The Case of the Varnished Trainee

3 a

n't s

chest like armor. Every creak of the dorm door made me flinch. I kept

s more than

Lee-

something you'd see printed on luxu

or collabs. Front center in every group photo. Millions of followers. Every move of hi

to Zion's noteboo

the loose floorboard near my bunk and made myself look normal - hoodie on, li

elf while dabbing concealer under her

e you got hit

d. "Love

one, Kimora. Your wildcard s

lse - back in the studio, replaying Zion'

.m. – S

t paired with Sasha. Mei looked at me apologetically

a synchronized lunge. "You really

ked. "

irls like you alive." She smile

t shade. It w

l. "Thanks fo

salute and flipp

udio doors opened

Lee-

uched off his shoulder, and his chain glinted like it had its own spotlight. His locs were tied ba

raightened. Giggled. O

even loo

e room lazily - unt

locked eyes. And I swe

action. From

gnit

hed. Barely.

ed away

apped sharply. "Training collab today.

mach d

s in thi

ach's assistant began calling

k... with Dal

cou

Studio C, C

rus with some basic partner choreography. But I couldn't focus. Not with Zi

eak to me. N

cally. Hit every beat. B

" he said finally, voice

as just wondering how it feel

t his a

froze m

use

said quietly. "You

arkened. "Watc

pered. "You'll ma

le

gh. He leaned in, his br

eady for this

the choreography again

.m. – C

from me, tray in hand. "You

my food. "

voice low. "Was

"What do

what happened to him," she whispere

k Dalex know

something changed right before Zion disappeared

e notebook. The

wrong. The black

?" I ask

re Dalex? Jiwon Park. His cousin. But

t b

ilen

ded a

Girls Bloc

ratched inside the back cover. I peeled away the damaged

art j

my palm. No label. J

d find a way

. I finally l

ing out. From

only one sti