WHO AM I

THE UNRAVELING

Jasper continued his epic dance on stage, the feather boa flapping like a disco ball in a tornado. The crowd cheered him on, laughter echoing off the walls as he spun around, clearly enjoying the spotlight. Lila couldn't help but feel a wave of relief wash over her; it was a welcome distraction from the unease she felt creeping in.

"Look at him go! Who knew Jasper had moves?" Kira said, laughing so hard her cheeks were turning red.

Eli leaned closer to Lila, a playful smirk on his face. "I'm just waiting for him to pull a muscle. That would be the real entertainment."

"No, no! He's doing great!" Lila replied, her eyes sparkling with amusement. But beneath the surface, she still felt the tension tightening in her chest, that nagging sense that something wasn't quite right.

As the crowd roared, Renzo announced, "Alright, alright! Next challenge—let's see who can take the best selfie with the infamous 'Renzo Pose!'" He demonstrated with exaggerated flair, striking a pose that involved a peace sign and a dramatic hair flip.

"Seriously? A selfie challenge?" Lila whispered to Kira, shaking her head. "This is just ridiculous."

"Hey, at least it's entertaining," Kira replied with a grin. "I'm in! Let's show them how it's done!"

As the chaos continued, Lila spotted Noah hanging back by the kitchen entrance, arms crossed, watching everything unfold with an amused expression. She found herself drifting toward him, drawn by his calm presence amidst the frenzy.

"Hey," she said as she approached. "What do you think of all this?"

"It's a circus, but I can't say I'm not entertained," Noah replied, chuckling. "Jasper's a natural born performer. I didn't know he had it in him."

"Right? But there's got to be more to Renzo's plan," Lila said, glancing back at the stage where Renzo was now coordinating the next round of the challenge. "It's all just too... flashy."

"Maybe he's just trying to impress Zara," Noah suggested, a teasing smile playing on his lips.

"More like trying to keep his ego inflated," Lila retorted, smirking. "But still, I can't shake this feeling."

"Let's keep our eyes open, then. If he's up to something, we'll figure it out." Noah's voice was reassuring, and Lila felt a sense of camaraderie blooming between them.

Suddenly, Jasper, still in his boa, hopped off the stage and rushed toward them. "Guys! You have to join the selfie challenge! Come on, it'll be hilarious!"

Lila hesitated, glancing at Noah, who raised an eyebrow at her, a playful challenge in his eyes. "What do you say? Are you up for it?"

"Fine, but if I trip and fall, you're both responsible!" Lila laughed, feeling the tension ease a bit more.

They rushed back to the stage, where Renzo was eagerly awaiting them. "Alright, team Lila, Noah, and Jasper! Show us what you've got!"

With Kira joining in, they lined up and struck their best "Renzo Pose." Lila felt a surge of confidence, their laughter ringing out over the crowd. Eli captured the moment on his phone, snapping picture after picture.

Just then, Renzo leaned in with a smirk. "Let's spice this up. If your selfie gets the most likes tonight, you win a prize! But if it doesn't, you have to do a silly dare I come up with."

"Deal!" Jasper exclaimed, throwing his fist into the air. "Let's win this thing!"

The selfies flew through the air like confetti, each snap capturing their laughter and silliness. Lila couldn't remember the last time she'd felt so carefree. For that moment, she forgot about her worries and just enjoyed the fun.

However, as they were about to take the last selfie, the power went out, plunging the room into darkness. Gasps filled the air, and Lila felt her heart race.

"Is this part of the challenge?" Kira joked nervously.

"Nope, I think we're just experiencing a classic party blackout," Noah replied, sounding calm despite the chaos.

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed through the room, and the lights flickered back on to reveal Renzo sprawled on the floor, having tripped over a power cord during the blackout. Laughter erupted from the crowd, and even Lila couldn't help but giggle.

"Okay, maybe we should start a 'Renzo Falls' challenge!" Jasper suggested, and the crowd roared with approval.

But as Lila laughed, she couldn't shake the feeling that something else was brewing beneath the surface. Renzo had an ulterior motive for this party, and she was determined to uncover it.

With each laugh and every selfie, the tension in the air grows thicker. Will Lila and her friends discover Renzo's true intentions before it's too late?