Chapter 22

Nikita's POV:

I watched the expression on Lila's face and felt really glad inside. She's so clueless… Which, by the way, is a good thing.

"Isn't there anything you can do about it?" She asked, her voice barely inaudible. I maintained a solemn face.

"I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do about it. Your journey would have to end here."

She shivered, her face distraught. Then hurriedly cleaned the tears that were threatening to fall as she bent her head. After a while, she looked up, a sad smile on her face.

"It's okay. Thanks." She muttered.

"You know you have to leave tonight, right?" I asked, and she raised her brows.

"What?"

I sighed. "Well, leave tonight."

"B-but…" She began but stopped, clearing her throat. "Okay," she mumbled.

"You may leave now," I said, and she quietly stood up, heading towards the door. Her fingers faltered as she made for the doorknob, but eventually, she opened it. I heaved a sigh as the door closed behind her.

Good riddance.

***

Lila's POV:

The tears that were threatening to spill in that office finally tumbled out as the door closed against me. I sagged against the wall and sobbed quietly. I got not only kicked out, but I needed to leave tonight. How inhumane is that? I should've known better than to get into the training program. It raised my hopes only to dash them down in the dust.

Biting my lips and trying to stop the tears from falling. I made my way to the room. A thousand questions came running around in my mind. Where would I go? Where would I stay? I can't go back to Mrs. Stella, she'll kill me! I reached for the door to slot in my card, but stopped. They can't do this. I can't leave now. I've become too attached to this place to leave!

Crying a bit more outside, I finally cleaned my tears and slotted in my card. The door opened, and I walked in. Zoey was still watching a movie in her laptop, but Paige was tucked in on her bed, fixing her nails. I quietly closed the door and trudged to my chair.

"Hey Lila, what's up?" Zoey asked, without raising her head from the laptop. When I didn't reply, she glanced at me. "Lila, what's wrong?"

My lips quivered as I glanced at her. "I've been disqualified," I replied. I could barely hear myself but the shock on Zoey's face told me she heard.

"What do you mean you were…?" She didn't finish the statement as she had stood up from the bed and hurried towards me. Holding my hands, she asked again. "What do you mean you were disqualified?"

I sobbed loudly now. "I don't know, Zoey. I don't…" I choked on my tears, then struggled to continue. "They just called me and she said and couldn't continue I didn't meet up with the conditions they set up earlier." I finished, my voice quivering.

"What does that even mean!? You're the best dancer and singer I know and they kick you out?"

I cleaned my tears with the back of my palm. "I have to leave…tonight."

"What?"

"That's what she said." I muttered. Zoey hugged me.

"This cannot be happening," She muttered against my ear. I pulled away from the hug.

"It already did." I whispered and stood up, packing my things into the bag. My heart felt heavy as I did that, and I couldn't stop crying. It was almost impossible to breathe. Zoey just stood there and stared at me.

Eventually I was through and I went limp. I couldn't move. Moments that I had here started replaying in my head and I trembled all over. It felt wrong. Someone must have tampered with this because I didn't seem to comprehend anything. It was just too surreal.

I felt someone wrap their hands around me, and I discovered it was Zoey.

"Don't worry, you'll be fine. I'm positive something good will come out of all of this," she said.

I nodded slowly. "I have to go. I'll miss you guys."

"Aww. I'll miss you too." Zoey muttered, and I chuckled.

"Here, let me help." Zoey offered as she picked up one bag. I nodded as I took the rest and walked out of the room.

Thank God it was nighttime. All the girls were already in their room so it was just me and Zoey in the hallway, with the officials. As I neared the exit, I heard the footsteps coming my direction. I turned. It was Mira.

"Lila, what happened?" She asked as she got closer. I smiled sadly, too shaken to speak.

"Uh… She was disqualified." Zoey offered. Mira looked shocked, as well.

"What!? Why?"

"I don't know." I muttered softly.

"Where are you are you going now?"

"Nikita said I had to leave tonight."

"Nikita?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Oh gosh… This can't be happening." Mira said, as she placed her fingers on her forehead. Zoey glanced at me.

