The Vanteer University Talent Show was the biggest event of the semester—second only to exam week and the epic cafeteria jollof wars.
Zara hadn't planned to attend. She didn't do crowds. But Mimi wasn't having that.
"You have to come," Mimi said, curling her hair while Zara sat on the bed in her favorite oversized hoodie, unbothered. "It's tradition. Music, lights, popcorn, unfiltered drama... also, Ace is performing."
Zara's eyes snapped up. "Wait. What?"
Mimi smirked. "Yep. He signed up last minute. No one's heard him sing before—not on campus, anyway. But the girls are already making custom shirts."
Zara blinked. "I thought he was laying low."
"Please. Even his low is still a thousand watts of charisma."
Zara stared at the floor. Something about him performing… unsettled her. Not because she didn't want to see it—but because she did.
Too much.
---
Later that night...
The auditorium was packed. Lights dimmed. Students screamed as one act after another took the stage—rappers, dancers, an overconfident guy playing the flute.
Zara stood near the back, arms folded, watching. Trying not to look like she was searching for him.
Then came the host's voice over the mic.
"Next up… a surprise entry! Give it up for… Adrian Ryder!"
The crowd was confused for half a second.
Then the curtain opened, and the confusion died.
Ace stood center stage, no hoodie this time. Just a plain white tee, black jeans, and a guitar strapped across his chest. He looked... calm. Bare. Real.
He adjusted the mic. "This is a new song," he said. "Wrote it last week. Didn't think I'd perform it but... here we are."
Zara held her breath.
Then he started to sing.
His voice was soft. Rough around the edges. Raw.
It wasn't some studio-polished hit. It was real. Personal.
Lyrics about hiding, pretending, and meeting someone who saw beyond it.
Zara's throat tightened.
The crowd didn't scream. They listened.
They felt it.
And when the last chord faded, for a moment, everything was still.
Then came the thunder.
Students stood up, clapped, whistled, chanted his name.
"ACE! ACE! ACE!"
Zara's eyes widened.
Oh no.
---
Backstage…
Ace took the water bottle Jake handed him and poured half of it on his head.
Jake grinned. "Well, that went viral in real time."
"I blacked out halfway through," Ace muttered. "Was she watching?"
"She was in the back," Jake said. "Didn't take her eyes off you."
Ace exhaled.
"Also," Jake added, "five girls tried to get your autograph. One proposed marriage."
Ace blinked. "What?"
Jake shrugged. "Campus fame is a disease. You're infected now."
Ace laughed, but then he saw her.
Zara.
Standing by the side curtain, arms crossed, eyes unreadable.
Jake patted his shoulder. "Go talk to her."
---
Outside – Near the Auditorium
Zara was already walking away when he caught up with her.
"Zara!"
She didn't stop.
"Wait—"
She spun. "You lied."
Ace froze. "I never lied."
"You said you were just Adrian. Just some guy trying to get through the semester. But you're him. Ace Ryder. Mega-celebrity