My Match | ??

The theater was packed, the energy in the air electric. The soft hum of excited chatter and the smell of freshly applied hairspray filled the space as parents, friends, and teachers took their seats. Victoria could feel the weight of the night pressing on her shoulders, her nerves bubbling beneath the surface. This recital meant everything to her—it was her moment to prove to herself, to her mom, and maybe even to Chase, that she was more than just the girl they saw in the hallways. She was a ballerina, a performer with the kind of grace and strength that could captivate an audience.

She stood backstage, her body tense as she adjusted the delicate fabric of her tutu and checked her makeup one last time. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she fought the urge to let her nerves take over. The last few weeks had been a blur—between the trip, the growing closeness between her and Chase, and the ongoing battle within her, she hadn't had much time to think about the recital. But now, standing backstage with the lights flashing through the curtains, everything felt real. She had to do this. For herself.

Her thoughts wandered to Chase, who had promised he'd be here. The thought of him sitting in the audience watching her dance—really *seeing* her—made her both excited and terrified. Would he think she was good enough? Would he understand the blood, sweat, and tears that had gone into every step she'd taken?

Before she could dwell on it any longer, the stage manager called her name. Her heart leaped into her throat as she took one last deep breath and stepped into the wings.

The music began, soft at first, then swelling with intensity as she took her position at the edge of the stage. Every fiber of her being came alive as she moved, her body following the rhythm effortlessly, her feet gliding across the polished wood floor as she poured everything into her performance. The audience melted away, leaving only the music, her movements, and the fire inside her. It was everything she'd dreamed of.

And in the middle of it all, she could feel his eyes on her. She didn't have to look—she *knew*. She knew Chase was there, watching her with pride, seeing her not just as the girl he had fallen for, but as the ballerina she was meant to be.

When the music came to its final crescendo, Victoria held her last position, chest rising and falling with exertion, the echoes of her movements still ringing in the air. She took a deep breath, the audience's applause sweeping over her in a wave of relief and exhilaration. It wasn't perfect—there had been moments of hesitation, slight missteps—but in that moment, none of it mattered. She had given it everything she had.

As she took her bow, her eyes immediately searched the crowd. There, near the front, stood Chase. His eyes locked on hers, and when he caught her gaze, he smiled—the kind of smile that was all warmth and adoration. Her heart swelled with emotion, and she couldn't help but grin in return.

After the performance, backstage was a whirlwind of congratulatory hugs, excited chatter, and the quiet buzz of exhaustion setting in. Victoria was still floating on a cloud of adrenaline when she heard a familiar voice calling her name.

"Tori!" Chase's voice rang out above the noise. He appeared at the entrance to the backstage area, holding a bouquet of white roses in his hand. His face was lit with pride, his eyes shining with admiration.

Victoria's heart skipped a beat as she walked over to him, her legs still a little shaky from the performance. He handed her the flowers, the soft scent of the roses immediately filling the air between them. Her fingers brushed against his as she took the bouquet, her smile widening.

"You were incredible," Chase said, his voice full of sincerity. "You're amazing, Tori. I'm so proud of you. You killed it out there."

Her eyes shimmered with emotion, and for a moment, she felt like the rest of the world had faded away. It wasn't just the praise—it was the way he looked at her, the way his words made her feel seen, understood, and validated. She had never felt more *real* than in this moment, standing before him with the flowers in her hands, knowing that this was just the beginning of something deeper than either of them could fully comprehend.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with gratitude. "You came."

He laughed softly, stepping a little closer to her. "Of course I came. I wouldn't miss this for the world."

They stood there for a moment, just breathing in each other's presence, letting the stillness of the moment wash over them. Everything between them had changed in the past few months, but tonight, it felt like they were exactly where they were meant to be.

Chase reached out, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "You've got something incredible inside of you, Tori. I don't know if I tell you enough, but... you're amazing."

Her heart fluttered in her chest at his words, the quiet strength behind them making her feel more understood than ever before. "You always know what to say," she replied with a soft laugh, her gaze lowering for a moment as she took a deep breath. "I just... I don't know if I ever really believed it until now. Not until tonight."

Chase's smile softened, and he reached out to gently cup her face, tilting her head up so she could meet his eyes. "Well, I believe in you. And I think you're going to go so far, Tori. You're going to do incredible things. I just... I'm glad I get to be here for it."

Her breath caught at the raw sincerity in his eyes, and before she could stop herself, she leaned forward, closing the gap between them. She kissed him softly, her lips meeting his in a gentle, tender kiss. When they pulled back, they both smiled, a sense of contentment filling the space between them.

---

Later that night, after Victoria had gotten home, the warmth of the evening's events still lingered in her chest. She couldn't stop smiling, couldn't shake the glow that had settled over her since the moment she had stepped off the stage. Everything felt right—everything felt *real*.

As she sat on her bed, her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen. It was a text from Chase.

"Still thinking about how amazing you were tonight. I'm so proud of you, Tori. You're the most incredible person I know."

Her heart swelled as she typed back, "I'm so glad you were there. I'm glad you see me."

She hit send and then sat back, the smile still playing at her lips. As she looked out her window, the city lights shimmering in the distance, a thought crossed her mind—a thought that felt like a revelation, something that had been building inside her for months.

*I've met my match.*

It was a simple realization, but it carried so much weight. She wasn't just thinking about their connection, about the way they clicked, the way they made each other better. No, it was more than that. Chase didn't just accept her flaws—he embraced them. He saw all of her, the parts she had hidden for so long, and he loved her anyway.

And in return, she felt the same. She didn't have to hide. She didn't have to pretend to be someone else.

She was enough. And with him by her side, she realized that nothing could stop her from being everything she wanted to be.

She smiled to herself, the warmth of that thought settling deep inside her.

*Yes,* she thought to herself as she lay back on her bed. *I've definitely met my match.*

And she couldn't wait to see where they went from here.