The faint hum of a piano leaked through the open door before Celine even stepped inside. The music room of Silverline Academy always had a way of drawing her in — the faint smell of polished wood, the glimmer of brass instruments catching the afternoon light, and the quiet promise of melodies waiting to be born.
She hesitated by the door, adjusting the strap of her sleek black bag before pushing it open.
"Celine! About time, girl."
Cindy's voice boomed from across the room, sharp and confident, like a beat drop. She sat casually on the edge of a drum set, short hair tucked under a dark cap, one leg bouncing impatiently.
Beside her, Cathy leaned against the wall in a fitted crop top and pleated skirt, phone in hand, hair falling in soft curls over her bare shoulders.
Celine smiled, trying to hide the flustered heat still clinging to her from earlier — the memory of Zhane's quiet eyes, the way the air had shifted between them. She couldn't afford to look distracted now. Not in front of the Triple Cs.
"Where have you been?" Cindy demanded, mock-scolding. "You vanished like a ghost. Practice started twenty minutes ago!"
Celine forced an easy laugh, walking toward them. "Sorry. I got delayed by a call from… my aunt." Her voice stayed smooth, but her fingers twitched slightly around the strap of her bag. "It took longer than I thought."
Cathy raised an eyebrow, sliding her phone into her back pocket. "Aunt, huh? I'll let that one pass because your voice is too pretty to argue with."
Celine rolled her eyes. "You flirt with everyone, Cathy. Even me."
"I'm a people person," Cathy said with a lazy grin.
Cindy snorted. "More like a trouble person."
The girls laughed — easy, familiar laughter that filled the room and bounced off the instruments. For a moment, Celine let it wash over her, easing the tight knot in her chest.
But before she could sit, Cathy straightened and clapped her hands dramatically. "Okay, okay, before we start, there's someone I want you both to meet."
From the corner of the room, a girl appeared — slender, radiant, with long brown braids that shimmered faintly under the sunlight streaming in through the windows. She looked younger, maybe a year or two below them, her smile bright and disarming.
"This," Cathy said proudly, looping an arm around the girl's shoulder, "is my little sister — Lily. She's joining the band as our new backup singer."
"Backup?" Cindy echoed, eyeing her critically. "Can she sing, or are we supposed to clap for her family ties?"
Lily chuckled, the sound light and effortless. "I can sing, Cindy. But I'd rather let you find out the fun way."
Cindy raised an eyebrow, amused. "Okay, firecracker."
Celine stepped forward, curious. Lily's confidence wasn't loud — it was subtle, the kind that drew attention without demanding it. Her uniform skirt was rolled up slightly, nails painted a pale pink that contrasted with her mischievous grin.
"Hi," Celine said warmly. "Welcome to the Triple Cs. It's good to have a new voice."
Lily's eyes lit up as she took Celine's hand. "Oh my gosh, Celine… I can't believe I'm finally meeting you!"
Celine blinked. "Me?"
"Yes!" Lily gushed, brushing closer with that too-bright smile. "Cathy always talks about you. The voice, the posture, the style— you're literally my idol."
Cathy groaned dramatically. "Here we go again."
Cindy snorted, spinning a drumstick in her fingers. "Fan alert."
But Celine only laughed, the warmth in her cheeks genuine this time. Lily's admiration — or whatever it was — felt refreshing after the tense morning. "You're exaggerating," she said, trying to wave it off.
"No, I'm serious," Lily insisted. "You're amazing. I can't wait to learn from you."
"Careful," Cathy teased. "You keep praising her like that and she'll start charging for advice."
"Stop!" Celine giggled, swatting Cathy's arm. "You're so dramatic."
"Can't help it. It's in the bloodline," Cathy replied, flipping her hair with a wink.
They spent the next few minutes warming up — Cathy at the keyboard, fingers gliding effortlessly; Cindy drumming out soft beats that filled the air; Celine humming through harmonies while Lily tried to match their rhythm. The sound was far from perfect, but it was alive, bubbling with energy and something almost… electric.
Halfway through their laughter, a faint beep echoed from Lily's pocket.
She paused, pulling out her phone. Her expression softened immediately, a smile curving her lips as her thumbs brushed across the screen.
Cathy noticed first. "Ooooh, look who's smiling at her phone," she sang teasingly.
Lily's head shot up, eyes narrowing slightly. "Don't start."
But it was too late — Cindy was already grinning, leaning on her drumsticks. "What's that look for, huh? Someone special texting you?"
Cathy pressed a hand to her chest, pretending to gasp. "Could it be… Jake?"
Lily's face flamed red. "Cathy!"
Celine blinked. "Jake?"
"Her boyfriend," Cathy announced, giggling like a gossiping sister. "The one who sends her voice notes that sound like love songs."
Lily frowned, playful irritation flashing in her eyes. "I told you not to tell them!"
