Asteria stood in the back of the crowded high school auditorium, her heart racing with anticipation. It was the annual talent show, and she had been practicing for weeks to showcase her vocal talents. As the lights dimmed and the curtains drew open, she took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and let the music guide her.

Her voice, pure and soulful, soared through the auditorium as she sang a heartfelt ballad about unrequited love. The lyrics resonated with her own experiences, as she poured her emotions into each note, remembering the unspoken feelings she had for her long-time crush, Lucas.

Asteria had admired Lucas from afar for years, but he was the popular boy in school, with his charming smile and confident demeanor. She, on the other hand, was the quiet and shy girl who preferred to stay in the background, hidden behind her passion for music. Despite her reserved nature, she couldn't help but be drawn to Lucas, whose presence made her heart skip a beat.

As Asteria sang, she couldn't help but steal a glance at Lucas in the audience. He was sitting with his group of friends, laughing and clapping along to the performance. Her heart fluttered, but she quickly averted her gaze, feeling a pang of sadness knowing that her feelings for him were one-sided.

The song came to an end, and the audience erupted into thunderous applause. Asteria curtsied and smiled, acknowledging the praise, but deep down, she couldn't shake off the feeling of longing in her heart. She had poured her heart and soul into her performance, hoping that Lucas would finally notice her, but it seemed like he was just another member of the audience, applauding politely like everyone else.

As the talent show ended and the students began to disperse, Asteria quietly slipped away from the auditorium, feeling a mix of disappointment and frustration. She found solace in the familiar melody of her guitar, strumming the chords gently as she sat under a tree in the school courtyard.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice when Lucas approached her, until he spoke up.

"Hey, that was an amazing performance," Lucas said, his voice warm and sincere. "You have an incredible voice."

Asteria looked up, startled, and saw Lucas standing in front of her with a genuine smile on his face. Her heart skipped a beat, but she quickly composed herself.

"Thank you," she replied softly, her cheeks turning pink. "I'm glad you liked it."

Lucas sat down beside her, and they talked about music, their shared passion. Asteria found herself opening up to him, sharing her dreams and aspirations, and Lucas listened attentively, genuinely interested in what she had to say. They laughed together, and Asteria couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, Lucas saw her as more than just a friend.

As the afternoon sun began to set, Lucas walked Asteria home, and they said their goodbyes. Asteria couldn't stop smiling as she entered her house, replaying the moments with Lucas in her mind.

But as she lay in bed that night, listening to her favorite love songs, Asteria couldn't help but feel a sense of longing. She knew that her feelings for Lucas were unrequited, and the tender melodies that once brought her comfort now felt like a painful reminder of her unfulfilled love.

With a heavy heart, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, hoping that one day, love's melodies would finally be in her favor.