chapter 5

Jack dragged Aria to the packing area, his grip on her hand unyielding. "What's your game, Aria?" he demanded. "You did that on purpose, didn't you? You wanted to hurt Allison."

Aria tried to pull away, but Jack's grip only tightened. "She stole my song," Aria protested. "You might think she's innocent, but she's not."

Jack's eyes narrowed. "Isn't this what you wanted?" he sneered, pulling her closer. "For me to get close to you, to like you? You did all this to make Allison look bad, didn't you?"

Aria struggled to free herself, but Jack's grip was too strong. Suddenly, he kissed her, his lips crashing down on hers. Aria's eyes widened in shock, and she pushed him away, her hand connecting with his cheek in a stinging slap.

"How dare you!" she exclaimed, backing away from him.

Jack's eyes locked onto hers, his voice dripping with disdain. "Don't ever think I'll fall for you, Aria. You got what you wanted, now leave me and Allison alone. My heart only beats for her."

Aria's face crumpled, and she broke into tears. Jack turned and walked away, leaving her shattered.

Just then, Allison emerged from her hiding spot, her eyes flashing with anger. She slapped Aria hard across the face. "How dare you kiss Jack? You know he loves me. And as for your song, I don't feel sorry stealing it . You became the lead singer, let's see how long you last in this college."

With that, Allison turned and walked away, leaving Aria in a heap on the floor, tears streaming down her face. Suddenly, Aria felt a wave of dizziness wash over her, and she fainted. Liam appeared, scooping her up in his arms and rushing her to the college clinic.

At the clinic

Aria regained consciousness in the clinic, where Nurse Mrs. Halita was attending to her. "Why am I here?" Aria asked, feeling dizzy and placing her hands on her head. She noticed Liam, who she mistook for a judge, and tried to stand up to greet him. However, he told her to sit back down.

The nurse examined Aria's left arm, revealing an injury covered with a bandage. "Have you been in some kind of accident before?" she asked. Aria sighed, trying to recall the events leading up to her hospitalization. "I was on a plane that crashed... I don't remember what happened. I just woke up here."

Liam held Aria's hand, offering comfort. The nurse handed him some medication. "Make sure she takes these," she instructed before leaving to attend to other patients.

Aria's eyes welled up with tears, prompting Liam to ask, "What's wrong?" She smiled weakly, trying to brush off her emotions. "It's nothing, sir. Thank you for bringing me here."

Liam stood up, his expression concerned. "Rest up, I'll be right back." Aria nodded, still smiling, as he exited the room.

Allison embraced Jack, pleading with him to never leave her. He smiled, promising he wouldn't, and hugged her back.

The next morning, Allison confronted Sofia, her smile dripping with malice. "It's sad you're leaving college now that you've realized your mistake. You'll have to beg for everyone's forgiveness, including mine."

Sofia stood up, her smile defiant. "I won't apologize. I knew you were the real culprit, pretending to be innocent but you're not. I'm glad you never got to be the lead singer."

Allison's face twisted in anger as she slapped Sofia. "Don't dare say another word! Just wait and see, that girl will leave this college soon, and I'll get that position. You were disqualified from the competition, so you'll have to go home."

Andrew, who had been hiding, emerged after Allison walked away. "Sofia, no matter what, I won't let you leave this college."

Sofia's face lit up with relief as she smiled. "I'm glad I have someone who supports me."

As she walked away with her bags, Andrew confessed, "I have feelings for you."

Sofia turned, tears in her eyes, thinking to herself, "I'm glad I have him..."She ran to kiss Andrew, who couldn't help but hold her back and hug her tightly.

Everyone gathered in the hall, where Jack and Aria, the lead singers, were set to perform a song together. Jack ignored Aria at first, but then pulled her close to begin the dance. As they moved in sync, Jack spun Aria around and caught her, and the music stopped.

Aria announced, "Now, Jack and I will show you all how to do the dance before we start singing." Jack pulled her close again, and Aria protested, "Won't you stop? Everyone is watching!"

Just then, Allison entered the hall, looking sad and angry. Sofia, who had returned to the hall, noticed Andrew's gaze and smiled. As Jack and Aria began dancing again, their chemistry was undeniable.

Sofia thought to herself, "Their dance seems more... intimate." Jack tried to apologize to Aria for the previous night, but she ignored him. Suddenly, Allison sabotaged the music by removing the speaker wire, and Jack quickly went after her.

As the rehearsal ended, Liam approached Aria with a bottle of water, which she accepted with a smile. "Thanks," she said, her gratitude extending to his help the previous night.

Liam asked, "Do you want to go somewhere with me?" Aria hesitated, considering the implications. "Look, Liam, you're the judge of this competition. If we're seen together, it might seem unfair to the others, like you're favoring me."

Liam's face lit up with a smile. "Then we'll go in disguise," he said, his eyes sparkling with mischief. He took her hand, leading her to the car, and drove off.