Chapter 7: A Little Too Close

6:45 AM — Dorm Hallways

The halls were unusually loud for such an early hour. And by "loud," we mean:

"OH MY GOSH, NOAH!"

Jason came crashing down the stairs, barefoot, holding his toothbrush like a sword.

"EMILY IS A WITCH!"

Noah popped his head out of the guys' bathroom, toothbrush still in mouth.

"Wha?"

Jason pointed toward the courtyard.

"She's... she's doing yoga. At sunrise. With classical music. In a cloak."

Noah blinked. "You mean... a hoodie?"

Jason squinted. "She looked like someone who hexes frogs. I'm just saying."

Meanwhile — In the Girls' Room

Emma peeked out from behind her curtain and watched Emily in the courtyard below. She was doing a stretch Noah had clearly taught her, laughing too much for that early in the day.

Emma frowned.

Not a dramatic "you-stole-my-crush" frown.

More like the "why-do-I-feel-like-my-toast-burned" kind of frown.

She caught herself in the mirror and scowled.

"Jealousy doesn't look good on me."

Emily walked in, glowing and breathless.

"Morning!"

Emma tried to smile. "Someone's up early. Who needs sleep, right?"

Emily giggled. "Noah woke up for his morning jog and asked if I wanted to try yoga with him. He's kinda cute when he's focused."

Emma's fake smile cracked.

"Oh yeah. I'm sure he is."

Emily didn't notice. "He said I'm flexible like a cat."

Emma's pillow landed squarely on Emily's face.

Music Hall – Band Practice

Liam strummed a few chords, eyes fixed on Emma across the room.

She wasn't looking his way. She was too busy not looking at Noah and Emily who were huddled by the keyboard laughing over... something.

Jason leaned toward Liam. "Weird tension. Do you feel it too?"

Liam smirked. "Like walking into a room where someone's eaten the last cookie but no one wants to admit it."

Jason nodded sagely. "A tragedy."

Emily cleared her throat loudly. "So! I was thinking... maybe Noah and I could try writing a duet? Something playful, maybe with harmonies?"

Emma perked up.

"I thought I was writing a duet with Noah."

Emily paused. "Oh, I didn't know we planned that."

Emma folded her arms. "We didn't. But we... felt it."

Jason whispered to Liam, "Girl code malfunction detected."

Noah scratched the back of his neck. "We can... all write one together?"

Liam added gently, "Or maybe Emma and I can write one? Haven't done that in a while."

The room froze.

Jason dropped his pencil.

"This feels like watching my parents fight, and I don't even have parents."

Later That Night – Girls' Room

Emma lay on the floor with her head on a beanbag. Emily sat near her braiding her hair.

"I'm not mad," Emma mumbled.

"I didn't say you were," Emily replied.

"But if I was, it's not because you like Noah."

Emily paused. "You think I like Noah?"

Emma gave her a look.

Emily giggled. "I might like him. A bit. But... he's just so... different from all the guys we've known."

Emma smirked. "Like a surprise pizza topping?"

Emily laughed. "Exactly. Like... pineapple. You're not sure if it belongs, but it kinda works."

They both burst out laughing.

Emma rolled over and sighed. "You can like him, Em. I guess I'm just scared of... being left out."

Emily poked her side. "You could never be left out. You're my other half. My twin. The lead singer to my backup vocal."

Emma smiled. "Still the prettier twin though."

Emily gasped. "Lies!"

They wrestled in a storm of blankets and laughter.

Band Room — The Next Day

Jason was pacing.

Like, seriously pacing.

"You guys. GUYS. We're officially invited to rehearse at Callister Studios next weekend."

Everyone froze.

Noah blinked. "The Callister Studios?"

Jason pointed dramatically. "Where Beyoncé maybe once sneezed. Yes."

Emily high-fived him. "Let's gooo!"

Emma fist-pumped. "That's HUGE!"

Liam grinned. "This might actually become real."

Jason added, "AND... Mr. Callister will be there. This time, officially. With his team."

Suddenly, the atmosphere changed.

This was no longer a game.

This was a chance.

Later That Evening – Balcony Overlooking the Courtyard

Emma and Liam sat under a string of fairy lights. It was quiet.

"You ever think about the future?" Emma asked.

"All the time," Liam replied.

"What do you see?"

Liam hesitated. "I see music. Stages. Fans. Songs people cry to."

Emma nodded slowly. "What about... love?"

Liam looked at her, long and soft.

"I see... someone who makes the noise fade. Someone who gets it. Who gets me."

Emma's heart pounded, but she hid it under a soft laugh.

"Well, when you find her, let me know."

He smiled.

"I think I already have."