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**Violin cover of Viva la Vida by David Garrett**

(the song Corbyn sings is in the previous chapter)

Picture of Ivy Starr ⇒

______

"Can I have everybody's attention?" Brooklyn's musical voice echoed into the microphone in the cafeteria. She and her posse of cheerleaders stood between me and Corbyn, their hands on their hips.

As all the students turned toward us, I peered over at my friends for some courage. Kari gave me a thumbs up.

I knew now what she meant by bringing 'back-up,' which were a couple students from band and orchestra and an amp to boost our sound.

"Just an announcement before we get to the real entertainment of the day. The Homecoming pep rally is next week and I hope to see all of your beautiful faces at the game on October 14. Mark your calendars, sharks, because we will be bringing home the victory. The Homecoming dance is going to be held at the Hamilton Hotel and since it falls in October, it's been decided that the theme is Masquerade and Halloween." She smiled at Corbyn, but he just looked at me with a confused expression.

Ah, he must be wondering about the violin in my hand, and my precious back-ups.

"And now, as announced on my social media, a showdown between my very talented best friend, Corbyn Starr, and... him over here." She pointed to me without looking at me and I glanced at the band members beside me.

"It's okay. We're gonna sound great," the girl whispered. The other was a boy, and he nodded in agreement. I tuned out everything Brooklyn was saying until she announced Corbyn to go first and handed the mic over to him.

"Whoo! Corbyn!" People from all over the cafeteria cheered. Seemed he had a lot more friends than I gave him credit for. Or maybe those were his 'allies' he talked about. There's no way he could have so many fans with how awfully he treated people here. It was fear; it had to be.

The cheerleaders got into perfect formation around him ready to dance, and I was a bit discouraged that he had back-up too. Of course he did; how could I expect anything less from the King Bee?

A lot of students were already clapping and standing in anticipation as soon as the music started.

Corbyn was taunting me with that voice of is, which I was so unfortunate to admit was amazing. He must've been a tenor, if I wasn't mistaken.

"Don't tell me not to live, just sit and putter

Life's candy and the sun's a ball of butter..."

"Oh he's good," the girl next to me confessed.

"I'm in love," the boy whispered before clearing his throat. "God I hate that guy. I want talent."

"You are talented. Both of you," I told them. I kept my focus on Corbyn as he and his cheerleaders danced, and it was impressive that he wasn't out of breath. Then again, he'd been performing since childhood, and in front of much of much bigger crowds. I heard he sang at his father's galas and at jubilees.

I noticed Corbyn give me a side-eye as he sang, "Who told you you're allowed to rain on my parade?"

I turned my attention away from him, trying to find Kris in the sea of students. We hadn't been friends for more than week, if I could even call us that, and I managed to piss him off. Today was not supposed to happen like this.

I was saddened when I couldn't find his face so once again, I looked to my friends for the courage I needed to stand here and play.

"Nobody, no, nobody is gonna... rain on my parade!"

That song he chose was definitely a clear warning for me. I couldn't dwell on it because he was done, and everyone roared in applause as if he'd just blessed them.

He smirked, handing Brooklyn the microphone before walking off the stage to take a seat nearby with his cheerleading followers.

"Make some noise!" she encouraged, and that they did. I heard a single 'boo' coming from Kari, but her voice was swiftly lost in the mix of everyone else's. "Alright, alright! Now this should be a sing off, but it obviously looks like Jaden here is switching up the game. Are you playing the violin?" she asked me.

I squinted. "I'm holding a violin, aren't I?" I answered, but only those near me could hear my response.

"Okay. Come on up."

I walked onstage along with Kari's two friends and they nodded at me in reassurance. I didn't know them well at all, but they seemed confident and that was an aura I could feed off of, so I was very grateful for them. I had nothing to worry about. This wasn't a competition for a million dollars; this was just me playing some music. Forget Corbyn.

"Ready whenever you are, Briggs." She strutted off the stage and straight to Corbyn's side so he and his friends could intimidate me. Well it wasn't going to work.

"Viva la vida," I whispered to the boy and girl standing slightly behind me.

