Chapter 2

After packing my dance shoes into my bag, I headed straight backstage at the auditorium.

I kept my dance shoes with me the whole time, except for when Nadia showed up and I went to pick her up.

I was gone for just a moment.

That was the only time someone could've messed with my shoes.

I glanced over at my classmates, who were getting ready for the group dance performance not far away.

They were all dance majors like me.

It was the school anniversary today. There were only two dance acts on the program: their group dance and my solo.

So, if someone was trying to sabotage me, which one of them was it?

Nadia followed my gaze.

Then she asked, "Any idea who messed with your stuff?"

I replied, "There are no cameras in the break room, and with people constantly coming and going, nobody would've seen a thing."

But that didn't really matter. If someone tried to screw me over, I'd just make sure they regretted it.

I had a lucky charm that could pass my misfortune onto someone else.

It was a family heirloom.

Nadia knew about it too.

I took out the lucky charm, gripped it tight in my hand, and started murmuring the spell under my breath.

"Ancestors, please send all the trouble that's been dumped on me right back to whoever tried to mess with me," I whispered to myself.

Nadia was wide-eyed, watching me do the ritual for the first time.

"That's it? Is it really that easy?" she blurted out.

I just grinned. "Of course not. This is just a pact. You can make any wish you want. But to actually shift the bad luck, it mostly eats up your own life force."

Just as I was explaining, my vision suddenly went dark and I nearly collapsed.

Luckily, Nadia grabbed my arm before I could fall.

Her eyes widened with worry.

"Your lips are white..." she said.

I waved her away, showing I was fine.

"Honestly, it's like getting hit with three periods at once," I joked, trying to lighten the mood.

The main thing was, once I burned through my energy, the bad luck was officially passed on.

Now, the person who tried to mess with me? Their shoelaces were about to get the same treatment.

The lucky charm didn't actually reveal who did it.

But when someone were to a tumble, I'd know exactly who it was.

I was still feeling woozy, so I just slumped against the wall and sat there.

No way I could get up on stage like this. After a bit, I dragged myself over to the director and asked if my solo could be bumped to the very end.

I just needed to chill for a bit.

Nadia even whipped up some honey water for me.

I was just sitting there, eyes closed, trying to catch my breath.

Then, out of nowhere, a voice cut through the quiet.

"Lucy, why do you look so pale and weak? I heard you pushed your solo to the end. If you can't handle it, just say so. Honestly, it'd be way better if you just let me have the solo."

I opened my eyes and saw Elvira Crawford standing there.

She was giving me that smug, mocking look.

Elvira ranked second in our major, making her my biggest rival.

She was also the lead dancer for the group performance.

Since I'd always kept her below me academically, she's never been friendly with me.

I shot back, "The solo spot is for the top student. If you're so upset, why don't you just beat me? If you can't, then quit running your mouth."

Elvira let out a mocking laugh.

"Honestly, I'm just looking out for you. You look totally wiped out. If I were you, I'd just quit. Careful you don't wipe out on stage."

I just smirked. "Who knows who's gonna eat it out there? Maybe you should worry about yourself instead of me."

With that, I shut my eyes and tuned her out.

Not long after, Elvira left.

Nadia leaned in and whispered, " Lucy, do you think she's the one who did it?"