The training hall buzzed like a restless beehive.
Lights overhead hummed. Cameras rolled. Students whispered nervously as the mentors took their positions. It should have been a normal filming day.
But nothing was normal when Lily Martins was in the room.
Especially not today.
Director Davis stood at the front, sweating like a man whose job depended on the next twenty minutes. "Everyone, settle down! We continue where we left off. For fairness, each group will have one mentor specializing in vocals and one in choreography."
His voice trembled.
His soul trembled harder.
Lily stretched lazily, rolling her shoulders. "Let's hurry up. I have lunch in an hour."
Emma elbowed her. "Please behave."
"No promises," Lily whispered, smiling sweetly.
Across the room, Molly Martins stood beside John, holding her clipboard so tightly her knuckles turned white. Even from a distance, Lily noticed how Molly's left foot barely touched the ground.
'Her ankle looks terrible,' Lily thought.
