Chapter 13

Chapter 3

Daniela was running on three hours of sleep.

Which wasn’t unusual.

Unfortunately.

She was sitting in a conference room with the rest of KATSEYE.

Half-awake.

Holding an iced coffee like her life depended on it.

Because it did.

Across the table, their manager was smiling.

A dangerous sign.

Managers only smiled like that when they were about to announce something life-changing.

Or schedule-destroying.

Sometimes both.

Daniela immediately narrowed her eyes.

“No.”

The manager laughed.

“I haven’t said anything yet.”

“Exactly.”

The other girls laughed.

“She’s got a point.”

“That’s never good.”

Their manager ignored them.

Then finally slid a folder across the table.

“Congratulations.”

Silence.

The girls exchanged confused looks.

Then Megan opened the folder.

And screamed.

Immediately.

Daniela nearly dropped her coffee.

“What?”

The screaming got louder.

“Oh my God.”

“No way.”

“NO WAY.”

Daniela finally grabbed the folder.

Looked down.

Read the words.

Read them again.

Then a third time.

Just to make sure.

Coachella.

KATSEYE.

Performing.

Daniela blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Then:

“OH MY GOD.”

The room exploded.

Everyone talking at once.

Everyone freaking out.

Everyone laughing.

Because this wasn’t just another performance.

This was Coachella.

The Coachella.

The kind of event you dreamed about.

The kind you watched growing up.

The kind people remembered.

Daniela’s heart was pounding.

Excitement.

Nerves.

Shock.

Everything all at once.

The rest of the meeting became a blur.

Dates.

Schedules.

Travel plans.

Interviews.

Rehearsals.

Daniela heard maybe ten percent of it.

Because her brain kept getting stuck on the same thought.

Coachella.

They were actually doing Coachella.

It didn’t feel real.

Not yet.

After the meeting ended, the girls practically exploded into excited conversations.

Daniela immediately grabbed her phone.

Without thinking.

And froze.

Because the first person she wanted to tell…

Wasn’t Isabella.

Wasn’t even Kai.

It was—

Daniela stared at her phone.

Absolutely horrified.

No.

Nope.

Absolutely not.

Because WHY was her brain doing that?

Why?

Of all people?

Nevaeh?

Daniela groaned dramatically.

Then shoved her phone into her pocket.

Not happening.

No.

Never.

Five minutes later she took the phone back out.

Because apparently she had no self-control.

The group chat was active.

JAMES:
WHO’S PAYING FOR MY TICKET

MIA:
not us

JAMES:
wow

MATEO:
😭😭😭

KAI:
CONGRATS DANI

AMANNI:
SO PROUD OF YOUUU

Daniela smiled.

Then her eyes moved lower.

And immediately stopped.

NEVAEH:
that’s actually insane

NEVAEH:
congrats

Just two messages.

Nothing special.

Nothing dramatic.

Yet Daniela stared at them longer than she should’ve.

Way longer.

A stupid smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.

And before she could think too hard—

She typed.

DANIELA:
thanks

Then another message.

DANIELA:
you better come

The second she hit send—

She froze.

The group chat immediately exploded.

JAMES:
OOOOOOOOOOOO

MIA:
🤨

AMANNI:
👀

KAI:
OH?

Daniela wanted to die.

Immediately.

Because she hadn’t meant—

Okay.

Maybe she had meant it.

Across town, Nevaeh was staring at her phone.

And for the first time in days…

A small smile appeared.

Not because of Coachella.

Not because of KATSEYE.

But because despite everything…

Daniela had just told her:

you better come.

And somehow…

That felt important.

Meanwhile the group chat kept spamming.

KAI:
interesting

AMANNI:
VERY interesting

MATEO:
👀👀👀

Daniela watched the messages flood in.

Horrified.

DANIELA:
shut up

JAMES:
WHY HER SPECIFICALLY

DANIELA:
I DIDN’T SAY HER

MIA:
you literally replied to her message

DANIELA:
I HATE EVERYONE HERE

NEVAEH:
good

Daniela stared at her phone.

