Unexpectedly Yours

Chapter 6

Flashback

Two days Earlier~~~

Alexander's pov

The practice room was nearly empty, save for a few members of our group stretching or grabbing water. We had just finished a grueling dance rehearsal, and everyone was drained. I slumped against the wall, wiping the sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand.

"Hey, Alex!"

Liam’s voice cut through the exhaustion. I looked up to see him striding toward me, a mischievous grin plastered on his face. Whenever he had that look, it usually meant trouble.

"What do you want, Liam?"

I asked, my voice tinged with suspicion.

Liam plopped down beside me, pulling out his phone.

"So, you know that modeling audition I mentioned last week?"

I nodded, recalling the conversation vaguely. Liam had been talking about trying out for a modeling gig, something to do on the side while we weren’t promoting. I was too tired and didn’t pay much attention to it at the time.

"Yeah, what about it?"

"Well..."

He hesitated, fiddling with his phone.

"I sort of... can't make it."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Can't make it?"

He looked up at me, his grin fading into an exaggerated pout.

"I've got something else I need to do that day, and I can't reschedule. But I already signed up, so I was thinking maybe... you could go in my place?"

I stared at him, deadpan.

"You want me to audition for a modeling job? Liam, I’m an idol, not a model."

"You could be both!"

Liam insisted, sitting up straighter.

"Come on, Alex, you’ve got the look for it. Plus, it’s just one audition. Who knows, you might even enjoy it."

I crossed my arms, not buying his enthusiasm.

"And what’s so important that you can’t go?"

Liam hesitated again, his eyes shifting away.

"Just... something I can’t get out of. Personal stuff."

I sighed, already tired of the conversation. Liam wasn’t the type to drop hints about his private life, but I could tell he was hiding something. Still, it wasn’t worth pressing him on it. I’d get nothing but more excuses.

"So you want me to go to this audition for you"

I repeated, my tone flat.

"Yes"

Liam said, his grin returning full force.

"Just this once. You’ll be doing me a huge favor, Alex."

I leaned my head back against the wall, closing my eyes.

"Fine. But you owe me."

Liam let out a triumphant cheer, clapping me on the back.

"Thanks, man! I knew I could count on you."

"Yeah, yeah"

I muttered, already regretting my decision.

"Don’t make a habit of this."

Back to the present~~~

As I walked out of the photoshoot area, I couldn't help but think about how I ended up here. Liam had always been good at getting what he wanted, but this time I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to his "personal stuff" than he let on. I didn’t care enough to pry, but it lingered in the back of my mind, like a faint itch I couldn't scratch.

The photoshoot had gone smoothly enough. The photographers were professional, and I could tell they were pleased with the results. But it wasn’t exactly thrilling work. Standing in front of a camera, being told how to pose it all felt mechanical, like I was just another prop for them to arrange.

As I gathered my things, I noticed a text from Liam.

"How'd did it go? Did you nail it?"

I smirked, typing a quick reply.

"It's done. Don't asked me to do this again"

Almost immediately, my phone buzzed with his response.

"You're the best,Alex! Drinks on me next time"

I slipped my phone back into my pocket, not bothering to reply. Liam would keep his promise, but I knew this wasn’t the last time he’d drag me into one of his schemes.
As I walked out of the audition building, I spotted Piper in the distance, talking to a group of people. Her gaze flickered in my direction for a moment before she turned back to her conversation, her expression unreadable.

'She just likes my appearance'

I reminded myself, pushing the thought away.
I had bigger things to focus on like figuring out what Liam was really up to.