The Rival's Playlist

Chapter 4: A Battle, Not a Duet

The tension in the Crestwood music hall was thick enough to be cut with a knife.

Luna sat stiffly on the piano bench, fingers hovering over the keys, mentally preparing herself for the disaster about to unfold. Across from her, Jace Ryder slouched in his seat, guitar resting on his knee, looking as relaxed as ever.

“Alright,” she said, exhaling slowly. “We’ll start from the beginning. You follow the tempo, and don’t change anything.”

Jace spun his guitar pick between his fingers, clearly amused. “You’re really set on this ‘follow the rules’ thing, huh?”

Luna shot him a sharp glare. “That’s how music works.”

Jace grinned. “Nah. That’s how your music works.”

Luna clenched her jaw but refused to rise to the bait. “On my count.” She took a breath. “One, two, three—”

Her fingers pressed the keys, producing a soft, flowing melody. A delicate introduction, setting the tone of the piece. She expected Jace to ease in gently with his part to follow the carefully constructed notes of the arrangement.

Instead—

A loud, electrifying riff cut through the air, completely overpowering the piano.

Luna slammed the keys in frustration, spinning toward him. “What are you doing?!”

Jace strummed another note, nonchalant. “Playing.”

Luna shot up from the bench. “That’s not how the piece goes!”

Jace leaned back, one leg resting over the other. “The way it ‘goes’ is boring.”

Luna inhaled sharply, willing herself not to scream. “You can’t just change the melody whenever you feel like it!”

Jace shrugged. “Why not? You play what’s written. I play what feels right. Simple.”

Luna’s fingers curled into fists. “Music isn’t about doing whatever you want. It’s about discipline, balance, and harmony.”

Jace smirked. “Or maybe it’s about expression, creativity, and having fun.”

Luna opened her mouth to argue—then stopped.

She realized something.

Jace wasn’t just being difficult. He was testing her. Pushing her.

And she refused to lose.

Luna sat back down, adjusting her posture. “Fine,” she said, voice cool. “We’ll do it your way.”

Jace raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

Luna slammed her fingers into the keys, doubling the speed of the piece in a sudden, aggressive burst of classical technique.

Jace blinked, caught off guard—then grinned. “Alright, princess. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

He jumped back in, his guitar roaring to life, matching her unexpected intensity. The music became a battlefield, each note a challenge, each chord a response.

Luna played faster, sharper, more dramatic. Jace countered with wilder, stronger riffs. It wasn’t a duet. It was a fight.

And yet, somewhere in the chaos, something happened.

For the briefest moment, their sounds merged. Not as competitors, but as equals.

Then—

Jace broke the flow completely, adding an offbeat solo, throwing Luna off.

She slammed her hands down on the keys, cutting the music off abruptly. “Are you serious right now?”

Jace laughed, running a hand through his hair. “Damn, that was fun.”

Luna groaned, gripping the piano bench as if it were the only thing keeping her sane. “This isn’t supposed to be ‘fun.’ It’s supposed to be a duet.”

Jace shrugged. “A duet doesn’t mean playing it safe.”

Luna turned away, taking deep breaths. This was impossible.

Jace stood, slinging his guitar over his back. “We’ll figure it out, princess. See you tomorrow.”

Luna didn’t respond. She simply stared at the piano, her heart still racing from the clash of music.

She hated to admit it.

But for just one fleeting second

It had felt alive.