<🎧 Song Recommendation: The Search by NF>
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(February 25th — Westin Bonaventure Hotel)
The moment Michael Ray disappeared backstage, the Grand Ballroom transformed into a marketplace.
The leaderboard was there, but it wasn't enough to help the two hundred contestants . There was nothing like a magical name tag floating over everyone's head, so they had no way to discover who was who on the rankings.
Panic set in immediately.
Contestants began scrambling, grabbing the arms of people they vaguely recognized from auditions.
"Hey, what did you score?"
"Are you a tenor or a baritone?"
"Please tell me you got at least a 25."
It was chaos. The smart ones knew that this round was about survival. A weak link could drag down even the best singer, so finding high-ranking teammates was priority number one.
Von stood his ground, ignoring the frantic energy around him. He had a plan. This was a team competition, and he already had one of the strongest players in the game on his side.
He turned over his shoulder to grab Julian.
"Hey, man," Von said, grabbing Julian's elbow and interrupting the conversation he was having. "I'm gonna go scout for two more people to complete our group. Or do you have someone in mind?"
Julian flinched slightly. He turned around, wearing a nervous, apologetic smile. He wasn't alone. He was surrounded by a trio of girls, the same blonde girl from earlier and two brunettes who looked like twins.
Julian ran a hand through his perfectly styled hair. "Actually... Von... they asked me to join their team already."
Von paused. He looked past Julian to the three girls. They were staring at him with a serious gaze.
"We asked him long ago," the blonde girl said, crossing her arms.
"I can explain," Julian said hastily, looking between Von and the girls. "I haven't said yes yet, so maybe—"
"What do you mean, Julian?" the blonde girl interrupted sharply. She stepped forward, placing a possessive hand on Julian's arm.
"You think you can abandon us for this loser? He didn't even make the Top 50. He was number eighty-four."
Her words hung in the air like an insult.
Von's face darkened. He stared right into her eyes, his violet irises seemingly glowing from her perspective. The intensity was so sharp that she actually flinched back a step.
But she recovered quickly, fueled by arrogance. She stepped forward again, chin raised.
"Yes, I said it. And stop looking at me like that, you dimwit... If you can't accept the truth, then that's on you. Julian is tied Number 1 and you're over eighty places below. We are a winning team. You are dead weight."
"Celine, stop..." Julian interjected, looking distressed. "That's enough. You don't have to be so harsh. Von is talented, he just—"
"Talent won't save you from elimination, Julian," Celine snapped, turning her back on Von.
Von didn't say a word. It was pointless to defend himself. He simply looked at them one last time and walked away.
"Von," Julian called out weakly. But Celine was already pulling him into a huddle with the twins.
***
"Phew, that was close," Von muttered as he wove through the crowd.
What happened back there didn't bother him in the slightest. He had dealt with worse assholes in his past life. Celine felt like a yapping Chihuahua compared what he once was.
Besides, he had already scanned her and discover she had B- vocals. She was good. Likely the Number 2 on the leaderboard. So he could understand why she was so arrogant.
But Von had something better.
He quickened his pace, his eyes locked on the exit doors. He had spotted a flash of distinct blue hair leaving the hall just as the argument started. If he had stayed to argue with Celine, he would have missed her.
He pushed through the doors into the quieter hallway and saw her walking toward the elevators.
"Hey!" Von called out.
The girl didn't stop.
Von jogged up behind her and tapped her on the shoulder.
"Excuse me."
She stopped and turned around slowly. Up close, she was even more striking. Blue eyes, light olive skin, and that impossible blue hair with purple streaks.
"Hello?" she asked.
"You might not know me. But we stood in line together in Miami. I was wondering if you've gotten a team yet."
The girl blinked. Her guarded expression softened slightly.
"Oh, I do know you. And no, I haven't found a team to join just yet."
Von was surprised by her relatively nice reply. He had expected an ice queen based on her demeanor.
"Well," Von said, offering a small smile. "If you don't mind... maybe we could team up?"
"I don't mind," she replied instantly. "I'm in. Do you have other members?"
'Yes!' Von exclaimed inwardly, pumping a mental fist.
"No, not yet," he admitted. "But I'll find them now."
"Okay," she nodded. "You only need to find one more person. My roommate can complete the team. We stay in Room 429. You can meet us there when you find a fourth person."
Von gave her a quick two-finger salute. "No problem. I'm Von Varley, by the way."
"I'm Aura. Aura Nova."
"Wow," Von breathed. "So you were the Number One."
Aura's expression shifted. She looked almost annoyed by the mention of it. She put a finger to her lips.
"Yeah... but please don't let others know," she whispered. "I don't want our new teammate joining just because of my rank. I want someone who actually wants to work."
Von smiled wryly. She was the complete opposite of Celine.
"I won't tell a soul," he promised. "You can count on that."
"Good," Aura said, before waving a hand lazily. "Bye, Von. I'll be waiting for you."
She stepped into the elevator, the doors sliding shut on her.
Von stood there for a moment in the empty hallway, a grin spreading across his face that he couldn't suppress.
"Who needs Julian when I've got the final boss on my team. Hehe!"
___
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