Chapter 20:The Skit Rehearsal

The next day, the tension from the night before still clung to Lira like an invisible weight. But she forced herself to focus as she walked into the school auditorium, where their group was rehearsing for the project.

Mara and Jace were already there, standing on stage, their script in hand. Mara was laughing at something Jace had said, but the moment she saw Lira, the smile faded slightly.

Lira ignored the weird feeling in her chest and walked over. "Hey."

"Hey," Mara said, forcing a smile. "You're late."

"Got caught up with something." Lira glanced at Jace, but he avoided her gaze.

Zayn walked in a few seconds later, looking like he had barely slept. He met Lira's eyes briefly before looking away.

Mara, seemingly oblivious to the tension, clapped her hands together. "Alright! Time to rehearse."

Lira sighed and took her spot. She and Zayn were doing a comedic scene about two people who got their test papers mixed up, while Jace and Mara were doing a dramatic confrontation scene.

As they started, something was off. Zayn was delivering his lines perfectly, but there was no spark, no real effort to engage.

"You're not even trying," Lira muttered under her breath as they ran through the lines.

Zayn arched an eyebrow. "I'm here, aren't I?"

Lira narrowed her eyes. "Being here isn't the same as actually trying."

Zayn exhaled, rubbing his forehead. "Just drop it, Lira."

"No," she shot back. "You're acting weird, and I don't—"

"Maybe you should focus on your own performance instead of mine," Zayn interrupted.

Lira clenched her fists. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

Before Lira could respond, Mara suddenly cut in. "Uh, hello? Can you two stop fighting? Some of us are actually trying to rehearse here."

Lira took a deep breath, trying to push down her frustration.

Fine. If Zayn wanted to shut her out, let him.