STARSTRUCK

STARSTRUCK

Chapter 1

(SUTTON'S HOUSE. 6:00 AM)

Ruby woke up, removing the duvet from her face and stretching her arms. "It's another blissful morning," she commented happily, getting out of bed.

She went to the bathroom, took a bath, and brushed her teeth. Afterward, she came out with a towel tied around her body, rubbed lotion on her skin, and put on her school uniform and shoes. She tied her hair with a yellow hairband.

"How do I look?" she asked herself, checking her reflection in the wall mirror. "I look beautiful," she said, satisfied.

She went to where she had plugged in her phone, eager to watch the live video. "I can't wait to watch the live video," she said happily, pressing the open button. But the screen remained blank. "What's wrong?" she asked, giving it a long press before the screen flickered to life, displaying a low-battery warning.

"BATTERY LOW, SHUTDOWN" her phone announced, and she screamed in frustration.

Just then, Mrs. Wilson entered her room, holding a frying pan. "What's wrong?" she asked worriedly, looking around the room.

"My phone didn't charge since last night, and I need to watch the TBL's live video this morning," Ruby explained.

"You yelled because of your phone?" Mrs. Wilson asked, incredulous.

Ruby nodded innocently. "Oh my God!!" Mrs. Wilson exclaimed, lifting the frying pan.

"Mom, that's a frying pan, and I'm already in my school uniform," Ruby pointed out, dodging the pan and running out of the room. Her mom chased after her.

(CRYSTAL COVE HIGH. 8:15 AM)

Many female students were watching the TBL's live video on their phones, while the males discussed the upcoming lesson. Ruby rushed into class and sat beside Claire, her best friend.

"Hey, the TBL is live," Claire informed her, and they watched the video together.

On the live show, Austin from TBL announced, "We have an important message to deliver to all our fans, and we hope you won't be disappointed."

Jayce, the leader, continued, "We've decided to drop music for a year to complete our high school education, as agreed upon by our agency. We won't release any new music until we finish high school."

LIVE SHOW ENDED

The students murmured in disappointment as the live stream ended.

"This pain is too much to bear; it's like hearing they're disbanding," Claire said sadly.

"How am I going to live without seeing them on screen for a whole year, especially my Jayce? Their agency shouldn't have allowed it," Ruby cried out loudly.

Skyler, sitting in front of them, turned around and snapped, "Stop disturbing me with your stupid crocodile tears."

"We're sorry," Ruby apologized, and Skyler turned back to face the front.

"I don't like her at all; she's too cold," Claire whispered.

"That's just how she is," Ruby replied silently.

Lincoln approached them. "Morning, sweetheart," he greeted Ruby.

"Morning, why are you just getting here?" Claire asked.

"My dad's car broke down, so I had to take the subway and wait for the bus," Lincoln explained.

"Sorry about the stress," Ruby sympathized.

"Where's Sebastian? I can't find him anywhere," Lincoln asked Claire, looking around the class.

"Don't ask me about him; it's not like I care whether he's in school or not," Claire replied angrily, unaware that Sebastian was standing behind her, listening to their conversation.

Ruby turned around and saw Sebastian, alerting Claire, who turned to face him. They stared at each other, and he chuckled before sitting down.

"Suit yourself," Claire muttered.

" Are you two still arguing?" Ruby asked her.

" We aren't, we've broke up and that's just it." Claire explained to her.

" Oh oh," Ruby giggled

As the lesson was about to start, the students settled down.

To be continued...

STARSTRUCK

Chapter 2

(TBL'S MANSION. 2:00 PM)

The TBL members were in the living room, watching their past performances on TV. Their manager, Mr. David, entered the house.

"Hey boys," Mr. David greeted them, and they turned to face him.

"Afternoon, Mr. David," Charles responded.

Mr. David sat down in one of the chairs. "Is there any information about the school yet?" Jayce asked him.

"Yes, you'll be starting tomorrow and spending a year to finish your high school senior level," Mr. David informed them.

"Yes, we did it!" Austin exclaimed happily.

"I'm so happy, but how are we going to avoid the students, especially our fans?" Charles asked.

"If you wear nose masks and glasses, they'll still recognize you. It's better to show them who you really are," Mr. David replied.

"You'll need to give autographs if requested, and you won't be eating in the school cafeteria. A special car will take you to school and bring you back here," Mr. David explained.

"Why can't we eat in the cafeteria? That's where we can meet beautiful ladies," Charles complained.

"Please let us eat in the cafeteria," Austin pleaded.

"It's a no. You'll eat outside the school. I've already spoken with the principal, and he agrees," Mr. David said firmly.

"That's better. I prefer eating outside," Jayce said, earning angry glares from Austin and Charles.

"You guys are mature enough; you don't need all this," Jayce advised.

"See the words coming from someone who's dated countless girls," Austin teased.

"I dated them for fun; they forced themselves on me. I didn't ask them out, except for Arianna, whom I just broke up with," Jayce clarified.

"He's indeed a playboy," Charles muttered.

"I'm sure Arianna will be here anytime now," Austin said.

Before Jayce could respond, the doorbell rang, and they turned toward the door.

"Yes!" Austin cheered loudly.

