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“Because.” I sigh and try to still my thumping nerves. “Finn and Diesel are going to teach me how to dance, and I really,reallydon’t need an audience. Even if it’s just my father.”

“Just my father,” he scoffs before closing his books and standing. “I get it. I’ll be in the back if you need anything. The speakers and mic are on, and I sent you the file with the song you asked for this morning.”

“Thanks,” I say, heart drumming in my chest. Dad grabs his things before heading to the back. When I asked my dad if we could use Kit’s to rehearse, I ended up telling him the truth about my entire relationship with Axel. He was so understanding. Almost too understanding. I forgot how nonjudgmental and easy to talk to he is. It’s been really nice having him back in my life.

“So,” I say, removing my jacket. Finn and Diesel have already removed theirs and are waiting by the front of the stage. “Where do we begin?”

They exchange glances and I mentally prepare myself to be let down, gently.

“Can we talk first?” Finn asks.

“Sure.” I swallow before clenching my jaw.Relax, Jamie.They said talk. They haven’t walked out.Yet.

The three of us sit at a table. The same one we sat at the night we met. They continue to exchange glances and I continue to wait for someone to say something, tapping my fingers quickly and obnoxiously on the table. I force myself to stop and, instantly, my knee begins to thump.

“The thing is,” Diesel begins. “We’re Axel’s friends, and I know this is something you’re doingforAxel, and we respect that, but it also feels like we’re going behind his back a bit.”

“He asked us if we wanted to perform at the winter formal with him and we said yes, obviously, not only because we’re always down to perform together but because we’re already going to be there—for you. But then…” Finn’s words trail off and he sighs, like he doesn’t want to say the next thing. “When he asked to rehearse today, we had to lie and say we couldn’t meet up until later. And it felt really shitty lying to him.”

I suck in my lips before releasing a nervous breath. “I’m sorry if you feel like I’ve put you in a difficult position. But I promise I won’t take up too much of your time. I’ll work really, really hard today and then I’ll rehearse on my own. I just really need your help. Like, really bad.”

“Really?” Diesel asks. Diesel and Finn laugh, and it’s clear they’re laughing with me, not at me, so I allow myself to join in.

“I screwed up with Axel,” I continue. “Repeatedly. And in so many ways. It’s not enough for me to say I’m sorry. It’s not even enough for me to tell him I love him. I need to show him how I feel, and it needs to be this big, public gesture because I don’t just want Axel to know how I feel, I want everyone to know.”

“We get it,” Finn says. “We’re just not sure if we can choreograph an entire dance in one afternoon. Especially since…”

“We’re working with a novice,” Diesel says, diplomatically.

“I may be a novice but I’m a really good student. I take direction well and I really want this.”

They look at one another again and smile. “Okay,” Finn says. “Did you pick a song?”

“I did,” I say, nodding enthusiastically. “One that holds great meaning. My dad already mixed it for us.”

“What do you mean by mixed it?” Diesel asks, their dark eyebrows scrunched.

“The idea is that you and Finn will begin the performance, and when the first chorus comes on, I’ll get on stage and sing my own version of the chorus. Which will be a declaration of love.” Finn and Diesel look at one another a bit apprehensively. “My dad manages this place and has access to karaoke versions of almost every song, plus he’s sort of like a low-key sound engineer. He faded out Dua Lipa’s voice and blended it with the karaoke version just in time for the chorus so that I could be heard loud and clear.”

“What happens after you sing your version of the chorus?” Finn asks, studying me like I’m a person who is clearly in over their head.

“The song will return to status quo and I’ll dance with you or—and this is what I’m hoping for—Axel will pull me off stage and we’ll kiss and make up.”

“She’s been drinking the delulu potion,” Diesel says, smothering another laugh.

“I have been. But I believe a little bit of delusion is necessary to make things happen.”

“So, let me get this straight,” Finn interjects. “We’re going to choreograph a dance that you may or may not join us on stage for? But you’re definitely going to sing your own chorus that we’re supposed to just pretend is normal and dance through?”

“Exactly.” I nod, plastering on a confident smile.

“Clearly she meant big when she said big,” Diesel says to Finn.

“It’s…different.” Finn shakes his head slightly.

“This has to be perfect…for Axel. So, you still in?” I ask, biting on my lower lip. “I know it’s a bit more than I’d originally pitched, but it’s really,reallyimportant to me.”

“Yeah. We’re in,” Finn says. “Not only for you, but because wereallywant to see Axel happy again.”