First Break

The world had felt different ever since that conversation outside the café.

Rae couldn't stop replaying it—Xander's teasing tone, the way he'd leaned back in surprise when she denied Milo being her boyfriend, the way Milo had never approached. She hadn't seen him since. Not really. They passed each other in hallways, shared scenes during rehearsal, even stood next to each other in cast photos. But there was something different. Something heavy and quiet and missing.

Milo was quieter now. He'd stopped waiting for her outside class. And that part stung most of all.

Rae knew something was wrong. But every time she thought about saying something, Vivienne's voice would snap in her head: Stay focused, Rae. This is your break. Don't get distracted.

The problem was, Rae didn't feel like she was breaking into anything. She felt like she was breaking apart.

---

Milo sat on the bleachers of the empty auditorium, staring at the script in his lap like it was written in another language. Lines blurred together. His thoughts were somewhere else. Somewhere a little darker.

"You alright, man?" Grayson's voice echoed in the space as he jogged up the aisle, guitar slung across his back. "You ghosted me all weekend."

Milo didn't look up. "Sorry. Just… needed time."

Grayson plopped down beside him. "Still thinking about what Rae said?"

Milo gave the faintest nod. "It's dumb. I know it is. She didn't say anything cruel. She just… clarified."

"That she doesn't see you like that?"

Milo swallowed. "Exactly."

Grayson leaned back, resting his elbows on the bleacher behind him. "Look, man, you don't have to pretend like that doesn't suck. I saw your face when you told me. You care about her. More than you admit."

"I just wish I didn't," Milo muttered.

Grayson let the silence settle for a beat. Then, softly, "You ever gonna tell her?"

"No." Milo's answer was immediate, hard. "There's no point. She made it clear. And besides…" He hesitated. "I've got bigger stuff to deal with."

Grayson raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"

But Milo didn't answer.

---

The next morning, Rae found Milo pacing outside rehearsal, script rolled tight in his hands like he wanted to crush it.

"Milo," she called.

He paused. Blinked. "Hey."

"You okay?"

He shrugged, trying to play it off. But his shoulders looked heavier today. And his eyes had that stormy look again—the one he had the day they first met, when he said he was just doing this 'deal' to help out at home.

"You don't look okay," she said gently.

Milo didn't respond.

"Hey." She stepped closer. "Talk to me."

He hesitated. Then finally, almost reluctantly, he said, "My mom called this morning. Said my dad reached out."

Rae blinked. "Your…?"

"Yeah." His voice was bitter. "The guy who disappeared five years ago like we were just a bad habit he was quitting."

"Oh," she breathed.

"He wants to talk. Said he's 'proud' of me. That he saw my name in some stupid article about you and thought he should reach out." Milo scoffed, voice thick. "Now that there's a camera involved, I'm suddenly worth showing up for."

Rae reached out, gently taking the crumpled script from his hands. "Milo…"

"I almost quit this whole thing today." His voice cracked slightly. "I told myself it wasn't worth it. I'm just tired. Tired of pretending this is all okay."

Rae stepped forward and pulled him into a hug without thinking. He stiffened for a second, then melted into it, forehead resting against her shoulder. For a moment, neither of them said anything. Just stood in the middle of the hallway, holding pieces neither of them had the words for.

"You don't have to pretend with me," she said softly.

Milo laughed, but it was hollow. "I kinda do. That's what this gig is, right? Smiling for cameras. Pretending we're all fine."

Before Rae could say anything, heels clacked on the tile behind them.

Vivienne's voice rang out like a siren: "There you two are."

They jumped apart.

Vivienne was already snapping pictures on her phone. "Gorgeous. The headline writes itself. On-screen couple comforts each other off-camera. Chemistry rumors swirl." She tapped away furiously.

Rae blinked. "You're kidding, right?"

Vivienne didn't look up. "Do I look like I'm kidding?"

Milo's jaw clenched. Rae stepped in front of him.

"You don't get to use moments like that," she said sharply.

Vivienne arched a brow. "I use everything. That's the job. And it's the price of playing in the big leagues, sweetheart."

"I'm tired of being used," Rae snapped.

Vivienne didn't flinch. "Then don't let yourself be."

The words hung in the air like a slap.

Vivienne sighed. "Take five. Both of you. Cool off. But don't forget we have rehearsal in ten."

She turned on her heel and strutted off.

Milo watched her go, then looked at Rae. "She's not wrong, you know."

"About what?"

"You letting people use you." His eyes were calm, but his voice carried a weight. "Vivienne, the press, even Xander. You let them twist your words or your life for attention."

Rae looked down. "It's complicated."

"No, it's not." Milo's voice softened. "If you don't want to be used, then don't let them. Say no. Push back."

She glanced up at him. "Is that what you're doing?"

He hesitated. "Trying."

Something shifted in Rae's expression. "Milo…"

He looked away. "I should go get ready."

She watched him walk down the hall, wishing he would just say what she already feared. That things between them had changed. That she'd hurt him without meaning to.

That maybe, she wasn't the only one who'd fallen—and that he wasn't going to catch her anymore.

---

That night, Rae scrolled through her phone in her room, unable to sleep. Headlines were already spinning:

"Are Rae and Milo Officially Official?"

"Heartfelt Moment Caught on Camera – Young Stars Share Emotional Bond."

She threw her phone onto the bed.

Her heart ached, not just because of what the world was saying, but because of what she hadn't said.

She opened her messages. Typed: Hey. Can we talk?

But then she stared at the blinking cursor and deleted it.

Down the street, Milo sat on Grayson's porch with his guitar in his lap, fingers playing a song he hadn't shown anyone.

Grayson came outside with two sodas and handed him one. "You gonna tell her how you feel?"

Milo plucked a few quiet chords. "No."

"Why not?"

"Because I already know how it ends."

Grayson frowned. "She cares about you."

Milo shook his head. "Not like I care about her."

The stars above blinked silently. Milo strummed a soft melody, the kind you only play when no one's listening.

He sang under his breath—just a line. Just enough.

"You said I was just a friend / But I'd stay until the end…"

Grayson closed his eyes, knowing Milo wasn't just writing songs anymore.

He was writing confessions.