Chapter 32

At the end, the light converged back into a single beam, shining on the center of the stage. The once-lonely girl wrapped her arms around herself, resting her head on them with a gentle, blissful smile on her face.
The solo dance, ‘Dawn,’ was officially over. The music stopped.
Queenie’s breathing was ragged as she cautiously lifted her head. She saw everyone staring at her, their eyes wide, and her heart began to pound.
Just as her anxiety peaked, applause and discussion erupted simultaneously.
“Holy crap! I was expecting a train wreck, but that was a masterpiece!”
“A student from Aurora High? I need to know everything about her within the minute!”
“Wait, a private school on the verge of closing down is pulling a stunt like this?”
“I admit, I was way too loud with my criticism earlier.”
“Does anyone else think this girl’s dance was better than Yolanda’s?”
“Yes, yes! I think so too,” a female student whispered, covering her mouth. “Yolanda has great technique and perfect form, but watching her feels draining, like it’s the end of the world. This girl’s dance was different. It was positive, radiant, and uplifting. It left you feeling energized and full of hope.”
“I think at the official competition tomorrow, Aurora High might actually win an award for this.”
The girl’s attempt to whisper was futile. Yolanda and her clique heard every word. “What are you talking about?” a boy at the front of the group stood up defensively. “Who does she think she is, comparing herself to Yolanda?”
A student from a place like Aurora High? No grades, no connections. How dare she try to steal his goddess’s spotlight? He’d ruin her.
“It’s just the truth,” the two girls said, shrinking back in fear before grabbing their bags and scurrying away.
Yolanda’s hands, hanging at her sides, balled into tight fists, her face growing even paler. Anyone who knew dance could see that this girl from Aurora High was no amateur.
But… how could she perform ‘Dawn’ so perfectly? Many of the subtle details looked as if she had been coached by Master Lunar herself. They were identical to the master’s own movements.
The thought made Yolanda scoff. She had offered a fortune to get a lesson from Master Lunar and had been rejected. How could a poor girl like Queenie ever get near her?
Yolanda’s mind was in turmoil. She had been preparing for so long. This was her most important chance to break into the upper echelons of society. Losing to someone from the bottom rung of society like this… she would be a laughingstock among the heiresses who already looked down on her background.
No matter what, she had to win. A sinister glint flashed in Yolanda’s eyes.
The successful rehearsal left Qadir, Queenie, and Dolce ecstatic. They celebrated with a large meal, ordering several extra dishes. Seeing the beautifully presented and fragrant food, even Juniper was in a good mood.
“Did you see their faces? The jerks from Eclara High looked darker than charcoal,” Qadir said, slapping the table and laughing, feeling more vindicated than ever. “It’s a shame Juniper enrolled so late, otherwise she could have performed with Queenie.”
“With Juniper’s looks, just standing there would have been enough to blow everyone away. Those Eclara kids wouldn’t have stood a chance.”
“Totally,” Dolce mumbled, looking up from his plate. “She’s got the looks to rival my idol. If she went into showbiz, she’d be a massive star.”
Speaking of which, Dolce put down his fork and knife, leaning closer to Juniper to study her face. “You know… Juniper, you really do look a bit like my idol.”
Juniper just looked confused.