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The air in the Grand Auditorium of Brighton Wisdom was thick with anticipation, smelling faintly of old velvet and nervous energy. This wasn't just any school stage; it was a colossal, ornate space built a century ago, famous for its towering ceiling and the magnificent, diamond-cut chandelier hanging dead center, a silent, glittering judge over every performance.
The Gathering Shadows Raina stood mid-stage, bathed in the cool wash of a lone spotlight.. Her usual sharp eyeliner seemed to trace the deepening resolve in her gaze as she stared up at the majestic chandelier. She saw the glittering glass, but she was thinking of shattered reputations. Her contemplation was broken by a soft, mocking laugh. "I thought you would get rid of her with a snap of your fingers," a voice drawled from the shadows of the stage wing. "But… I didn't expect this." Raina's dark eyes lowered, slow and deliberate, until they landed on Erica. Erica sauntered onto the stage, the bright red edges of her dark hair catching the light as she moved. She was dressed in mismatched confidence: loose denim shorts and an oversized, faded blue hoodie. Her smirk was sharp, but it couldn't quite conceal the faint, jagged scar on her cheek—a raw, pink reminder of a previous, failed confrontation. "You're running from Gabriella like a coward," Raina said, her voice a low, cold current, devoid of emotion. Erica bristled, her eyes flashing. "You're talking about me?" she shouted. Raina rolled her eyes, a flicker of impatience crossing her face. "There is no need to shout. I don't mind what you are thinking about me, and certainly not what others think. I will do what I want." Erica sniffed, a forced show of disdain. "I am not a coward. I am waiting for the right moment to trap that Gabriella. Not like you. Every time you try, you fail, one after another." Raina took a slow step towards Erica, her coldness intensifying. "You don't know anything. Don't speak without knowledge." Erica's smirk widened, venomous and knowing. "The whole school knows that you were humiliated by her, not once, twice. On election time, and…" Raina's voice dropped to a dangerous pitch. "Enough." Erica leaned in, whispering the final, cruel word. "...and the fountain, too." Raina didn't flinch. She simply turned away, her head held high. "You will see through my action..... you talk too much before you do anything.I am not like you" A chilling, predatory smirk curved Raina's lips. She exited the stage, the heavy, deliberate thud of her combat boots echoing in the vast silence—a beat that promised an upcoming storm. Erica watched her go, a mix of contempt and grudging fear in her eyes.
Backstage Betrayals (20 Minutes Before Program Start)
In the chaos of the Backstage area, amidst dangling wires and discarded props, Lara was meticulously putting the finishing touches on a delicate, sparkling crown. "I know it's you, Ronnie, it's you!" Lara laughed, a hand covering her eyes. She was wearing a soft, pastel-yellow dress—a stark contrast to the dark drama brewing around her. Ronnie smiled, though his eyes held a strange, complicated emotion. "What are you doing?" "I'm making the crown," Lara replied,
Ronnie replied, "You can buy it from shop "
Lara smiled,"I like to make customized ones, rather than buying what's available. I'm making it for Gabriella." Ronnie's smile vanished. "What? You're still friends with her? I already told you, keep your distance from her! She will lead you to trouble." Lara's straight-faced reaction was firm. "Ronnie, you can't decide who I should be friends with. Don't act like this again. I know you and Gabriella have some personal grudge, but I don't want that to affect me and Gabriella's friendship." Ronnie froze, feeling the cold weight of disappointment. Raina was right—if Lara knew the truth, she would side with Gabriella without a second thought. "Ronnie?" Lara prompted. He snapped back to reality. "What?" "Help me cut that thread," she requested. He nodded, grabbing the scissors, but his mind was still lost in his thoughts, his protective fear for Lara outweighing his focus. Unthinkingly, he clipped the thread—and sliced his finger. "Aha!" he shouted, clutching his hand. Lara rushed to him, her face etched with panic. "Oh no!" She quickly took her clean, white handkerchief and pressed it firmly over the cut. Ronnie stared at her, genuinely surprised. No one, not even his family, had ever shown him such immediate, pure care. He was used to people catering to his wealth, not his wounds. "Come with me," Lara insisted, gently leading him to a chair. Lara returned with a First Aid box and began treating his wound. Ronnie was lost in the sight of her careful movements and focused brow. He felt a wave of genuine, unguarded love. He blurted out, "I haven't seen anyone who is caring like you. Not even my ex-girlfriends." He chuckled bitterly. "They only cared because I am rich. But…" he leaned closer, cupping her cheek, his gaze intense. "You are the first one. I see you different from them." Lara felt a rush of warmth, a true, passionate feeling she hadn't known before. Her voice was soft, laced with conviction. "Because I love you. I want to be with you forever." They shared a smile, a promise hanging in the air. In the darkness, just beyond the velvet curtains, Gabriella stood listening. She was already in her white, knee-length gown, her posture regal but her expression a worried smirk. She whispered to herself, "I don't know… if you know the truth, how can you handle that? Truth in this world is sometimes more bitter than anything."
