"Ten minutes until showtime."

My heart was climbing up my throat. People clustered around me, wether it was last minute sound checks, touching up makeup, or just patting my back. None of it helped. None of it was really sincere, just hollow - I needed Ally. She always knew what to say when I was about to have a breakdown like this, right before a show. It was really the only time I listened to her poetic jabbering. But it always soothed my worries, handing me a cloth to pat down all of my sweat. Always there for me…It was nice.

But now, I was pretty sure nothing could ever calm me down. I was going on opening on the Olympics - The Olympics. Just hearing it in my own mind sounded crazy. Austin Moon, playing before the Olympics. I had really made it.

"FIVE MINUTES, people!"

My feet were itching as a lady with rough hands shoved a headset around my ears, slapping me on the back. "Good luck, kid." Still not Ally.

My fingers were clenched tightly as someone pushed a guitar into my arms. A glossy, cherry red color that matched my tie, with strings so clean and clear they rang even when you grazed your hand across. I plucked mutely at the D string, the opening note to the song I was about to sing. One that Ally wrote. You can do this, Austin, I can almost hear her soothing voice. There's a reason you're up here. You're great, and you're going to do just fine.

Oh, how my heart ached to see her -

"Austin! Hey, Austin!"

I snapped my head around, as a very familiar voice filled my ears. It wasn't! I loosened the grip on my guitar handle, letting the straps hang low around my shoulders. Then, I saw her - Ally, in the gorgeous crimson dress that nearly fitted the color of my tie. Why was she here? But I was so happy to see her briskly walking towards me, I didn't even realize I was grinning ear to ear. My heart was beating faster now, but I don't think it was because I was nervous.

"Ally!" I called, finally facing her. Her kohl-lined eyes brought out the caramel specks in her vivid stare, and I could smell the fruity scent of her strawberry lipgloss that always made me dizzy - Woah, woah, Austin. Get it together. "I thought you were supposed to be in the audience!"

"THREE MINUTES."

"I was," she said, staring at her heels. Was Ally blushing? "But I just - I just wanted to wish you good luck, Austin. You're going to do great."

My cheeks were growing flustered as well. "Thanks, Ally," I said, bracing myself for a legendary pep talk. Motivation speech. Something inspirational to get me out there. One, two seconds, she was silent, and there was nothing.

Finally, Ally looked up through thick lashes, staring right into my eyes - my heart jumped - and, breathing it, with a slight hesitation, she leaned in and pecked me right on the mouth. For that brief moment, I felt light headed, feeling Ally's lips against mine, breathing in her almond scented shampoo. Ally Dawson was kissing me, and I kissed her back.

And then it was over as quickly as it had started. My cheeks are probably flushed as red as my guitar, and she can't meet my gaze. I'm worried for a second, thinking maybe that she regretted kissing me, but then I see her smiling. "Good luck, Austin," she says in the sweetest voice.

Then Ally disappeared back into the crowd.

A thin man put his hand on my shoulder, jarring me back to real life. "Showtime, Moon," he says. And I nod. Because I'm ready.

It was the best pep talk yet.