"Ready," the girl replied as I placed my jaw on the chin rest of my beloved violin. I swallowed, took a breath, and let the bow hover over the strings for a dramatic pause. And I could feel the tension from everyone as they sat silent, waiting for the first note.

Geez, if I didn't know any better, it actually appeared that they cared more about music than their food.

As I struck the first chord, I paid attention to the faces of people in the crowd which only made me more nervous. My mind was on autopilot as I played the song I barely learned this morning, and I realized that I couldn't play for myself like Tiana advised me to. Kari's friends and I sounded wonderful together; there was a beautiful melody as the song progressed, and people were enjoying it whether they wanted to or not.

So I was only playing for them, and that explained why I couldn't connect. It didn't mean something to me personally.

I painted on a little smile when I saw Kris's face emerge. He walked toward Corbyn and stood next to Brooklyn. I guessed I knew who he sided with, and it hurt. I concentrated on my notes, getting through the crescendo then the climax, and hearing some students sing along to the music we played. Soon the notes descended, and I strummed alone until I brought the song to an end.

My friends were the first ones on their feet, as well as some others. The people who didn't rise still applauded in politeness. Brooklyn took Corbyn's hand and they walked onto the stage.

"Can't a non-biased person be the judge?" the girl mumbled beside me.

"Good luck finding that person," her friend responded.

"Well I must be honest, that wasn't half bad, Briggs," Brooklyn told me. "Although, this was supposed to be a sing off and you didn't even sing."

"Boo!" Kari yelled.

"Wait!" Kris called, hopping up onto the stage. I exchanged glances with him before he took the microphone from Brooklyn's hand. "You've gotta be kidding me, right?"

"What're you doing?" Corbyn asked him, raising an eyebrow. Kris ignored him, taking a step toward me and my little group.

"Who cares what this was supposed to be. I think I can speak for all of us when I say we care about being entertained. Jaden and his friends did just that, I mean... that song is a classic am I right?" He looked toward the crowd of students and they all cheered and hollered in agreement. My eyes were completely wide in shock. He turned to Brooklyn and Corbyn then shrugged. "Guess Jaden wins." He shoved the microphone into her hands and walked off the stage.

"Kris!" his boyfriend called, going after him. Brooklyn gave the mic to a cheerleader and walked up to me, narrowing her eyes.

"Just so you know... Corbyn may not like you but I fuel his fire. Which means I hate you a lot more. You'd better watch yourself, especially with Kris."

I clenched the neck of my violin. "Corbyn does scare me. I'd be lying if I said he didn't. But you? Not so much. Do you have feelings for Kris? Because I'm sure Corbyn would love to know that."

"Mm, like he'd listen to a half-ass nobody twat like you. Go get some more talent." She brushed past me, jutting shoulders with me as she exited the cafeteria, her cheerleaders in tow. I quickly got off the stage, thanking Kari's friends for all of their help.

I was one hundred percent over it, and I wanted today to end. I went all the way to my orchestra classroom where Ms. C was sitting at her desk eating her lunch.

"Jaden!"

"Hey, Ms. C. I'm returning my instrument."

"You look down," she observed.

I shrugged. "I'm fine. Today just didn't go as I hoped it would. I pissed off the boy I like even though he sort of... defended me in a talent battle just now. Next week the play rehearsal starts and I'm not sure if we're okay."

"If you angered him, just apologize. No need to agonize over it. You kids these days," she laughed. "Oh! And please don't chronicle your woes on social media."

"That's actually sound advice." I walked into the instrument room to put away my violin and store it in its case before walking back out. "Goodbye, Ms. C!"

🎻🎻

"It's never felt so good to be home!" I exclaimed, whisking through the door with Kari behind me. "Today was a disaster that I never wanna remember again. I've had enough of Corbyn and Brooklyn to last a lifetime."

She wagged her index finger. "I'm still thrown over how he knew about our plan. That totally killed my buzz; I was looking forward to him make a complete ass of himself for Kris to witness."

