The lanterns lit up just after seven.
Strung across the schoolyard like floating stars, each one flickered with soft orange and gold. The crowd gathered near the stage rows of students, teachers, and even some parents.
Rose and I sat on the edge of the platform.
Feet dangling.
Her shoulder against mine.
We weren't scheduled to perform. We didn't have an act.
We were just watching the chaos unfold poorly rehearsed dance routines, acoustic duets, Hana screaming in fake horror during a comedic ghost skit.
It was perfect.
I leaned close and whispered, "Want to run away before the fireworks start?"
She tilted her head, amused. "You hate crowds that much?"
"No. I just like the idea of seeing the sky without everyone else in the way."
She smiled.
But she stayed seated.
"I want them to see us," she said.
My chest tightened not with fear, but with something deeper.
Pride. Maybe awe.
"You sure?"
Rose turned toward me fully.
"I'm tired of love being a secret."
Hana appeared from the crowd like a summoned gremlin. "You two. Get on stage."
Rose blinked. "What?"
"Couples dance segment. It's optional. But if you don't do it, I'll make a scene so embarrassing, you'll never show your faces again."
I raised an eyebrow. "You're not in charge."
"I am tonight," she grinned. "Go. Or I swear I'll play your photo booth kiss on the projector."
So we stood.
Climbed up. Took center stage.
The music started soft, mellow, some acoustic cover of a love song half the school had already used in TikToks.
And we danced.
Badly, at first.
A little stiff. A little shy.
But then Rose laughed.
And I forgot who was watching.
We didn't know the steps.
But our hands knew where to go.
Our eyes knew where to stay.
And when she leaned in, head resting against my shoulder as the lights spun above us
The crowd melted away.
No applause.
No judgment.
Just the weight of her hand on my back.
Just the way our breaths fell into rhythm.
Just the way her whisper felt like a secret meant for the stars:
"I never thought I'd get this."
I whispered back:
"You always had it."
When the song ended, we didn't leave the stage right away.
We stood there.
Bathed in light.
Holding hands.
And maybe some people cheered.
And maybe some people rolled their eyes.
But we weren't listening.
Because in that moment center stage, lanterns burning, music fading we weren't performing.
We were just in love.
And we weren't hiding anymore.