It was supposed to be one of those chill nights.

Nothing crazy. Just a couple of teenagers loose in L.A. with a free night between shooting long hours under hot lights. They were halfway through filming season two, exhausted, a little delirious, and definitely in need of something fun. So when Dior suggested they hit up this bar that had been blowing up on TikTok — mostly because of some scrappy teenage band that apparently “put on a show” — no one really fought her on it.

Walker had protested the most. “We have a 6 a.m. call time,” he groaned from the backseat, hoodie pulled over his head. But even he didn’t mean it.

They rolled up to a spot that looked like a converted mechanic’s garage, neon light flickering above a crooked entrance. Inside, it smelled like cheap beer and lemon soda, the crowd was loud, sweaty, and way too cool — and everyone there already knew the words to half the songs.

A few bands came and went. They weren’t bad. But nothing that made them feel like they were glad they came. Charlie spilled his soda. Tamara got hit on by someone who looked like they hadn’t slept in three days. Aryan lost a game of darts to a random girl who’d never played before. Dior was loving every second of it.

And just when they were about to bounce — drinks empty, eyelids heavy — the lights dimmed again. A voice called out: “Give it up for Velvet Poison!”

Velvet Poison.

The final band of the night. And the second they walked out, the energy shifted.

There she was. Sixteen. Youngest of the group. All black outfit, chipped nail polish, tangled hair, eyeliner like war paint. She wasn’t just the singer — she owned the stage. She leaned into the mic like it owed her money. The crowd screamed for her before she even opened her mouth.

And when she did?

Walker’s jaw actually dropped.

He didn’t even realize he was staring until Leah elbowed him in the side.

“Don’t look so obvious, lover boy.”

He didn’t answer. He was too busy watching the way her boots stomped across the stage. The way she pointed into the crowd. The way she smirked like she knew she was going viral tonight.

He was still staring when she looked right at him.

And winked.