Chapter 7: Unexpected Rivalry

Third Person's POV

It had been one of those days. The kind where Yuna, ever the sleep-deprived student, was desperately trying to avoid the chaos that seemed to follow her everywhere.

She'd made it through the ordeal with the band—an event that could only be described as "musical suffering"—and was finally on her way to class with Erika, hoping to escape the madness.

And then, of course, the universe had other plans.

As they rounded the corner to the next hallway, Yuna stopped dead in her tracks when she saw a figure.

Avery Villanueva, the school's self-proclaimed music prodigy, was standing at the opposite end of the hallway, surrounded by a small crowd of admiring classmates.

Her long, perfectly straight hair seemed to shimmer under the fluorescent lights, and her designer clothes screamed I'm important, and you should know it.

She stood there, basking in the attention as though she were the queen of the school, her expression perpetually poised and overly confident.

It wasn't that Yuna had anything against Avery—it was just that, well, she didn't care. At all.

But as if on cue, Avery spotted her, eyes narrowing in what seemed like... recognition?

Yuna blinked, confused. She didn't even know this girl. She hadn't seen her before—at least not up close—and certainly hadn't been part of any music club.

But Avery's gaze never wavered, and before Yuna could look away, Avery smirked like she'd just uncovered some grand mystery.

"Who's that?" Avery's voice, surprisingly loud and self-assured, floated across the hallway, drawing the attention of the group around her.

Yuna glanced over at Erika, who was desperately trying to suppress a giggle. Erika could see exactly where this was going, but Yuna... Yuna was completely lost.

"Uh, I don't know. She's in the music club, I think?" Erika whispered, though it was too late to keep things quiet now.

Avery stepped forward, as though drawn to Yuna like a magnet. Her gaze flickered over Yuna's tired expression and casual clothes before she seemed to make a decision. With a dramatic flourish, Avery walked up to her, completely ignoring the fact that they had never spoken before.

"Hey," Avery started, standing way too close for comfort.

"I haven't seen you around before. Are you new?" She looked at Yuna, her expression one of exaggerated curiosity, like Yuna was a rare, unknown species she'd just stumbled upon.

Yuna blinked, too tired to care. "Uh, yeah. I'm Yuna. I'm just trying to get to class."

Avery, however, was too busy already forming some grand conclusion.

"Ah, Yuna," she repeated, as if savoring the name.

"I knew it. You have that vibe about you."

Yuna's brow furrowed. "What vibe?"

"You're clearly talented," Avery said, nodding as if she'd just cracked a code.

"No one walks into this school looking like you do without having some kind of hidden musical genius, right? I mean, you're practically oozing mystery and potential."

Yuna could hardly suppress a laugh. "Uh... no? I think you've got the wrong idea. I'm just trying to stay awake here."

But Avery wasn't listening. She was already too deep into whatever fantasy she'd concocted.

"Oh, trust me," Avery continued with a knowing smile

"I can tell. You have that energy. You're the type who doesn't show their full hand, right? But I see through it. I get you."

Yuna stared at her, utterly baffled. "I really don't know what you're talking about."

Erika, still standing nearby, was about to burst into laughter but covered her mouth in time. She recognized the situation all too well

Avery had mistaken Yuna for someone important. Someone she could compete with. It wasn't the first time this had happened, but it was the first time Avery had set her sights on Yuna.

Avery didn't wait for Yuna's response. She just flipped her hair back dramatically, raising her chin as if she were a protagonist in a telenovela, addressing her imaginary audience.

"You know, I've been at the top of the music scene here for years," she said, as though everyone within earshot needed a reminder.

"But I have to admit... there's something about you, Yuna. I think you're going to be my competition. You've been hiding in plain sight, haven't you?"

Yuna didn't know whether to laugh or feel uncomfortable.

"I don't even sing, though," she said, feeling like she was speaking to a wall.

"I don't even—"

But Avery wasn't having it. "Oh, you'll start, don't worry. You're going to be a star."

She grinned, a glint of triumph in her eyes as she turned toward her crowd.

"Everyone, mark my words. Yuna's going to be the one to beat. I can already tell."

