Let’s start all over again,shall we?

Chapter 278 Yearning for a Kiss

Once Maggie wrapped up her performance, her eyes were teary.

Not because of anything else but because tragedies tend to hit close to home.

She couldn’t shake off memories of her past life with Nathael and the lingering what–ifs of this one.

Mixing up feelings of relictance, excitement, and a dash of sweetness, it all boiled down to a sad soup.

Grace was dabbing her eyes back in the dressing room, and even Danielle seemed a bit misty–eyed.

“Maggie, you nailed it out there. I’m so moved, I could cry, Grace chimed in.

Danielle nodded along, adding, “Seriously, you aced it. You’re gonna get top marks for sure.”

“Thanks, Ms. Joyton, thanks, Grace. I’ll catch you guys in the audience seats later, Maggie murmured sofily.

“Sure thing. Once they announce the scores, you can bounce if you’ve got stuff to do,” Grace replied.

Sierra stayed quiet, her gaze fixed on Nathael’s Twitter feed, lost in her world.

Before they realised it, Maggie was next, ready to face the judges‘ feedback.

With a grin, the host piped up, “Any guesses on your score, Maggie?”

Maggie said, “Well, what do you think, Mr. Surrez?”

“If it were up to me, I’d toss you an eleven, with an extra point just to boost your ego,” the host quipped

back.

The room erupted in laughter, and Maggie couldn’t help but smile too.

The camera shifted to the judges below the stage, capturing their mixed reactions. Some showered her praise, while a couple seemed to find faults in every nook and cranny.

Maggie glanced at the two critics, recalling their lukewarm feedback from the first round, It felt like one of them had a bone to pick with the Pierces, and the other might’ve had some ties she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

it all boiled down

wrapped up, Maggie went over the feedback on Sierra. Despite a few subtle hints for improvement, it

votes are through the roof, both inside and outside the venue,” the host exclaimed, peering at the latest stats

staggering number! Bagging the

rundown

for a Kiss

to duke it out with their counterparts from different

to bump into

clenched tightly at her side. “Don’t go thinking those

casual smile, her tone light. “Ah well,

left Sierra fuming, feeling like she

across.

enjoy your moment in the spotlight while you can, Maggie. But mark my words, I’m gonna come out on top! The championship trophy is as good as

she couldn’t shake off thoughts of the two judges up there who seemed friendly with the Pierces. Seeing Sierra’s unwavering confidence, it all clicked

the Pierces and the Camerons had teamed up, hell–bent on propelling Sierra

couldn’t help but dive

random song selections in the competition could

Maggie strode past Sierra, she swiftly dialed Lucas’s number.

greeted as

any fishy business with the song selection for

on it ASAP,

competition, Lucas wasted no time. He

something, sis. It looks like most folks‘ songs are randomly picked, but is it yours? Not so much. Here’s the proof,”

understanding why she got stuck with one of the

asked, her

got ‘Waltz in G Major,” Lucas

softly, “Help her get rid of that preset

similar piece for her? That way, she gets to feel

for

a moment of thought. Maggie nodded in agreement. If the competition wasn’t playing fair,

been on edge, now seemed confident, probably thanks to mastering the

waltz.

Sierra had been honing in

it was time to bring her down a peg or two.