the southwest side of the country while I was up north. Knowing he was so out of reach only made me more certain he’d always be just a memory. But now, hearing this news from Gale sparked a flicker of hope.

"I’ll give you more details on Monday. Stop by my office at nine in the morning," Gale instructed.

"Sure, I’ll see you then," I replied before hanging up.

A smile is starting to spread now across my face. I was so excited to tell Lyka, I quickly gathered my camera and lenses and hurried out of the parking lot toward her setup. But just as I was about to cross the street, my eyes caught sight of someone standing near the park entrance. He had a familiar stance, with a simple but effortlessly cool style—just like Evan. He stood near the corner with a group, as though they were waiting for someone or something. I couldn’t find to see his true resemblance because of the black hat and the shadow from it covering half of he's face and at the same time he's looking toward the other side of the road.

As I was carefully crossing the street, my focus locked on him, almost to the point of blurring everything else around me. My heart speeding up as I realize he was starting to turn in my direction. Nervously, I shifted my focus, hoping he wouldn’t catch me staring. I kept my head down, trying to appear as just another passerby, blending in without drawing attention. With each step that brought me closer to the guy standing, my memory of Evan grew stronger, the hope that it might actually be him flickering to life. Finally, as I walked past, I dare to glance back for a clearer look. But by then, he had turned away again, and all I could see was his tall frame and a casual, relaxed behind posture.

I shook my head, grounding myself back in reality. My mind was probably just playing tricks on me after hearing Gale’s news. There wasn’t time to waste; I needed to get to Lyka and get to work.

After a few minutes of searching, I finally found Lyka’s spot beside a mini stage equipped with a full set of band instruments. Lyka was fully set up, grooving along to the energetic beats she was playing. I could see the crowd around her vibing to her seamless mixes.

"Lyka!" I called out loudly to make sure she could hear me.

"Hey, Moriah! You made it! Take some shots of me here!" she shouted back, her voice cutting through the booming bass.

As I snapped a few shots of her in action, I decided to spill the exciting news. "Gale found an internship for me!" I yelled, our voices rising over the pulsing music to understand each other.

"It’s in Alpharise City!" I added. Her eyes and mouth widened in pure surprise, and I saw her silently mouth, “What?”

With a quick, smooth transition, Lyka shifted the music from a hard-hitting beat to a slower, softer tune, giving the park a moment of sweet ambiance—and, of course, making it easier for her to hear me.

She hurried over to me, curiosity written all over her face as I snapped shots of the crowd around us. "Are you serious?!" she half-whispered, barely containing her excitement. I just smile and nodded, and she squealed, throwing her arms around me in a tight embrace, nearly jostling the camera in my hands. I stood still, carefully balancing my gear as she shook me, her excitement practically overflowing.

"Oh my gosh! I can’t believe it—I’m so excited for you!" she said, nearly bouncing with energy.

"I still have to get all the details on Monday, so let’s not get too carried away just yet," I explained, trying to keep a cool head.

"Why shouldn’t I be excited? And you should be too!" she said, giving me a knowing look. "I mean, you might actually see Nevan there!"

"Alpharise is a big city, Lyka. I’m trying not to get my hopes up too high." I replied modestly. "But don’t worry, I’ll fill you in once I know more. For now, just focus on rocking this gig!" I added, gently nudging her back to her spot.

After an hour spent photographing everything happening around the park, I glanced over at Lyka’s DJ spot, only to find it empty. Curious, I walked closer to see where she might be. As I reached the backstage area nearby, I spotted her talking to a group of people who looked visibly troubled—and Lyka wore the same worried expression.

"Hey, what’s going on?" I asked, stepping toward her.

"There was supposed to be a live band playing tonight," she began, motioning toward the group behind her. "Their vocalist got into an accident and can’t make it. These guys won’t get paid unless they perform, according to their contract with the management." She frowned, clearly frustrated.

"Don’t they have a backup vocalist?" I asked.

"None of us can sing anywhere near as well as our lead vocalist," one of the musicians replied, overhearing us.

"Let’s just back out," another added, sounding defeated. "There’s no way we can do this without vocalist."

"Wait!" Lyka exclaimed suddenly, looking at me with a mischievous grin. "Moriah can sing!" she declared, pointing at me. I froze in shock.

"Whoa, whoa, Lyka, don’t!" I protested.

"Can you really sing?" one of the musicians asked, glancing at me with hopeful eyes.

"Um... I—" I stammered, clearly unprepared.

"Yes, she can! What’s your setlist for tonight?" Lyka cut in, not waiting for my answer.

"Lykaaa..." I muttered, trying to get her to stop. I was far from ready for something like this.

"Moriah, come on! No one here knows you, and they won’t remember you afterward. It’s just a casual gig," she insisted, pleading with me. "Don’t you feel bad for them? They put in the effort to be here." She added her best puppy-dog eyes, trying to tug at my conscience.

