Glass Hearts [BL]-Chapter 261: Petals of a Statterred Bouquet [June’s POV]

Someone tapped my shoulder just as I finished adjusting the mic wire clipped to my dress.

"June," a girl from stage crew whispered. "You’re next. Five minutes."

Five minutes.

My stomach flipped.

"And Ren?" I asked too quickly. "Where’s Ren?"

"He’s already set up," You’re on together."

I nodded, even though my hands were shaking.

As soon as she left, I exhaled hard and pressed my palms to my cheeks.

"Bubble nibble... bubble nibble..." I muttered under my breath, doing my stupid voice warm-up. My lips buzzed.

"You can do this," I whispered to myself. "Don’t think about Ian. Don’t think about Ren. Just... sing."

I stepped out from backstage, and there he was.

Ren stood beside the keyboard, already waiting. When he saw me, his face softened immediately, like the room had quieted just for us.

"Hey," he murmured, taking my hands before I could even think. "I’m here."

My throat closed.

"I’m terrified," I admitted.

"Jellybean," he said softly. "You’re going to be amazing."

The announcer’s voice echoed faintly from the hall. "Next up, we have June and Ren, performing an original piece."

My heart slammed.

We walked onto the stage together.

The lights were blinding at first. The crowd blurred into shadows and noise. I gripped the microphone, suddenly aware of everyone.

Ren nodded at me, then played the first note.

I opened my mouth.

And nothing came out.

The room waited.

But Ren didn’t stop playing.

Ren glanced up at me, looking concerned. He just kept going, like he was holding the space open for me.

"It’s okay," he whispered. "I’ve got you."

I adjusted the mic with trembling fingers.

Then I saw them.

Ash, slipping into the front row, smiling the moment he spotted me.

And beside him....my dad.

My chest ached.

They both nodded at me.

I closed my eyes.

And I sang.

The first note came out shaky. Then the next. Then the next. The lyrics poured out like they’d been waiting inside me all along.

The room went quiet.

I’ve been holding my breath since seventeen

Walking barefoot over shattered dreams

They said love is loud, love is brave

But nobody warned me how it breaks

Ren’s fingers moved gently over the keys, guiding me forward.

I gave my heart with trembling hands

Glass-thin hopes, didn’t understand

Some people touch you just to see

How easily you fall apart beneath

The room went completely still.

I could feel it. I could feel their eyes on me.

If love is fire, mine burned too fast

Left me counting cracks from my past

But I’m learning now, slow and true

Not every hand is meant to bruise

My voice shook....but it didn’t break.

When I opened my eyes again, people were crying. Someone in the second row was holding a tissue to their face. Ash had tears running freely down his cheeks, not even bothering to wipe them away.

I felt it too....the way the song lifted me.

When the final note faded, the room went silent.

Then.....

The room erupted.

Cheers. Applause. People standing. Clapping so loud it felt unreal.

I laughed through my tears, covering my mouth as they fell anyway. I’ve never felt so exposed or alive.

Ren stood up and walked toward me. "You did it." He patted my head. "You were amazing."

And before I could process it....He kissed me.

Right there.

In front of everyone.

The room gasped.

My heart stopped.

"What..Ren..." I widened my eyes, pulling back just as the curtains began to close in a rush.

I turned, ready to ask him what the hell he was thinking.

And froze.

Ian stood at the entrance of the stage.

Holding a huge bouquet of flowers.

His face went pale.

"You kissed Ren," Ian said, staring at me like he didn’t recognize me anymore.

"In front of the whole school?"

My chest tightened.

"It’s not what you think," I said quickly. "Ian, please...just listen.."

He laughed, bitterly.

"I can’t believe I was this stupid," he snapped. "You ghosted me for two days. You blocked me everywhere. Ash literally punched me in the face.

He looked down at the bouquet in his hands,

tightening his fingers around the stems.

"I kept asking myself what I did wrong," he went on quietly. "I replayed every message. Every argument. I thought maybe I deserved it."

My chest started to burn.

"I even bought this," he said, lifting the bouquet slightly, like it disgusted him. "I wanted to apologize. I thought if I showed up, if I proved I still cared..."

His voice cracked.

Then he threw it to the floor.

The flowers scattered. Petals rolled all over the floor.

"You did all this," he shook his head, "because you were never over Ren."

"Ian, no," I begged. "That’s not true..I..I."

"And you," he turned on Ren, pointing at him. "I’m disappointed in you. You really went for June? You couldn’t help yourself?"

My chest burned.

"What are you even saying?" I snapped. "Stop talking about me like I’m an object."

But Ian had already stepped forward.

He grabbed Ren by the collar.

"Why?" Ian demanded. "Is this still about that stupid middle school thing? The girl I kissed? You held onto that grudge for years and decided to take June from me?"

My mind spun.

What girl?

Middle school?

Ren shoved his hands away. "Her name was Gina," he said sharply. "You don’t even remember her name. And this isn’t about her."

He looked straight at Ian.

"I love June," Ren said. "And you didn’t. You hurt her. You cheated on her."

"I didn’t!" Ian yelled. "I swear I didn’t."

His voice broke, and that’s when I saw it.

A tear slipped down his cheek.

He didn’t wipe it away.

"I love her," he said hoarsely. "You don’t understand how much. This isn’t some game to me."

My stomach dropped.

This wasn’t anger anymore.

This was devastation.

Ian grabbed Ren again.

"Stop!" I cried, throwing myself between them. My hands shook as I pressed against Ian’s chest. "Please don’t fight. Please...don’t hit him."

Ian stared at me.

"You’re still protecting him?" he asked quietly. "Do you love him that much?"

I opened my mouth.

Nothing came out.

He shook his head slowly, like the answer had already destroyed him.

"I can’t do this," he muttered.

Then he turned and walked away.

"Ian," I whispered. "Please don’t go like this. Just listen..."

He shook his head.

I barely made it a few steps before someone blocked me.

His sisters.

Nari stood in front of me, crossing her arms.

"We saw what happened on stage," she said. "I picked out the bouquet for you. You didn’t deserve it."

"You should’ve stayed away from my brother when I warned you to," Yuri added too. "Kissing Ren on stage? That’s not confusion, June. That’s cruelty."

"No," I cried. "You don’t understand. That’s not what happened. Please....just let me explain."

That didn’t stop them.

They were already walking away.

All of them.

I stood there, frozen, as the noise of the crowd swallowed everything.

"June!"

Ash ran up to me, panic written all over his face.

"What happened? What the hell happened?"

"I ruined everything," I sobbed, collapsing into him. "I really ruined everything, Ash."

He hugged me tightly, rubbing my back.

"Hey. Hey," he murmured. "Breathe."

Then he leaned down and whispered, "Your dad’s looking for you."

My chest tightened.

We walked toward the exit together.

Dad was standing there, smiling, looking so proud.

"You did it, honey," he said warmly. "That was beautiful. I’m so proud of you."

I forced a smile so hard it hurt.

"Thank you," I said, hugging him. "Thanks for coming, Dad."

He wore the white shirt.

"The kiss," he added gently. "Was that part of the performance too?"

My heart stuttered.

"Yes," I lied. "It was."

He nodded, squeezing my shoulder. "I just don’t want you getting hurt. But I’m proud of you."

I swallowed.

"Me too," I whispered. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"Come on," he said softly. "Let’s go home."