Chapter Text
think I’ve always known I had a little something for Daniela — ever since way back in Dream Academy. And when we debuted together, I was even more happy yet scared. I mean, that’s a good thing, right? Not only do we see each other every day, but we literally live together. But being the leader, I’m supposed to be the mature and responsible one, so I’ve been hiding my feelings for Daniela from literally everyone.
If this is supposed to be a good thing, then why does it hurt so much whenever Daniela starts talking about him?
I know she’s straight.
So why am I still pushing it?
⸻
Today, I did my usual routine — woke up thirty minutes before the girls so I could get breakfast done without Manon trying to dance battle me at 7 a.m. The smell of pancakes and waffles filled the house, and for a second, everything just felt peaceful.
A few minutes later, I heard them coming down the hallway, like a half-asleep zombie parade. Megan, Yoonchae, and Manon looked rough — hair sticking up, eyes half open, drool at the corner of their mouths, all yawning like they just fought for their lives in their sleep.
“What did Miss Leader chef up for us today?” Megan mumbled, rubbing her eyes as she plopped down at the table.
“I figured I’d switch it up today — pancakes and waffles drowned in syrup and honey, with a few fruits so I can still pass it off as healthy,” I said, waving for them to sit down.
“Hey! How come Dani gets chocolate pancakes?!” Manon gasped dramatically.
“Shh, you’re still half asleep,” I said, laughing as I patted her head.
“You know me so well, Sophia. Thank you,” Daniela said, grinning ear to ear — that stupid grin that makes me fall harder every time. And the way she says my name? God. I just wanna wipe that smug little smile off her li— keep it together, Sophia.
She wasn’t in pajamas, of course. Dani’s the type to make sure she walks out of her room looking like the hottest person alive, even after just waking up. Baggy grey sweats, white tank top — simple as hell, but somehow she makes it look like a photoshoot. I don’t know what kind of voodoo she’s got, but she could wear a trash bag and still have people turning heads.
I realized I’d been zoning out for a solid thirty seconds after she spoke. Megan waved her hand in front of my face, and I snapped out of it. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lara and Manon exchange that “did you see that?” look, while Yoonchae was too busy stuffing her face with waffles to notice anything.
And me? I was still trying to figure out what the hell to say. I mean, all she did was thank me… right?
I shook my head, smiled softly at Dani, eyes crinkling. “Of course. Don’t sweat it.”
Daniela, probably confused why I zoned out just to say that, tilted her head — that little confused-but-amused thing she does — before her phone chimed. Jonah. She turned away, smiling at the notification, and suddenly I wanted to go scream into my pillow. Again.
It’s not the first time Jonah ruins moments like that, but I can’t even complain — that’s her boyfriend. They’ve been together eight months. It’s all she talks about.
Breakfast went on like usual — Megan and Yoonchae arguing over the last waffle, Lara pretending not to care but definitely side-eyeing it, and Manon scrolling through her phone while humming.
And then there was Daniela. Always Daniela.
She laughed at something Megan said, and that sound — that soft, half-asleep laugh — just echoed in my head way longer than it should’ve. I tried to focus on my plate, but her voice kept wrapping around the room like it owned it.
I tell myself, She’s just a friend.
I’ve been telling myself that for months now.
When breakfast was done, I started washing the dishes like usual. Routine keeps me grounded. Daniela was behind me, leaning against the counter, scrolling through her phone and laughing at something Jonah sent. The sound of her voice mixing with the running water made my chest tighten.
“Hey, Soph?” she said, still looking at her phone.
“Yeah?” I replied — a little too fast.
“Jonah wants to come by later. You cool with that?”
I kept my face neutral, hands still in the soapy water. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”
She hummed, satisfied with my answer, and went back to texting. I could hear the smile in her voice. Every little thing she did — every stupid noise, every breath — just hit deeper than it should’ve.
When she left the kitchen, I finally exhaled.
⸻
We spent the afternoon rehearsing for our upcoming performance. I’m supposed to be in full leader mode — no distractions, no drama, all focus. But every time I glanced at the mirror, there she was again.
Hair tied up, tank top sticking to her skin, body moving like rhythm itself. She doesn’t even try — and somehow every move still hits like a movie scene.
And me? I’m a mess.
Because I can’t tell if I’m jealous of her… or in love with her.
“Earth to Sophia,” Lara’s voice snapped me out of it.
“Huh?”
“You’ve been staring at Daniela for like… a full minute.”
Her grin made it impossible to tell if she was joking or calling me out.
“I was just—watching her form. For the choreography,” I said, way too fast.
“Sure,” Lara teased, smirking. “Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
I glared at her, but she just laughed and went back to stretching.
Then Daniela walked over — towel around her neck, sweat glistening, looking unfairly good.
“What are you guys laughing about?” she asked.
“Nothing,” Lara said way too quickly.
Daniela raised an eyebrow, then looked at me with that smile — soft, warm, and dangerous.
