Chapter 3 The Golden Boy

2:13 a.m.

I didn't sleep.

The notebook stayed tucked under my hoodie, zipped up tight against my chest like armor. Every creak of the dorm door made me flinch. I kept thinking about the mirror - about the figure. About Zion's last words.

Dalex knows more than he admits.

Dalex Lee-Osei.

Even his name sounded unreal. Like something you'd see printed on luxury skincare or designer headphones.

He wasn't just VAERA's top male trainee - he was the face of the program. First pick for collabs. Front center in every group photo. Millions of followers. Every move of his went viral before it even hit TikTok. He was perfection in limited edition packaging.

And now, according to Zion's notebook... he was lying.

By morning, my throat burned and my head throbbed. I tucked the notebook under the loose floorboard near my bunk and made myself look normal - hoodie on, lips glossed, brows brushed. But inside, I felt like I was carrying a live wire.

Sasha was already up, humming to herself while dabbing concealer under her eyes. She glanced at me in the mirror.

"You look like you got hit by a truck."

I smirked. "Love you too."

"Try not to get cut in week one, Kimora. Your wildcard status only gets you so far."

I didn't answer. My brain was somewhere else - back in the studio, replaying Zion's lyrics in my head like a haunting melody.

10:40 a.m. – Studio C

They made us partner up for warm-ups. Of course, I got paired with Sasha. Mei looked at me apologetically from across the room while she stretched with Tomilola.

Sasha leaned closer as we bent into a synchronized lunge. "You really should mind your business, you know."

I blinked. "What?"

"Just saying. This place eats girls like you alive." She smiled again, all teeth and dimples.

It wasn't just shade. It was a warning.

I kept my cool. "Thanks for the concern."

She gave a mock salute and flipped her ponytail.

That's when the studio doors opened - and he walked in.

Dalex Lee-Osei.

Live and in high-definition. Taller than I expected. Honey-gold skin. A black VAERA sweatshirt slouched off his shoulder, and his chain glinted like it had its own spotlight. His locs were tied back messily, and he looked like he hadn't slept - but in a model-way. Like insomnia worked for him.

The girls around me straightened. Giggled. One literally squealed.

He didn't even look at them.

His eyes scanned the room lazily - until they landed on me.

For half a second, we locked eyes. And I swear my heart stuttered.

Not from attraction. From something else.

Recognition.

His jaw clenched. Barely. But I saw it.

He looked away first.

Coach Tae stepped in behind him and clapped sharply. "Training collab today. Mixed pairs. Learn fast, or fail fast."

My stomach dropped.

Dalex was in this class?

Before I could process it, Coach's assistant began calling out pairs. My name came last.

"Kimora Black... with Dalex Lee-Osei."

Of course.

11:10 a.m. – Studio C, Corner Section

We were supposed to be working on a short duet - a soft R&B-style verse-chorus with some basic partner choreography. But I couldn't focus. Not with Zion's voice echoing in my head. Not with Dalex standing less than a foot away.

He didn't speak to me. Not at first.

He ran the moves mechanically. Hit every beat. But his mind wasn't here.

"You gonna keep staring," he said finally, voice low, "or actually sing?"

I narrowed my eyes. "Sorry. Was just wondering how it feels to lie through your teeth."

That got his attention.

His hand froze mid-step.

"Excuse me?"

"You knew Zion," I said quietly. "You were friends, right?"

Dalex's gaze darkened. "Watch what you say."

"Or what?" I whispered. "You'll make me vanish too?"

Silence.

Then - a soft, sharp laugh. He leaned in, his breath warm against my ear.

"You're not ready for this game, Black."

He stepped back and ran the choreography again like nothing happened.

12:25 p.m. – Cafeteria

Mei slid into the seat across from me, tray in hand. "You look like you fought a ghost."

I picked at my food. "Maybe I did."

She leaned in, voice low. "Was it about Zion?"

I froze. "What do you mean?"

"You're not the only one who wonders what happened to him," she whispered. "He was too good to just... quit."

"Do you think Dalex knows something?"

Mei bit her lip. "I think they were close. But something changed right before Zion disappeared. They stopped talking. Cold. No one knew why."

That matched the notebook. The last entry said:

"Tell J he was wrong. The blackmail didn't stop."

"Who's J?" I asked aloud.

Mei blinked. "Zion's best friend before Dalex? Jiwon Park. His cousin. But he got sent back to Korea months ago."

Sent back.

Or silenced?

I needed answers.

9:02 p.m. – Girls Block B, Room 34

That night, I pulled out the notebook again. Something scratched inside the back cover. I peeled away the damaged corner and found a tiny flash drive taped under the lining.

My heart jumped.

I turned it over in my palm. No label. Just metal and secrets.

Tomorrow, I'd find a way to open it.

But tonight... I finally let myself cry.

Zion was reaching out. From wherever he was.

And I was the only one still listening.