Then immediately smiled.

Then immediately stopped smiling.

Because why was she smiling?

This was getting ridiculous.

Across the room, Sophia looked up from her phone.

“Oh my God.”

Daniela froze.

No.

Absolutely not.

Because Sophia had the observational skills of a detective.

“What?”

Daniela asked.

Sophia grinned.

“Nothing.”

That was the worst answer possible.

“You’re lying.”

“I’m not.”

“You’re smiling at your phone.”

“I literally am not.”

“You literally are.”

Megan looked up now.

“Oh?”

“No.”

Daniela pointed.

“No oh.”

“Definitely oh.”

Yoonchae immediately slid closer.

“What happened?”

“Nothing.”

“She’s lying.”

Sophia said.

“I’M NOT.”

Lara walked into the room carrying a drink.

“What are we yelling about?”

“Daniela.”

“Again?”

“Again.”

Daniela wanted to disappear.

Immediately.

Manon walked in last.

Took one look at Daniela.

One look at everyone else.

And sighed.

“What did she do now?”

Daniela looked offended.

“What do you mean now?”

“What did you do?”

“I didn’t do anything.”

Sophia held up her phone.

“Oh yes you did.”

Daniela’s soul left her body.

Because somehow—

Somehow—

Sophia had screenshots.

“WHY DO YOU HAVE SCREENSHOTS?”

“Because they’re funny.”

“They’re evidence.”

“They’re both.”

The room erupted into laughter.

Meanwhile Daniela was considering moving countries.

Possibly continents.

“Anyway,” Megan said.

“Who’s going to Coachella from your friends?”

That immediately changed the subject.

Thank God.

Sophia started listing names.

“Kai.”

“Obviously.”

“Amanni.”

“Obviously.”

“Mia.”

“Unfortunately.”

Lara laughed.

Then Sophia kept going.

“Mateo.”

“James.”

“Potentially a national threat.”

“Definitely a national threat.”

Yoonchae agreed.

Everyone nodded.

Then Sophia looked at Daniela.

“And Nevaeh.”

Daniela’s stomach immediately did something weird.

Again.

She was starting to hate that.

“What about her?”

The room went silent.

Every single member looked at her.

Daniela knew instantly she’d said the wrong thing.

Because Lara slowly smiled.

Megan smiled too.

Then Yoonchae.

Then Sophia.

Then Manon looked like she was fighting for her life.

“What?”

Daniela asked.

Nobody answered.

Which somehow made it worse.

A lot worse.

Finally Sophia said:

“Nothing.”

Daniela pointed.

“THAT’S THE SAME THING MANON DOES.”

The room exploded.

Meanwhile, despite all the teasing…

Despite all the embarrassment…

Despite wanting to launch herself out a window…

One thought kept replaying in Daniela’s head.

Nevaeh was coming.

Not maybe.

Not probably.

Coming.

And suddenly Coachella felt much closer than it had five minutes ago.

Nevaeh was cleaning her kitchen.

Or trying to.

The same section of counter had been wiped three times.

Amanni was watching.

Concerned.

“Nevaeh.”

No answer.

“Nevaeh.”

Still nothing.

“NEVAEH.”

“What?”

“That’s the fourth time.”

Nevaeh looked down.

The counter was already clean.

“Oh.”

Amanni narrowed her eyes.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Nothing.”

“Lie.”

“Nothing.”

“Lie.”

Nevaeh pointed.

“You’re annoying.”

“You’re distracted.”

Nevaeh rolled her eyes.

Then immediately her phone lit up.

The KATSEYE group chat.

Well.

Not the KATSEYE group chat.

The friend group chat.

Same difference.

Her eyes immediately found one name.

Daniela.

And she hated that.

Because why?

Why was she doing that?

Why was she always noticing Daniela first now?

It wasn’t like Daniela was the only person in the chat.