“You okay, leader?” she asked, bumping my shoulder.
I nodded, biting the inside of my cheek so I wouldn’t say something stupid.
No, I’m not okay. Not when you look at me like that.
⸻
That night, Jonah came over. The others were in the living room, laughing it up, while I stayed in the kitchen pretending to scroll on my phone.
Every laugh that left Daniela’s mouth while she sat beside him felt like a slow punch to the chest. It’s like watching someone hold a piece of you they don’t even know they have.
I caught a glimpse of them through the hallway mirror — Daniela leaning into his shoulder, eyes shining.
And for a second, I hated myself for wishing it was me.
⸻
Later that night, when everyone was asleep, I sat alone on the couch, scrolling aimlessly. My reflection on the dark screen looked exhausted — not just physically, but in that deep kind of way that sticks to your bones.
I don’t even know what I want anymore.
All I know is, every time she smiles, my chest aches, and every time she says his name, I lose another piece of myself.
Maybe it’s my fault.
Maybe I made this harder than it had to be.
But when she says “Goodnight, Soph” from across the hall — soft, gentle, like I actually mean something —
I know I’d do it all over again.
Even if it hurts.
⸻
The sunlight crept in through the blinds, brushing against my face like it didn’t realize it was interrupting a dream I didn’t wanna leave.
I blinked awake to the quiet hum of the dorm — the faint whistle of Manon’s kettle, Megan’s muffled laughter, and somewhere down the hall, Daniela’s voice.
It was way too early for her to sound that happy.
I rolled onto my back and sighed.
Alright, Sophia. New day. You’re the leader. Lock it in.
Yesterday flashed back — the kitchen, the mirror, Jonah’s hand around her waist — and that familiar ache returned.
No. Not today.
Today, I’m done feeling sorry for myself.
Done being distracted.
Done feeling, period.
We’ve got MAMA rehearsals coming up — one of the biggest performances of our lives — and I can’t keep falling apart every time Daniela smiles at me.
Lock in, Laforteza. Lose the feelings before they lose you.
⸻
By the time we got to the rehearsal studio, the girls were buzzing with energy. New choreo, huge stage, crazy formations — this was it.
But for me, today was about something else.
Distance. Discipline. Detachment.
I tied my hair up tight, adjusted my mic, and stared straight into the mirror — not at the person stretching just a few feet away.
“Alright, girls, from the top!” I clapped my hands. My voice came out sharper than usual. Not cold, but serious.
Daniela glanced over, raising an eyebrow.
“Woah, leader mode activated already?” she teased.
I forced a half-smile. “Someone’s gotta keep you guys from clowning around.”
The music started. The bass hit. And I threw myself into it.
Every move, every breath, perfect.
Singing while dancing, hitting every note, eyes locked forward. No laughter. No glances. No Daniela. Just focus.
Halfway through, I could feel her eyes on me.
She always notices when something’s off.
When we finished, everyone dropped to the floor, panting and laughing, but I stayed standing — hands on my hips, checking angles in the mirror like a coach.
“Alright, again,” I said. “We can clean the last chorus more. Dani, you’re a bit off timing on the turn.”
That made her blink. Daniela never gets called out. Especially not by me.
She nodded slowly, smiling — but it didn’t reach her eyes.
“Got it,” she said simply.
We restarted.
This time, she was sharper — matching me move for move.
It was electric, like she was challenging me.
But I didn’t break. Didn’t look at her. Didn’t breathe her in.
⸻
An hour later, Megan dropped beside me, chugging water.
“Damn, Soph. You’re on beast mode today,” she said.
“Trying to keep us perfect,” I replied, scrolling through my notes.
She leaned closer, lowering her voice. “You good, though? You’ve been kinda quiet. Even Dani noticed.”
I froze for a second, then shrugged. “Just focused.”
Megan squinted but let it go. “Alright, boss lady. Just don’t burn out.”
When she walked off, I exhaled.
Across the room, Daniela was laughing with Lara, towel over her shoulder — but her eyes kept flicking toward me. Like she was waiting for me to join in, or say something, or be me again.
But I didn’t.
I just nodded at the choreographer to restart the track.
⸻
By the end of the day, the room smelled like sweat and effort, mirrors fogged, everyone sprawled out on the floor.
Daniela walked over, holding her water bottle. Her tone was light but curious.
“You’ve been awfully quiet, Soph. Did I do something?”
I shook my head, grabbing my towel. “No. You’re good.”
“You sure? You didn’t even laugh when Megan tried to freestyle during warm-ups. That’s like… a world event.”
I laughed lightly but kept my eyes down. “Just tired, Dani. It’s nothing.”
She studied me for a beat too long, lips parting like she wanted to say something — then she just nodded.
“Okay, but… don’t shut me out, yeah?”
That almost made me crack.
Almost.
I smiled faintly. “Promise.”
Because how do you unlove someone who keeps finding ways to sound like home?
Get it together, Sophia.
This little crush on Daniela isn’t going anywhere.