Strings Of Harmony

♫27♫ Let's Go To The Carnival!

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Let’s Go To The Carnival!

“How was your date with Sterling?” asked Ivy, as soon as I came back.

“It was great,” I said. I kicked off my shoes and then flung myself onto the bed. “The food was amazing and the dance club was pretty cool.”

“That’s good! I’m glad you had a good time.” Ivy sat down next to me on the bed and then pinched my cheeks lightly. “I’m so proud of my little Jules! She’s finally grown up and found herself a man!”

I blushed. “Shut up, Ivy.” I slapped her hand away from me.

“Have you told your brother yet of you relationship with him?” Lola asked.

I shook my head. “But I will.”

“Good. You should definitely tell him as he did come by our room after you had left. Apparently, he wanted to know the song choice we were going to sing for the next round.”

“Oh.” I had totally forgotten about the competition. I guess I was so absorbed with my own drama that I had completely forgotten about the whole point of being here in L.A.

“I was thinking ‘Made in the USA’—you know, that one song Demi just released? It’s really catchy and upbeat,” said Ivy.

“Yeah, I’m actually with her on that one,” agreed Lola. “Do you think the song would be a close match for you voice?”

“I think so…” I said.

“Oh, and you could totally dedicate this song to Sterling!” Ivy clasped her hands and sighed dreamily. “How romantic would that be?”

I shrugged. “I dunno.”

“What song do you have in mind?” asked Lola.

“I’m not sure.”

“Please don’t do another spoof,” whined Ivy. “Remember that this’ll be a live competition. I do not want to see my friend making a fool of herself onstage again.”

“No worries, Ivy. I’m pretty sure that won’t happen again this time.”

“Pinky promise?”

I sighed. “Yes, pinky promise.”

We hooked pinkies and then shook on it.

“Can we sleep? I’m tired,” said Lola, yawning. “We could always talk about the song choice tomorrow.”

“Yeah, I was gonna say the same,” I said. I got up reluctantly from my bed so that I could change into my pajamas. When I was done with that, I quietly slipped back into bed with Ivy, who was already fast asleep.

I sighed as earlier events from today flooded my mind.

Since when did my life get so complicated?

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“Oh hey, Jules,” said Hyde, as he caught up to me early this morning. I was sitting in the buffet, eating my breakfast, when Hyde had spotted me.

I willed myself to not groan as my brother slid into a seat in front of me. Something told me he wasn’t really here for a chat…

“Hey Hyde,” I answered him, as I chewed silently on my bagel.

“So…how’s life?” he asked, nonchalantly, as he bit into his pop tart.

“Uh, it’s going fine…”