Stage Kiss: When Stars Align

Hooded Secret

The Music Production classroom buzzed nervously as Professor Kim finished assigning the remaining pairs. Luna sat frozen in her corner, hyper-aware of Paulo's presence beside her. His subtle and expensive cologne mixed with the familiar scent of coffee from her cup, creating an oddly comforting combination that made her even more nervous.

He'd pulled up a chair, casual as could be, while she fought the urge to pull her hoodie strings until the fabric swallowed her whole. The surrounding whispers grew louder:

"Why her?" "Did you see his smile? He's actually trying to talk to her!" "That hoodie girl doesn't even speak in class..."

Luna's internal panic reached new heights. She'd spent years perfecting the art of invisibility, and in less than 24 hours, STELLAR 5's Paulo had managed to demolish her carefully constructed walls twice.

"Now," Professor Kim announced, "take the remainder of class to discuss your project approach with your partners."

Luna's heart raced. She hadn't planned for an actual conversation. What if he recognized her voice from her humming during their showcase? What if—

"So," Paulo turned to her, his voice lower and more intimate than she expected, "any thoughts on genre fusion?"

Before Luna could stammer out a response, a high-pitched squeal cut through the air.

"Paulo oppa!" A girl with perfectly styled hair and designer clothes—Mina Jung, social media influencer and self-proclaimed campus queen—practically materialized at their desk. "I can't believe Professor Kim didn't pair us together! I'm a huge fan, and my father owns—"

"I'm sorry," Paulo interrupted politely but firmly, "but Luna and I need to discuss our project." His hand moved slightly closer to Luna's desk, almost protectively.

Luna's breath caught. No one had ever defended her before.

Mina's eyes narrowed at Luna before she retreated, whispering none-too-quietly to her friends about "that weird hoodie girl." Luna caught Kenny trying to hide a smile from his seat while Jay openly rolled his eyes at Mina's display.

Paulo frowned. "Does that happen to you often?"

"The whispering? I'm used to it." Luna surprised herself by answering honestly. Something about his genuine concern made her usual filters malfunction.

"No, I meant—" Paulo paused, studying her with an intensity that made her fidget. Was that a hint of recognition in his eyes? "Never mind. Should we find somewhere quiet to talk?"

Luna's mind raced. Being alone with Paulo seemed both terrifying and thrilling. "I... um... know a place?"

"Lead the way," he said, gathering his things. As they stood to leave, Luna noticed several girls glaring in her direction. Great. Just what she needed—more attention.

They walked through the music building, Paulo occasionally greeting students while maintaining a respectful distance from Luna. She appreciated that he seemed to sense her discomfort with attention.

"You're good at that," Luna found herself saying.

"At what?"

"Being... you. Paulo of STELLAR 5. It's like watching someone switch channels."

Paulo's step faltered slightly. "Most people don't notice that." He smiled—his real smile, not the camera-ready one. "You're more observant than you let on, Luna Martinez."

The way he said her name made her stomach do strange flips.

Ten minutes later, they reached Practice Room 12—her usual hideout. The small space felt even smaller with Paulo's presence filling it. Luna's mind helpfully supplied that this was the first time she'd been alone with a boy in a practice room. With Paulo Kim, no less.

"This is perfect," he said, looking around appreciatively. "Private, good acoustics." He ran his fingers along the piano, and Luna tried very hard not to think about how those same fingers had just been inches from her desk earlier.

Luna nodded, clutching her notebook tighter. The same notebook she'd written in during their showcase. The one containing all her secrets.

"About yesterday—" Paulo started.

"I have some ideas!" Luna blurted, desperate to avoid that topic. She fumbled with her notebook, dropping it in the process. Papers scattered everywhere, and Luna's heart stopped as she recognized the sheets—her original compositions.

She dove to collect them, but Paulo was faster. He grabbed a sheet before she could stop him, his eyes widening as he read.

"These notations..." he muttered. "They're similar to..."

Luna snatched the paper back, heart pounding. It was the original score for "Midnight Dreams"—her version. Their fingers brushed in the process, sending that same electric spark through her.

