Chapter 2

Her sudden change in attitude made absolutely no sense to me.

"What's wrong with you?"

Jessica cowered, avoiding my eyes. "N-nothing... you... you should... go in!"

She could barely get the words out.

Just last night, we were like best friends, sharing secrets on the same bed. How did things change so drastically overnight?

What had I done wrong?

In desperation, I stepped in front of her to explain, "I'm sorry, Jessica. I was just so exhausted yesterday that I passed out. I didn't mean to ignore you!"

"...You really fell asleep?"

"Yeah, when I woke up it was already 8:30, and you left without waking me!"

My words only made things worse. Jessica, who had been somewhat calm, suddenly became agitated.

She shook her head frantically, muttering, "It wasn't you, it wasn't you, it really wasn't you!"

A strange anxiety crept over me. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh? Nothing, nothing!"

Without even glancing at me, she hurried into the practice room.

During morning practice, Jessica was completely distracted. As center, she kept forgetting the choreography.

At lunch break, I wanted to grab food with her, but she bolted out the moment class ended.

It was clear - Jessica had started avoiding me too.

Just like Ava, she was terrified of me.

Before I could figure out what was happening, Jessica went to the production team that afternoon.

She wanted to give up her center position - to me.

Henry Smith, our dance trainer and a famous idol himself, lost his cool right there.

"Other teams are fighting for center, and here you all are trying to give it up!"

"Are you taking this show as a joke? If you don't want to compete, just quit!"

Ava spoke up timidly, “Henry, only Kristen Jones can handle the center position!"

"We really can't do it... really!"

Jessica and two others exchanged glances, all silently agreeing.

Henry's view of me changed instantly.

He probably thought I'd pressured Ava and Jessica into giving up center position to me.

Why else would they give up such a precious opportunity?

It's not that I didn't want to be center, but there were others in the group better suited for it.

So why were they insisting that only I could do it?

Something was definitely off!

"Who's Kristen Jones?" Director Williams, the show's main director, walked in.

After I quietly raised my hand, he looked me up and down slowly.

His stare made me uncomfortable, but he noticed and smiled. "Not bad. You've got potential!"

Just like that, his word made my center position final.

I noticed Ava and Jessica visibly relax.

Maybe seeing my frustration, Director Williams asked me to stay behind after dismissing everyone.

"I can tell you're different from the others. You've got ambition."

"Instead of having others give up center, why don't I help you make it to the finals?"

Then he grabbed my hand, and my mind went blank as I realized what he meant.

He was trying to pressure me into the casting couch!

As PD Williams's hands started roaming, something in me snapped. I grabbed his wandering hand and twisted it.

He howled in pain.

“Director Williams, a sponsor needs to discuss something with you."

Henry opened the door, and when our eyes met, he froze.

Burning with shame and anger, I didn't think - I just ran to the rooftop terrace and broke down crying.

"Kristen, take this."

Jessica had appeared without me noticing. She took off her protective charm necklace, pressed it into my hand, and tried to run.

I caught her arm, "Jessica, we've trained together for four years. Please, tell me what's going on!"