There were literally ten other people.

Yet somehow her eyes always—

Nope.

Not thinking about that.

Absolutely not.

Then Amanni sees the smile.

😭

THE SMILE.

The tiny one.

The one Nevaeh doesn’t realize she’s doing.

And Amanni immediately goes:

“Oh my God.”

“What?”

“OH MY GOD.”

“WHAT?”

“YOU LIKE SOMEONE.”

“GET OUT.”

Meanwhile:

She rereads Daniela’s

you better come

like four times.

Because here’s the thing…

If Daniela’s brain has been screaming:

Why do I care?

Nevaeh’s brain be screaming:

Why did that message make me smile?

Nevaeh is picking outfits.

Not because she wants Daniela to see her.

Absolutely not.

Never.

Ridiculous.

Crazy.

Insane.

But somehow…

She’s spending way more time choosing than she normally would.

And Nevaeh hated packing.

Actually, no.

Nevaeh hated preparing.

Packing.

Planning.

Making lists.

All of it.

If she could throw random clothes into a bag and figure it out later, she would.

And usually she did.

Unfortunately, Amanni wasn’t allowing that.

“You are not bringing three shirts and hoping for the best.”

Nevaeh looked up from where she was sitting on the floor.

“Watch me.”

Amanni snatched the shirt from her hands.

“No.”

“Give it back.”

“No.”

“Amanni.”

“No.”

Nevaeh glared.

Amanni glared back.

Eventually Nevaeh looked away first.

“This friendship is toxic.”

“Pack your clothes.”

Nevaeh rolled her eyes.

Her bedroom looked like a disaster.

Clothes everywhere.

Open suitcase.

Shoes on the floor.

Jewelry scattered across her dresser.

Normally she’d be done in ten minutes.

Instead she’d been sitting here for nearly an hour.

And somehow had packed almost nothing.

Amanni noticed.

Of course she did.

“You’ve been staring at that suitcase for fifteen minutes.”

“No I haven’t.”

“You literally have.”

Nevaeh ignored her.

Then reached for a black top.

Held it up.

Examined it.

Her brain immediately supplied a thought.

Daniela would probably like this one.

Nevaeh froze.

The shirt slowly lowered.

The room became very quiet.

Amanni was scrolling on her phone.

Completely unaware.

Meanwhile Nevaeh stared at the shirt.

What?

No.

Absolutely not.

Why would that matter?

Why would she care what Daniela liked?

The thought was ridiculous.

Actually ridiculous.

Nevaeh tossed the shirt into the suitcase anyway.

Just because it looked good.

Obviously.

Nothing else.

A few minutes later she grabbed another outfit.

A tank top.

Loose jeans.

Simple.

Cute.

Daniela would definitely—

Nevaeh dropped it.

Immediately.

“No.”

Amanni looked up.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Okay…”

Nevaeh rubbed her face.

This was getting out of hand.

Because now every outfit somehow ended with Daniela.

This shirt?

Daniela might like it.

That necklace?

Daniela would probably notice it.

Those earrings?

Daniela said she liked silver once.

Wait.

When had Daniela said that?

And why did Nevaeh remember?

Nevaeh sat completely still.

Because that realization was somehow worse.

Not only was she thinking about Daniela.

She was remembering random things Daniela had said.

Tiny things.

Stupid things.

Things nobody should remember.

Yet she did.

Every single one.

And suddenly packing felt impossible.

Because no matter what she picked up—

Daniela appeared.

Like some kind of curse.

A very annoying curse.

Nevaeh groaned and fell backward onto her bed.

The ceiling offered no answers.

Rude.

Amanni was watching now.

Suspiciously.

Very suspiciously.

“What is wrong with you?”

“Nothing.”

“Lie.”

Nevaeh threw a pillow at her.

Amanni caught it.

“You’re acting weird.”

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

“I’m literally packing.”

“You’re literally staring into space.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“Okay maybe a little.”

Amanni gasped dramatically.

