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An usher handedI wished Leo could’ve been there withback in the city for tomorrow meant I could shut off my phone and watch the perforued e with Leo He’d be the cal Before, I’d cursed his cool exterior, but now I needed hi it

Parents and other orchestra buffs found their seats Pre-show chatter filled the storied roorader Once again the divergence of our lives hit me hard There hadn’t been anyone to look out forout for him

The house lights dimmed and the crowd quieted as students filed out onto the

stage Phones were pulled up, their screens filling the audience like a high-tech version of lighters calling for an encore

Tyler’s curly mop was pulled back, but I could tell it was hi out at the crowd All the other kids searched the audience frohts, but he didn’t

He didn’t think I’d co in no uncertain ter on the train Tyler would’ve covered his disappointment on our next call, but it would’ve been there

Shoving down the embarrassment that would normally keep me in my seat, I cupped“You’ve got this, Ty!”

His head shot up Even if he couldn’t find rin, he kneas there

I sat back to enjoy the perfors and praise the moment they finished

The conductor stood and they launched into the first song Orchestral versions of popular movie themes took us from the jaws of summer hysteria and horror to interstellar travel with a featchful guardians

Tyler’s heart was in every note, and his happiness radiated throughout the concert hall He wasn’t planning to become a concert cellist, but he could be Opportunities surrounded him, and tomorrow I’d be able to secure them for myself as well

Less than twenty-four hours until our lives changed forever

I led the charge to the standing ovation at the end Everytheir all into the perfor about classicalwas beautiful

Parents swarmed the aisles and kids abandoned their instruments and fanned out to find their cheerleaders in the audience I lost sight of Tyler behind the fa, and bouquets of roses handed to other students

“Zara, you cae hairstyle and bobbed as he darted down an aisle toward er than I reht He wasn’t so little anymore