Lia tossed her bag onto the couch and sighed as she stretched her arms over her head. The day had been long, filled with unexpected chaos at Starlight Entertainment, but now she was back in her own space—her sanctuary.

After a quick shower and some light snacks, she felt refreshed. Still, something inside her felt unsettled, like an itch she needed to scratch.

Dancing.

She hadn’t practiced in a week, and the absence of movement gnawed at her.

Without wasting another second, Lia pulled her hair back into a tight ponytail, rolled her shoulders, and did a few warm-up stretches. She peeled off her sweater, throwing it into the corner of the room, and stood in front of the mirror dressed in sweats and a black crop top.

With a deep breath, she picked up the remote and pressed play.

The music blasted through the speakers, the heavy bass vibrating through her chest. Her body instinctively moved to the beat, her muscles remembering the steps as if she had never taken a break. The smooth roll of her hips, the sharp angles of her arms, the fluidity of her transitions—it was all muscle memory, ingrained deep in her bones.

She spun on the balls of her feet, dropped low, and rolled across the floor before rising with a graceful snap. Her fingertips extended toward her reflection in the mirror as if she were commanding an invisible audience.

She imagined the crowd roaring, the stage lights blinding, the energy electrifying.

One day… this would be real.

The song ended, leaving her breathless and sprawled across the floor. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead.

Damn, she thought. I shouldn’t have taken so many days off.

Her limbs ached, but she knew she couldn’t afford to slow down. In a few weeks, she would officially become a trainee. The competition would be fierce, the expectations higher than ever. She couldn’t afford to be weak.

Pushing herself up, she grabbed her water bottle and took a long sip.

Lia stared at her reflection, her eyes dark with determination.

"I will master this. I will be the best. And I will get my revenge."

The music started again, and without hesitation, she jumped back into her moves.

Meanwhile, in another part of the house, Felix was on the hunt.

“Where’s Lia?” he asked, lazily draping himself across the kitchen counter.

Georgia, busy pouring herself a cup of tea, barely glanced at him. “She’s in her practice room.”

Felix grinned. “Perfect.”

Georgia instantly narrowed her eyes. “Don’t bother her.”

Felix laughed, raising his hands in mock surrender. “I would never.”

Georgia muttered under her breath, “I don’t trust you.”

Felix, now halfway out the door, called back, “I can still hear you, Mom!”

Georgia smirked. “At least you’re not deaf.”

But, of course, Felix ignored his mother’s warning and made his way to the practice studio.

With a dramatic swing of the door, he burst inside.

“Surprise!” he declared, striking a ridiculous pose in the doorway.

Lia, mid-step, froze, her face instantly scrunching up in pure disgust.

“Ew. Go away.”

Felix smirked. Classic Lia.

He strolled inside and flopped down on the couch, making himself comfortable as he watched her dance. She was mesmerizing—fierce, controlled, yet fluid in her movements. He had seen her practice before, but every time, she looked even more powerful.

After a few minutes of watching in silence, he smirked.

“You look kinda hot when you’re practicing.”

Lia stopped dead in her tracks, her nose wrinkling in horror.

“Can you stop grossing me out?” she shot back, wiping sweat off her brow.

Felix burst out laughing. “You make it too easy.”

The song finally ended, and Lia dropped to the floor, satisfied with her performance. Felix grabbed her water bottle and handed it to her.

She took it without hesitation. “Thanks.”

“So… are you busy tomorrow?” he asked casually, throwing his head back against the couch.

Lia took another sip of water. “What time?”

“Afternoon, probably,” he answered, stretching his arms behind his head.

She raised a suspicious eyebrow. “Why?”

Felix sighed dramatically. “I need to go shopping.”

Lia blinked. “Then ask your friends?”

“They’re all busy,” he whined, rolling onto his side to look at her. “You were my last resort.”

Lia scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Figures.”

“So you’ll go?”

“I guess,” she sighed. “I need to pick up a few things anyway.”

Felix immediately jumped up from the couch, grinning. “Thanks, Vocal Cord!”

Lia barely had time to glare before he blew her a kiss and dashed for the door.

“YOU’RE A DISGUSTING JERK!” she hollered after him.

Felix just grinned as he walked away, knowing she’d never actually turn him down.

Inside the practice room, Lia collapsed onto the floor, laughing to herself.

She didn’t know what was worse—her sore body from dancing or Felix’s never-ending nonsense.

With a groan, she closed her eyes, deciding to rest for just a few minutes.