Casey goes home after the musical challenge. Her punk attitude and singing style has gotten a bit repetitive for the judges. She holds her head up high as the audience gives her a final cheer.
The next round had us singing without any music accompaniment. I expected Ryan to be too nervous to sing well. But during the challenge, he belted his heart out. He’s gotten a lot better at hitting the notes.
After that challenge, the remaining six contestants return backstage to wait for Blair to come interview each of us. In the darkness, I scan the rest of the group for Lark. Ryan is in the farthest corner away from me, listening to music on his phone. The other two competitors set up a card game on the floor. Asher munches on a bag of popcorn. He sees me looking at him and comes over to offer me some.
“No thanks,” I say.
“Just thought you could use some cheering up.” He throws a couple pieces into his mouth. “Figured you’d be devastated by the news.”
“What news?”
“You know, about Ryan.”
I look over at Ryan. “What are you talking about? What happened?”
“Aw, you really don’t know?” Asher grins triumphantly. “He and I are gonna be a music duo. He asked me yesterday to join him in a new band, just the two of us.”
“Just the two of you . . . ?” I repeat.
“That’s right. We decided to put aside our differences and work together to take you down.”
I peer at Asher, trying to find the joke in his face. Because this has to be a joke. But his expression is earnest. My stomach sinks.
“No way. It couldn’t . . . how could he?” I stutter. I shove past Asher and rush over to Ryan. “Ryan, did you—”
But before I can finish my question, Ryan catches my eye, turns the volume all the way up on his music, and heads for the door. He doesn’t even acknowledge that I’d been trying to talk to him.
“I really am sorry about this, Eve,” Asher says, suddenly sympathetic. “I didn’t want to take your spot in the duo from you, but Ryan insisted. And you know how great of a musician he is. How could I say no?”
My voice gets caught in my throat. How can this be happening? How can this be real? Tears form in my eyes.
“Here. Have some popcorn.” Asher grins and holds out the bag again. “It’s the least I can do.”
I burst out of the backstage area and rush through the studio, charging down hallways and opening doors until I’m out of breath and tears. I push past cameramen, stagehands, and even Tix. “Watch where you’re going!” he yells after me.
I nearly bowl over Blair. She flattens herself against the wall as I sprint past her. “If you’re looking for Ryan, he went that way,” she says, pointing to the left.
I turn right instead. I yank open the door to the girl’s bathroom near the dressing room. There, I find Lark washing her hands.
“Oh, hi, Eve,” she starts, but then she sees that I’m crying.
We stare at each other while I catch my breath and try to find my voice.
“I changed my mind, Lark,” I finally wheeze. “Let’s form a duo.”