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Backstage at the school auditorium, dim yellow work lights glow. Аля, crouched beside heavy red curtains, peeks through a gap with a nervous smile, her small hands gripping the fabric while paper butterflies hang on the backdrop.
"Today is the talent show," whispered Аля, with medium brown hair. She peeked behind the curtain; butterflies fluttered. Her hands trembled. "Deep breath," she told herself. She practiced a tiny smile.
Stage-left wings under warm bulb lights, Аля stands on scuffed wooden floor, drawing a tiny star on her palm with blue marker. She taps the mark twice and softly hums, feet marching in place beside coiled microphone cables.
She drew a small star on her palm. "This is my brave button," she said. Tap, tap. "I can do this." Аля hummed her opening notes, feet marching softly.
Center stage of the brightly lit auditorium, white spotlights bloom against navy curtains while Аля stands at the microphone. She smiles toward the silent audience, eyes shining, as she sings with one hand over the star on her palm.
Lights blossomed as she stepped out. "Hello, I'm Аля," she smiled. The audience hushed. She sang like sunshine climbing a window, voice growing steady. Her star-warmed palm stopped shaking.
Still on the polished stage under fading spotlights, Аля bows deeply as audience members clap, hands raised like falling rain. She straightens with a wide grin, skipping toward the side exit while colorful confetti drifts around her sneakers.
The room burst into claps like rain. Аля bowed, heart floating. "My courage was hiding inside me," she whispered. She skipped offstage, grinning. Tomorrow, she promised herself, she'd sing even louder.
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