Echoes of the Spotlight

The following morning, the school was alive with chatter about the talent showcase. Every corner buzzed with praise for the performances, but one name was on everyone's lips: Arthur Virelith.

Alishia arrived early, walking through the bustling corridors with a satisfied smile. She heard snippets of conversations as she passed groups of students.

"Did you see Arthur last night? I couldn't believe it was him!"

"He looked like a completely different person! How does he hide all that?"

"Maybe he's secretly a model or something."

Alishia couldn't help but chuckle to herself. The Arthur everyone was talking about wasn't a secret to her anymore. She knew the boy behind the transformation—the quiet, reserved guy who preferred staying in the shadows.

As she approached her locker, she spotted Arthur leaning casually against the wall, his signature black hoodie pulled over his head. His crimson eyes scanned the hallway, flickering with mild irritation at the attention he was still receiving.

"Good morning, Mr. Star of the Show," Alishia teased, stopping in front of him.

Arthur sighed, pulling his hood lower. "This is why I didn't want to go up there."

"Oh, come on," Alishia said with a grin. "You were amazing, and people are just excited to know the real you."

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "The real me?"

"Well... maybe not all of you," she admitted, leaning in conspiratorially. "But the confident, capable Arthur from last night? He's pretty awesome."

Arthur's lips twitched in what could almost be called a smile. "If you say so."

Before Alishia could reply, Luke strolled up, his bag slung over one shoulder and his trademark grin firmly in place.

"Ah, there he is," Luke said, clapping Arthur on the back. "The man, the myth, the legend. How's it feel to be a school celebrity?"

Arthur gave him a deadpan look. "Awful."

Luke laughed. "You'll survive. Besides, you're making my job easier. I don't have to explain to people why I hang out with you anymore."

"Because you've explained so much before?" Arthur shot back dryly.

Alishia giggled, enjoying the playful banter between the two friends. It was refreshing to see Arthur so at ease, even in the face of the newfound attention.

The day continued with Arthur enduring curious stares and whispered conversations wherever he went. In math class, two girls sitting behind him whispered loudly enough for him to hear.

"Isn't he the guy from last night?"

"Yeah! He's so cool. Why doesn't he talk to anyone?"

Arthur's shoulders tensed, and he scribbled faster in his notebook, trying to ignore them.

During lunch, Alishia made sure to sit with Arthur and Luke, drawing some surprised looks from their classmates. She didn't care. If people wanted to talk, they could.

"You know," Luke began, his mouth full of fries, "this is probably the most people have ever cared about a tech guy at an event."

"Not helping," Arthur muttered, stabbing his salad with unnecessary force.

Alishia leaned forward, resting her chin in her hand. "You might as well get used to it. People are going to notice you more now."

Arthur frowned. "That's exactly what I didn't want."

"Well," Luke interjected, "maybe if you didn't look like an anime protagonist come to life, people wouldn't stare so much."

Arthur shot him a glare, but Alishia laughed, her laughter lightening the mood.

As the school day ended, Alishia walked home with Arthur, Max trotting happily by their side. The crisp afternoon air was refreshing, and the streets were quiet, save for the rustling of leaves in the breeze.

"I think last night was a turning point for you," Alishia said, glancing at Arthur.

"How so?"

"People got to see a different side of you," she explained. "The side I've gotten to know. And they like it."

Arthur was silent for a moment, his gaze fixed ahead. "I'm not sure I want everyone to know me like that."

Alishia tilted her head. "Why not?"

He hesitated, his expression unreadable. "It's complicated."

Alishia didn't press him, sensing that this was something he wasn't ready to talk about. Instead, she smiled. "Well, for what it's worth, I think you handled it all really well. And I'm glad you were part of the showcase."

Arthur glanced at her, his crimson eyes softening. "Thanks."

They walked the rest of the way in companionable silence, the quiet hum of the neighborhood wrapping around them like a comforting blanket.

Later that night, Arthur stood on his balcony, staring out at the city lights. His thoughts were a jumble of confusion and curiosity. The events of the past few days had forced him to confront parts of himself he'd tried to keep buried.

As the cool night air brushed against his face, he found himself wondering if maybe, just maybe, letting people see more of him wasn't such a bad thing.