Location: Orion High – Morning
The school was buzzing with excitement. Posters of microphones and music notes lined the hallways:
🎤 ORION HIGH'S ANNUAL SING-OFF RETURNS! 🎤Winner gets city-wide spotlight and an exclusive recording session.
In the middle of the hallway crowd, a new student stepped confidently past lockers, heels clicking like a drumbeat.
Seren Vale.
Long silver hair, electric-blue eyes, and a voice that could stop a storm. She waved as students whispered excitedly.
Lyra (to her team, watching nearby): "Seren Vale. She transferred out after I beat her in last year's finals. We were rivals then... but she didn't take the loss well."
Jett (half-joking): "Let me guess. She's back for revenge—and probably evil."
Rayna: "Do all your ex-competitors try to destroy you?"Lyra: "Only the dramatic ones."
Classroom – Moments Later
The music teacher, Ms. Rios, entered the classroom holding a clipboard.
Ms. Rios: "Alright, stars-in-the-making! The Sing-Off auditions start Friday. Let's see if last year's champ, Miss Mave, can hold her crown."
A few heads turned toward Lyra.
Then Seren stood up.
She walked across the room, smiled at Lyra—and leaned in, voice smooth like silk and sharp like a blade.
Seren: "You got lucky last time. But this year, I'll shine. I've trained, traveled, and changed."
Lyra (calmly): "Then bring your best. I always do."
Seren (smirking): "Oh, I will. And when I win—everyone will know who the real voice of Orion is."
She walked off, the room watching silently.
Kael (grinning): "I didn't think music competitions could feel like boss battles."Lyra (soft laugh): "With Seren? It just might be."
Location: Orion High – Music Room, Evening
The piano echoed softly under Lyra's fingertips as her voice soared gently into the air. Kael, Jett, Rayna, and Zayn watched from around the room, offering quiet support as she rehearsed.
Lyra (singing): "Where there's light, I'll rise again… even if shadows fall."
Her tone was graceful. Raw. Powerful. But her eyes... briefly flicked toward the back of the room—toward a memory.
Flashback – One Year Ago
The crowd had roared. The stage glowed. And two girls stood facing each other.
Lyra, dressed in flowing white.Seren, in dazzling blue.
They had been friends once—before ambition cracked the bond. When Lyra won that night, she'd hoped they could move past it.
They never did.
Seren (voice trembling back then): "You don't deserve this spotlight. Not when you hide behind softness."
Lyra (calm): "Strength isn't always loud."
Present Day – After Practice
As the others packed up, a quiet girl from Lyra's class approached, carrying a clear bottle filled with glittery blue liquid.
Girl (smiling): "Hey, Lyra! That rehearsal was amazing. I made this vocal tonic. It's totally herbal—great for nerves."
Lyra hesitated, then smiled and took the bottle.
Lyra: "Thanks. That's sweet of you."
She drank it later that night—walking home alone, unaware of the shimmer that lingered on her lips.
Midnight – Her Room
She clutched her throat, gasping softly.
A strange burning pain sparked through her vocal cords—hot, sharp, and spreading. She covered her mouth, shook her head.
Lyra (whispering to herself): "Just overdid it... it'll pass."
She curled under the blankets, voice silent in the dark.
Next Morning – Nova Base
The others were already there when Lyra arrived, rubbing her neck.
Kael: "You okay? You look... pale."Lyra (hoarse): "It's nothing. Just a little tightness."
But when she tried to sing—nothing but a strained croak came out. Her eyes widened.
Zayn (concerned): "That's not normal."
He scanned her immediately, eyes narrowing.
Zayn: "There's... something coating your vocal cords. It's artificial. Not natural fatigue."
Rayna (alarmed): "Someone sabotaged her."
Jett: "Who the hell poisons someone over a school sing-off?"
Lyra (softly, realization dawning): "...Seren."
To Be Continued…