Chapter 10 - A Musical Impersonation

Without missing a beat, Akira launched into Cardi B's verse the accent, the sass, the flow everything on point.

🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶.

Now I like dollars, I like diamonds, I like stunting, I like shining

I like million dollar deals, where's my pen, bitch I'm signin' (Signin')

I like those Balenciagas (Those), the ones that look like socks

I like going to the jeweler, I put rocks all in my watch (Cha-ching)

I like texts from my exes, when they want a second chance (What?)

I like proving niggas wrong, I do what they say I can't (She can't)

They call me Cardi Bardi, banging body, spicy mami, hot tamale

Hotter than a Somali, fur coat, Ferrari...

When the beat faded, she cocked her head at Elliott, lips curling into the ghost of a smile under the hood.

OMG! Akira..... that was so good. How come I never thought of that? Mrs Nelly said wowed at Akira's perfect impersonation of Cardi B 

Akira sang perfectly, so perfectly you'll think it was Cardi B herself in the studio.

From now on, I'll be adding impersonations, so if you know you can do it, bring it on,I wanna hear it.

Oh... sorry for the interruption Akira,I just couldn't help it. Let's start over so you can tag someone. Mrs Nelly said turning on the music once more.

"Now you."

With a few taps, She cued "Shaggy's Angel". She sang the intro with a smooth reggae tone, then turned and gestured to him, "Your turn, superstar." 

Elliott froze. The lyrics didn't come. He stared at the screen, then at her like she had just knocked the crown off his head. 

Leo stepped in when it was very obvious Elliott didn't know the song.

The class erupted. Not in cruelty, but in disbelief. Someone clapped. Someone else whooped. 

Elliott slammed the mic down, muttering, "This isn't over." 

The warm hum of piano keys fades as the music teacher steps out briefly, leaving behind a lazy murmur of students chatting and shuffling sheet music. The air still vibrates from Akira's surprise performance earlier.

At the back of the room, Kiana leans against the mirrored wall, her manicured fingers brushing a lock of hair from her flawless face. Her eyes aren't on her music sheet they're fixed on Elliott, seated by the grand piano, chin in hand, still brooding.

She watches as he steals yet another glance at Akira.

Kiana's jaw tightens.

Her fingers curl, nails tapping rhythmically against the chair's edge. He used to look at her like that. Not with hatred or curiosity. Like she mattered.

FLASHBACK (Quick glimpses):

Elliott and Kiana laughing by the school's fountain.

Do this for me Kiana, and you get all you've ever wanted.

BACK TO PRESENT.

But now? One hoodie-wearing mystery girl and she's suddenly invisible. All because Akira dared to exist… and sing.

She watches Elliott rise and toss a sharp, warning look toward Akira before storming out.

Kiana's lips press into a thin smile. Cold. Calculating.

KIANA (under her breath)

So that's what it takes to get under your skin?

Her gaze darkens, following Akira, who remains calm, unfazed, tucking her airpods in like none of this matters.

KIANA (quietly)

Fine. If she wants the spotlight even your worst side I'll give her a reason to regret it.

She straightens, smooths her skirt, and walks out with slow, deliberate grace a storm brewing behind her perfect smile.

Later, outside the class, Elliott cornered her near the lockers. His jaw tight, fists shoved in his pockets. 

"You think you're clever? Humiliating me like that?" 

Akira raised an eyebrow. "Didn't say a word. You challenged me. I just sang." 

He leaned in, "You're playing a game you don't understand, hoodie girl. Watch your back." You might never know when you're gonna slip down 8 floors he said eyes dark.

Akira turned and walked away, cool and calm. 

"Maybe study your playlist next time," she tossed over her shoulder.

From a distance,Amy stood watching them both. Curious.Angry. Pained. Jealous. 

Amy knew boys like him. If he didn't care he wouldn't notice her. 

His attention was on Akira, who stood by the lockers with her usual aloof air, hoodie up, hands in the hoodie pockets.

AMY (muttering)

What does he even see in her?

The final bell for lunch rings. Amy seizes the moment.

She storms toward Akira, slamming a palm on the locker beside her.

AMY (snapping)

You think you're better than everyone cause you can sing?

Akira caught off guard, blinked slowly. 

Who are you again? 

You love his attention don't you? 

That's not what I think. But you seem to care more than I do.

AMY (voice rising) 

Don't play dumb. You've got Elliott all twisted up and you? You walk around like he doesn't even exist!

A crowd starts gathering.

AKIRA (flatly)

Because he doesn't… to me.

AMY'S jaw clenches. The sting of that truth hits hard. In frustration, she shoves Akira's shoulder but Akira steps back, unfazed, and security breaks it up before it escalates.

Stay away from Elliott he's mine! She warned before storming off, humiliated, but not done.

Olivia leaned on a desk in the hallway watching everything unfold. 