“Oh my God.”

“What?”

“Oh my God.”

“What?”

Amanni sat up straighter.

“WHO IS IT?”

Nevaeh nearly choked.

“WHAT?”

“WHO.”

“No one.”

“WHO.”

“No one.”

“NEVAEH.”

“AMANNI.”

The stare-off lasted ten seconds.

Twenty.

Thirty.

Eventually Amanni pointed.

“It’s Daniela.”

Nevaeh’s heart nearly stopped.

Just for a second.

A tiny second.

A second she hated.

Because why had her heart done that?

Why?

Why?

Why?

“It’s not Daniela.”

Amanni immediately smiled.

The worst possible sign.

“Interesting.”

“It’s not.”

“You got defensive.”

“I didn’t.”

“You did.”

Nevaeh grabbed another pillow.

Amanni wisely ducked.

The pillow hit the wall.

“This conversation is over.”

Amanni was laughing now.

Meanwhile Nevaeh wanted to disappear.

Because the worst part wasn’t that Amanni was wrong.

The worst part was that Nevaeh wasn’t entirely sure she was.

And that thought followed her long after Amanni left.

The room eventually became quiet.

The suitcase sat open beside her.

Half-packed.

Nevaeh slowly looked through the clothes she’d chosen.

Then noticed something.

Almost everything she’d packed looked…

Nicer.

Not too expensive.

Not exactly fancy.

Just…

More effort.

Than she usually put in.

Her eyes landed on the black top again.

The one she’d packed first.

The one she’d immediately thought Daniela would like.

Nevaeh stared at it.

For a long time.

Then she laughed once.

A quiet laugh.

Mostly at herself.

“This is insane.”

Because it was.

Absolutely insane.

And yet…

She folded the shirt neatly.

Placed it on top.

And zipped the suitcase shut.

Not because Daniela would like it.

Definitely not.

Obviously not.

That would be ridiculous.

Right?

The problem was…

As Nevaeh climbed into bed that night…

She wasn’t entirely convinced by her own answer anymore.

The morning of the trip started far earlier than any sane person should’ve been awake.

Nevaeh knew this because it was six in the morning and James was already sending voice messages.

JAMES:
IF ANYONE IS LATE I’M LEAVING THEM

JAMES:
THIS IS A THREAT

JAMES:
MATEO BRING SNACKS

MATEO:
it’s 6:03

JAMES:
AND?

Nevaeh immediately muted the chat.

By seven thirty, the parking lot outside James’s apartment looked like absolute chaos.

Cars.

Luggage.

Coffee cups.

People talking over each other.

James somehow eating a burrito.

No one knew where he’d gotten it.

No one wanted to know.

Nevaeh stepped out of Mia’s car carrying her suitcase.

She looked effortlessly comfortable, wearing oversized light- gray sweatpants that draped loosely over her chunky white sneakers.

She was wearing an oversized matching light- gray zip up sweatshirt, underneath a fitted black camisole.

She also had a black New York Yankees baseball cap, for some reason, paired with a Y2K oversized sunglasses. Simple white plug in headphones, already in her ears.

She carried a small black designer bag over her shoulder, while carrying her phone in the hand and in the other dragging her suitcase.

She braided her chunky curly hair and put a hoodie over her head.

With no make up on she actually looked pretty. 

Of course she had eyebags under her eyes, her cute button nose scrunching, her light brown eyes half lidded, but she pulled the look off.

Normally she didn’t care how she dressed or styled herself but maybe she wanted to start caring.

Not because of anyone, of course.

The California morning air was still cool.

A rare miracle.

Her oversized sunglasses hid most of her face.

Her hoodie sleeves covered her hands.

Comfortable.

Safe.

Normal.

“NEVAEH.”

Amanni appeared out of nowhere.

Literally nowhere.

One second she wasn’t there.

The next she was.

“What?”

“Did you bring sunscreen?”

“…”

“Nevaeh.”

