Chapter 2 - Sidekick

Morning after morning, Ally walked to school, and every morning, Stephanie was there, standing on the hotel steps with a cheap microphone in her hand, performing for anyone willing to listen.

After the first week, Ally began leaving home ten minutes earlier. She always found herself stopping to listen to one song... then another. There was something about Stephanie's voice she simply couldn't stay away from.

Stephanie had noticed her too. Curious glances turned into lingering eye contact, and before long, the two of them would arrive at school together… usually a few minutes late.

A month passed.

That morning, Stephanie finished an upbeat cover of a popular pop song before slipping into one of her own originals. Even hurried New Yorkers slowed down now. Some stopped for a verse or two before continuing on with their day.

Once the last note faded, Ally climbed the hotel steps and sat beside her.

"So?" Stephanie asked, dropping onto the step beside her with a grin. "That's the song you recommended. I honestly didn't think it'd suit me... but once I started singing it, I kind of loved it." Stephanie swayed her shoulders to a rhythm only she could hear. Ally chuckled. "I think it was perfect. Or, well… you lost a bracelet there." She held up a braided leather bracelet which had landed close to her feet earlier. Stephanie accepted the bracelet with a laugh.

"I'd lose my own head if it wasn't attached."

"I noticed."

"You noticed?"

"You've almost forgotten it three times this week."

"Nah, not true. I bet it was four times."

Both giggled at that. Stephanie bumped her shoulder against Ally in a playful manner. "Thanks for sticking around," Stephanie said, voice softer now. Ally smiled at her.

"Can't pass on a good song, can I?"

"Yeah, but that's not what I meant. Everyone else at school…"

"They're watching you every morning, aren't they?"

Stephanie frowned.

"What?"

"They pretend they're laughing at you... but they still stop to listen."

"Doesn't mean it doesn't hurt."

"Hey," Ally put a hand on her shoulder. "You only focus on your music and dreams… You won't even see them again after graduation."

Stephanie finally met her eyes, holding Ally's gaze for a long moment before sighing.

"You're right," she muttered and got up. "We should go or Ms. Elliott will send us to hell."

Five minutes. That was the time left before class started. Ally rushed in like she hadn't sprinted down the streets just now. She ignored the look Becca gave her and Stephanie who entered the classroom after her.

"Wow," Pete said with a grin. "You made it this time."

Ally couldn't help the chuckle.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means you two pretend like it's cool to be late. Such bad influence for an ongoing artist. No one would ever look up to that."

Ally, Stephanie and Pete turned their heads to Becca who shrugged like her statement was clear.

"Ignore her," Tyler muttered.

"He's right. Let's talk strategy instead. I've got the new Scales Hunter and want you," He points dramatically at Ally, "to help me include him in my deck."

Tyler rolled his eyes. Liz who sat a few rows in front of them, turned around.

"You have nothing to use his full potential. The Scales Hunter is nothing without his four gear cards."

"He's already good on his own if you support him with a knight and a wyvern."

"But…"

Liz was interrupted by the sharp clicking of Ms. Elliott's heels as she entered the room. Everyone took their seats without hesitation. Ally threw a glance at Stephanie who had been quiet since Becca opened her mouth. She wanted to say something when a finger tapped her shoulder. Pete. He leaned forward, whispering.

"So uh… would you like to hang out after school?"

Ally bit her lip, her eyes flicking to Stephanie for a second before turning enough so Pete could hear her.

"Another time maybe? I've got plans."

"Sure…"

Ms. Elliott cleared her throat. It was enough to shut them up and to start her class.

The band room was silent except for the scratch of a pen across paper.

Stephanie sat cross-legged on the floor, a worn notebook resting on one knee as she crossed out lyrics almost as quickly as she wrote them. Ally sat on one of the tables nearby, swinging her legs idly while watching her think. After a while, Stephanie spoke without looking up.

"Pete seems nice."

Ally blinked.

"Yeah..."

"He likes you."

"I... maybe."

Stephanie nodded absently, scribbling another line before sighing.

"You should give him a chance."

Ally frowned.

"Where's this coming from?"

Stephanie shrugged.

"I'm serious."

"Steph..."

"He makes you laugh."

"So do you."

Stephanie paused for the first time. A tiny smile tugged at the corner of her mouth before disappearing just as quickly.

"That's different."

"How?"

She closed the notebook with a quiet thud.

"People already think I'm weird."

"I don't."

"I know." Stephanie looked down at her hands. "That's the problem."

Ally tilted her head.

"They'll start treating you the same way if you keep hanging around me."

Silence settled between them, until Ally hopped off the table.

"I can handle that."

"Ally..."

"No, seriously." She smiled. "You asked me to help you figure out your set list for Friday, remember?"

"You don't have to."

"I know."

Ally walked over until she stood beside her.

"But I said I would. I'm not the kind of person who backs out on a promise."

Stephanie studied her for a moment.

"You really mean that."

"Of course."

Another quiet moment passed before Ally nudged Stephanie's shoulder with her own.

"Besides..."

Stephanie raised an eyebrow.

"I kind of enjoy listening to you argue with yourself over your songs."

"I do not argue with myself."

"You absolutely do."

"I think things through."

"You called yourself an idiot because you couldn't decide between two endings."

Stephanie covered her face with one hand.

"...I did, didn't I?"

"You did."

A laugh escaped Stephanie before she could stop it.

"You're impossible."

"And yet you're still letting me help."

Stephanie shook her head, a genuine smile finally breaking through.

"I guess I am."

Ally smiled back.

"Good. Now play me the other version again."

Stephanie reached for her guitar, still smiling to herself.

"Fine. But this time, tell me the truth if it sucks."

"I always do."

"I know."