"I didn't!" Cathy said innocently. "I might've just— you know— mentioned his name once. Or twice."
Cindy smirked. "Busted."
Celine laughed, covering her mouth. "Oh, Lily, you're blushing!"
"I'm not!" Lily protested, though the crimson spreading across her cheeks betrayed her. "You guys are evil."
"Evil with rhythm," Cathy replied, striking a pose. "There's a difference."
The room broke into laughter again, the kind that made the walls feel smaller and safer. Even Lily, still embarrassed, eventually joined in, shaking her head.
It was moments like these that reminded Celine why she loved this room — it wasn't just about music. It was about connection. About forgetting for a little while that the world outside was divided by uniforms and whispers.
When their laughter finally died down, Cindy stood and stretched with a groan. "Alright, enough talking. I'm starving. Who's up for the cafeteria?"
"Count me in," Cathy said immediately. "If I don't eat soon, I might start nibbling on a mic."
"Same," Lily said, tucking her phone into her skirt pocket. "I could use something cold."
Celine smiled. "Let's go, then. My treat."
Cindy gasped dramatically. "Celine offering to pay? Someone record this moment!"
"Very funny," Celine said, rolling her eyes but smiling nonetheless.
They gathered their things and left the music room, laughter and chatter trailing behind them. The hallway outside buzzed faintly with after-class life — lockers slamming, sneakers squeaking, the faint hum of distant conversations.
Celine walked in the middle, Cathy at her left and Cindy at her right, while Lily trailed slightly behind, scrolling her phone.
"Celine," Cathy said, nudging her, "you have to admit, Lily's got talent. Did you hear that harmony earlier?"
"I did," Celine replied with a small nod. "She's good. Confident, too."
"Too confident," Cindy muttered, smirking. "She's got that same look you had when you first joined."
"Which is what?"
"Like you already knew you'd be the best."
Celine shrugged "Maybe confidence runs in their family."
Cathy twirled her hair. "Or maybe we're just born for the spotlight."
They were halfway down the corridor when Cindy suddenly stopped walking. "Wait. Where's Lily?"
Celine turned. Lily had stopped a few steps behind them, her phone hanging loosely in her hand. Her smile was gone, replaced by a strange stillness. Her eyes flicked left, then right — scanning the hallway, the corners, the doors.
Her shoulders stiffened as though she'd felt something invisible pass behind her.
"Lily?" Cathy called. "What's wrong?"
Lily blinked, forcing a shaky smile. "Nothing. I just thought…" She trailed off, eyes darting briefly toward the far end of the hallway before she shrugged. "Never mind. I thought someone was… following us."
Cindy frowned. "Following us?"
"Yeah. It's stupid." Lily laughed softly, tucking a braid behind her ear. "Maybe I'm just being paranoid."
Cathy crossed her arms, giving her a teasing look. "Ooooh, maybe your mysterious admirer couldn't resist stalking his favorite backup singer."
"Ha-ha, very funny," Lily muttered, trying to act unbothered. But her grip on the phone had tightened.
Celine watched her closely. Something in Lily's tone didn't sound like a joke. The flicker of unease behind her eyes felt real — too real.
Cindy shrugged, stretching her arms. "Probably just some lovesick junior crushing on your 'angelic voice.'"
"Exactly," Cathy said. "You've got that type of face. Boys can't resist it."
"Let's just go," Lily said quickly. "I'm hungry too."
They resumed walking.
But as they reached the end of the hallway, Celine couldn't shake the strange tension that clung to the air. Lily kept glancing over her shoulder, even when she tried to hide it. The afternoon light filtering through the tall windows seemed to dim slightly, stretching their shadows long across the tiled floor.
The chatter returned — Cathy talking about cafeteria desserts, Cindy complaining about the slow service, Celine laughing along — yet something beneath the laughter felt… off.
And just as they rounded the corner toward the cafeteria, Celine caught a flicker of movement in the reflection of the windowpane beside her.
A shadow.
Quick. Silent. Vanishing the moment she looked directly.
She froze.
"What's wrong?" Cindy asked.
Celine blinked, shaking her head. "I… thought I saw someone."
Lily turned slightly, her eyes wide for the briefest moment before she masked it with a small, careful smile.
Cathy waved dismissively. "You girls are getting spooky. It's just your imagination. Come on, fries await."
They moved on.
Yet, as they entered the cafeteria, Celine felt a chill crawl up her spine. The laughter around them was loud, the smell of food and chatter filling the air, but none of it drowned out that quiet sense of being watched.
Lily was the last to step inside, pausing at the doorway for a second. Her gaze flicked back toward the corridor — where, far down the hall, a faint silhouette lingered behind the glass of the music room door.
Still, Unmoving.
The corners of Lily's lips tightened before she turned away.
The cafeteria door swung shut behind them — and the shadow stayed, watching them, a sinister smile playing on its lips .