Riley could still feel the echo of their final note as she walked offstage, her chest tight, her mind reeling. Applause faded behind her, but the adrenaline didn’t. It clung to her skin like static.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhp53m9eWq
They’d sounded good—too good. And that was the problem.
She didn’t want it to matter. She didn’t want Jade’s voice to still fit with hers like a missing puzzle piece. But it did.
“Riley, wait!” came the voice she didn’t want to hear.
She didn’t stop. Her footsteps quickened down the backstage hallway.
Jade caught up anyway. “Can you slow down for two seconds?”
Riley turned. “Why? So you can tell me we’re magic together? That the past doesn’t matter because we sing well?”
Jade’s mouth opened, then closed again. “That’s not what I was going to say.”
Riley crossed her arms. “You said you wanted to talk. Say something real then.”
Jade hesitated. “You were amazing tonight. I just… I wasn’t expecting it to feel like it used to.”
There it was. The crack in Jade’s armor.
But Riley wasn’t ready to let her back in—not yet.
“Don’t pretend this fixes anything,” she said. “You don’t get to disappear, then waltz in with a harmony and a compliment and think we’re good.”
“I know,” Jade said quietly. “But I’m here now. That has to count for something.”
Before Riley could respond, a voice cut in—smooth, smug, and laced with poison.
“Well, if it isn’t the golden duo.”
They both turned to see Lennox Vale leaning against the wall like he owned it. His million-follower smirk was firmly in place, and his eyes sparkled with the thrill of competition.
His partner stood beside him, cool and unreadable.
“Nice duet,” Lennox said. “Didn’t expect feelings to be trending this season, but hey—everyone loves a comeback.”
Riley’s jaw clenched. “You saying we’re fake?”
Lennox shrugged. “Just saying… emotional baggage makes great TV. But let’s see how long it holds up under pressure.”
He gave them a mocking two-finger salute and walked off.
Jade muttered, “I hate that guy.”
Riley nodded. “He’s a snake. But he’s not wrong—we’ve got baggage.”
Jade looked at her. “Then let’s use it. People felt something when we sang. That’s rare.”
Riley stared at her. Was that passion in Jade’s voice… or strategy?
“I don’t know if I trust you,” she said finally. “But I know I want this. The show. The shot.”
Jade nodded slowly. “Same.”
A voice echoed down the hallway: “Teams! Rehearsals in twenty! Bring your song list!”
Riley turned toward the rehearsal hall.
Behind her, she heard Jade’s steps fall in line—closer now. Still cautious. Still uncertain.
We used to move in sync, Riley thought. Now every step feels like a test.
This partnership could make her. Or it could break her again.
She wasn’t sure which scared her more.
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