The group of students, who had been quietly watching from a distance, looked around, unsure whether they should be impressed or just... confused.

They exchanged uncertain glances as Avery sauntered away with a satisfied air, convinced she'd just uncovered a hidden treasure.

Yuna stood there, blinking slowly. What in the world just happened? Did Avery just declare her some kind of rival? The girl barely knew her, and yet she was already assuming they were competitors?

"Erika, what just happened?" Yuna asked, utterly perplexed.

Erika shook her head with a grin. "You've got yourself a rival, Yuna."

"A rival?" Yuna repeated, still not quite grasping the concept.

"But... I don't even... I'm not in any music club. I don't even sing!"

"I know, I know," Erika chuckled, shaking her head.

"But Avery thinks you're the next big thing. She's obsessed with being the best, so she probably just picked you as her competition. Whether you want to be or not."

Yuna let out an exaggerated sigh. "I don't even know what to do with this."

As they made their way to class, Yuna's mind replayed the encounter. Avery Villanueva, her rival? It made no sense.

But Avery had already set the stage. Whether Yuna realized it or not, the seeds of competition had been planted. And Avery, with all her misplaced confidence, had just crowned Yuna as the mysterious genius she was convinced she would one day have to defeat.

And Yuna? Well, she was just trying to stay awake through another long day of school.

Yuna's POV

I walked into Aunt Rose's house, the familiar warmth of the kitchen filling the air as I kicked off my shoes and sank into the couch.

It had been a long day, and I couldn't shake the weight of the conversation I'd just had. My phone buzzed on the coffee table, and without thinking, I grabbed it.

"Yuna, you sitting down? I've got news!" My manager's voice cracked with excitement through the phone, dragging me out of my thoughts.

I rubbed my eyes, already feeling the exhaustion creeping in. "Wait, what? My song?"

I said, half-laughing, still unsure if I was hearing right. "Are you sure they didn't mean... I don't know, someone else? Like, someone who actually knows what they're doing with music?"

"Yuna, they loved it! They're putting your song on their album! They want your song on their album—your song! You're going to be on another album!" My manager was practically bouncing with energy.

I blinked, trying to process it. "Hold on... we're talking about the song I recorded half-asleep on my couch? The one I barely remembered recording? That song?" I laughed nervously, trying to wrap my head around it.

"I mean, I've written for a ton of artists, but this? This is for my favorite artist. That's... insane."

"Yes! They loved it! They said it's perfect for the album. It's exactly what they needed. You're going to be on a major album, Yuna!"

My chest tightened as the reality hit. I'd worked with countless artists before, ghostwriting without anyone knowing my name behind the songs.

I was used to staying in the shadows, keeping my true identity hidden. But this? This was different. This wasn't just any artist—it was the artist I'd always admired. The one I'd anonymously written for, never thinking they would notice me. And now, they were taking my song.

"Are you telling me that this half-sleep, 'I'm-just-trying-to-finish-this-track-before-I-pass-out' song is going to be on an actual album? People are going to hear it and think it's a legit song?" I couldn't help but laugh again, a mix of disbelief and excitement.

"I've written for some of the biggest names, but this? This is a whole different level."

"Yes! That song is going on their album. It's happening, Yuna!"

I sank back into the couch, staring up at the ceiling, trying to make sense of it all. I'd spent years in the music industry, writing for some of the biggest artists, but no one knew the real me.

No one knew that I was the one behind all those hits. And now, for the first time, my real identity was staying a secret, but my work was about to be heard by millions.

"Well," I said, trying to keep my voice casual as I yawned

"I guess I'll just keep doing what I do best. And hope I don't mess this up somehow."

My manager laughed, still full of energy.

"Just don't forget to enjoy it. This is big, Yuna. You're going to be even bigger than you already are."

I exhaled slowly, sinking deeper into the couch, trying to let it all sink in. This was my world, my secret, and no one knew a thing. I was fine with that.

But if this was real, it was going to be a moment to remember. I'd keep doing my thing, hidden in the background, and let the music speak for itself.

But first? A nap. Because, honestly, I needed it.

To be continued.