Rockstar Bay Academy: A Stepbrother Romance

Chapter 11: Partners

As soon as the last school bell of the day rings on Monday, every senior makes their way to Music Room #1, the only room big enough to fit the senior class into it. Partner lists are scheduled to go up now, and everyone wants to know who they'd been paired with. 

Noise scatters in all directions as I walk into the giant room, and I estimate at least three quarters of the senior class is already here. I look around for my friends but only see Ethan hovering at the front of the room. He is standing with a few of his mates and Ainsley, who is hugging him around the waist and smiling up at him adoringly.

Ainsley's audition took place on the second day of auditions, and she'd outright asked the teachers to pair her with Ethan. I honestly don't care whether the teachers indulge her or not. The only thing that matters right now is who been partnered with.

A partner who will challenge me and make me a better songwriter is ideal, and I hope I like the person and get along with them. Writing and composing a duet as well as rehearsing will take up a lot of the first semester, so it's going to be awkward if I don't know my partner very well or we don't get along. That said, I don't plan on fighting with my partner. I'll do everything I can to make sure this assessment goes perfectly because it's essential this is my best work yet.

Finally, a shout goes up from the front, and I see Mrs Reiner pinning the list to the board. As soon as she steps out of the way, the seniors push forward in one wave, and I feel myself take a step forward with the momentum. I want to rush to the front of the room, too, but I hold back, unwilling to be crushed.

Impatiently, I watch other people reacting to the list. There is a lot of squealing, a lot of hugging, and a lot of people who look disappointed as they step away from the board. At least the line seems to be moving quickly. Ainsley and Ethan are already getting their turn. They move forward until they are enveloped by the crowd around the list, and I can't see them anymore.

With them out of sight, my gaze rakes over the rest of the crowd, taking in how many people are still in front of me. Mason is a few rows back from the board, his arm around Bri. I didn't see them before, and the desire to push through the crowd and join them is nearly overwhelming, but I force myself to wait my turn.

Several minutes later, Kennedy walks into the room and joins me. I want to ask her where she's been, but I don't because Ainsley and Ethan are walking towards us. The fact Ainsley looks so happy makes me wary. Maybe she got her wish and was partnered with Ethan.

"Congratulations, Lilah," Ainsley says sweetly, surprising me. "You got the partner that brought out the best in you."

"What?"

"Ainsley," Ethan says darkly, shooting me a worried look. His concern does nothing to loosen the sudden ball of nerves tightening in my stomach.

"Who is she paired with?" Kennedy asks.

He shakes his head, his expression concerned and unhappy. "She's not going to like it."

"It can't be that bad," Kennedy says.

"It's worse," he whispers to her, but I hear it anyway.

On the spot, I try to think of the worst person I could be paired with. The moment the name comes to me, my stomach stops fisting into a ball and plummets to my feet, as if I've just jumped out of an airplane without a parachute. And when I look into Ethan's eyes, I know my worst fears are true.

"No," I say, shaking my head. "Not Asher."

"It can't be him," Kennedy says. "They wouldn't."

Her panicked expression contradicts her.