"He has eyes and ears all over the school, those were his words. Maybe we can get Mae to figure out who his little allies are. But, please, another day. I'm so tired."

We went upstairs to my room where I crashed onto my bed and sighed in happiness. "My bed is the only one I can trust. Oh, and you."

"Good save. Before we stop talking about Corbyn, could you do me a favor and come with me to his party?"

I frowned and looked up at her smiling face. It was odd sight.

"No," I blatantly refused. "I'm sorry, Kari, but I made up my mind."

"Oh come on. My huge crush will be there, your huge crush will too."

"Yes, and I genuinely hope you have a wonderful time getting know your crush and that he likes you just the same."

"Am I hearing this right?" she sat down next to me and I turned onto my back. "You turning down an opportunity to set your eyes on the perfection that is Kristopher Hamilton? I can't believe I'm saying it, J, but I miss all those moments you'd break into fantasy daydreams about him." She started to mock me, gripping her chest as if to clutch her heart. "Oh, to gaze into his dreamy eyes... surrounded by nothing but the brightest stars in all the universe"

I rolled my eyes. "You're exaggerating."

"Am I?"

"Okay, you're right," I admitted. "Look, I'm head over heels for him but he's probably mad at me for what happened."

"Are you kidding? He defended you in front of most of the school for a reason; he cares for you."

I couldn't help the smile that cracked onto my face as I thought of that moment earlier today. "I wish I knew why he did that. Beyond 'caring for me.'"

"Well you can ask him at the party. Besides, who wouldn't wanna see the Starr mansion?"

"You care about that?" My eyebrows flew up as she shrugged.

"Only his closest friends and the populars have seen the inside. It's the biggest house in town, I mean... I'm not passing this party up for anything, even if I do hate his guts."

"That's so true." I sat up, suddenly realizing what big deal this was. "Oh my god, we get to see the Starr mansion! It just makes me hate him more, to be honest, the fact he's so stinking rich and talented and powerful and ugh! I hate him."

"So you'll come with?"

I heaved a sigh. "I wanna talk to Kris. Though I'm sure if Corbyn sees me anywhere near him, he'll toss me out like garbage." My phone buzzed twice, alerting me of a notification. I pulled it from my back pocket and unlocked it.

"Is it Mae?" Kari questioned when she saw my eyes growing wider and wider. "Jaden, breathe!" She smacked my chest and I inhaled sharply.

"Kris just followed me on Instagram and Twitter." No sooner had I uttered those words than my phone buzzed out of control, and I gaped at it. "Holy crap!"

"What?" she snatched my phone and gasped. "Dude, people are starting to follow you." she tapped on my twitter feed and glanced at me. "Everyone's talking about the play, just like Tiana said they would. They're tagging your handle."

I grabbed my pillow as my cheeks heated up, and buried my head in it. "That's it. I can never show my face in public. I'll be homeschooled."

"You're not a nobody anymore." She pouted. "Guess it's just me. I'll be fine; I've got June."

I lowered my pillow in confusion. "Who's June?"

"My imaginary friend. She comes after Mae; see what I did there?"

"Kari, I'm not gonna stop being your friend because a bunch of people are talking about me."

She held my buzzing phone in front of my face. "Two hundred people to be exact, and it's only been like ten seconds since Kris followed you."

I gasped, taking my phone from her hand and heading to my instagram. "Shit, shit, shit... I better delete all my hideous prepubescent pictures."

"Ah... pre-pubescence... those were my glory days." She smiled into space, and I pulled a disgusted expression. "Ooh, you know what you should do? Slide into his DMs." She wiggled her eyebrows and my disgust heightened.

"I hate that phrase, and no! Kris is precious to me; I'll see him tomorrow at the party... which I don't have clothes for! Oh, god, I have to talk to my sister. She's a fashion expert."

"She's 12."

"Thirteen," I corrected, standing up, "and brutally honest."

🎻🎻

The Starr household was a modern castle with an absolute gorgeous gray, rocky exterior and matching rock gates surrounding it for miles, probably. One could clearly see the vast amount of land they owned behind the mansion, and everything was lit up in the dark of the evening. That wasn't even the best part.

