By morning, Crestview High looked like a different place.
Banners everywhere.
Speakers being tested.
Students moving in groups, louder than usual, energy buzzing through the air.
If someone walked in for the first time, they'd think this was a celebration and not a battlefield.
"Competition week," Liam said, stretching like he owned the school. "Finally, something entertaining."
Tessa rolled her eyes. "You just like attention."
"I deserve attention."
Zina ignored both of them, scanning the notice board again.
Kai stood a little apart, silent as always.
Maya arrived late and her steps slower than usual.
Her mind still stuck somewhere between last night's chaos and this morning's noise.
"You look worse than yesterday," Tessa said immediately.
"I'm fine."
Liam snorted. "You really need a new line."
Maya didn't argue and didn't have the energy.
"Group assignments are out," Zina said, stepping aside.
Maya looked.
Group 7; Performance Category
(Maya, Kai, Liam, Tessa, Zina)
Her chest tightened slightly.
All of them, together.
"Perfect," Liam grinned. "We're obviously winning."
"Confidence isn't talent," Zina replied dryly.
"I have both."
Tessa folded her arms. "We need a plan. Singing? Dance? Drama?"
"Dance," Liam said instantly.
"No," Zina countered.
"Yes."
"No."
Maya almost smiled.
"Why don't we combine?" Tessa suggested. "Start with a short drama, transition into dance, end with group vocals."
"That's actually smart," Liam admitted.
Zina nodded slightly.
Kai said nothing.
But he didn't disagree.
All eyes turned to Maya.
She froze slightly.
"Why are you all looking at me?"
"Because you're in the group," Liam said. "Try participating."
Maya hesitated.
"I can sing."
Liam blinked. "You?"
Maya's jaw tightened. "Forget I said anything."
"No," Tessa cut in quickly. "That's good."
Zina studied her.
"You don't look like you'd lie about that."
Maya exhaled slowly.
"I won't."
"Then you're singing," Liam said. "No pressure."
"Shut up," Tessa muttered.
For a second something felt normal.
Then laughter echoed from behind them.
It was the three girls.
"Look at this," the leader said slowly. "The little stray joined a performance group."
Maya's body tensed instantly.
"Be careful," the second girl added mockingly. "You might embarrass them."
Liam stepped forward slightly. "Do you ever get tired of talking?"
The leader ignored him and her eyes locked on Maya.
"I hope you sing better than you fight," she said.
Maya didn't respond and didn't move.
And that only made her smile widen.
"Because if you don't…"
She stepped closer and lowered her voice.
"We'll make sure everyone remembers it."
Then they walked off, laughing.
"Ignore them," Tessa said.
Maya nodded.
But her chest felt tight again.
Not fear but something else, Something building.
The auditorium was chaos, Students everywhere, Groups practicing, Music overlapping, Voices clashing, Energy, Noise, Pressure.
"Alright," Liam clapped his hands. "We rehearse."
"Try not to make it painful," Zina added.
Maya stood at the side at first watching and listening.
They started with the drama part very Short, Sharp and tension-filled.
Liam was surprisingly good, Tessa controlled, Zina precise, Kai minimal but powerful.
Then came dance.
"Try to keep up," Liam told Maya.
"I will," she replied.
Music started, Maya moved.
At first careful and measured.
Then something clicked.
Her body followed with the rhythm.
Not perfect but not weak.
"Okay…" Liam muttered. "I didn't expect that."
Zina nodded slightly.
"She learns fast."
Maya didn't smile, but something in her chest eased just a little.
Then music stopped.
"Now the singing," Tessa said.
Maya froze, her fingers curled slightly.
"Relax," Liam said. "It's just us."
But that didn't help, Maya closed her eyes for a second then took a breath.
Then she sang, Soft at first, then stronger.
The room didn't go silent but their group did, even Liam.
Maya's voice wasn't loud, but it was clear, raw, real.
Something in it felt… broken.
When she finished, no one spoke immediately.
"Okay," Liam said slowly. "That… was not bad."
Tessa smirked. "Not bad? That was good."
Zina nodded. "We can work with that."
Maya opened her eyes, her chest rising slightly.
Then she saw them, the three girls.
Standing at the entrance watching.
The leader's expression not amused, not mocking but something else, something darker.
She turned and walked away without a word.
By evening the competition began.
The auditorium was packed, Lights bright, Music loud, Energy high.
Groups performed one after another; Some good, Some terrible, Some forgettable.
"Next, Group 7."
Maya's heart jumped.
"Showtime," Liam grinned.
They stepped onto the stage, Lights hit instantly, Blinding and Hot
The crowd noise faded just a little.
The drama started Sharp lines, Strong delivery.
Everything moved smoothly.
Then for the Dance, the beat dropped.
Maya moved with them.
This time no hesitation, the crowd reacted louder.
Then for the final part, singing.
Maya stepped forward, her heart pounded, her chest tight.
But she didn't stop, she sang, clear, strong, emotional.
For a moment everything else disappeared, no bullies, no drugs, no fear, just her voice.
When it ended.
The crowd gave a very loud and encouraging applause.
Maya blinked, that wasn't expected.
They stepped off stage.
Liam laughed. "We killed that."
Tessa smiled slightly. "That was solid."
Zina nodded.
Kai didn't speak but his eyes were on Maya differently.
Then a scream cut through the noise, everything stopped.
Students turned, confusion spreading.
"What happened?"
"Who?"
Maya's chest tightened instantly.
Near the side entrance a girl lay on the floor, not moving, blood again.
The crowd shifted, panic rising.
Teachers rushed in, again.
Maya's stomach dropped "not again." her eyes scanned the area.
Then she saw them, the three girls standing back and watching.
The leader's lips curved slightly.
Maya's heart slammed against her chest.
This wasn't an accident, not this time.
And as the noise grew louder, the applause fading into panic, one thing became clear.
The competition wasn't just about winning anymore.
It was becoming something else, something dangerous and this time everyone was watching.