Ally watched Stephanie adjust the strings of her guitar before trying the song again. She smiled. She wasn't entirely sure when listening to Stephanie had become her favorite part of the day.

The afternoon sun had chased away the coolness of the morning by the time Ally reached the outdoor tennis courts behind the school. The rhythmic thwack of tennis balls echoed across the courts as students practiced rallies or waited their turn along the fence. A whistle cut through the chatter.

"Everyone gather up!"

A man in a navy tracksuit walked toward them with a clipboard tucked beneath one arm.

"You must be Ally."

Ally nodded.

"I'm Coach Ramirez." He offered a firm handshake. "I got your club form this morning." He glanced at the clipboard. "Played before?"

"A little."

Coach Ramirez smiled knowingly.

"They all say that."

A few students chuckled.

"Grab a racket from the storage bin. Let's see what 'a little' looks like."

Ally returned a moment later with a borrowed racket. It felt lighter than the one back home, but familiar enough in her hands. Coach Ramirez pointed toward one of the practice courts.

"Warm-up rally with Jade."

A girl with dark curls tied into a ponytail jogged over, bouncing a tennis ball against her racket.

"You must be the new girl."

"I'm Ally."

"Jade."

She smiled easily.

"Don't worry. Coach always acts terrifying on the first day."

"I'm standing right here," Coach Ramirez called without looking up from his clipboard.

Jade grinned.

"I know."

They stepped onto the court. Jade served first.

The ball crossed the net fast enough to surprise Ally, but her body reacted before she had time to think. She slid into position and returned it cleanly.

One shot became another. Then another. Neither girl was trying to win yet.

Coach Ramirez looked up.

"Hm."

The rallies grew longer.

Ally moved lightly across the baseline, her feet quiet, her movements economical. She didn't swing particularly hard, but she almost never missed.

Jade laughed after nearly a minute.

"Okay... you're definitely better than 'a little.'"

Ally smiled sheepishly.

"My mom insisted I learn."

"Smart woman."

Coach Ramirez blew his whistle.

"That's enough."

The two girls lowered their rackets. Coach Ramirez folded his arms.

"Good footwork."

Ally blinked.

"Thank you."

"You're patient."

"I guess."

"Most beginners try to hit winners every other shot." He nodded toward the racket in Ally's hand. "You wait."

Ally shrugged.

"My coach always said the other person usually makes the mistake first."

Coach Ramirez smiled.

"I like your coach."

"My mom."

"Then tell your mother she taught you well."

On the neighboring court, Becca caught the last part of the conversation. She bounced a ball once, twice, and harder than necessary. One of her teammates noticed.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine."

Her next serve slammed into the fence instead of the service box.

Practice ended almost an hour later. Students drifted toward the benches, grabbing water bottles and towels.

Jade walked over, still slightly out of breath.

"You settling in okay?"

"I'm trying."

"I heard you're in Ms. Elliott's class."

"Yeah."

Jade smiled.

"She's scary for about two weeks."

"And after that?"

"You realize she's secretly everyone's favorite teacher."

Ally laughed.

"I can see that."

Jade slung her racket bag over one shoulder.

"You're pretty good."

"I've got a lot to relearn."

"You say that now." Jade nudged her shoulder lightly. "Wait until Coach signs you up for tournaments."

"Tournaments?"

"The school picks players every year for the state championship."

Ally's eyebrows rose.

"I didn't know that."

"You will."

Jade smiled.

"You've got a shot if you stick around."

The locker room was nearly empty. Ally had just finished tying her hair back into a loose ponytail when the door swung open. Becca stepped inside with two girls trailing behind her. She stopped in front of Ally's locker.

"So."

Ally looked up.

"So?"

"You're Stephanie's new best friend now?"

Ally frowned.

"We're friends."

Becca let out a humorless laugh.

"Right."

She leaned against the locker opposite Ally, folding her arms.

"You know... I almost thought you'd be smarter than that."

Ally raised an eyebrow. Silence stretched between them. One of the girls behind Becca shifted awkwardly but stayed quiet. Becca's eyes never left Ally.

"Let me give you a piece of advice."

Ally crossed her arms.

"I'm listening."

"Stop following Stephanie around."

Ally's expression hardened.

"I'm not following her."

"No?"

Becca tilted her head.

"Funny. Seems like everywhere she goes... you're suddenly there."

"We walk to school together."

"For now."

The words came out sharp enough to make Ally pause.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Becca stepped closer until only a foot separated them.

"It means she's bad news."

Ally laughed softly.

"That's ridiculous."

"Is it?"

"You don't even know me."

"No." Becca's jaw tightened. "But I know her."

For just a second, something flickered across her face. It was gone before Ally could name it.

"People think she's different." Becca shrugged. "Maybe that's why they like her."

"I like her because she's kind."

Becca scoffed. A muscle jumped in Becca's jaw. She stepped even closer, lowering her voice.

"When she gets bored..." she said quietly, "...don't act surprised."

Ally stared at her.

"Stephanie isn't like that."

"No?"

Becca gave a bitter smile.

"She always finds someone else eventually."

The words landed heavier than Ally expected. Becca straightened and brushed an invisible speck of dust from her sleeve.

"Just don't say nobody warned you."

She turned and headed for the door. One of the girls hesitated before following. As the door swung shut, the locker room fell silent again.

Ally stood there for another moment, replaying the conversation in her head. It didn't make sense. Nothing Becca had said matched the girl who forgot her bracelet, laughed at her own mistakes, and spent hours worrying over the perfect lyric. Shaking her head, Ally slung her bag over her shoulder and headed outside.

As she left school, her phone vibrated. A new message.

Steph:
Friday.
8 PM.
Don't be late.

A smile tugged at Ally's lips before she could stop it. She typed back.

Wouldn't miss it.

She slipped her phone into her pocket and continued home.