She turned the polished stone over in her hand, feeling the warmth from how she worked it in her ngers. She stopped for just a second to glance at the rock and her heart smiled.

After many battles and trials she and her friends had come out victorious. And this stone, the one thing that reminded her of her friends kindness and sacri ce...was dear to her heart. Every time she looked at it she remembered him. Every time she picked it up she felt his warmth in her hands. Every time she worried it between her ngers she felt his calming aura. She smiled and her st closed around the stone. She put it in her back pocket and looked ahead.

Backstage was lled with buzzing people behind her. They ran about making sure lighting and the mic systems were still working. The last performer had nished his story. They mu ed a thank you into the mic as scattered applause arose.

She watched as he clenched his sts, shoulders tensed and walked o stage. He was shaking slightly but nonetheless gave her a smile.

They shared knowing glances, she was next.

She took a deep breath and tried to calm the uttering wings of her heart. Her stomach had ipped a while ago and she shook with anticipation.

One of the stagehands whispered it was her turn in her ear. She nodded, an apology on her lips and walked a little too briskly out into the spotlight. She realized her fast pace and slowed down a bit. Only when she was at the mic did she allow herself to look at the audience. The crowd was...bigger than she was used to. She was used to a room with a full two other close friends that would clap and say they loved her work no matter what she did. She was used to comfort and support.

This crowd...these strangers. They o ered her nothing. They owed her nothing and she owed them a world.

She took another deep breath to try and steady her words. Gave a short introduction then felt her throat close up again. She reached into her back pocket. Reaching for that lime green stone heart again. When she felt the heat radiating from it she smiled.

She took it out and placed it next to the piece of paper on the podium. Adjusting the mic she took one nal breath.

And her mouth opened.