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The storm had passed.
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But the echo still followed her.
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Naomi moved through the halls like someone stepping into a new song—different rhythm, unfamiliar key. People looked at her longer. Some nodded in awe, others whispered. She didn’t flinch. She didn’t slow down.
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She was used to being *seen*.
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Now, she was being *heard.*
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And it changed everything.
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Her solo had cracked something open. The reactions were immediate: quiet awe, admiration, envy. Someone even asked if she had a Spotify link. A few classmates glanced at her like she was someone they hadn’t truly known before.
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But none of that stayed with her.
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What stayed was Levi’s face.
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The way he’d looked at her—shocked, quiet, shaken. No guitar. No lines.
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Just silence.
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---
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He was waiting for her outside the practice hall.
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“Naomi—can we talk?”
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She paused. Part of her wanted to keep walking.
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But something in his eyes—not fear, not charm, but **earnestness**—made her stop.
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She nodded once. “Five minutes.”
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They sat on the back stairwell, where old flyers curled against the railings and music majors had once argued over chords.
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Levi ran a hand through his hair. “I wasn’t avoiding you. I was actually sick. Fever, sore throat. I didn’t think missing one rehearsal would become—”
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He stopped.
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Naomi raised an eyebrow. “A song?”
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Levi sighed. “Yeah.”
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“It wasn’t just a song, Levi. It was everything I hadn’t said.”
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His voice was quiet. “I figured that out when the second verse hit.”
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She didn’t smile.
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---
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A heavy silence.
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Then he said, “I didn’t agree to perform with Maya. She put our names down, and I… froze. I didn’t say yes, but I didn’t stop her either. That was cowardly. I see that now.”
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Naomi crossed her arms. “It wasn’t just about Maya. It was about you choosing *nothing.* Saying *nothing.* You left me to figure it all out in front of everyone.”
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“I didn’t mean to.”
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“But you did.”
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He looked away, swallowing hard.
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“I’m not used to feeling unsteady,” he said. “With you, I’m always off-balance—and maybe I was afraid of what that meant.”
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She didn’t respond right away.
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Then: “You were afraid of the music.”
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“I was afraid of *you*,” he admitted.
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Naomi blinked.
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“I’ve never let anyone in like that. Not through music. Not emotionally. With you… it wasn’t rivalry. It was connection. And that scared me.”
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She studied him. The realness in his tone. The vulnerability in his posture.
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But something had shifted.
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“You don't get to ask for all of me if you’re only willing to give pieces of yourself,” she said.
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Levi looked down, silent.
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“I can’t keep performing in a duet where I don’t know what key we’re in,” she added gently.
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He nodded.
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And that was all.
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Later, as she was packing her things, Ms. Arinze approached her.
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“You’ve gotten the judges' attention,” she said. “They’ve requested a solo performer from our division. One with original material.”
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Naomi's breath caught. “They want me?”
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“They want *that song.* If you’re ready.”
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Naomi didn’t hesitate this time.
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“I am.”
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---
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That night, Naomi stood on the porch beneath a quiet sky, her earbuds playing her recorded track.
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Her voice was a little rough. Her piano work not flawless.
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But it was hers.
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She closed her eyes and leaned into the music—not to escape, but to *own* it.
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She didn’t need harmony anymore.
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Not to feel powerful.
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Not to feel whole.
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💬 So… Levi opened up, but Naomi didn’t back down.61Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5gQJB7xSd
Do you think they’ll find harmony again, or is Naomi better off solo?
I’d love to hear your thoughts — feel free to share your favorite line or moment! 🎶💔
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