Rhythm Of Deceit

Chapter 2: Dance of Shadows

The next afternoon, Southland College’s campus bustled with activity. Students rushed between classes, friends gathered in small groups, and laughter filled the air. Yet, for Aniya, it all seemed like background noise. She had a mission. A wayward note had changed her daily routine, and her curiosity had grown into a quiet, powerful determination.

Today, she decided to take a detour past the Y2K rehearsal room after her last class. She told herself it was just to “see what they were working on.” But deep down, she knew she was hoping for something more—a chance to see Adler again, maybe catch a glimpse of him doing what he loved.

As she neared the room, she could already hear the faint beat of a bass-heavy track, its rhythm pulsing through the door and into the hallway. Aniya’s heart matched the beat, each step bringing her closer. She found a spot near the door, tucked behind a pillar, and watched as Adler and his crew practiced their routine.

Adler was the center of it all. His movements were powerful yet controlled, each step precise as he led the group through the choreography. Julian was right beside him, moving in perfect sync, their chemistry and friendship evident in the way they danced together. They shared a quick laugh between steps, and Aniya couldn’t help but smile at their camaraderie.

But it wasn’t long before she realized she wasn’t the only one watching.

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From across the hall, Rio leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his eyes narrowed as he observed the practice. He was tall, with an effortlessly cool demeanor that seemed to draw people to him. His reputation preceded him—singer, ladies’ man, and, notably, Adler’s rival. The two shared a complicated history that Aniya only vaguely understood, but their rivalry was no secret to anyone at Southland.

Rio’s gaze shifted, and for a split second, his eyes met Aniya’s. She quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing as she pretended to be interested in a poster on the wall.

A sly smile crept onto Rio’s face. He pushed himself off the wall and casually walked over to where she stood.

“Didn’t take you for a Y2K fan,” he said, his tone light but his eyes sharp.

Aniya felt a wave of nerves ripple through her. She’d never spoken to Rio before, and his sudden attention caught her off guard. “I just… admire their talent,” she managed to say, trying to keep her voice steady.

He glanced back at the dancers, his smile fading just a little. “Yeah, they’re good. But I wonder if people would still care if Adler wasn’t front and center.”

Aniya looked at him, surprised by the hint of bitterness in his tone. “I don’t think it’s just about Adler. The whole crew is amazing.”

Rio gave a slight shrug, though his gaze softened just a bit. “Fair point. But sometimes, people only see what they want to see.”

There was something cryptic in his words, a hint of tension that made Aniya uneasy. Before she could think of a response, Rio’s attention shifted back to the rehearsal room, where Adler had just finished a particularly challenging move. The song came to an end, and the dancers took a break, laughter and high-fives echoing through the room.

Aniya felt her heart skip as Adler looked up, his eyes scanning the hallway. He noticed her, pausing for a brief moment before giving a polite nod.

Her breath caught, and she returned the nod, though her mind was racing. Did he remember her? Did he even know her name?

Rio seemed to pick up on her reaction, and he let out a soft chuckle. “Looks like someone’s a little starstruck.”

Aniya’s cheeks burned, and she quickly glanced away. “I’m just… an admirer. That’s all.”

Rio’s smile turned playful. “Admirer, huh? Funny, because I heard Adler has more admirers than he knows what to do with. Maybe you’re special, though.”

There was a teasing edge to his words, and Aniya wasn’t sure if he was mocking her or simply trying to be friendly. Before she could respond, Julian appeared in the doorway, waving at her.

“Hey, you’re Aniya, right?” Julian called, a welcoming smile on his face. “I’ve seen you at some of the performances. You should come to the next one! We’re working on a new set.”

Aniya blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected invitation. “Oh… really? I’d love to.”

Rio raised an eyebrow, giving Julian a curious glance before turning back to Aniya. “Looks like you’re already in with the Y2K crew.”

Julian shrugged, his smile never wavering. “It’s always good to have more support. And hey, we could always use a new fan.”

Aniya returned the smile, feeling her nerves ease slightly. Julian’s easygoing demeanor was a relief, and she appreciated his friendliness, especially with Rio’s unsettling presence still lingering nearby.

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Over the next few days, Aniya couldn’t shake the interactions from her mind. Rio’s cryptic words, Julian’s kindness, and Adler’s acknowledgment—they all played on repeat, leaving her with a sense of excitement and confusion. She started attending Y2K practices more frequently, each visit sparking a new question in her mind.

One afternoon, she found herself back by the rehearsal room, watching from her usual spot. The dancers moved as a unit, their synchronized steps mesmerizing. Adler was, as always, the focal point, but she began to notice the small ways in which Julian kept the group’s energy light. The two friends were like opposites, but their bond held Y2K together.

Then, as the practice wound down, Adler stepped outside the room to grab some water. He spotted her again, this time pausing in front of her with a curious look.

“Aniya, right?” he asked, his tone surprisingly soft.

Aniya nodded, her heart pounding. “Yes. I didn’t think you knew my name.”

He gave a slight smile. “Julian mentioned you. He said you’ve been around a lot lately.” There was no accusation in his tone, only genuine curiosity.

She hesitated, wondering how to explain herself without sounding foolish. “I just… love watching you all dance. You’re incredible.”

Adler chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Well, thanks. We put in a lot of work.”

As he spoke, Aniya couldn’t help but notice how different he was in person. Less polished, a bit awkward even. She found it endearing, a glimpse of the real Adler beneath the confident exterior.

“Do you dance?” he asked, catching her off guard.

“Not really,” she admitted, feeling a bit embarrassed. “I mean, I wish I could. But I’m nowhere near your level.”

He shrugged, a small grin tugging at his lips. “It’s never too late to start.”

Before Aniya could respond, Rio appeared behind Adler, his expression unreadable. “Aniya, you should come see me sing sometime. I’m not bad, either.”

The sudden shift in attention made Aniya uneasy, and she noticed Adler’s jaw tense slightly. The two shared a brief but intense look before Rio gave a slight smirk and sauntered away.

Adler let out a sigh, muttering something under his breath. Then he turned back to Aniya. “Anyway, it was nice meeting you properly. Maybe we’ll see you at our next show?”

Aniya smiled, her nerves fading. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

As Adler walked back into the rehearsal room, she couldn’t help but feel that her world was beginning to change, one unexpected encounter at a time.

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End of Chapter 2

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