The Ugly Duckling

Chapter 3: Cue the music

The next morning, Eliza walked into Ridgewood High feeling more optimistic than she had in a while. She was still getting used to the rhythm of high school life, but the idea of jamming with Nate after school had put a spring in her step. As she wove through the crowded hallways, she spotted Kat by the lockers, engrossed in a conversation with a few other students.

“Hey, Kat,” Eliza called out as she approached.

Kat turned, her face lighting up when she saw Eliza. “Eliza! You’re just in time. Have you heard the news?”

“What news?” Eliza asked, stuffing her hands into the pockets of her jacket.

Kat smirked and pointed to a large poster taped to the wall. The words “Ridgewood High Talent Show” were emblazoned in bold letters, accompanied by flashy graphics that seemed to scream for attention.

“They just put it up this morning,” Kat said, crossing her arms. “Everyone’s already talking about it.”

Eliza stared at the poster. The Talent Show was one of the biggest events at Ridgewood, and her sister Chloe had been the reigning champion since middle school. The idea of participating had always seemed terrifying, but now, with Nate’s casual invitation to jam still fresh in her mind, something had shifted.

Kat watched Eliza closely, as if trying to read her thoughts. “I know what you’re thinking, and yes, I’m totally in if you want to do it. But I don’t want you freaking out on me. We’ve got time to figure it out.”

Eliza sighed, the weight of the decision settling in her chest. “I don’t know, Kat. It’s a lot of pressure.”

“I get it,” Kat said, her tone surprisingly gentle. “But you’ve got the skills, Eliza. And we’ve got Nate now. Plus, this could be our chance to show everyone what we’re made of—outside of Chloe’s shadow.”

Eliza chewed her bottom lip, torn between the fear of failure and the thrill of something new. Before she could respond, Jamie appeared out of nowhere, nearly colliding with them in his excitement.

“Guys, did you see the poster?” he asked breathlessly. “Talent Show sign-ups start next week! We have to do this.”

“Whoa, slow down, Jamie,” Eliza said, holding up her hands. “I haven’t even decided yet.”

Jamie’s enthusiasm didn’t waver. “Come on, Eliza. You know you want to. We’ve been talking about starting a band for years. This is our shot!”

Kat jumped in. “I already told her I’m in. And Nate plays guitar, so we’re basically set. We just need you to say yes.”

Eliza felt the pressure mounting. It wasn’t just about playing music anymore—it was about proving something to herself, to Chloe, and to the rest of the school. But could she really handle the attention?

Before she could answer, a familiar voice interrupted.

“Eliza! You’ve got to check this out.”

Eliza turned to see Chloe striding toward them, her blonde hair perfectly styled, as always. She was holding a glossy brochure, which she waved in front of Eliza’s face.

“Look at this!” Chloe said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “The Talent Show this year is going to be huge. They’re bringing in professional judges, and the winner gets a scholarship to a summer arts program. Isn’t that amazing?”

Eliza took the brochure from Chloe, scanning the details. Her stomach tightened at the sight of the scholarship prize. Winning something like that could open doors for her—doors she hadn’t even considered before.

“It sounds…intense,” Eliza said, trying to keep her voice neutral.

Chloe nodded enthusiastically. “It is! And I’m already planning something big with the cheer squad. You should totally do something too, Eliza. I bet you’d surprise everyone.”

Eliza felt the familiar mix of admiration and frustration that Chloe always seemed to inspire in her. Chloe’s confidence was almost overwhelming, but for once, it wasn’t entirely unwelcome. Maybe her sister was right. Maybe this was her chance to step out of the shadows.

“I’ll think about it,” Eliza said, handing the brochure back to Chloe.

Chloe beamed. “Great! Let me know if you need any help. I know this stuff can be nerve-wracking, but you’ve got this.” With that, she gave Eliza a quick hug and headed off to her next class, leaving Eliza to process everything.

Jamie, who had been unusually quiet during the exchange, finally spoke up. “So, what do you think? Are we in?”

Eliza took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her decision. But as she looked at Jamie’s hopeful expression and Kat’s determined grin, she realized that the idea of performing didn’t seem as scary as it had before. With them by her side—and maybe Nate too—she just might be able to pull it off.

“Alright,” Eliza said, her voice firm. “Let’s do it. Let’s sign up for the Talent Show.”

Kat let out a triumphant whoop, and Jamie high-fived her, his grin wider than ever. “This is going to be epic!”

Eliza smiled, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. They had a long way to go before they were ready for the stage, but for the first time, she felt like they might actually have a shot.

As they headed to class, Eliza couldn’t help but wonder what Nate would think of the idea. She had a feeling he’d be all for it. And maybe, just maybe, this would be the start of something much bigger than she’d ever imagined.

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A/N: Hope you guyss like this chapter!!