Elliott was gorgeous, there was something magnetic about him. The way he walked, the quiet confidence, the fame. 

But she noticed something others didn't. Amy and Kiana were both invested.And Elliott only ever reacted when Akira was around. In a bad way yes. 

And Akira? She didn't even blink in his direction. 

That made Olivia curious. And jealous. 

But She still needed to have Elliott to herself, but first Kiana and Amy needed to be taken care of. Urgently. 

Kiana's POV 

Kiana leaned elegantly over the railing, a chilled iced tea in hand, her piercing eyes trained on the drama unfolding below. The sharp clicks of Amy's heels echoed as she stormed toward Akira.

Finally, Kiana thought, taking a slow sip. She had expected someone to crack just didn't think it'd be Amy.

From above, Kiana watched Amy wag her finger at Akira, her voice taut with emotion. Akira barely flinched as calm and unreadable as ever. But it wasn't Akira that held Kiana's attention. It was Amy.

The way Amy's voice trembled… 

The way she lit up when she mentioned Elliott…

So, she likes him too?

Kiana's perfectly glossed lips curled into a slow smile.

KIANA (whispering)

Cute… but sloppy.

 She's going after Akira for getting his attention? Ha!

That made Amy a threat. Not just to Akira… but to her.

Still, Kiana wasn't the type to hiss and claw.

 No. She'd do what her mother taught her.

"Keep your enemies close. Then let them destroy themselves."

Kiana turned and opened her phone.

Let the game begin.

AMY'S CAR

Amy sat in the backseat of her luxury car, legs crossed tightly, fists clenched as she ranted in a breathless stream of fury.

Can you believe that girl? That hoodie-wearing roach actually made Elliott look at her. Like really look. Like I wasn't standing right there! I swear, Olivia, she's dead meat. Next week, she won't even be able to show her face!

Olivia sat beside her, silent. Her face blank, hands resting on her designer tote. She nodded at the right times, but her mind wasn't on Akira. It was on Amy... and Kiana.

I mean, I get it if it was Kiana. She and Elliott might have history or whatever. But Akira? What does she even have?

She gave Amy a quick, unreadable look

She actually outshined me in front of Elliott. Like, who is she? That stupid hoodie and that fake innocent act? It's pathetic. I swear, she's going down. Next week, I'll make sure of it.

Olivia gave her a look light, calculating.

She walks around like she doesn't want attention, but it's so obvious. And Elliott? He's mine. I'll make sure he notices me…..

Olivia sat beside her, calm, unreadable. She said nothing just tapped her freshly done nails against her phone screen.

The car slowed. The chauffeur turned slightly.

Miss Olivia, we've reached your residence.

Thank you, Benson.

She opened the door, then glanced back at Amy.

You know, some people dig their own graves with too much noise.

She stepped out without waiting for a reply.

We'll talk soon.

AMY (smirking)

Definitely. We've got a hoodie to burn. She said reading no meaning from Olivia's words.

Olivia stepped out, the car pulling away. Her eyes flicked toward the quiet house ahead.

AMY'S HOME 

The large gates swung open. It was quiet. Too quiet.

No gardeners. No security. No maids.

She paused at the door, her heels clicking sharply.

AMY:TO HERSELF 

Ugh. Finally. I hate poor people crowding the place.

She entered.

Inside, the once-bustling house felt hollow.

Dad? Why were all the workers gone? And ugh, can someone explain why my allowance hasn't been sent? I need to deal with someone at school, and I can't do that broke.

Her father sat at the dining table, going through documents with her two older brothers. They looked tired. The air was tense.

Dad, I need some money. I have.to handle something at school. It's urgent. There's this girl and...

Her father looked up, sighed.

MR. GRAYSON

Amy, stop!

She blinked. Her father didn't raise his voice, but the weight of it made her pause.

You can't afford to start fights. Not with kids from that school.

Why? Afraid I'll ruin your precious image?

Her brother stepped forward.

No. Because if they find out you're only there on Principal Matthews' scholarship, it's over.

Amy froze.

Scholarship?

We're not in the same league anymore, Amy. The company's gone. The only reason you're still in Rosevale is because of a debt the principal owes me.

Amy's eyes widened. Her voice trembled.

So… I'm poor?

Silence.

We're working on some investments. There's still hope, but for now... yes.

Amy took a step back.

No… no, no, no. That's not true.

Her voice cracked. Her eyes shimmered.

I'm... a scholarship student?

She sank into the couch, mascara smudging as tears rolled freely.

There's hope. One of my investments in Tokyo may still pull through. We just need time.

But Amy wasn't listening anymore

.

She was too busy realizing… she had become everything she looked down on.

Amy sank deeper into the couch, face pale, a tear slipping down her cheek. The girl who'd looked down on others had just become what she hated most.

And no one could know.

Especially not Akira.