"Thanks a lot, ma'am. Too bad my journey ends here." I said, and she stared at me. I brought out my access card and gave it to Mira. She collected it.

"Please have this. It's not my property anymore." I said and walked out. Zoey followed me. The officials saw us but didn't bother to stop us. I guess they already knew. Once we got to the gate, I stopped.

"It's okay Zoey. You can go now." I said.

"Okay. Please be safe out here." She said, as she gave me one final hug. I patted her back.

"Yes, I will."

"I'll call you." She muttered. I nodded. After hesitating a while, she finally walked in. The smile on my face dropped. I picked up my things and started walking down the road. I couldn't go home, Mrs. Stella would kill me, but I didn't know anywhere else. I reached the bus stop and waited.

Not knowing what else to do, I brought out my phone and called Chad.

***

Chad's POV:

I was in the studio with Nico and Min ho fooling around with some beats when my phone rang. Without looking at the caller, I picked it up.

"Hello."

I said into the receiver.

"Hello Chad." Someone answered. I instantly recognized it as Lila's voice. Then I heard a sniff.

"Hey, are you okay? You sound… Off."

"Can I see you? It's really important."

"Ye…ah."

"Don't go to the Beamlights temporary base. I'm not there."

That surprised me.

"Where are you then?"

"The bus stop before we get there."

"Okay… I'll be right there. Just hang on."

"I'll be waiting," she replied hoarsely. Why does she sound like she's been crying?

I hung up and walked out of the room.

"Hey? Where are you going? We aren't done here!" Min ho complained.

"Sorry, gotta run." I replied hastily and walked out of the studio. On the way I met Dean, he was just coming out of the pool. He looked at me and frowned.

"Where are you going?" He asked. His voice low.

"Somewhere." I replied and walked past him. Getting to the garage one of the workers came by and wanted to help me out. I collected the car keys from him and dismissed him. Starting the car, I drove off.

***

30 minutes later, I pulled over at the bus stop just before the Beamlights temporary base. Making sure no one will recognize me. I wore a hat and a face mask so only my eyes could be visible. I parked the car and walked into the small building, looking around.

I eventually found Lila, sitting quietly in a chair with her head bowed. noticing the bags with her, I made my way towards her.

"Lila?" I called when I was close enough. She raised her head up and stared at me through teary eyes.

"Chad." She called softly. She has definitely been crying.

"What happened? Why are you here? And crying?" I asked, not waiting for a reply. She just stood up and hugged me, taking me by surprise. She was still sobbing. I raised my hand up and patted her hair softly.

"It's okay. It's okay." I whispered as we hugged. After a while I asked again, "What happened?"

"I got disqualified."

What!?

***

Lila's POV:

The moment I said that, I felt him stiffen. I had expected a reply but none came so I kept hugging him. Something about him made me feel safe and secure. After a while, he gently pulled away and looked at me in the eye.

"Why?"

"I don't know."

He sighed. "What do you want to do now?"

"I don't know either. But I can't go back home." I replied. He raised his rooms. I pursed my lips and tried to explain.

"I really can't, Chad. Mrs. Stella would never let me in. Not with how I left the house."

"How did you leave?"

"I… I ran away."

"What?"

"Yes. And this disqualification is coming so suddenly. If it were something I planned of, I'd know what to do. But I didn't, so I don't. Help me Chad, otherwise I'm stuck here." I said.

He furrowed his brows, as if deep in thought, and then looked at me. I held my breath.

"Come with me." He suddenly said. I raised my head. Huh?

He was already holding my hands and pulling me along, but I tarried. "What?" he asked.

"My bags," I reminded softly.

"Oh… Are there super important things there?" He asked.

"Um. No, except this one I'm holding." I replied.

"Well then, leave it." He said, and I followed him. He took me to his car and once we got the passenger seat stopped, opening it for me. I looked at him for a second before stepping in.

He got in himself and we drove off to God knows where. I finally worked up the courage to ask him where we're going.

"To the penthouse." He replied simply. I stared at him, but he just shrugged.

Well then, I guess I just have to wait and see.