I sighed. "Alright... What songs do you guys have lined up?"

"Yes! Tell her! She’s super adaptable!" Lyka said excitedly.

"Well, we were planning to play two Imagine Dragons songs and one upbeat track from Sia," a guitarist chimed in, showing me the setlist on his phone. Luckily, I'm familiar with all the songs.

"I got it, but I think I’ll adjust the tones to suit my voice," I suggested.

"No problem! Just let us know your key, and we’ll follow," he nodded with a smile, and I noticed the other band members were suddenly looking much more cheerful.

"Guys!" a voice called out from backstage, "You’re up in five minutes."

We all nodded, and Lyka quickly grabbed my camera. "You’ve got this. Just follow their music like you do with mine—you’ll be great," she said, giving me a supportive squeeze on the shoulder. I offered a small, appreciative smile in return.

In a few minutes, I was onstage with the band I just met, and now Lyka slowly lowering her mix, giving us the spotlight.

As I descend on the stage, the cheers and applause of the crowd starting to echo around me, a mix of laughter and admiration filling the park. I felt an exhilaration that I hadn’t experienced in years, a sense of freedom I usually reserved for my quiet moments with a camera. But tonight was different—tonight I will be seen.

The minute I grabbed the mic, the familiar beat of Believer by Imagine Dragons started pounding through the speakers, matching the adrenaline surging through me. I took a deep breath, my heart racing as the drums hit, and I dove into the first verse, feeling the song build inside me. As I sang, I felt my voice grow stronger, filling the park, and from the corner of my eye, I could see heads turning, people pausing to listen.

Then the chorus hit, and I went for it—strong and raw, pushing every ounce of myself into that moment. The sound of my voice, powerful and a bit different than I’d ever heard it, took me by surprise. It got an edge, a feminine strength that I hadn’t tapped into before. People started cheering, moving with the beat, and I could feel their energy feeding back into me, amplifying my confidence with every note.

By the time the guitarist started the second song, I was in a flow I’d never experienced. I let myself sink into the music, feeling every chord, every beat. I saw people holding up their phones, capturing videos and taking pictures. Some were even singing along, others dancing, and I could sense the vibe shifting, lifting. It was like I finally stepped out of my comfort zone and found myself fully in the moment.

Then, the last song from the famous Sia. The beat picked up, intense and driving, and the whole crowd started shrieking with excitement. I let the rhythm carry me, moving to the drums and guitar, feeling like someone else, someone fearless. It wasn’t just a casual gig anymore; it was a moment where I felt invincible. The people, the lights, the music—all of it was alive around me.

As I wrapped up that final song and stepped off the stage, the applause and excitement were still echoing in my ears. I fell like I just woken up from a dream.

Stepping backstage, Lyka was waiting for me with a beaming smile, practically bouncing on her feet. “Girl, you crushed it!” Lyka exclaimed, wrapping me in a tight hug. “People are out there still talking about you! Did you see their faces?”

I just laughed, a little dazed by the rush. “I’m still processing it myself."

“You were amazing. Seriously! I bet they’re wondering who the mystery singer is,” Lyka said, her voice full of pride.

But as the excitement starting to settle, a different feeling crept up on me—a memory from ten years ago. I could still picture it clearly: Evan sitting by the steps outside the women’s dorm. He was gazing off into the distance, his face half in shadow under the evening skies, looking thoughtful and almost otherworldly. His quiet confidence had left me in awe, a feeling that is still lingering unto me even after all these years.

As I replay that memory, I suddenly felt that same spark, the one that had kept me wondering all this time. Lyka’s voice broke through my thoughts, “Hey, you okay? You just spaced out for a second there.”

“Yeah,” I replied, blinking back to the present. “Just… remembered something.”

Lyka gave me a curious look, but she quickly shrugged it off. “Well, if tonight’s any indication, I think you’re going to be just fine in Alpharise City! Now, let’s get home because I need every single detail!” She laughed, throwing her arm around my shoulders as we walked over to her setup to pack up for the night.

---

“Oh. My. Gosh!” I shouted, loud enough for Lyka to hear me even from the bathroom. “Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!” I kept exclaiming, unable to keep my excitement in check. A moment later, Lyka rushed out, wrapped in a bathrobe, a towel on her head, and her face covered in white cream.

“What is it, Moriah?” she demanded, hurrying over. Then she froze, her expression mirroring mine as she saw what I was staring at on my phone. “Wait... is that Nevan’s sister’s account?”

All I could do was nod, unable to find the words. Evan's sister just posted short clips on her Instafame Story—videos from the same park where we had our gig last night. She also have posts pictures from last night on her profile with her friends, and there was Evan, right there in the background, dressed exactly like the guy I noticed standing by the same park entrance. Same clothing, same black cap.

“So… it was really him,” I whispered, barely able to believe it.

“What?” Lyka asked, eyes wide, clearly as shocked as I was. I looked back at her, still processing the impossible coincidence.