Adrian sat cross-legged on the sun-dappled floor of, gently stroking the velvety fur of a tiny black kitten nestled in his lap. The little feline kept nuzzling his hand and resting its head on his palm as if sensing his unease. With each gentle purr, a tiny flicker of warmth spread through Adrian's chest, anchoring him to the present moment—if only briefly.
He chuckled softly as the kitten batted at his fingers with its delicate paw. "You're really trying to keep me sane, huh?" he murmured.
The truth was, Adrian had been on edge for days now. The results of the Celestrove auditions were only three days away, and his nerves were beginning to get the better of him. The past four days had felt like a fever dream of overthinking, late-night self-doubt, and barely contained hope. Every tick of the clock reminded him that his dream—his real chance—was dangling just beyond reach, resting in the hands of strangers who had watched him perform only once.