Charles stood up to answer the door, and a beautiful young lady entered the mansion.

"Arianna!" Jayce called out, and she nodded, smiling at him.

"I'll be upstairs," Mr. David announced, leaving the room.

Jayce stood up to greet Arianna, who dropped her bag and sat down.

"What brought you here?" Jayce asked curiously.

"To visit you guys," Arianna replied, ignoring his question.

"What should we offer you?" Charles asked.

"Nothing, I'm fine," Arianna replied.

"What brought you here?" Jayce asked again, but she ignored him.

"I heard you're going back to school to finish your high school level," Arianna said.

"Yes, we've decided to do that," Austin replied.

"And we're starting tomorrow," Charles added.

"Hey, you shouldn't tell her that," Jayce warned Charles.

"Is it something I shouldn't know?" Arianna asked.

"Yes, you don't need to know. Just leave," Jayce told her.

"I can't; I came to visit all of you, not just you. I'll leave when I feel like it," Arianna said firmly.

"Charles, would you like a cheeseburger?" Arianna asked, changing the subject.

"Of course, that's my favorite food, and you're a great cook," Charles replied.

"She's up to something; don't be deceived," Jayce warned him.

"What's the name of the school? Maybe I can switch," Arianna asked innocently.

Charles was about to answer when Jayce covered his mouth.

"You don't need to know everything about us. You're making me uncomfortable; just leave," Jayce said.

"You can just leave the room if you're uncomfortable," Austin suggested.

"Such a betrayal," Jayce muttered.

"Charles, tell her," Arianna said, trying to tempt him.

"Tell her, and you're dead," Jayce warned Charles.

"Oh my God, I'm sorry; I can't tell you, Arianna," Charles apologized.

"It's okay; I already know the school's name. Mr. David told me," Arianna revealed.

"Seriously? So Mr. David told you we're going to Crystal Cove?" Charles asked, realizing his mistake.

"No, you just told me," Arianna said happily.

Jayce groaned in frustration, and Charles quickly stood up and went upstairs before Jayce could confront him.

To be continued...

STARSTRUCK

Chapter 3

(SUTTON'S HOUSE. 7:00 AM)

"Wow, this will be so delicious!" Ruby exclaimed, rushing to the dining room where the food was placed.

"Don't touch it," Mrs. Sutton warned, and Ruby turned to her. "But why, Mom? Why shouldn't I eat this?"

"That's for your brother. Go pick your own inside the kitchen," her mother replied.

Ruby grumbled and went to the kitchen. "What's this?" she asked loudly, holding up a small portion of food.

Mrs. Sutton pretended not to hear her. Ruby rushed into the dining room, still holding the small portion of food. "Why did you serve me a small quantity of food while Randy's is large?" Ruby asked her mother.

"Randy studies more than you, so he deserves the best. He's the pride of the family," Mrs. Sutton answered.

"But I'm the eldest," Ruby said.

"None of my business," Mrs. Sutton muttered.

Randy entered the room. "You can have some of mine; I don't feel like eating too much this morning."

"Thanks, Randy," Ruby said, grabbing his food before her mother could intervene. She rushed to her room, eager to eat.

"For food only, you shouldn't have given her," Mrs. Sutton said to Randy.

"Let her eat it; she rarely eats in school," Randy replied.

(CRYSTAL COVE HIGH. 8:30 AM)

Ruby came out of the restroom after washing her hands. She was heading to class before it started. "Another bad day. How can TBL stop music for a year?" Ruby lamented.

As she passed a corridor, she saw three guys wearing hoodies, glasses, and face masks. "Who are they? Oh my God, are they assassins or kidnappers?" Ruby wondered, quickly rushing to her class.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?" Lincoln asked Ruby, noticing her distress as she entered the class.

"I saw three guys dressed like assassins. I think they're here to rob our school," Ruby told the class, causing a commotion.

"They might just be here to see the principal," Claire suggested.

Before Ruby could respond, Mrs. Eva entered the classroom. "Go sit down, Ruby," she instructed.

Ruby sat down, and Mrs. Eva greeted the class. "Good morning, students. Happy to see you all this morning. We have new students joining us, and I want you to welcome them."

The new students entered, and Ruby's eyes widened. "Those are the assassins I was talking about," she whispered to Claire.

The students started making fun of the new students' outfits. "You guys should stop," Mrs. Eva said loudly.

The new students introduced themselves, but Ruby and the others continued to tease them. "Remove your face mask so we can hear you," Lincoln said.

Mrs. Eva intervened, "Stop making fun of them."

Ruby persisted, "They should show us their faces unless they're ugly."

" We are not" The guy informed her and she chuckled.

" Then show us your face" Ruby replied him and all the students set their eyes on him expecting him to do so.

The guy dropped his bag pack on her desk and he removed the hoodie he was putting on followed by his glass.

" Oh oh, this face looks familiar" Ruby said inwardly.

One of the new students, Jayce from TBL, removed his face mask, revealing his identity. Ruby fell back in her seat, shocked.

"That's Jayce from TBL!" one of the female students exclaimed loudly.

"I'm doomed," Ruby said innocently, with Jayce staring at her intensely.

To be continued...