Chapter 76

Merry’s eyes were bloodshot from crying, her finger pointed accusingly toward the classroom door as she screamed, “Get out! Just get out!”

Leila, sauntering out with a provoking smile, tossed back, “Well, I took the day off because the director and Bland have a scene to run through with me. So, I’ll be on my way.”

At the mention of Bland running through a scene, Merry froze.

Once Leila had left, Merry couldn’t hold back any longer. She buried her face in her arms on the desk and sobbed.

Cordelia, strolling down the hallway, tucked her baseball cap into her bag before poking Merry’s shoulder. asking, “What’s up?”

Merry turned around, her hand wrapped in gauze, and choked out, “Lia, my luck’s rotten. On my way to school, some jerk on a bike knocked into me and scraped my hand.”

That hand was supposed to be in the spotlight during filming!

She’d suffered such a nasty injury that the director had scrapped her from the role, giving it to Leila instead.

Cordelia was taken aback, feeling it was too much of a coincidence, “Who did that?” she asked.

Merry hung her head dejectedly. “Some stranger, I guess. It’s not a bad wound, but the skin broke. They helped me bandage it up and then took off.”

It all seemed like a streak of bad luck.

Merry was down all day. During the lunch break, Latham came into the classroom to console her. “It’s a bummer this time, but you mentioned applying to the Ontoky City Film and Animation Academy. That’s a good path too. Hang in there.”

Merry nodded.

The film crew had booked the school for a week, so every afternoon, students had the chance to be extras.

After classes, Cordelia, engrossed in a physics problem set, glanced up as Merry turned to her and muttered, “Lia, heading to the set?”

Cordelia gave her a look.

Merry was in evidently a low mood, her shoulders slumped. “I’ve thought it through. I can’t miss out on seeing my idol because of Leila. Who knows if I’ll ever get another chance?”

physics paper, then sighed, “Let’s go

couldn’t leave Merry alone, especially if she

they were shooting today was Bland and his on–screen sweetheart at piano lessons, so the

school’s music

arrived, a

size fits me? We’re pretty much the same

Merry stiffened.

anticipated a refusal, Merry took a deep breath and agreed, “Okay.”

makeshift dressing room, Cordelia couldn’t help but ask, “Why

them against her frame. “Helping her helps

Chapter 76

straight sometimes, with only four hours to

not quite grasping

in. The dressing room was reduced to just the three of

version of herself, a spitting image of Merry.

phone pinged.

It showed Leila with short hair,

she looked up at Leila, disbelief etched across her face.

confusion, “What are you on

shoved the phone in her face. “Explain this! This guy is the one

contracted her pupils, denying everything, “You’re accusing me over a picture? Merry, you’re naive.

Merry realized her once–in–a–lifetime chance to be close

wounded hand, and grabbed Leila’s arm. “Because of my injury, you got your chance! Leila, I’m too

you let go. Your blood’s seeping through the bandage, you’ll stain the costume. What happens if I can’t film either? Think about

Bland would have to film

what Bland meant to Merry, her beacon of hope

would concede anything when it came to Bland. She released her grip, biting down on

with a lowered voice. “About the bike accident, you’ve

but then turned back with a taunt. “Don’t worry, I’ll work

hand reached for

force, pulling her backward. Cordelia executed a swift over-the–shoulder throw, and Leila’s face smashed onto the floor!

her down by the back with a knee, immobilizing her. With a

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