All heads turned to Moyo, and she bowed her head instantly. She knew what everyone was thinking because it was also what she was thinking. Was it because of her?

When the teacher left the class, Moyo jumped up from her seat her trailed off to science class. It was already suspicious that the teacher didn't say a word any word when she hadn't invited her parent to that meeting. Aaron and Bayo's parents did not come also. She had escaped that punishment without a warning from any teacher. It was as if it did not happen at all. Now, Bayo was going to be participating in an activity that was outside his department just because he felt like participating. Everything about the school is different, and the last thing Moyo needed was to be caught in the middle of everything happening. 

Unlike her class, which was always bursting with activities and noises, the science class was silent, which made all heads turn towards her the moment she got to the class. She hadn't thought about the fact they could be a teacher in the class. Thankfully, there was none.

Bayo saw her first; he closed his book and walked to her.

He followed her out of the class with a wide smile, "This one that you came to check on me first. I'm happy."

"I heard you're also going for the audition."

He nodded.

"Why?"

"Because I want to"

She raised a brow, "I hope this is not because of me, Bayo."

He laughed, "Why do you think this is because of you? I did it because I wanted to do it."

"Are you sure? You've no reason to do that."

"It's not because of you, Moyo. I read the book and I like it, so I want to audition."

He looked sincere saying that, and she hoped it was true. She told herself she just had to believe that, even if it wasn't true.

"Okay. Good luck then."

Bayo nodded and smiled while watching her leave. He might have decided to be her friend for now, but he would find another way to make her his girlfriend.

Glad that she had settled that, Moyo returned to the class, but the moment she saw Aaron's eyes, she remembered what he had said before the teacher came to the class and avoided his gaze.

She spent the rest of the day working on her story and trying to avoid Aaron.

Cassie hardly has her time these days; she had her head buried in the book. She was always reading Aaron's book these days.

Gradually, days turned into weeks, and Moyo started feeling more comfortable in her new home and school. She spoke to her mother daily, hoping to go back soon. Her friendship with Anu had also improved a lot. Cassie hasn't said a word about the plan to help her go back home, which made Moyo think she might have forgotten about her for the time being.

Finally, it was the audition day. Most of the students were gathered in the theater room; most were faces Moyo hardly knew. They were her seniors and also students who came to support their friends. Moyo sat alone, trying to memorize the line from the part she planned to audition for, but she could hardly concentrate with every other person besides her trying to do the same thing as her, yet talking.

Aaron was busy helping the committee, so he wasn't there to keep her company – which she was thankful for. For the past few days, she had been so nervous in his presence.

The theater room was bigger than she expected, with enough seats to occupy more than the number of students in the school. The stage was also big; there was also a backstage, which was where most of them were.

As Moyo tried focusing on her book, a shadow kept moving in front of her. She didn't look up because she knew it was an instant distraction, but the shadow didn't stop, and it bothered her. When she finally looked up, it was Cassie pacing the room.

Moyo smiled at her; for the first time, she was seeing a different side of Cassie. She must really want the role of the main character badly to be putting that much effort into the character. It reminded Moyo of how focused her mother could get whenever she wanted to get things done, and it made her heart ache. She missed her home.

Regardless of how comfortable she was starting to feel here, she missed home.

She didn't want to complain, so she stood up and looked for another place where Cassie's shadow wasn't going to be a distraction for her.

Here she was so focused until they were called one after the other to act in front of the judges; Ms. William, two unfamiliar teachers, and Aaron were seated as the judges, while different students performed the rest spied through the open curtain that gave them the privilege to watch the rest.

As more people performed, Moyo's confidence plummets. She wished she was a lot of them, as they could act fire, more like professionals. Even Cassie's hard work had paid off, and Moyo wondered why she had asked her to talk to Aaron. She was already amazing on her own.

When Moyo was called to the stage, she felt nervous. Every eye was on her, so she looked at the one person she had recently befriended among the judge, and Aaron stared at her back with so much calmness that it made her a bit more confident.

Instead of facing the rest of the judges, Moyo faced Aaron and acted the part she had read continuously. It was the part of the main character's friend. When she was down, she forced a smile on her face while her heart was beating crazily, waiting for their response.

Aaron smiled, "Can you try out the part of the main female character?"

She frowned. She had loved the main female character, but knowing Cassie was interested in that character made her step away from it.

She looked down, "I didn't really study for the main character."

But Aaron didn't give up, "Just try anything you remember about her."

When her eyes shifted to the rest of the judges, they were nodding in support. She swallowed and tried some parts she remembered about the main female character. Afterward, she was dismissed. She waited behind to watch Bayo's performance and he did better than she expected. Talent had nothing to do with class; Bayo was amazing that the students had given him a standing ovation, or maybe it was just how popular he was in school; she could hardly tell.

The judge thanked everyone who participated and promised to release the list of students and the role they got.

It was a wonderful day until the driver came to pick them up. Cassie didn't let her get comfortable on the seat before attacking her, "Are you happy now?"

Confused, Moyo looked around the car as if there was someone else. When she didn't see anyone, which she knew before, she pointed at her chest, "Me? About what?"

Cassie's eyeballs were red as if she had cried earlier, "This is the reason I hate you so much. You're good at pretending making people think you're the good person while everyone around you is bad. But, you're the bad person. You're very wicked. You want everything that's mine, and you won't stop until you've gotten it."

Moyo blinked in confusion. There was no hiding the hatred Cassie had for her, but nothing had warranted such hatred. She hadn't done anything to her. "What did I do?"

Cassie flared, "I know the game you're playing. You're pretending now, but you met Aaron to give you the main lead role right? It was the reason you couldn't answer to me."

Moyo knew it would come to this, but she had little hope Cassie wouldn't think that way.

What a way to disappoint her!

Cassie wouldn't be satisfied until she leaves the city and go back home.

She knew nothing would justify in front of Cassie, although she hadn't tried to sabotage her chances of getting the main lead in any way.

"I know you would play dumb. If that's the way you want it, it's fine, but just know I won't let this go."

Happy New Year, Lovers.