Glass Hearts [BL]-Chapter 260: Break Legs, Not Hearts [June’s POV]

The Next Day

The hallway speakers crackled to life just as I stepped through the main doors.

"Good morning, Blackwell," the announcer said, sounding really excited. "Today is the moment we’ve all been waiting for....our biennial talent showcase. Musicians, dancers, poets, performers of every kind... this is your stage. Let’s cheer loud, be kind, and remember.... break legs, not hearts."

A few students whooped. Someone clapped. My stomach dropped.

Break legs, not hearts.

Yeah. Easy for you to say.

I tightened my grip on my bag strap as I walked down the hallway, my pulse raced faster with every step.

My palms were sweaty. My mouth felt dry.

I scanned the corridors instinctively.

I have to find Ren.

I walked over to the music room.

The door was half open. He was seated at the keyboard, head slightly bowed, fingers moving easily across the keys slowly. For a second, I just stood there and watched.

Then he looked up and smiled.

"Hey, Jellybean." He lifted one hand in a small wave. "You made it."

"Yeah," I said, stepping inside. "Barely. My hands wouldn’t stop shaking."

He laughed softly. "You’d be fine."

"I don’t feel fine," I said, holding my hands up to prove it. "This is my first time performing in front of the entire school. What if I mess up? What if my voice cracks? What if I forget the lyrics and just...stand there like an idiot? I’m freaking out, Ren."

He stood up and walked toward me. "Hey. You’re going to be incredible. You’ll blow their minds away."

I swallowed. "You always sound so sure."

"That’s because I am." He smiled. "Also... you look really beautiful today."

I felt my face heat up. "Thank you."

He hesitated, then leaned a little closer, lowering his voice.

"So... have you talked to Ian yet?"

My heart skipped.

"Talked to Ian?" I repeated.

"Yeah," he said carefully. "About... us."

Us?

Us? What us?

He hesitated. "I mean... after that night...that kiss.."

My brain spiraled.

Oh God. Does he think we’re together?

It was just a kiss. Right?

Why does this feel so much bigger than it was?

"What..." I laughed nervously. "Us? Haha..wow, um..."

I backed toward the door without even realizing it. "I..uh...I have to..."

I practically fled.

And then I saw Ash by the lockers.

"Hi, Juney," Ash said, slamming his locker shut. "Tell me you’re still performing and haven’t decided to emotionally self-destruct at the last minute."

"I am," I said quickly. "I had a talk with dad. It helped."

His face lit up. "Yes! Front row. I’d cheer so loud, you might feel embarrassed.

I smiled, then sighed. "Haha. There’s another problem."

"Oh boy."

"Ren thinks there’s an us," I whispered. "He asked if I’d told Ian about us."

Ash winced. "Yikes."

"I feel terrible," I admitted. "I don’t want to hurt him."

Ash leaned against the locker, thinking. "Honestly? I think you should talk to Ian before you do anything else."

My stomach tightened. "About Ren?"

"No," he said immediately. "About everything. You’re clearly not over Ian. And I don’t think pretending otherwise is helping anyone."

I exhaled. "If I talk to Ian...you talk to Dominic."

"But..."

I snapped my fingers and stretched my arms out. "Deal?"

"June..."

"Deal?" I insisted.

He groaned. "Fine."

"Fine."

I nodded, shaking my palm nervously. "Okay. I have to find Ian before the show starts."

Ash smiled softly. "Okay. Break a leg, or whatever they usually say."

I watched him walk away, chuckling nervously.

I took a deep breath.

Okay, June. One conversation at a time.

And then I turned down the hallway to find Ian, hoping I wouldn’t lose my nerve before I found him.

My feet carried me toward the boys’ locker room.

Each step felt heavier, like the floor was pulling me back.

Just talk to him.

I stopped in front of the locker room doors, staring at the big BOYS ONLY sign.

I swallowed.

"Um, hi," I said to a group of guys hanging around outside. "Is... is Ian around?"

One of them looked me over, then nodded toward the hallway beside the lockers.

"Yeah. He’s in the next room. Talking to someone."

"Okay," I murmured. "Thanks."

My palms were damp by the time I reached the side room. The door wasn’t fully closed, just cracked enough for voices to slip through.

I hesitated.

Then leaned in.

Just a little.

Ian’s voice came first.

"I told you this would get messy, Crystal."

My stomach dropped.

Crystal?

"I didn’t plan it like this," she said softly. "You know that."

I peeked through the gap.

And there she was.

Crystal stood close to him..way too close. Her hands were on his chest.

Ian sighed, running a hand through his hair.

Then she stepped forward and hugged him.

She melted into him like it was normal. Like it was allowed.

And Ian....Ian wrapped his arms around her.

My chest tightened so suddenly I forgot how to breathe.

So this is it. This is what I was scared of seeing.

I stepped back slowly, my heart kept racing.

Please don’t cry, you’re going to ruin your makeup.

I turned to walk away... my leg slammed hard into the edge of a bench.

"Shit!" I winced in pain, biting my lip.

The sound echoed louder than I meant it to.

Inside the room, I felt movement.

My pulse spiked.

I didn’t wait to see if the door opened.

I limped away, forcing my steps to stay steady even as my eyes burned.

My leg throbbed. My chest hurt worse.

I didn’t look back.

So this is it. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

No explanations.

No "we need to talk."

No dramatic goodbye.

Just seeing him choose someone else without even knowing I was watching.

I’d come here ready to be honest.

Ready to finally say the words out loud.

And now there was nothing left to say.

I leaned my forehead briefly against the cold wall and closed my eyes.

Get it together, June.

You’re about to sing.

You can fall apart later.

But my heart didn’t listen.

It replayed the image again and again....his arms around her.

I’d been holding onto something that already slipped through my fingers.

I straightened up, wiped my palms on my skirt, and inhaled slowly.

If I cried now, I’d ruin my voice.

Noting must ruin my performance today.