“…Maybe.”

“You forgot.”

“No.”

“You forgot.”

“Maybe.”

Amanni sighed dramatically.

“This is why I have to parent you.”

“You’re younger than me.”

“Exactly.”

Before Nevaeh could respond, another voice joined.

“Good morning, losers.”

Mia.

She looked completely put together.

Which was annoying.

Because everyone else looked exhausted.

“Morning.”

Nevaeh muttered.

Mia looked around.

“Where’s Kai?”

“Inside.”

Mateo answered.

“Doing what?”

“Having a breakdown.”

“Reasonable.”

Everyone nodded.

Because organizing this many people was probably enough to make anyone lose their mind.

Especially when Nolan and James were involved.

Speaking of which—

“SHOTGUN.”

James yelled.

Immediately.

Nobody had even started loading the cars.

“NO.”

Kai shouted from somewhere inside.

“YES.”

“NO.”

“YES.”

The argument continued for another five minutes.

Nevaeh tuned most of it out.

Until a familiar name appeared on her phone.

DANIELA

The notification popped up at the top of the screen.

Her stomach immediately did something weird.

Nevaeh hated that.

Absolutely hated it.

She opened the message.

DANIELA:
you guys leaving yet?

Nevaeh stared.

Then read it again.

Then once more.

For absolutely no reason.

Why did she text her?

Why didn’t she text in the group chat?

Why didn’t she text Kai or anyone else, but her?

“OH. MY. GOD”

Ammani SCREAMED

Nevaeh nearly dropped her phone.

“What?”

Amanni was staring directly at her.

“You smiled.”

“I did not.”

“You literally did.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

Nevaeh shoved the phone into her pocket.

The smile immediately disappeared.

Mostly.

Eventually the luggage got loaded.

The arguments stopped.

And somehow everyone managed to get into the correct vehicles.

Somehow.

Nevaeh ended up in the backseat with Amanni.

Mia driving.

Nolan and James were in the car ahead with Kai and Mateo.

Which was probably safer for everyone.

The drive itself was long.

Hours long.

The kind of drive where conversations came and went.

Music changed constantly.

And everyone slowly got more tired.

At one point Amanni fell asleep against the window.

At another point Mia forced Nevaeh to hold her coffee.

At another point James called three separate times just to say absolutely nothing important.

It was annoying.

Comfortable.

Familiar.

The closer they got to Coachella, the more excited everyone became.

You could feel it.

More traffic.

More people.

More festival outfits.

More signs.

By the time they reached the hotel, the parking lot was packed.

Nevaeh stepped out of the car and stretched.

Immediately grateful to be standing again.

The hotel was massive.

Much bigger than she’d expected.

“Okay.”

Kai announced.

Clapping his hands together.

“Nobody disappear.”

James immediately started walking away.

“JAMES.”

“What?”

“COME BACK.”

The next thirty minutes were spent checking in.

Waiting in lines.

Showing IDs.

Signing things.

Arguing over luggage carts.

The usual.

Nevaeh stood beside Amanni while Kai handled most of the paperwork.

People moved through the lobby constantly.

Tourists.

Festival goers.

Families.

Friends.

Everyone excited.

Everyone talking.

Then the lobby doors opened.

And suddenly the noise around Nevaeh seemed to disappear.

Not completely.

Just enough.

Because she recognized them immediately.

Six girls. (Yes Manon is coming with them to Coachella)

Suitcases.

Managers.

Staff.

Security.

KATSEYE.

Actually KATSEYE.

Not on a screen.

Not online.

Not in videos.

Here.

Nevaeh’s heart immediately sped up.

A fact she planned on taking to her grave.

Because nobody needed to know she’d been casually listening to their music for months.

Especially not Daniela.

Unfortunately…

The very first person she saw was Daniela.

And Daniela saw her too.

Across the lobby.

Across dozens of people.

Across all the noise.

Their eyes met.

Just for a second.

Then Daniela smiled.

And started walking over.