Paulo's expression shifted from surprise to curiosity. "You compose?"

"Sometimes," Luna whispered, wishing the ground would swallow her. The way he was looking at her made her feel exposed, seen.

"Show me."

"What?"

Paulo gestured to the upright piano in the corner. "Play something. Your composition."

"I don't perform," Luna said quickly. Too quickly. Her hands were already shaking at the thought.

"It's just us here." His voice was gentle, coaxing. He moved closer, and Luna caught that subtle cologne scent again. "No pressure, no audience. Just two composition partners working on a project."

Maybe it was his tone. Maybe it was the way he said "partners" like they were equals. Or maybe Luna temporarily lost her mind, but she found herself moving to the piano. Paulo leaned against the wall, giving her space while staying close enough to watch her hands.

Her fingers trembled over the keys. Then, taking a deep breath, she began to play.

The melody started soft, hesitant—like morning light filtering through clouds. It was a new piece, something she'd written after last night's showcase. Luna closed her eyes, letting the music flow through her. The composition spoke of hidden things, of shadows and spotlights, of watching someone from afar while holding secrets close to your heart.

She forgot about Paulo's presence, lost in the music that had always been her true voice. Her hood fell back slightly, revealing more of her face than she usually allowed. If she'd been looking, she would have seen Paulo's expression change from curiosity to recognition to something deeper.

Until she heard him gasp.

Luna's fingers froze. Paulo stood there, face pale, staring at her like he'd seen a ghost. His professional facade had cracked completely.

"That rhythm," he said hoarsely. "Those progressions. They're exactly like—"

A sharp knock interrupted them. Kenny poked his head in, then raised his eyebrows at the obvious tension in the room.

"Paulo! Emergency meeting with the company representatives. They're here about the new album." Kenny's eyes darted between them, clearly curious.

"Everything okay in here?"

Paulo hesitated, looking between Kenny and Luna. The latter had already pulled her hood back up, shrinking into herself. "We'll continue this later?"

Luna nodded numbly, not trusting her voice. She could feel Kenny's curious gaze on her.

As Paulo reached the door, he turned back. "Luna? Don't disappear on me, okay?"

Then he was gone, leaving Luna alone with her racing thoughts and the lingering warmth of his presence.

Through the partially open door, she could hear Kenny's voice: "So... the hoodie girl, huh?"

"Don't start," Paulo replied, but there was something in his tone that made Luna's heart skip.

"I'm just saying, you never miss lines during performances, and suddenly—"

Their voices faded down the hallway.

Luna sat at the piano, her fingers ghosting over the keys where she'd just played her heart out. What had she been thinking? Paulo had almost recognized the musical style. One more minute and he might have—

Her phone buzzed—a text from an unknown number:

"Practice Room 12, same time tomorrow? We need to talk about your music.

-Paulo

P.S. Your hood fell back while you were playing. You should do that more often."

Luna stared at her phone, then at her notebook containing all her original compositions—the ones that had somehow become STELLAR 5's biggest hits. Heat crept up her neck at his last comment. How had he even gotten her number?

Another text arrived, this time from Min-ji:

"GIRL. Paulo Kim asked me for your number for 'project purposes.' The whole dance department is buzzing. What happened in that practice room??? 👀"

As if on cue, Luna could hear excited whispers outside. She peeked through the small window to see a group of girls trying to look casual while obviously waiting to catch a glimpse of her.

Her phone buzzed again. Unknown number:

"Don't worry about the fans. Jay's creating a diversion in the cafeteria.

-Kenny

P.S. Whatever you played, it made Paulo miss another line during our quick rehearsal just now. Interesting. 😏"

Luna sank onto the piano bench, overwhelmed. She had twenty-four hours to decide: keep running from her secrets or face the music. And apparently, STELLAR 5's members are now invested in her story.

The universe, it seemed, wasn't done with her yet. Not by a long shot.

As she gathered her things, her fingers brushed the keys one last time. The melody that had made Paulo gasp lingered in the air—a melody that would soon bring their worlds crashing together in ways neither of them could imagine.