We were The Echo Four. Two girls, two guys — Hailey, Luca, Liam, and me. I wasn’t just a backup singer, I was part of the soul of our band. We ruled the high school talent shows, school dances, even the cafeteria with our harmonies. People cheered when we entered a room. We had it all: looks, likes, and followers

But things changed. It started when I wrote a new song. My best one yet. Raw, emotional, real. I poured my heart into it, and when I played it for them, I expected praise. But instead, they... laughed

"Too personal" Liam said with a fake smile

"Too slow". Hailey added “It’ll kill our vibe.”

I bit my tongue. I didn’t want to argue — not with them. But I saw the way Luca looked at me. He knew it was good. He said nothing

Then came the betrayal. Two days later, I heard my song — my lyrics — being rehearsed in the music room. Hailey was singing it, but the soul was gone. They’d stolen it, twisted it, turned it into some hollow pop piece. My name? Nowhere and when I confronted them, Hailey rolled her eyes

“Chill. It’s just a song. Besides, we’re going places, and we can’t have drama slowing us down.”

“Drama?” I said “You stole from me.”

That’s when Hailey said it — the words I’ll never forget. “You’re not in The Echo Four anymore"