Chapter 6: Uninvited Guests, Unspoken Feelings

The day started out... weird.

Noah couldn't find his headphones. Emily blamed Jason. Jason blamed gravity. Emma blamed everyone. And Liam? Well, Liam was just sitting by the window with his guitar, writing lyrics like he was scoring the soundtrack of his own heartbreak.

In the girls' dorm room, Emma paced back and forth.

"She's literally all over him. Like—all over."

Emily raised an eyebrow from her top bunk. "You mean me and Noah?"

Emma paused. "...Did I say that out loud?"

"Yes. Loud and dramatic."

"I'm not dramatic!"

Emily picked up a glittery pen. "You just rehearsed an entire monologue about his dimples."

Emma threw a pillow at her. "I hate you."

Emily caught it with one hand. "You love me. Admit it."

They both grinned.

A knock at the door interrupted their moment.

It was Jason.

"Emergency meeting. Band room. Right now. Bring snacks. Or don't. Just come."

Band Room – 10 Minutes Later

Everyone sat in a lazy circle. Jason stood in front of them, holding what looked like a golden invitation card.

He cleared his throat like he was about to announce who won Best Actor.

"So, turns out our last rehearsal? The one where Noah's amp exploded and Emily tripped over a drumstick and yelled 'justice for toes'?"

Emily raised a finger. "Valid cause."

Jason nodded. "Well... someone heard us."

Everyone blinked.

Jason handed the card to Liam. "Read it, my guy."

Liam opened the card and read aloud, "'To the band: Your sound caught the ear of someone important. We'd like to invite you to perform at a private gathering for Mr. Callister — CEO of CalliCorp, one of the biggest media and event brands in the country.'"

The room went dead silent.

Jason broke it with a loud gasp. "WE'RE GOING HOLLYWOOD, BABY!"

Emily blinked. "Did we... just get discovered?"

Emma leaned in. "Wait, that name sounds familiar. Callister… the billionaire?"

Jason wiggled his eyebrows. "The same. And rumor has it, his daughter is spoiled, beautiful, and allergic to the word 'no.'"

Noah crossed his arms. "What's the catch?"

Jason tapped Liam's head. "He specifically asked for you."

Liam looked up in surprise. "Me?"

Emma's eyes narrowed.

"Apparently," Jason continued, "your soft falsetto made someone cry. And not like a little cry. Like a full tissue box cry."

Emily clapped. "YES. That's my boy!"

Emma blinked again. "Wait. Your boy?"

Emily winked. Emma didn't laugh.

Jason added dramatically, "Oh, and it's at his mansion. Private audience. Black tie. Fancy cheese. Probably a butler named Winston."

Callister Mansion – The Next Day

The place was ridiculous. Gold railings. Marble everything. Chandeliers that looked like they could vote.

The team huddled in a corner of the ballroom.

"This place smells like money," Emily whispered. "And betrayal."

Jason stuffed a chocolate truffle in his mouth. "Both delicious."

Then she appeared.

Chloe Callister. The billionaire's daughter.

Dressed in shimmering red, diamonds on her ears, and a smile that said, "I get what I want."

She walked straight toward Liam.

"Hi," she purred. "You must be Liam."

He straightened awkwardly. "Um, yeah."

"You sound like silk," she whispered. "And I love silk."

Jason leaned into Emma. "I don't trust sparkles. They hide evil."

Chloe grabbed Liam's hand. "Come with me. I want to show you something."

Emma's eyes flared. "Where?"

Liam stammered. "Uh—just for a sec. I'll be back."

Emily nudged Emma. "Say something?"

Emma looked away. "He's a big boy. Let him handle sparkles."

---

Private Hallway – Minutes Later

Chloe led Liam into a softly lit hallway filled with sculptures.

"I love singers," she whispered. "They always feel more."

Liam shifted uncomfortably. "Thanks... I think?"

Chloe moved closer. "You don't have to thank me. Just... sing for me. Or talk. Or—"

She leaned in.

Liam stepped back. "I have a girlfriend."

Chloe smirked. "You don't, though."

"I have someone I care about," he said, voice calm.

Silence.

Then Chloe flipped her hair. "Your loss. But not mine."

And with a dramatic turn, she walked away.

Back with the Band

Jason was setting up. Emma was still trying not to glare at every person wearing red.

Then Liam walked in.

Emma saw him, checked for lipstick, and whispered, "So? Are you alive?"

Liam smiled faintly. "Very."

Emma looked at him.

And smiled, just a bit.

Later That Night – Dorm Rooms

Emily sat with Noah, flipping through an old comic book.

"You handled her well," she said.

He raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

"The dragon-lady."

Liam chuckled. "I was more afraid of Emma afterward."

Noah added, "Rightfully so."

Jason shouted from the top bunk. "I still think she's a spy."

Emily stretched. "Y'all ready for fame?"

Emma replied softly, "Only if we get there together."

They nodded.

Unaware that far, far away... something darker was brewing.