"Sorry kiddo, you can't enter."

"Why?!" I shrieked loudly, getting everyone's attention, but ignored them and looked at Rupert with wide eyes. "Why can't he enter?"

It was Friday, Noah and I came to Music Mix to get him registered, when Rupert dropped the boom, rejecting Noah.

"Because you have to submit the notes of the music too." I rolled my eyes.

"Why does it matter if we don't have the notes? He is an amazing singer-" I jerked my head towards Noah, "- and you have witnessed that yourself with your very own eyes and many people were there too when Noah sang."

Rupert opened his mouth, but I held my finger, stopping him, and continued. "Witnesses are everything in court and if you don't want me to go and gathered alibi for Noah and bring them in front of the judges, get him registered and be done with this." I took a breath after finishing.

Rupert looked at me quizzically, with his lips slightly parted as he blinked his eyes. "Are you a lawyer?"

"No." I shrugged. "But my father is."

"That makes sense." He said under his breath. Noah beside me snickered at his reaction.

"Look, kiddo. This competition is for young singers to show their talent and we judge them for everything, including the choice of song, the instrument they choose to play with it and how well they play, and the music notes they write, which you didn't."

"We didn't even know we had to right that." I groaned in frustration. "If it's so important, then give us some time, we will write them now and give it to you." I looked at Noah. "How's that?"

"I don't know how to write them," Noah whispered, I gaped at him.

"But you play guitar, shouldn't you know how to write them too?"

"Kevin's uncle didn't exactly teach us that..." He mumbled, shaking his head. "It was a kind of hobby, I wasn't expecting to take part in a competition..."

"Then I'm sorry," Rupert said, putting his hand on Noah's shoulder, "no doubt you are talented, kiddo." He patted his shoulder. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a show to host." He gave us his charming smile and left.

"What are we going to do now?" I rubbed my hands over my face in frustration and leaned against the bar counter.

"It's alright Lexi," Noah said, standing beside me. "It's not a big deal-"

"Not a big deal? We worked the entire week for this, and why do you look so peaceful?" My eyes darted to his face. I was burning with fire and he was calm. "You should be angry... mad... I'm so furious that I want to bang Rupert's head in the wall."

Noah blinked at me, then burst out laughing. I rolled my eyes at him and turned towards the stage as Rupert started his show and clenched my jaw.

"I wish I would have brought some eggs to throw at him," I growled and looked away from him.

"He isn't bad, and it was our fault that we didn't read the rules properly." Noah calmly said.

I took a deep breath to soothe my anger and my eyes wandered in the crowd when they caught a familiar blonde woman that I was used to seeing twice a week, looking totally different.

"Is... Is that... Miss Maddox?" I pointed towards her. Noah's gaze drifted towards the crowd where I was pointing and his eyes widened.

"That is her."

"F**k... she looks hot!" The words flew out of my mouth before I could process them.

My eyes roamed over her sitting figure. Her blonde hair that I was so used to see in a tight bun was now falling straight over her back flawlessly. She was wearing a tight black long V-neck dress that reached her mid-thighs and hugged her body perfectly.

I am so jealous of her now.

She sat in the middle of the seat laughing at something her date said. My eyes darted towards her date and no doubt the guy was smoking hot.

"She looks... different," Noah said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"I didn't know she had a dating life..." I said staring at her. "Hell, I never thought she even had a life!"

"Guess she has," Noah said.

We were both gawking at Miss Maddox, who sat there oblivious, enjoying her date and not knowing her two students were watching her.

We snapped out of shock at the familiar voice. "Good evening everyone." We turned our heads and saw Elizabeth at the stage. "Hope you are all enjoying your night... Tonight I'll be singing 'Stay with me' by Sam Smith."

"She's a singer," I said, looking at her in disbelief. She started singing and playing guitar. "And she plays guitar too!" I mumbled.

"Guess it's true
I'm not good at a one night stand
But I still need love 'cause I'm just human
These nights never seem to go to plan
I don't want you to leave
Will you hold my hand
Oh, won't you stay with me
'Cause you're all I need
This ain't love, it's clear to see
But darling, stay with me..."

My eyes widened, and my jaw dropped at her voice. "She's good," I whispered to Noah and frowned when I didn't get a response. I side glanced at Noah and saw him looking awestruck at Elizabeth.

I darted my eyes towards Elizabeth again and saw her already looking towards our side, specifically Noah. She gave him a smile and continued.

"Why am I so emotional?
No it's not a good look, gain some self control
Deep down I know this never works?
But you could lay with me
So it doesn't hurt..."

"She's amazing," Noah whispered, keeping his gaze on her. I felt a pang of jealously at how Noah was looking at her like she was an idol.

She ended the song with her radiant smile. The audience whistled and cheered for her, including Noah. I clapped my hands slowly with a scowling face and watched Noah as he bounced on his toes, hooting for her.

This is the second time today I'm feeling jealous of someone.

Elizabeth came off the stage and when her eyes met mine, her smiled widened and she came towards us.

"How was it?" She asked, and before I could open my mouth, Noah beat me to it.

"You were amazing. I didn't know you could sing." Noah praised her.

Her eyes lit up, and she blushed. "Yeah, I can sing sometimes."

"Sometimes? That was way better than sometimes, right Lexi?" They both turned their gaze towards me and I blinked my eyes.

"Yeah." I regained my poise and plastered a smile on my face. "You were... really... good."

"Thanks." She gave a sweet smile, making me feel a little guilty, then turned towards Noah. "So you entered the competition."

"No, we didn't know we had to write the notes too."

"You can write now."

"I can, but I don't know how to," Noah answered sheepishly.

"I can help you with it."

"You can?" Noah and I asked simultaneously.

She chuckled. "Yeah, I know how to write them, what's your song."

"It's an original," I answered.

"Wow." She looked impressed. "I didn't know you guys can write songs too."

"I don't but Noah does," I said smiling at Noah.

"Well, if you are free over the weekend, I can help you with them." She offered, looking at Noah.

"I... don't know." He looked confused, darting his eyes between me and Elizabeth.

"You should," I said without realizing.

"Really?" Noah looked surprised by me.

"Yeah... I mean you worked really hard for it and just because of notes-" I air quoted, "- you can't quit. Besides, she is offering her help." I gestured towards Elizabeth.

"What about the registration date-" Elizabeth cut off Noah.

"Don't worry." She winked at him. "I'll talk to my brother."

"Your brother...?" I asked, tilting my head.

She chuckled and glanced towards the stage. "We don't exactly look alike, but yeah, we share the same blood."

"Rupert?" I blinked my eyes. "Rupert is your brother." She giggled.

I glanced at the stage again and she was right; they look nothing alike. Elizabeth was a blonde girl with sparkling blue eyes, while Rupert had jet black hair and dark eyes.

"So... This weekend?" She asked Noah again.

"Ok." Noah agreed, and I silently watched the conversation held between them as they gave each other their numbers.

I felt a weird feeling in the pit of my stomach as they laughed and joked like they knew each other for years even though this was the second time they met, but I kept my mouth shut.

Noah really enjoyed playing, and I saw how hard he worked to get his song and Elizabeth was the only one who can help him, so be it.

* * * * *

A/N
Luck is not on Lexi's side...👀

I wanna know what do you guys think of the chapter lengths. Are they short, medium or too short?
I have seen books with really long chapters but personally I don't like that long.

And...the singer above is A-mazing! I have searched singers on YouTube a lot for this book and they are soooo awesome! 🔥🔥🔥