Chapter 1
Echo Summer had just crushed the Battle of the Bands, and the victory party
When I walked through the door, Nina Forsythe, our bassist, was already pressed up against Lennon’s side, cually stealing sips from his beer like the owned the place.
“Holy shit, Lennon! That improvised sole tonight was absolutely sick! You had the judges shook
She threw her arm around his shoulders, the sequins on her crop top ratching every fash of neon light in the cramped dive bar
The MR guy sand we can book studio time next week! Tu our fucking rockstar!”
Lennon was grimming ear to ear as they clinked bottles, the whole band losing their minds, streaming and riding that post show high
It took him forever to even notice me hovering by the entrance.
“Noa? Babe, why are you just standing there?”
Every head turned my way as I quietly slipped into the bark corner, my knuckles white around my phone.
The Berklee subreddit was absolutely losing it over Echo Summer’s win, but the top post was that damn video clip–Nina launching herself into Lennon’s arms mid–celebration while he span her around like some rom–com moment.
The comments were brutal
Berklee College [New power couple alert! Lepnon Nina just served LOOKS at Battle of the Bands ??]
Campus royalty vibes! These two are endgame material)
[Someone get these two a room already, I’m deceased 7)
One comment burbed in the thread
[Wait doesn’t Lennon have a gf? That Boston Uchick…]
Immediately downvoted to hall
[Bruh that’s old news. They’ve been done for months]
My stomach twisted. Months?
“Oh hey, Noa?”
Nina’s voce drapped with fake concern as she cocked her head at me.
“Why are you hiding in the corner doom scrolling? You look miserable. Are we being too rowdy for you?
I locked my phone, jaw clenched.
Lennon set his beer down, immediately defensive.
“She’s cool, Nina. That’s just her vibe–she’s more low–key, not into the whole scene.
Nina let out this exaggerated “Ohhhhh,” practically mening into Lennon’s side:
“So like… how do you two even work? You’re pach complete opposites. Who made the first move? I’m dying to know!”
She batted her lashes some Disney prificess
Les shrugged, totally oblivio
“We grew up on the same street, been tight since we were kids. Just kind of fell into it, you know?“
Chapter 11
Someone from across the table shouted:
“Childhood sweethearts! That’s some Nicholas Sparks shit right there?”
“Hmm, cule.”
Nina’s laugh had this sharp edge to it now,
“I guess when you’re young you don’t really get what real chemistry looks like. No offense, but you guys seem… I don’t know, kind of forced
Her eyes found mine for just a split second, and I saw it–the calculated sweetness, the deliberate
Something cold and furious settled in my chest. I looked straight at her, my voice deadly calm:
“Oh, so we don’t have chemistry, but you two do?”
“Should I just get out of your way then?”
