Chapter 3: The Aftermath of Karaoke
811 Words
SIENNA’S POV
I wake up the next morning with the distinct feeling that something embarrassing happened last night.
And then it all comes rushing back.
Karaoke.
Singing Breaking Free with Asher.
The cheering crowd.
Jade’s text about being in a rom-com.
I groan and bury my face in my pillow.
Why did I let him talk me into that?
My phone buzzes. I grab it and squint at the screen.
Jade: So apparently, there’s a video of you and Asher going around.
My stomach drops.
I sit up. WHAT??
She sends a link. I hesitate, then tap it.
A t****k video plays—grainy but clear enough to recognize the karaoke bar, the stage, and… us.
The caption? “Childhood besties or the next high school power couple?”
The comments are worse.
@MayaLovesDrama: “This is straight out of a YA novel omg”
@JakeTheSnake: “Did y’all see the way he looked at her at the end??”
@TashaSings: “I ship it.”
@LiamRocks: “Wait, are they actually dating or what?”
I nearly drop my phone.
No, no, no.
This is not happening.
By the time I get to school, everyone is talking about it.
In the hallways. In group chats. In whispers that aren’t really whispers.
Jade and I walk toward our lockers, and I can feel people staring.
Jade, of course, is loving this. “You guys are literally trending in our school.”
I glare at her. “This is your fault.”
She scoffs. “Excuse me, how?”
“You manifested this whole rom-com nonsense.”
She grins. “I did, didn’t I?”
I groan.
Then, from behind me-
“Asher and Sienna, huh?”
I turn around and come face-to-face with Bryce Holloway, star basketball player, golden boy of Lincoln High, and the guy every girl (except me) seems to have a crush on.
I blink. “Uh. What?”
He smirks. “I saw the video. Didn’t know you and Asher were a thing.”
“We’re not,” I say quickly.
Bryce raises an eyebrow. “You sure? The way he looked at you said otherwise.”
Jade makes a strangled noise.
I ignore her. “It was just a bucket list thing. Not that deep.”
Bryce hums like he doesn’t believe me. “Well… if things aren’t serious between you guys, maybe you should come to my party Friday night.”
Jade gasps. I freeze.
Bryce Holloway is inviting me to one of his legendary house parties?
I glance at Jade, who is practically vibrating with excitement.
Then I look back at Bryce, who is giving me his signature lazy smirk.
Asher and I aren’t a thing.
So why do I feel weird about saying yes?
* * *
I find Asher before lunch. He’s at his locker, scrolling through his phone.
I cross my arms. “So, we’re trending now.”
He smirks. “You’re welcome.”
I glare. “This is your fault.”
“My fault?” He pockets his phone. “You picked the bucket list item.”
“You picked the song!”
He grins. “And you killed it.”
I groan. “You are impossible.”
Then, because I refuse to let him have the upper hand, I casually say, “By the way, Bryce invited me to his party Friday.”
Asher’s smirk disappears.
For a second, he just looks at me. Then... “And?”
I blink. “And… I might go.”
His jaw tightens. “Right. Because you love those kinds of parties.”
I frown. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He shuts his locker with more force than necessary. “Nothing.”
No, it’s definitely something.
Before I can press, he slings his backpack over his shoulder and walks off.
And I stand there, confused.
Was Asher… jealous?
* * *
Jade finds me at lunch. “So? What’s the verdict?”
I stir my food. “On what?”
“The party, obviously.”
I hesitate. “I don’t know. It’s not really my scene.”
Jade rolls her eyes. “Girl. Bryce Holloway invited you. If you don’t go, I will steal your invite.”
I sigh. “Fine. I’ll go.”
Jade beams. “Good. Now, what’s next on the bucket list?”
I pull out the notebook and scan the list. My eyes land on one.
“Confess a secret to someone.”
Oh.
Jade peeks over my shoulder. “Ooooh, this one’s juicy.”
I shake my head. “It’s not that serious.”
She grins. “Depends on the secret.”
I don’t respond.
Because the truth is…
I do have a secret.
One I’ve never told anyone.
And I have no idea if I’m ready to say it out loud.
- Writer