The interior was just... it was pure luxury. Goldens, browns, deep red furniture and tones everywhere, mixing a range of vintage, victorian, and modern designs. There were glorious chandeliers, appearing to be made out of diamonds and crystals... it was all insanely beautiful. I couldn't keep my eyes fixed on a single thing.

It was getting difficult to appreciate the beauty because of the rapidly growing number of people filing into the house, and soon it was bustling with noise, laughter, and music. My first actual high school party. In the home of the boy who hated me most.

"I wanna go find Sage!" Kari said after we took in the wonder of the house. "I really hope he's here. I'm wearing my favorite strappy bikini underneath. You should go find Kris."

"I don't know... he's probably with Corbyn and that just spells bad news. I have to avoid them both."

"J, that was your point of coming here, remember?"

"What I want is to have fun with my best friends. Let's go look for Mae and then you can find Sage. Sound fair?"

"Alright." We pushed through the crowd of people, trying to get to the pool but ending up lost with each turn. "God, it's a maze in here!"

"I can't believe Corbyn lives here. Is that a hot tub?" I pointed toward the end of the hallway, which fanned out into a big room with a hot tub. People were in it, mingling and drinking, and the room had been decorated with neon balloons, false stars, and lights.

"Now this is what I call a party." Kari laughed.

It was obviously a dead end though. I grabbed her hand. "Come on. We just have to find the backyard."

"Maybe we should go upstairs. If we can get to a balcony that overlooks the yard then we can see who's there."

"Good thinking." We continued walking in search of stairs until we saw two silver doors embedded by a sophisticated rocky wall. "Is that..."

"An elevator?"

I pushed the button for it to open and my jaw dropped. "Who has an elevator in their house?"

"Who cares; let's get on." We walked inside and learned that there was a basement underneath us labeled B, and two floors above us. I pressed the number 3 to go to the highest floor.

"I'm in awe." I said as the doors smoothly slid shut and the elevator moved up to the third floor. When we stepped out, we figured out that this floor held the rooms of the family and maybe more. There was a lounge and another hot tub as far as we could tell and the light was on in one room, a girl's voice fluttering out of the crack of the door.

"That might be his sister," Kari whispered. None of us had ever met her; we'd only seen her on TV or magazines. So in a way, she was famous, and so was Corbyn and their little brother.

"It's gonna be a wonderful change, Aubrey," we heard the girl say. I inferred that she was on the phone. "I hate that private school, you know that. Everyone's... slightly on my level, and it irks me. They think they know me, or that, like... they can do whatever they want to me... Well, who cares what Daddy thinks? My brother goes to a public school, and sure it's because Daddy couldn't care less about him. But can't he care less about me? Ugh, he's so annoying."

Kari and I glanced at each other in intrigue. "So the mayor doesn't care about his own son apparently. Why am I not surprised?" I said. We moved closer to the girl's door to eavesdrop better.

"Those losers won't know what hit them. Anyway, I gotta go. I wish you could come to the pool party my brother and I are throwing, but everyone else is here. It's like my little farewell."

"Farewell?" I whispered as Kari and I moved behind a wall. Corbyn's sister walked out her room and made her way to the stairs. We decided to follow her quietly, thinking she might be lead us to the pool.

She eventually did, and we were once again floored by the beauty of their home. The pool itself was lit up with neon lights, and the layout was incredible.

There was a natural-stone waterfall with water cascading into the pool to give a lagoon-style effect. On another end was a hot tub with LED lights that a person could climb up to, and last but not least, a huge water slide built next to the waterfall.

"If I have to say 'oh my god' one more time..." Kari gasped, clutching her chest. We walked down the stone path to join all the party goers and the loud music. "There's Mae!" she pointed at our friend at the far end of the pool, in the hot tub with Tiana, Kris, Corbyn, Brooklyn, Levi, and a few other people from their inner circle. I guessed the hot tub was a reserved spot for the elite of the school. Corbyn's sister joined them, instantly striking up conversation with Brooklyn. They held drinks in fancy cocktail glasses, and my heart sank when I saw how close Corbyn was to his boyfriend. He was practically on his lap, with his arm around his neck to keep himself balanced. I shouldn't have been bothered, really, but I was.

