The show started in less than an hour.
It was silent on the car ride to the opera house. After their last conversation, neither of them were sure what to say to one another. Nathaniel pulled up to the back entrance, pulling the keys from the ignition. They both exited the car and walked inside.
Inside was brightly lit, people buzzing around and making last minute preparations. Nathaniel breezed through the mass, Hagi following closely behind. He led him to a room in the far back, gesturing for him to go inside the open door. Hagi stepped in, looking around.
"I'll leave you here with Mady. She's going to get you set up for the stage," Nate explained briefly before disappearing elsewhere.
"Hello!" a bubbly voice spoke. Hagi turned around, the girl catching him off guard. She was a curvy girl, with brunette hair that was styled into a pixie cut. Hagi stood there, unsure of what to say or do. Mady pushed him into a chair, adjusting him to face the mirror.
"Oh my, your hair is gorgeous! What do you use on it?," Mady gushed as she ran a comb through it.
"Nothing really…," he responded. Mady examined him, sensing his anxiousness.
"Do you really want to be here?," she asked. Hagi dropped his head.
"I'm not a big fan of attention," he responded, "But he allowed me a place to stay so it was the least I could do."
Mady set the comb down, turning him slightly to face her.
"I know he might come off as a bit of a douche-bag… but deep down, he's a really nice person. If you have a problem, you should just tell him. Don't do what will make him happy. Do what makes you happy. He can't read your mind, you know."
Hagi was left speechless. She had a point. Mady gave him a kind smile, facing him towards the mirror once more.
"It's already curly, so that saves me some trouble. Hmm, maybe we can pin some hair back like this…," she muttered. She took a few loose curls and pinned them behind his head, leaving a few locks of hair to trail down his back.
"I'm going to have all the ladies wanting you after this!," she smirked proudly. Hagi couldn't help but to smile.
Nathaniel walked up to the dressing room, rapping furiously on the door.
"Are you done? We have five minutes until show time!"
"Don't get your panties in a bunch!," Mady snapped as she opened the door, stepping out. Nathaniel gasped, examining Hagi from head to toe. He wore a white flowing shirt, partially buttoned to expose his chest, fitted black pants, and brown boots. He grabbed the base of his cello tensely, ready to get this night over with.
"Mady, he looks-!"
"I know I know, you can thank me later," Mady smirked before breezing off. Nathaniel put a hand on his back, giving him a confident smile.
"You ready?," he asked.
Hagi took a deep breath, trying to fight off another dizzy spell. He gave him a shaky smile.
"As ready as I'll ever be," he responded. Nathaniel patted his back and escorted him to the stage.
"Break a leg!," he cheered, before letting the curtain fall. Hagi strolled to the chair, sitting down. As he was getting situated, lights flooded the stage, revealing the huge audience in front of him.
He took another deep breath to calm his nerves, placing his bow across the strings. His fingers did the rest of the work. He played and played, letting his emotions overtake him and engulf him. He saw Saya smiling in his thoughts, ushering him to play on. Everyone watched on in awe, the graceful melody filling their very hearts.
Hagi finally finished, bowing his head. The audience stood up, giving him a roaring ovation. He stood up, walking backstage.
The first person that greeted him was Nathaniel. He embraced him in a bone cracking hug.
"You were magnificent!," Nathaniel exclaimed.
"Thank you," Hagi responded. He suddenly felt weak. His vision was swimming in and out of focus. He needed to find somewhere to rest…
"Hagi? Hagi, do you hear me? They want an encore, go back onstage!," he commanded, practically shaking him.
His words were sounding more and more distant. He couldn't fight the warnings any more. Hagi sank to his knees, darkness finally engulfing him.