The Coordinator and The Kid
The Front Stage was being prepped for the Dance Fest. Ajax—tall, commanding, and radiating the easy confidence of a male model—wore a casual but sharp ensemble: dark jeans and a stylish bomber jacket. He wore a simple silver chain on his wrist, a treasured friendship bracelet. "Change that decorative light color to green," Ajax instructed, frowning at the current setup. He was the coordinator, and his taste was absolute. "Do you have that much bad taste in color?" a voice chirped beside him. Ajax turned, startled, then smirked when he saw Dona. "When did you come?" "Three minutes ago, while you were busy with stage arrangements. Hey, look! Golden lights are more suitable. Don't change the color!" Dona was annoyed.
Ajax said in straight face,"I will, because I am the coordinator here. What I decide is final."
Dona rolled her eyes. She noticed something else: he was incredibly tall. "What is your height?" she asked, genuinely curious. Ajax turned back. "6.5 feet." Dona's eyes widened, her mouth dropping open in surprise. Ronnie gently closed her mouth with his hand. "Why are you so surprised? Haven't you seen a taller guy before?" "Yes, but it's my first time standing next to a taller guy!" Ajax teased her, his eyes drifting down to her feet. "Look, even though you're wearing heels, you are too small beside me." "What! Me! Do you know my height? I am actually… almost 5.3 feet," she stammered, feeling childish. Ajax smirked. "I think you reached 5.3 because of your heels. Otherwise, you're 5 feet, I think." Dona bristled with indignation. Ajax tapped her shoulder patronizingly. "Kid, you have to grow more." Dona shoved his arm away. "You!" Ajax smiled and walked to the other side of the stage. Dona whispered, a deep-seated grievance surfacing, "This is why I hate standing near to taller people."
Dressing Room
The Final Polish In a brightly lit dressing room backstage, Gabriella sat, ready for her performance. Her white, knee-length gown shimmered, a stark symbol of purity and perfection, though her reflection hinted at a storm beneath the calm surface. Lara entered, placing the customized crown next to Gabriella. "Why are you late?" Gabriella asked casually. "Sorry," Lara smiled.
Gabriella's said "I thought you were still angry with me."
"Yes, I was. But…" Lara sat next to her, placing a hand on Gabriella's shoulder. "I don't leave my bestie when she's going to perform. I want to be with her." Gabriella looked at the crown in the mirror. "It's beautiful."
Lara surprised "Really?".
"Yes. A beautiful person made a beautiful crown, so that's why it's beautiful." Gabriella smiled, but her eyes held a guarded distance.
Suddenly, Dona burst in, wearing a sleek skirt, a blue aesthetic top, and a cap—she looked ready for action, not a performance. "The two things I don't like are standing next to taller people and when they joke about my height!" Dona mumbled, louder than intended. Gabriella smirked, not turning around. "It's Ajax, right?".
Dona said louder, "Yes, it's him!"
Gabriella smirked,"What happened between you two?"
Dona stopped short, seeing Lara. She smiled warmly. "Hi, I'm Dona." Lara smiled back. "Hi, I am Lara." "Gabriella said lots about you," Dona lied easily, then paused. "And I'm… Dona. I know Gabriella didn't say anything about me." Lara was confused. "But I have seen you a few times with Gabriella before." Lara stood up awkwardly. "Then you guys talk. I have to go. Bye." As soon as Lara left, Dona rushed to Gabriella, leaning close. "Is that the girl… the accident?" Gabriella nodded, lowering her voice to a near-whisper. "Why are you still hanging with her? She is Ronnie's girlfriend now. Are you believing her?" Dona's voice was sharp with suspicion. "She won't betray me," Gabriella insisted. "But—" "No but. Are you going to do my makeup or not?" Dona sighed. "Fine, I am doing it." As Dona began applying the final touches, Gabriella stared into the large mirror, her reflection a perfect, porcelain mask. She saw the perfect image of a winner, but inside, a dark calculation was churning.
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