#parttwentyone

The party is well underway at the Bailey Moon villa. The swim team has yet another victory to celebrate, and of course Abbie is hosting the party; a tradition among the Bailey Moon siblings. The cheers are swaying to the music, while Elli and Erica escaped to their own little bubble in the kitchen.

It’s the kind of party where everyone invites everyone else, to the point that even Isaac and Léonie are there, even though they couldn’t care less about the team’s victories.

As for the swim team itself? They gave up long ago, buzzing from their own victory.

That’s when he met her. Like a beacon in the night, she appeared in his life at a time when everything was finally changing for the better. And she kept guiding him back on the right path, toward a sense of stability he hadn’t felt in a very long time.

The rest, they built it together, despite the obstacles and their own personal struggles. And for all of that—for Isabelle—he wouldn’t change his past for anything in the world. That's exactly why he has to fight for it, why he has to stop backing down.

Unaware of Nicole's scheming, Simon puts all his strength into his swimming. The first thing he did after learning he might be expelled was to head to the pool. What's the point of going to class anyway? At least he can enjoy this place before they end up taking away his little haven of peace.

Simon isn't exactly looking forward to going home. He doesn't know yet if his parents have been notified, but he doesn't have the strength to face the disappointment in their eyes. He feels like things are finally starting to get back to normal, and he doesn't want to break the fragile balance.

Nicole’s unexpected voice snaps him out of his reverie, though it takes him a few seconds to process her presence here, in a place that is dear to him but where he would never have imagined her to be. If her presence wasn't surprising enough, her smug look surprises him even more.

Just when Simon thinks he couldn't get any more confused by his day and Nicole's presence, she starts to take off her uniform, ordering him to turn around. Simon obeys, hesitating to pinch himself, still unsure that he isn't caught between the end of a nightmare and the beginning of a dream.

Unfortunately for him, Nicole saw him from the stage, or rather, she saw him leave just as quickly as he had arrived, without even bothering to greet her. She ran after him once the concert was over, rushing out the door to try to stop him.

Simon, however, has no intention of staying and rushes up the stairs. Nicole, determined not to leave it at that, follows him closely, more agitated than ever. The silent treatment was already hard enough to deal with, but now he’s really crossing the line.

Nicole keeps pushing and pushing, without realizing that Simon is far more honest about his feelings for her than she’s willing to accept. She presses her lips together, torn between the urge to stop him from telling the truth and the intense desire to hear him say it.

Simon isn't expecting much, and yet, he's deeply disappointed when Nicole starts avoiding his gaze and mentions her girlfriend. He shouldn't even be there confessing his feelings anyways. It's not fair to his own girlfriend.

Nicole finally looks up and meets his gaze, tucking her braids behind her ear. Waiting for her to say “friends,” Simon is this close to rolling his eyes, but agrees anyway. It’s hard to stay mad when she looks at him like that, something 𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙡.

Despite Erica’s reassuring words and all the rehearsals, the big day arrives all too quickly for Elliot’s liking, and he finds himself smoking cigarette after cigarette as his stress levels rise with every passing second. He’s not going to make it, no matter what anyone else says.

That’s how the other three band members found him, slumped on the couch in the shabby backstage room reeking of stale cigarettes and beer, looking so devastated that you’d think he’d just been told the worst news in the world.

Being there for Elli has become second nature over the years, and they know how to lend a sympathetic ear to the anxiety that tends to weigh on him more than necessary. No one is surprised to hear about his panic at the thought of going on stage; Isaac is even the first to share his feelings.

Much to Elliot's dismay, just as it's time to go on stage, everyone decides to join in on the most awkward group hug he's ever shared with his friends. He protests with his typical intensity, but deep down, he is especially grateful to have friends who accept him despite his "annoying" flaws.

Time flies, way too fast for Daph, who finds herself backstage in the catering area once her performance is over. Until a whispered conversation catches her ear. The two women don't seem to notice her presence, and Daph, still noisy as ever, leans in to listen as discreetly as possible.

Daphne is taken aback. She knows that gossip is everywhere, and the atmosphere was similar even in her drama club. But hearing them talk like this... She glances at the trio in the middle of the studio, trying to make sense of a situation beyond her comprehension.

Ever since her parents’ break and the sense of betrayal she felt; Victor being the only one able to ease, she stayed out of this. But seeing them like this, such a heavy atmosphere between them, she’s starting to have second thoughts. She needs to talk this over with her favorite gossip partner, now

Gem keeps talking, but Nicole isn't listening anymore; she's focused on Simon's reaction. Simon's eyes seem to be asking her a thousand questions, and she isn't even sure she has the answers, while her own questions keep running through her head.

Why does he have to look so hurt by her behavior? Why can't he just accept it and move on? Why does it matter so much to her? There's nothing between them, it was just harmless banter, right? 𝙎𝙤 𝙬𝙝𝙮 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙨𝙤 𝙜𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨?

Gem senses the tension between the two of them, and just as Simon is about to leave them, she lets her territorial instincts come out in a humorous tone. Once again, seeing that Nicole isn't saying a word, her arms crossed tightly across her chest and avoiding his gaze, he doesn’t insist.

But as soon as he turns his back, all his frustration comes flooding. How could he have been so naive as to think that anything could ever happen between them? And above all, why didn't she stop him if she didn't share his feelings? Does she think so little of him that she never saw him that way?

Nicole is still having a hard time grasping the situation and dealing with her own feelings. She can't possibly have feelings for Simon, can she? So why does all this seem so wrong to her? Why does she feel the urge to run after him? And why does she remain there, consumed by guilt toward Gem?

The movie shoot is already in full swing when Daphne finally steps onto the set. The actors are rehearsing their lines in a corner, orders are being shouted from all sides, and Daphne is thrilled. It's everything she's ever dreamed of, everything she's ever waited for—finally unfolding before her. She knows she won't be on set for long, so she's savoring every moment, engraving every little detail in her memory. She absolutely hates the way her hair is styled, and even more so how her bangs look, but that all seems completely trivial now.

However Daph is a little stressed. She slips unnoticed to her father’s side, who instinctively opens his arms to pull her close. Jasper teases her, as she seemed so determined to stay away from him on set. But hearing her voice, sounding less confident than usual, he can’t help but hug her tighter. Noticing Daph's attitude, Irene feels compelled to add a remark. Daph nods, now realizing that, unfortunately, she can't do everything on her own like an experienced actress; she needs all the support she can get, especially from her closed and talented ones.