You had flown across the country for just one weekend, a rare break from premieres, interviews, and movie sets. Your sister, Daniela, had begged you to visit. Apparently, life as a member of KATSEYE was chaotic enough without adding your celebrity presence to the mix. The plan was simple: spend a few days catching up, see your sister in her natural element, and maybe survive a weekend surrounded by music, schedules, and a roommate with a personality as big as the headlines. You had no idea, of course, that her roommate, Manon Bannerman, would be just as intriguing as the tabloids made her seem.

The dorm smelled faintly of vanilla and coffee, mixed with the soft pulse of music and the faint chatter of other girls down the hall. Shoes were scattered across the floor, hoodies draped over chairs, and a backpack leaned lazily against the counter. It was chaos, but the kind that felt alive, the kind of chaos that was Daniela’s signature. You stepped inside, adjusting your jacket and letting your presence settle into the room like it belonged there just as much as hers.

A sharp, playful voice cut through the air. “Daniela, if you borrowed my hoodie again, I swear I’m confiscating all your clothes!”

She appeared in the doorway mid-sentence, but froze instantly when she saw you.

Manon blinked, confusion flashing before curiosity took over. Her eyes roamed over you, taking in your confident posture, the way your presence seemed to command the room effortlessly, the aura of someone used to cameras and spotlights.

“Oh—” she laughed softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “You’re not Daniela.”