As he finished the next to last song, I applauded numbly. He made as if to start the last song, but then he did something that I don't think anyone expected: he spoke.

"I..." he started into the hastily set up mic. "I want to dedicate this next song to the person who gave it meaning. You're so much more than what they think of you."

//Oh, God...//

I watched him begin 'Universe', but there was no way I could stay. It hurt too much. While Kai was distracted, I slipped away from our table and ran for the back of the Tavern. Hiding in the bathroom was better than breaking down in tears in the middle of the audience.

I waited until the last muted echoes faded from my hearing before stepping outside again. To my surprise, I saw Daniel practically run into his makeshift dressing room.

//Do I dare?//

I guess I did. My body started moving without direction by my mind, and I watched disjointedly as my hand crept up to timidly knock on the door.

//What am I doing what am I doing what am I doing?//

The door swung open.

Daniel stared out at me with a confused expression. I wanted nothing more right then than to pounce him and make everything the way it had been, but I was too scared that I would be rejected. I couldn't take that again, not now.

Instead, I opened my mouth to speak. "Why'd you do it?"

"It was the only way I could think to find you."

He couldn't possibly mean that. But his eyes...they told me the truth behind the words.

"Daniel...I...I'm in the book."

He let out some peculiar sound, and my forehead crinkled a bit in confusion.

"I don't know your last name."

My breath rushed in suddenly and sharply. "I didn't re..." I blinked to clear my suddenly misty eyes. "It's Hayes...Darren Hayes."