The argument was getting more and more heated. Tiffany was glaring at Luna. They were basically yelling at each other right now. They both argued that they did everything just because they took Thea as their real friend. But everyone in the dorm knew that they just wanted to share Thea’s popularity. If they tried to be friends with Thea, the cameras would also be fixed on them more.
Thea was not an idiot. She could tell what they were thinking. That pink phone she saw last time in the dressing room belonged to Tiffany. Tiffany must have some big serious figures supporting her, or she wouldn’t be able to get the names of the songs before the official competition started. Luna’s company was a leader in this industry. Thea was the only one who didn’t have any supporters.
She knew she couldn’t afford to offend any of them.
Being friends with them was better than being taken as the target of the crowd. She had gained much more popularity than anyone on the team. She would easily become the target if she didn’t treat them nicely.
Thea sighed and smiled, “Guys, come on. I know both of you are doing this because you guys are truly nice friends. Tiffany, I know you think I’m tired of recording the show all day. But you don’t need to buy snacks for me anymore. It’s pretty costly. I don’t want you to spend money on me. Luna, you don’t need to worry about me as well. Let’s go back to take a beauty rest. We still need to work very hard tomorrow. We should all get a good sleep.”
Thea wasn’t biased, and she didn’t sound like she hated anyone. Both Luna and Tiffany were confused.
She didn’t mind anything at all? Thought the two girls.
She just forgave everyone so soon? Luna thought for a short second and smiled, “Thea, you’re right. We should go back to get some rest. Let’s get prepared for tomorrow’s shooting.”
Tiffany cut in, “Thea, do you want to team up with me tomorrow?”
Luan arched an eyebrow, “Why should Thea team up with you? Thea, you should team up with me. You know I’m good at dancing. I can teach you the best choreography.”
Thea felt her head was gonna explode, “Come on, girls. This is a competition. None of us should make any choice on stage purely out of friendship. I won’t team up with anyone just because I like her. I hope you both will also do the same.” Tiffany and Luna finally got a bit quiet after hearing that. They both nodded, “Okay!”
Beth felt extremely disgusted. She just exited the bathroom, rubbing her short hair with a towel, “Are you sure you want to argue here? What if they also got cameras in here? Do you really want the audience to see this clip online?”
Tiffany and Luna went pale. Thea laughed, “Stop joking, Beth. Directors are not perverts. Setting cameras here is illegal.”
Beth shrugged her shoulders and went to her bed.
Thea turned to Tiffany and Luna, “Guys, it’s getting late. Let’s go back to sleep.”
Showbiz was such a horrible place. People’s faces were changing so fast. These two used to ignore and despise her, but now, both came to suck up to her, expecting to become her friends.
People would do anything for their benefit.
Thea would trust none of them, but she also wouldn’t fall into their tricks. The competition was still ongoing. She must push herself to survive in this show.
****
Thea woke up quite early the next morning. Going to do some makeup before going onto the stage.
Adam was still the host of the show. When they announced the names of the songs they were gonna perform, Thea made sure again that Tiffany had already got the names. Someone leaked these to her. She couldn’t help looking in Tiffany’s direction.
Tiffany thought Thea finally wanted to be her friend, waving and smiling.
Thea smiled back.
Adam asked who wanted to be the leaders of their teams. A couple of girls stood out. Thea took a step back.
She had already been the most popular one among all the girls. She’d like to leave this kind of chance to other girls, so they wouldn’t resent her too much. The leaders had the right to pick their team members. Members with high popularity and capability would be fought over. The girls with lower popularity or skills, however, would be left behind.
“Thea! Do you wanna come to our team?” Rebecca, the girl on the same team as Thea from last time, suddenly called her attention across the room.
Thea’s eyes widened. The song Rebecca chose was an R&B song. It suited Thea’s style extremely well. Besides, Rebecca had called her name. If she declined Rebecca immediately, it would probably hurt Rebecca’s pride. So, Thea put on a smile, “Of course. I’d love to.”
When Thea walked over to Rebecca’s team, Tiffany also raised her hand high in the air, “Becca! I want to go to your team as well!”
Rebecca was thrilled. The two most popular girls would both be on her team. They were definitely gonna win this performance!
Everyone else on the stage could tell what Tiffany was thinking. Some of them were completely disgusted by Tiffany, but no one blurted out their opinion.
After the selection, all the teams went to their dance studios to practice.
The most important thing was the distribution of the lines. Rebecca and the other members all decided that Thea should get more lines because R&B was her specialty.
Thea was surprised to get the special treatment, but she knew they were making this friendly gesture to suck up to her. Besides, she knew she could perform these lines very well. She thus accepted the distribution. Tiffany rolled her eyes secretly. She was forcing herself to be nice, but she still couldn’t stop herself from feeling jealous when Thea got more lines.
When they started to practice, however, a new problem surged in.
Thea’s voice was just too different from everyone else’s. Her voice stood out too much, making other girls’ voices sound plain.
Rebecca lost her patience during the rehearsal, “Thea, this won’t work. I think you need to change your way of singing. Could you try to alter your style a little so we will sound more like a group?”
Thea frowned. She wouldn’t have any attitude when she needed to adapt to the way of treating other people. But changing the style of singing was a big deal. She would never compromise her style.
“I don’t think so, Rebecca,” Thea said, “You don’t have to sound exactly the same when it comes to singing in a group. We all need to have our styles, so the judges and audiences will remember our performance.”
Thea was always sweet and nice. They didn’t expect her to turn down Rebecca’s suggestion, frankly.
Tiffany and Jessica exchanged secret glances.
And then, Dylan suddenly walked into the studio.
“Dylan!” Rebecca exclaimed as she saw their tutor, “We need your suggestion!”