"He's so beautiful," I sighed. Some water splashed onto us when a few people jumped into the pool.

"Wanna get in? It's a big hot tub, and I'm sure we'll fit."

I looked at her incredulously. "You're joking, right? We're not in their circle, Kari."

"Look at my face." She pointed to herself, a blank expression on her pretty face. "Does it look like I care? Mae's our best friend; that won't change just because Corbyn has her in his evil grasp. And Tiana hates him, but he clearly still let her around him after what happened at school yesterday."

"Alright. Just know my heart is pounding fervently."

She smirked. "Just one thing." She took the hair tie out of her curly hair and let it down, shaking it out. "Tie yours up."

"Why?"

"Because, J. You're a beautiful boy who looks even better with his hair in a bun."

"Oh...kay..." I ran my fingers through my hair, pushing it all back then tying it into a bun at the back, leaving a few curls in front of my face.

"Come on." We walked toward the back of the pool, then climbed the steps up to the hot tub.

"Hey guys!" Kari exclaimed, not nearly afraid of standing up for herself if need be. I wish I had that backbone. "Mind if we join?"

Brooklyn scoffed. "What the hell is that doing here?"

"Don't talk to her like that," Mae retorted.

"I invited them," Corbyn said, smirking at Kari. "Though I must say, you should have your fun somewhere else. I think I saw your crush inside?"

When he mentioned crush, I couldn't help but move my gaze to Kris. He must've been looking at me because he quickly averted his eyes to the glass in his hand.

"This is a pool party," Brooklyn reminded, eyeing my and Kari's outfit.

My friend smiled at her and grabbed the hem of her shirt, pulling it over her head to reveal her strappy red bikini top. She practically sashayed out her black shorts.

"Whooo, take it off!" Levi laughed, as Mae and Tiana cheered her on.

"Yas, girl, flaunt those double d's!" Mae encouraged, holding her drink up in excitement. Kari looked to me and lightly smacked my chest, a gesture that told me that it was my turn. Oh god.

I followed her lead, and pulled off my shirt, tossing it with her clothes. "Okay, I see you!!" Tiana piped up, giving us some space to join. We didn't waste a second, climbing into the hot tub.

"Dear brother, you should introduce me to your friends."

His sister was pretty, that was the only way I could describe her. Her eyes were hazel, her hair was brown just like Corbyn's, and she had a bird-like face. Her voice was sickly sweet as she propped her arms up on the hot tub's rocky ledge.

Corbyn laughed. "They're not my friends, and you're a big girl, you can introduce yourself. My boyfriend and I are talking."

"Ivy," she told us, outstretching her arm. Kari shook it.

"I'm Kari. This is Jaden."

She waved at me briefly. "Ooh, wait a minute. Are you the boy my brother kept going off on a tangent about?" She smiled at Corbyn and he rolled his eyes, sipping his drink.

"I don't know about you guys," Levi began. "But I need some entertainment."

"If you suggest Truth or Dare, I'm kicking you out," Corbyn said.

"Never have I ever?" Ivy proposed.

"We're gonna need a lot more alcohol," one of the three other cheerleaders, all of whose names I didn't know, finally spoke.

"Never have I ever been more exasperated at my own party," Corbyn said.

"Lighten up," Kris told him in a tender voice. "You're always so tense."

"Well, I'm sorry if I can't have a good time with people I barely know or like sitting across from us."

"We can hear you," Kari reminded. He faked a smile.

"Yes, I intended for that. Briana, be a dear and go bring a couple more bottles for us."

One of the cheerleaders started to stand up.

"Oh, and get a couple more glasses for Kari and Jaden here," Ivy told her. "And some fresh cut lemons. Thanks, boo."

Wow. I liked this girl so far. She wasn't a demon like her tyrannical brother, but it was kinda sad they used the other girls to go fetch their every want.