***

I could see the penthouse as we got closer. It was massive! It was in a very much deserted part in town, made especially for the really wealthy people, and the Sparks weren't any different. I like to think the Sparks house was the most beautiful one I'd seen.

We got nearer and the door doors electronically opened. And here I am thinking the Beamlights temporary base was the most lavishly decorated building I've ever seen. The Sparks penthouse beat it in all levels. Is this how superstars live? I swallowed as we drove into the garage where dozens of cars were parked, all different colors and sizes.

Chad parked is, and we got out. A male worker came immediately to collect the card keys from Chad. Chad turned to me and beckoned on me to follow him. I did. Despite how calm I looked on the outside, my insides were in total turmoil. What were we doing here? Why did Chad bring me here? What will happen when the rest of the boys see me? All theses and more were the question flying around in my mind. I couldn't answer any.

Chad got into the elevator and slipped his card in. The elevator beeped and door opened. We walked in. I wanted to ask him why he'd brought me here so badly, but every time I looked at him and he glanced at me, my tongue kept getting tied in knots. Eventually I gave up asking. The elevator led us directly to the house, I noticed as we stepped out. There wasn't anyone in sight as we walked down the hallway, which was decorated of course with pictures of all the members of Sparks and one particularly huge one of CG. When we got to another door, Chad spoke up.

"Wait here." He said.

"Okay."

He nodded and walked in, closing the door behind him. I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding as I stared at all the pictures. This might take a while.

***

Chad's POV:

I didn't know where the rest of the guys were so I had first had to call of them together, making them seat in the living room.

"Why'd you call us?" Nico asked, his voice sleepy.

"We were busy," Jayden complained. Dean said nothing as he was on his phone.

"Sorry for disturbing you guys, but something came up."

"Whatever it is, it better be good." Nico muttered.

"Well, something happened and up till now I still find it very hard to believe."

"What is it?" Min ho asked.

"Lila got disqualified," I answered. All eyes shot up and focused on me.

"What'd you say?" Nico asked. "The girl with the killer moves got disqualified?"

"I don't know why you keep calling her that, but yes, she got disqualified."

"Why? Didn't Beamlights see her potential?" Min ho asked.

"I don't know."

"That's weird. She's fantastic. Why would they disqualify her.?"

"Where is she now?" Jayden asked.

"That's where the problem is," I slowly said. Dean glanced at me.

"She's not here, is she?" He asked quietly.

"Yes, she is." I replied, as a matter of fact.

"Wait… You brought her HERE!?" the rest of the boys exclaimed.

"Look, I'm sorry. I rarely do this, but I have no choice now. If she goes back to her home, her guardian will never accept her. That means she's going to roam on the streets of America."

"Where is she, exactly?" Min ho asked.

"Just outside the door."

"But why here? Why don't you just Lodge her in a hotel or something and you'll figure her out tomorrow?" Jayden asked.

"Because we have too many rooms were not using and it wouldn't be a bad idea to let a lost distraught girl use one?"

They all kept quiet and looked at each other.

"If you guys say nothing, I'm going to take a silence as a yes."

Nothing.

"Well then, she's staying. Thanks a lot, guys." I said and went out to the door. Opening it, I saw Lila looking at the pictures in the hallway.

"Hey." I called out. She turned to me and walked towards me.

"Hi." she greeted and tried to peek. "I heard voices. Is everything okay?"

"We were discussing and they have already agreed for you to stay."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Come in."

"Okay. Thanks a lot Chad."

"Don't mention it." I muttered.

***

Lila's POV:

I held Chad's hand as we walked in. I was nervous to death but I tried not to show it. Once we got to the living room, I stopped and stared into their faces. Meeting them as Popstars is one thing, meeting them as regular humans? Now that's a whole different level.

"Hello. Good evening." I greeted, my voice lower than I expected.

They all mumbled their replies. I bit my lips and looked at Chad. He smiled smugly.

"So Lila, you'll be staying here for the meantime." He announced.

"Here, with the rest of the boys?" I asked again, just to be sure.

"Yes, were you expecting anything else?" He asked, and I immediately shook my head.

Me and five boys in a house. What could go wrong?