Sam and Freddie were still going at it, trading snarky jabs back and forth while the rest of us just watched, mildly amused.
Laura leaned toward me and whispered, "Are they together?"
Before I could respond, Sam and Freddie both shot back in unison, "No!"
Their expressions were equally offended, like the very idea had crossed some sacred line.
I caught the exchange and chuckled. "Honestly, they've been since day one. I don't even think they realize it anymore."
Sam looked up. "We can hear you, you know."
"That's the idea," I replied, grinning.
I turned back to Laura. "But you should try Harry Potter. It's a nice book."
"Maybe in the future," she said with a smile. "I think I have a little trauma. Some nerds kept calling me Laura Voldemort in 7th grade. And he's the antagonist, isn't he?" she added jokingly.
"Yeah, but you're way too pretty to be compared to that no-nose guy," I said with a smirk.
Carly and Sam just rolled her eyes
"By the way," I continued, shifting the conversation, "it's kind of rare for someone to transfer now. We're already in February—more than halfway through the school year..."
"I'm from Toronto, Canada," Laura replied. "I want to be a professional actress, and my father got a job here in L.A. So, we decided to transfer now, even if it messed with my school year a little."
"She already is," Cher cut in with a proud smile. "Laura was telling me she acted in the Goosebumps series."
"Seriously?" Carly asked, her eyes lighting up. "I used to love that show."
"Which episode?" Freddie added, interested.
Laura laughed. "It was one called 'Deep Trouble.' I played the lead's sister. It was only a couple of scenes, but it was super fun. I also appeared in a few others—'Say Cheese and Die Again' and 'The Haunted Mask II.' Mostly small parts. "
"That's really awesome," I said, leaning forward a bit
Laura and I kept chatting for a bit, the conversation relaxed and natural, before she eventually stood up.
Then she stood, politely. "Excuse me for a second, I'll be right back."
And with that, she headed off toward the restroom.
Regina got up and went with her, the two of them disappearing down the hallway.
Cher turned to me the moment they were out of sight. "You are unbelievable, Jake."
"What?" I said, feigning innocence, raising an eyebrow like I had no idea what she meant.
Everyone at the table just stared at me, completely unfazed.
"Really?" I looked around, waiting for at least one person to have my back.
"I think I need new friends..." I added, acting like I'd been personally wronged. "...and Laura might be the one." I smiled
Cher gave me a light jab in the ribs, shaking her head with a grin.
"What's really unbelievable," I added, turning to her, "is you showing her around the school and introducing her to us. When did you become a goody two-shoes girl, Cher?"
"What? I've always been a good girl," Cher said like she was stating the obvious.
Now she was the one getting the same look I had just gotten.
Sensing that Cher didn't want to elaborate, I decided to change the subject.
Later that afternoon, we split into two cabs on our way to the studio. Carly, Sam, and Freddie went in one; I rode in the other with Regina and Cher.
About five minutes into the ride, I leaned a little closer to Cher.
"So?" I asked, my tone casual but curious.
She raised an eyebrow. "So what?"
"You know what," I said, giving her a look. "The sudden nice-girl routine. Helping Laura. Being all... welcoming."
"Your songs are incredible," Cher said simply. "I know you'll make video clips of them. I want to be in one."
I said. "You know I'd let you appear even if you hadn't introduced me the gorgeous blonde. Regina's going to be in one, and she didn't lift a finger."
Regina chimed in, "I presented myself to you... and Cher."
I rolled my eyes and scoffed. "You know what I mean."
Everyone in the cab burst out laughing (not the driver, though)
Cher leaned back, still grinning. "I know, Jake. But I also know you would've met her in no time."
I gasped, feigning offense. "You said that like I'm some kind of playboy."
Both Cher and Regina gave me the exact same deadpan look.
I leaned back in my seat, glancing out the window for a moment.
Laura obviously hadn't been invited to hear the new songs at the studio. And as stunning as she was, there was no reason to start simping over her—or to even think about revealing the Marshmello secret now (maybe in the future).
When we arrived at the studio, Pepper, Carly, Sam, and Freddie were already there, chatting and checking some of the equipment.
I headed straight to the changing room to get into the Marshmello outfit. The white hoodie, gloves, and, of course, the helmet—it was all part of the persona now. Time to switch modes.
A few minutes later, the door opened and our final guest arrived.
Sia Kate Isobelle stepped into the studio— still not wearing her 'different' style design. At twenty-five, she already had a presence in the music world. Last year, she had signed with Dance Pool, a sub-label of Sony Music, and her debut single, "Taken for Granted," had hit number ten on the UK Singles Chart.
So, yeah—she was famous. Not everywhere famous yet.
Pepper greeted her first, then motioned to the rest of us.
I stepped out of the changing room just in time to see her offering a polite smile as she scanned the space.
She still lived in London, but made frequent trips for projects . And now, she was here—for our fourth and fifth track.
'Yeah' I thought, adjusting the hoodie under the helmet, 'we decided to let her sing the two remaining songs.'
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