The competition was around the corner.
Everyone involved was busy preparing, gathering materials, rehearsing, making sure nothing went wrong.
Moon, on the other hand, had been overworking herself. Sleepless nights. Endless revisions. Studying harder than she ever had before.
Her phone rang.
She picked it up and smiled when she saw the name.
"Hey, baby," Andrew's voice came through softly.
"Hello, love," she replied, her exhaustion fading slightly.
"I know you've been pushing yourself too hard because of the competition. I'm just afraid you might—"
"I'll screw it up?" Moon cut in quietly.
"Hey," Andrew said gently. "Don't say that. You've studied and practiced so well. You just need to relax your mind. You've got this, my baby. I believe in you."
Moon smiled. That was exactly what she needed to hear.
"Thank you… that really helps."
"How's life over there?" she asked.
"Everything is good," he replied. "But I still miss you."
"Aww. I miss you too, my big baby."
They both laughed softly.
"Don't worry," Andrew added. "We'll see each other soon."
"I'll let you prepare now," he said. "When you're back, we'll talk?"
"That's a nice idea."
"I love you so much, Moon."
"I love you too."
When the call ended, there was a knock on her door.
"Moon? Are you awake?" Jacob's voice came through.
"Yes! Good morning."
"Did you sleep well?" he asked.
"Of course," she lied lightly. "What about you?"
Jacob looked down, blushing slightly.
"David asked me out on a date."
Moon's eyebrows lifted. "And?"
"I haven't replied yet… but I think it'll be a yes."
Moon smiled knowingly. "I thought as much."
"He's not bad after all," Jacob admitted shyly. "I'll give him a try."
"Good. Now go away, I need to take my bath so we won't be late."
Rachel was already outside, honking impatiently.
"Coming!" they rushed downstairs.
"Good morning, babes!" Rachel greeted.
"I won't lie," Moon sighed as they got into the car. "I'm barely coping with all this pressure. I feel like I'm losing my mind."
"Don't be too hard on yourself," Rachel said gently. "Everything will be alright."
"What if we hang out tonight after school?" Rachel suggested. "All of us. Take our minds off everything."
"I really need that," Moon admitted.
"Then it's a date," Jacob said. "I'll invite David."
They drove to school, laughing about graduation approaching, future schools, and Andrew.
"You miss him that much?" Rachel teased.
Moon smiled softly. "You have no idea."
When they arrived at school and parked at their usual spot, something unexpected happened.
Jenna.
Joseph.
Emmanuel.
Genesis.
They were all standing there.
Smiling.
Moon slowed down.
"Good morning," Jenna said sweetly.
Joseph stepped forward. "We don't want to fight anymore. We realized we've treated you badly… and we're sorry. From now on, we'll support you."
Moon blinked.
Support her?
Her brothers avoided her eyes but nodded.
Rachel stiffened beside her.
"Such a sudden change," Rachel whispered once they stepped away. "I don't trust it."
"I don't either," Moon admitted quietly. "But maybe… maybe they've finally come to their senses."
Across the parking lot, unnoticed by Moon—
Jenna leaned closer to the brothers.
"If she represents the school and wins," she said softly, "you'll forever be known as Moon's shadows."
Silence.
"She needs to be humbled," Jenna continued. "We act nice. We gain her trust. Then we strike."
Joseph hesitated for a second.
Genesis nodded slowly.
Emmanuel looked uncertain… but said nothing.
"Lock her up before the competition," Jenna whispered.
And they agreed.
Inside the hallway, whispers followed Moon everywhere.
Some counted days to her victory.
Some counted days to her failure.
The pressure wrapped around her like invisible hands.
Moon inhaled deeply.
"I'm stronger than this," she told herself.
"I'm not doing this to prove anything to anyone."
"I'm doing this for me."
But somewhere behind the smiles…
Knives were already being sharpened.
During break that afternoon, Moon's phone rang.
"Hello, daughter," her mother's warm voice came through.
"Hi, Mom."
"How are you doing, my little girl?"
"I'm good," Moon replied softly.
"We're fine over here," her mother continued, "but we're worried about you and your brother."
"You don't have to worry. We're okay."
"Your dad wants to speak with you."
Moon smiled slightly. "Alright."
"Hello," came Mr. Jones' deep voice.
"Hello, sir."
He paused. "One day… I can't wait for you to call me Dad. That will be the happiest day of my life."
Moon's heart warmed. "That day will come. I promise."
He chuckled softly, then his tone shifted.
"You told your mom you're fine. But I want to hear it from you. You can tell me anything."
Moon hesitated.
"Jenna Cruz and my brothers… they suddenly started acting nice today. They said they don't want to fight anymore."
Silence.
"That sounds suspicious," Mr. Jones said firmly.
"I thought so too."
"Be careful, Moon. Smile if you must… but don't trust too easily. Watch them. Promise me you'll protect yourself — and Jacob."
"I promise," she said quietly.
"That's my girl. We'll see you soon."
When the call ended, Moon felt a strange chill.
Later that evening, after school activities ended, Jacob and Rachel found Moon near the front steps.
They talked excitedly about their evening hangout.
"Don't forget to invite David," Moon teased.
"I already did," Jacob grinned.
Rachel suddenly checked her phone. "I have to handle something quickly. I'll meet you guys later."
"Same here," Jacob said. "I'll be back in a bit."
Within minutes…
Moon was alone.
That's when they appeared.
Jenna.
Joseph.
Genesis.
Emmanuel.
Smiling.
"Moon," Joseph said calmly, "Principal Adams asked for you. He stepped out of his office for a minute, but he said to wait near the auditorium."
Moon's stomach tightened slightly.
"Now?"
"Yes," Jenna added sweetly. "It sounded urgent."
Moon remembered Mr. Jones' warning.
Smile… but don't trust.
Still, she nodded.
On their way down the quiet hallway, Joseph suddenly stopped.
"Oh wait," he said casually. "Genesis left something in the storage room. It'll take two seconds."
The hallway was nearly empty now.
The sun was fading through the windows.
Their footsteps echoed.
Something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
Moon slowed slightly.
But before she could speak—
A sudden shove.
She stumbled forward.
The door slammed shut behind her.
Click.
The sound of a lock turning.
Silence.
Her heart began pounding violently.
"Hey! What are you doing?! Open the door!"
Laughter.
Cold.
Mocking.
"How did you think we'd suddenly become friends?" Jenna's voice echoed from the other side.
"You wanted to shine?" Joseph added. "Let's see how you represent the school from in there."
Moon's hands trembled as she pounded on the door.
"Let me out!"
More laughter.
Footsteps fading.
And then—
Nothing.
Darkness.
Silence.
Moon slid down against the door, tears filling her eyes.
Not because she was weak.
But because she had known.
She had known.
Meanwhile…
Jacob and Rachel returned to the front steps.
"Moon?" Jacob called out.
No answer.
They checked the parking lot.
Nothing.
"She must've gone home," Rachel guessed nervously.
But something felt off.
They rushed home.
The house was quiet.
"Moon?" Jacob called again.
No response.
Rachel's expression changed.
"She wouldn't leave without telling us."
Jacob's stomach dropped.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Back at the school, inside the dark storage room—
Moon banged on the metal door.
"Help! Somebody please!"
Her voice echoed against stacked chairs and dusty boxes.
She reached for her phone.
No signal.
Her breathing became shaky.
Outside, footsteps passed once.
She screamed louder.
But no one stopped.
The competition.
The pressure.
The fake smiles.
It all made sense now.
And for the first time since everything began—
Moon felt real fear.