As the excitement for the talent show grows, Adrien approaches me with an idea for a joint act. His enthusiasm is infectious, and I can't help but agree, thrilled at the prospect of working together. "Opal, what do you think about doing a singing act together? I've been practicing this song, and I think our voices would sound great together!" Adrien suggests, his eyes shining with excitement. "I'd love to, Adrien! That sounds like a fantastic idea," I reply, genuinely pleased with the suggestion. Just as we're discussing our plans, Draco joins us, his expression guarded. "What's going on here?" Draco asks, his tone tinged with suspicion as he eyes Adrien. "We were just talking about doing a singing act for the talent show," Adrien explains, trying to sound casual. Draco scoffs. "Typical. Always trying to steal the spotlight," he mutters under his breath, but loud enough for us to hear. Adrien's jaw clenches, and he shoots Draco a cold glare. "I'm not the one who's always trying to play the hero," he retorts, his voice dripping with sarcasm. I exchange a worried glance with Adrien, sensing the tension between them. "Guys, can we please just focus on the talent show?" I interject, trying to diffuse the hostility. Draco rolls his eyes but begrudgingly agrees. "Fine, whatever you want, Opal," he says, his tone bordering on disdain. Adrien lets out a frustrated sigh, but he nods in agreement, clearly not thrilled about teaming up with Draco. Later that night, in the dormitory, I confide in Jesse about the situation, feeling conflicted and unsure about my decision. "So, Adrien and Draco agreed to do the act with me, but there's definitely some hostility between them," I explain, feeling uneasy about the dynamic. Jesse nods sympathetically, her expression understanding. "That sounds tough, Opal. But hey, at least they're willing to put their differences aside for you," she offers, trying to lighten the mood. "Yeah, I guess so," I reply, but my mind is elsewhere. I hesitate for a moment before deciding to share my inner turmoil with Jesse. "There's something else, though," I admit, feeling a flush of embarrassment creeping up my neck. "I... I think I might have feelings for both of them," I confess, my voice barely above a whisper. Jesse's eyes widen in surprise, but she quickly recovers, offering me a reassuring smile. "It's okay, Opal. You're allowed to have feelings for more than one person," she says gently, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. I let out a sigh of relief, grateful for Jesse's understanding. "Thanks, Jesse. I just don't know what to do about it," I admit, feeling a weight lift off my chest now that I've shared my secret. "Don't worry, we'll figure it out together," Jesse reassures me, her voice filled with determination. And for the first time since the talent show debacle, I feel a glimmer of hope that everything will turn out okay in the end. ____________________________ A few days pass, and the tension between Adrien and Draco seems to have eased somewhat. We find ourselves in the common room, discussing our plans for the talent show. "So, what are we thinking for our performance?" I ask, trying to keep the conversation peaceful. Adrien shrugs. "I still think a singing act would be cool. We could take turns with verses and then come together for the chorus," he suggests. Draco nods. "Yeah, that sounds alright. But it's gotta be something that grabs attention," he says, his competitive streak showing. I ponder for a moment before tossing out an idea. "What about doing 'Bad Romance' by Lady Gaga? It's catchy, it's fun, and it'll definitely get people talking," I propose, hoping to spice things up a bit. Adrien's eyes light up. "I'm down for that! It's a solid choice, and it'll be fun to perform," he says, already getting into it. Draco looks a bit skeptical. "Really? That's what you want to go with? It's... different, I'll give you that," he remarks, not sounding too convinced. But eventually, he shrugs. "Okay, let's give it a shot. But if it doesn't work out, don't blame me." With our decision made, we start practicing "Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga. Despite the initial doubts and lingering tension between Adrien and Draco, we actually sound pretty good. And as we practice together, I can't help but feel excited for our performance in the talent show tomorrow. ____________________________ Later that night, in the common room, I find myself chatting with Jesse and Clyde about the upcoming talent show. "So, what did you guys end up deciding on for your act?" Jesse asks, her curiosity piqued. I can't help but grin as I recount our choice. "We're going with 'Bad Romance' by Lady Gaga. It's gonna be epic," I reply, excitement bubbling in my voice. Clyde nods approvingly. "Solid choice! You guys are gonna kill it," he says, offering his support. Jesse beams. "I can't wait to see it! You three are gonna rock the stage," she declares, her enthusiasm contagious.
