I opened my mouth.
Nothing came out.
Because there was a small, ugly part of me that wanted Harin to stumble.
To crack on the high note during the semifinal.
To give me the opening I needed.
And I hated that part of myself.
Trainer Song's hands stilled on the keys.
"What's stopping you?"
"I don't know what to say to him."
"You know the lyrics."
"That's not what I mean."
Harin looked at me.
Really looked.
"You want my spot," he said quietly.
Not an accusation.
A statement of fact.
"Yes."
The word came out before I could stop it.
Harin nodded slowly.
"I'd want yours too if I were fifth."
Something in my chest loosened.
Because he wasn't pretending this wasn't a competition.
Wasn't asking me to be selfless and supportive when we both knew what was at stake.
Song played the intro again.
This time, I sang.
"But look at where you're standing now. You don't have to hide your heart."
I kept my eyes on Harin.
Not the cameras. Not Trainer Song.
Just him.