When she came back, Ivy poured my friend and I drinks and refilled the others' cups. "Never have I ever dated someone I met on an app," she started, smiling mischievously. She put the bottles on opposite side of the hot tub, keeping them within reach.

Mae took a sip of her drink, as did Kari and Levi, meaning they'd dated people they met online.

"Alright, spill," Briana said.

"I was catfished," Kari confessed, making Ivy and the cheerleaders laugh. "Yeah, but it was okay to be honest because I was catfishing him back!"

"So you two were perfect for each other," Corbyn inferred.

"Ooh, I wanna go," a black-haired cheerleader said, and I soon learned her name was Naya. The last one was named Gisela, Brooklyn's close friend. "Never have I ever had a crush on someone."

"Mm, that's a big sip." Mae took a swig of her drink, followed by Tiana, Ivy, Brooklyn, Kari, Corbyn, then Kris.

Corbyn looked at me and cleared his throat. I blushed immediately, slightly raising my glass. "Never have I ever drank alcohol, so..."

"First time for everything. Drink up, lover boy."

I lifted the cup to my lips and took a sip, fighting the grimace as the lemony, green apple flavor burned down.

"I wanna know everyone's crush," Ivy said, smirking at all of us.

"Well that's easy," her brother answered. "Mine was Kris." He fondled his boyfriend's hair and kissed his cheek.

"You were mine, too," he returned in a quiet voice.

"Mine's a boy named Sage," Kari admitted. "I don't think he'll notice me anytime soon though."

"Aw, are you kidding?" Ivy pouted. "Well if he's really here then you need to make some moves. And with a body like that, girrrl." She wiggled her eyebrows.

"Okay, the cat's already out of the bag..." Mae sighed. "Tiana, your my crush."

We all watched Tiana's reaction, but she didn't seem fazed by the news in the slightest. "I'm totally putting you in my story like you wanted. I've been inspired."

"That's your reaction?" Corbyn huffed.

"You two should kiss!" Naya suggested, pushing the girls closer. Levi cheered in agreement then laughed as Tiana and Mae's lips met in a sensual dance.

We hollered in encouragement and the girls separated, laughing in maybe both excitement and embarrassment.

"What about you, Jaden?" Corbyn asked me, holding his glass tentatively. "Who's your crush?"

As if he didn't already know. Did he want me to say it in front of his boyfriend? Would that satisfy him? Yes, it would, and I knew that by the smile on his face. He was waiting for it. If he could, he'd pull the truth right out of my lips.

I swallowed, darting the quickest, most subtle look at Kris. He seemed to be anticipating it too. My two best friends looked slightly worried, though they tried not to show it.

"He's allowed to keep that to himself," Mae defended.

"Where's the fun in that? Go on, Jaden. Tell us," Corbyn pressured.

I sat up, barely finding my voice as my cheeks burned red. "His name's um... it's Nico." I figured I'd lie. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of humiliating me, and Nico wouldn't care anyway.

"Who? Didn't quite catch that."

"Nico," I said more audibly, not making eye contact with anyone. I just sipped on my drink as an awkward silence passed through all of us.

"Omg, you guys. Stop acting like someone died," Ivy giggled. "Give us something, Brooklyn."

"Never have I ever made naughty or nude videos," Brooklyn said.

"That's a good one." Levi took a sip, as did Ivy. Corbyn looked at Kris, grinning.

"Don't worry, baby. I deleted them all." Then he took a proud sip, my crush doing the same. As soon as the idea of those two doing naked, naughty things--especially on video--popped into my head, I couldn't take it anymore. I had to get out of here.

I stood up. "I-I'm gonna go use the restroom." I climbed out the pool, grabbing my t-shirt as Corbyn yelled after me.

"Feel free to never come back!"

And I didn't. I simply walked down the steps to ground level and headed up the stone path, then into the mansion.

🎗🎗🎗🎗🎗

Hey all! I just broke my longest chapter record. This is 5000 words, isn't that insane? I wrote more than this, but it was getting so long that I had to cut it short. The next chapter should be out very soon for this reason.

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