---
Ameya stepped into the corridor that led toward the balcony entrance of the grand auditorium. The soft echo of cheers from inside made her heart thump. Jenna hurried beside her, clutching her phone.
"Did you give that box to Michael?" Jenna asked eagerly.
Ameya nodded, but her expression looked uneasy, almost disturbed.
Jenna frowned. "Hey… what happened? You look off. Did you see Rico?"
Ameya shook her head slowly, still distracted. "No…"
"Why?" Jenna pressed. "What happened?"
Ameya was about to answer when Jenna's phone buzzed. She paused and looked down at the message.
> Michael: I loved it. I'm wearing the shoes you gifted me for our performance.
Jenna smiled so wide her cheeks flushed pink. She typed back:
> Of course, my choice is always the best! Best of luck!
Her eyes sparkled as she locked her phone. "Okayyy! Now tell me, what happened?"
Ameya let out a sigh, sounding impatient. "It's all because of you. If you had given that gift to Michael yourself, all this wouldn't have happened."
"Huh?" Jenna blinked. "I got a sudden call from the manager, that's why I asked you to give it on my behalf. What's going on? Come straight to the point!"
Ameya exhaled and silently shifted her eyes down. "…I saw Alice there. So I didn't get time to meet Rico."
Jenna's eyes widened. "Alice? What is she doing here?!"
"Maybe she came to meet her brother Michael," Ameya guessed.
Jenna folded her arms. "Hmm… Something fishy. I don't think she came to meet Michael."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you have a brother?" Jenna asked suddenly.
Ameya blinked. "No?"
"Then you won't understand. It's a siblings thing between brother and sister. I'm damn sure she didn't come here for Michael…" Jenna stepped closer, voice lowering as she looked sharply. "Wait... I think she came to meet… Rico."
Ameya froze. "What…? Rico?!"
"And then?"
Ameya lowered her gaze. "…She misunderstood. She thought Michael and I were… lovers."
Jenna gasped. "WHAT?! No way! How can she think that!? I'm his girlfriend!"
Ameya smirked slightly but it was bitter. "Exactly. But everyone thinks that, because I handed that gift box to him right before performance. So… it's all because of you." She tried to smile but sounded distressed.
Jenna touched her shoulder. "I'm sorry…"
Ameya whispered sadly, "…She also said she thinks that we kissed."
Jenna's brows shot up in shock. But then she sighed. "But you both didn't kiss."
Ameya stared at her, shocked. "How did you know...?"
"Michael told me earlier." Jenna sighed. "He told me everything. I know it's not your fault. It's all because of him." She rolled her eyes. "I yelled at him. He said he was about to kiss you but you stopped him… that's how he realized you weren't me. Then he believed our souls were shifted."
Ameya's eyes welled up. One tear slipped from her lashes. She lunged forward and hugged Jenna tightly. "I'm so glad you're my best friend."
Jenna melted immediately and hugged her back. "Girl, of course we're best friends!" She wiped Ameya's tear quickly. "Hold on, everyone is watching— don't cry! Wear your mask properly. And FJ4 performance is about to start! Come!"
They both ran to their balcony seats. The audience screamed. The lights dimmed — music blasted through the hall.
FJ4's brand new comeback stage began.
Michael, Rico, Suha, and Nicky stormed the stage with powerful steps, sweat and starlight in their eyes. Their synchronized moves, jumps, turns and rough breaths echoed in everyone's heartbeat. Fans shouted their names, waving glowing sticks. Ameya and Jenna cheered excitedly from balcony seats, both dressed in cute pastel tops and skirts, clapping and smiling wide every time Michael or Rico appeared on screen.
After four minutes of fire, the music ended. The crowd was deafening.
The performance was a success.
---
Backstage – Moments Later
Ameya hurried backstage, heart racing. She needed to see Rico. Finally.
Rico stepped into the hallway first, breathing heavily, sweat dripping down his forehead. He pulled off his blazer, hair slightly messy. He looked up— and smiled when he saw her.
He lifted his hand and waved.
Nicky passed behind him and patted his shoulder with a teasing grin. "Girlfriend time…" he whispered, smirking as he disappeared down the corridor.
Rico laughed softly but kept his eyes on Ameya. She was still about ten steps away… her heart was pounding as she walked toward him—
When suddenly—
A figure ran in from another hallway and reached Rico first.
She threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly.
Rico's eyes widened. In shock, he whispered: "…You?"
Paparazzi hiding behind old backstage curtains clicked photos quietly — none of them noticed.
Ameya froze completely. Her smile faded from her lips.
She whispered, as if all the air left her lungs — "Alice…"
Jenna came running behind her and saw them. She stopped in her tracks and gasped.
"Rico… and… Alice?!"
---