"Time and chance reveal all secrets." -Delarivier Manley

Good luck on your play, Gabrielle! -H💋

☔︎・☔︎・☔︎

It's been a month since we found out that Xander and Maddie are dating. I had a hard time coping for the first week that I found out. I know I don't have the right to feel this way because I'm not even his girlfriend or his ex. I'm just someone who admires him.

I'm really, really grateful that I have friends like Faith, Sunshine, and Danica. They helped me move on. They reminded me of all the other things I have to do and I wouldn't be able to accomplish them if I kept sulking.

I focused on the play for the last month. Yes, I saw Xander and Maddie a lot but I chose to set aside my feelings and focus on the play which is my responsibility.

As for Jay, we haven't spoken again after what happened. He's been avoiding me and I don't have the confidence to talk to him too. He's been my best friend for a long time and I can't believe we fell apart that fast.

Shine didn't bring up that day though. She hasn't been talking to Jay either but Shine and I are okay.

Today is the last practice before the play's opening night tomorrow. Everyone is busy preparing the stage. I'm also busy making a few touchups to the acting of the actors.

"Dust." The actor playing the lead role sighed. "I know you can hear me. I wanna say thank you to you too. Thank you for everything that you have done."

"You made me smile, laugh, and you sacrificed yourself for me." He wiped his tears.

"I love you, princess Aine Dust Wimzy, " he said, full of emotion. "Also known as my Dust, " he ended.

Everyone cheered for we had a perfect run. There were no more errors. No one stuttered, no one tripped and no one forgot their lines.

"Good job! I'm so proud of each and every one of you, " our adviser said. "Especially our director, " she said which made everyone cheer for me.

I stood up and bowed for them. "Not one bit did you let me down, Gabbie. Thank you, " she said and that made me smile.

"Looks like everything is set for tomorrow." She looked around the stadium. "You can all go home a bit earlier today. Actors, rest well and give them the greatest show they have ever seen tomorrow, " she said and all of us agreed.

After that, people started shifting on their seats. Some already left and some are taking their sweet time.

"I'm so proud of you, Gab, " Faith said, hugging me.

"Thank you, love, " I said, tightening our embrace.

"You should be a professional director, I swear, " she said.

I chuckled before getting out of her embrace. "I love directing, Faith but designing is my calling."

"What do I expect? You are Lianna Tyler's daughter." She shrugged.

"And you should be an actress, " I replied.

She furrowed her eyebrows. "Why?"

"You are Hope Taylor and Ethan Ferrer's daughter." I shrugged.

Both of us laughed after that. We used to make fun of our parent's jobs because they seem impossible to reach like what are the odds that you'll end up in a famous person's family, right?

"Let's go," I said, slinging my bag on my arm. Faith did the same.

We walked together until we reached the school's exit and just like before, I watched her get inside Ian's car and leave.

I stood there to wait for my dad again. I hate it when I just stand here looking like a fool but I don't have a choice.

"Hey, Gabbie," someone called. I looked at the person and saw Xander calling me from inside his car.

"Xander," I replied.

"I'll take you home," he said, getting out of his car and opening the passenger seat for me.

I was about to say yes when I remembered that he was dating Maddie.

"I'm fine. You should go," I said.

"Why? I mean, this is not like the first time I'm taking you home," he said.

"I don't think your girlfriend Maddie would like it if you took me home," I said, surprised that I was able to say it directly without stuttering.

"Maddie is–"

"Ariel, let's go!" my dad called, making Xander and me look at him.

"Bye," I told Xander before walking over to Dad's car and watching Dad drive away, not once glancing back at Xander.

☔︎・☔︎・☔︎

"Is everyone in their places?" I asked the junior who is in charge of the wardrobe changes.

"Yes, boss," she answered, making me chuckle.

"We'll start in ten minutes," I informed and she nodded as a response.

After that, I walked over to the sound booth where I'll be staying together with the crew in charge of sounds and effects.

"I am so nervous," I told the guy who is in charge of the sound effects.

He chuckled. "We have done this so many times, Gabbie. We'll get through this," he said and I smiled.

"We'll start in ten minutes so play the intro and narration after ten, okay?" I said and he nodded.

I looked around the auditorium. A lot of students came and some parents also attended. Every time we make a play, lots of people attended which is why we wanted to do different shows on a daily basis. I think we showcase two or three stage plays a year. I've starred in some but most of the time, I am the director or part of the crew.

This year, we're planning to show four plays as most of our club members are graduating including me and we just want to make this last year memorable before we go to college. This is the second stage play of the year. I directed the first and now, the second. For our third, I want to get the role of the antagonist. I haven't played a villain before so I think it'll be a fun experience. As for our last, I want to star in it or just get a supporting role. I want to be on stage and not on the sidelines.

I then felt my phone vibrating in my pocket, breaking me out of my reverie. I fished it out then checked who texted. I was shocked to see a message from my secret admirer. He hasn't texted me for a long time.

This will be one of your greatest shows, I can feel it. Meet me backstage after the play? I think I'm ready now. -Your Secret Admirer ♡

"Ladies and gentlemen." The pre-recorded intro started. I hid my phone and focused on the stage. "Please take your seats as the show is about to begin."

I took a deep breath and wore my headset. I hope everything will go as planned.

☔︎・☔︎・☔︎

"To the Performing Arts Club," our adviser said, raising her glass.

"To the Performing Arts Club," we said, raising our glasses filled with softdrinks.

We had an amazing show. It was literally so perfect I could cry. For the past four years that I've been in the club, these two shows are the best and we hope the third and fourth will be great as well.

We congratulated ourselves for another couple of minutes before we decided to clean the backstage a bit for we have another show tomorrow.

"Your family's waiting for you, sis. Aren't you gonna exit?" Faith asked when she saw me sit on one of the chairs in front of the vanity.

"I will in a bit. I'm just waiting for someone," I answered.

She furrowed her eyebrows. "Who?"

"I'll tell you tomorrow," I said.

"Okay, Gab. Close the lights before you leave," she reminded. I nodded and waved at her goodbye.

I looked at my phone. He hasn't texted me again. I sighed. He better show up or else we'll have problems.

"Hey, Brielle," someone said from behind which made my heart race.

I turned around and saw Xander holding a bouquet of pink magnolias.

"X-Xander," I said, my eyes widened.

He walked towards me and handed me the bouquet. I just stared at him with my eyes wide open.

He chuckled. "You look cute, Brielle."

"You're m-my secret a-admirer?" I asked.

He smiled and moved his face closer to mine. I had to back away a bit because he was so close that he could hear me breathe.

"Yes, Gabrielle. I'm your secret admirer."