Watching them move as a group is incredible.
They work so well together, and I can tell this song is going to do wonders for their careers.
The guys run through their scene three times before wrapping up, and the director is satisfied with everything he needs from the band. He announces that tomorrow will be devoted to filming Danger and me. I can’t help but hope Nate will be in a good mood—maybe enough to lift my spirits a bit. Right now, the hurt from my run-in with Tillie and Lunar still lingers, casting a shadow over my mood. Seeing the guys perform lifted me a little, but the girls’ words keep echoing, reminding me how far I still am from fitting in here.
The guys head offstage, and I hold back, waiting for Lunar and Tillie to slip out of sight before making my move. Once the coast is clear, Mindy and I step out, scanning the area looking for Nate. I need to make sure he’s okay—especially with Lunar’s frustration simmering so close to the surface.
I make my way to the band’s dressing room, and as I step inside, I find the whole crew there—the band, the girls, and theirmanager. The room buzzes with easy laughter and conversation until they notice me. One by one, their voices fade, and the air turns charged, their expressions clearly portraying what they think of me.
I swallow, forcing a smile that I hope looks genuine. “Hi, guys.”
“Hey,” Nate replies warmly, his smile genuine, though the others stare at me like I’ve intruded where I don’t belong.
I clear my throat, determined to stay upbeat. “So, today went well.”
“Yeah, the guys did great,” Lunar snaps, her tone cutting through the air.
I flinch, my expression twisting in response to Lunar’s sharp tone. Nate shoots her a glare, and she falters, her frown deepening as she realizes the impact of her words.
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I give a stiff nod.
Lunar’s hostile vibe hits me like a wall, and it’s all the confirmation I need. I turn and walk briskly out of the room, my head held high despite the damn sting.
I know now, without a doubt, that I’m not wanted here.
“Ria, wait,” Nate calls after me, his voice echoing down the hall. I chew on my bottom lip, fists clenching and unclenching as I hurry away, my pulse racing with every step.
“Ria!” Nate calls again before he finally catches up. “Hey… slow down.”
“She hates me, Nate,” I snap, the frustration bubbling over.
Nate sighs. “Maybe if you were more Ria and less Zaria, she’d warm to you.”
“I tried! I really tried to connect with her, but she hates me. Theyallhate me.” I pause, swallowing the tightness in my throat. “How can I be with you when everyone around you can’t stand to be near me?”
Nate reaches out, grabs my hand, halts my pace, and forces me to look at him. “Whoa… whoa… hey now. Why are you talking like this?”
“I told you, theyhateme!” I spit out the words bitter on my tongue.
His expression softens, a flash of hurt in his eyes. “So that’s it? Are you ready to throw us away before we’ve even begun? Without even trying? Do I mean that little to you?”
Tears well in my eyes, and I sag my shoulders. “Shit! No. I don’t know what I’m doing, Nate. People usually fall all over me. But not them. I don’t know how to makefriends.Hell, I don’t have many.”
“Lunar’s just taking it out on you because of Danger, so don’t take it personally. She’s a jealous one, and the others have only seen you at your worst. You gotta loosen up if you want them to like you.”
“You liked me as Zaria.”
“I saw right through you, but they don’t have their eyes openyet.” He blows out a puff of air and continues, “Ria, please, try to be civil to them. For me. Especially to Lunar and Tillie? Just keep trying.”
My bottom lip quivers. “Nate, I’m sorry.”
He pulls me to him, wrapping himself around me, encompassing my body in his safe warmth. “Hey, don’t be. This is hard on all of us. Just maybe try to be a little, I dunno, less…”
I can see he’s searching for a nice word, so I finish for him, “Diva?”
He chuckles and nods. “Yeah, if possible. And no more talk of calling us off, okay? I’ve only just got you. I don’t want to lose you.”
I look up at him with a smile. “You’re sweet, you know that?”
