I bow, and then I hear the chairs screech. Glancing up, I see them all standing.
Wiping their eyes.
And then theyclap.
My hands go to my mouth to muffle my sobs. A smile breaks out behind my hands, even though I know I'm supposed to keep a professional face on stage.
"Well done," one of them says.
Standing there, I look out, my hands falling to my sides when I still see no Roman.
Where is he?
I glance over my shoulder, hoping to see him backstage, but he isn't there either.
"Luna?" I turn around, seeing the panel staring at me.
"Yes?" I clear my throat, putting on a small smile.
"This might be a little premature," a man says, glasses perched on the tip of his nose, "but I wanted to welcome you to Julliard."
My eyes go wide, and I turn toward Leona. She's wiping tears from her face, and all she does is give me a slight nod.
My throat releases a small cry, my legs shaking as his words hit me.
I'm in.
"Thank you. Thank you so much," I cry.
They sit back down, giving me a small smile.
I can't contain my sobs, so I give them a wave and run off the stage.
"Oh my God," I cry, running toward the dressing room in the back. I grab my black t-shirt, burying my face in the soft fabric. "I'm in." My shoulders shake as emotions run through me. Euphoria, so much damn excitement, and shock. But more than anything, I feel a hint of disappointment fraying the edges.
Where is Roman?
I frown, tearing out of my clothes as fast as I can. I slip into a pair of jeans and my shirt, which grow damp with splotches of tears. I put everything into my bag, switching out my slippers for a pair of tennis shoes.
It's after nine now. He should be here. Unless he's sick and he couldn't make it. But he sounded fine last night before he went into work.
I wipe my tears, releasing my hair from my bun as I walk out. It's busy on the streets, crazier than normal as I hail a cab. The streets are crowded, people rushing up and down the sidewalks, walking across the streets like everyone is in a hurry.
What's going on?
A cab pulls to the curb, and I hop in, giving him the directions to our apartment.
"Do you know what's going on outside?"
He barely looks over his shoulder, giving me a small shake of his head.
I frown, sitting back in the worn gray seats as I watch chaos ensue around me.
Something iswrong.
I roll down the window as we drive, a wave of smoky air hitting me in the face. I cough on it, waving my hand in my face and roll the window back up.
"Wait, what is that?" The cabbie slams on his brakes as we hit dead stopped traffic. Cars are honking, people are standing in the middle of the streets.