𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘶𝘴 4

Chapter 4:

Something More

Lena was getting used to the hate.

Or at least, that's what she told herself.

After every show, she still got a flood of notifications, still saw people on Twitter picking apart her performances, still scrolled past comments calling her a disappointment. But at a certain point, it all just started to blur together.

It wasn't that she didn't care—it was that caring hurt too much.

So, she stopped reading them.

Or at least, she tried to.

Gracie, on the other hand?

Gracie cared too much.

She wasn't even subtle about it.

Every time she got asked about Lena in interviews, she shut down any negativity before it even had a chance to breathe.

"She's incredible," she said, over and over again. "I don't know what else to tell you. She's insanely talented, and I'm so lucky to have her on this tour."

And when fans still didn't let up?

Gracie took it to Twitter.

@gracieabrams: i get that not everyone likes the same music. but lena is one of the most talented people i know. if you don't want to give her a chance, that's on you. but don't be cruel.

Lena had stared at that tweet for an hour the night it was posted.

It wasn't like people magically stopped talking shit after that, but—something did shift.

There were still hate comments, sure.

But there were also more fans saying maybe we should actually listen to her first.

Gracie was giving them permission to like her.

And for some reason, that made all the difference.

Chicago was their biggest show yet.

The stadium was massive, the crowd even louder than usual.

Lena's set had gone fine. Not perfect, but fine.

She didn't get booed this time, which she was taking as a win.

Now, the show was over, and she was standing outside the venue, waiting for Eli to finish an emergency phone call with someone from her label.

She pulled her hoodie tighter around herself, trying to blend in.

A group of fans stood a few feet away, huddled together in the cold, still buzzing from the concert.

Lena wasn't trying to eavesdrop.

But then she heard her name.

And her stomach twisted.

"She was so boring," one of them said. "Like, she's not bad, but she's just—there."

Someone laughed. "Right? I don't get why Gracie is hyping her up so much."

Another voice chimed in. "I literally don't know a single person who came to see her. Everyone's just waiting for her to be done."

Lena felt her throat tighten.

She knew she shouldn't let it get to her.

She knew.

But it still fucking hurt.

Before she could turn and leave, another voice—softer, hesitant—spoke up.

"I mean... I actually thought she was kind of good?"

There was a pause.

Then, someone scoffed.

"Okay, but good for what? Like, yeah, she can sing, but so can literally anyone. She's nothing special."

Lena had heard enough.

She turned away, stomach churning, heartbeat pounding against her ribs.

She wasn't sure where she was going—just that she needed to go.

She ended up back at the hotel, curled up in bed, the city lights flickering through the window.

She told herself not to think about it.

Told herself it didn't matter.

But her brain was cruel.

And the words kept repeating in her head, over and over.

She's just there.

Nothing special.

She shut her eyes.

Took a deep breath.

And then—

A knock at the door.

She frowned.

Eli had a key, so it wasn't him.

She dragged herself out of bed, pulling the door open without thinking.

And—

Gracie.

Standing in the hallway.

Hoodie, messy hair, worried eyes.

Lena blinked. "Uh—"

"I heard them."

Lena stilled. "What?"

Gracie's jaw was tight. "The fans. Outside the venue. I heard what they said."

Lena's stomach dropped.

She forced a shrug. "Oh. Yeah. Whatever."

Gracie's eyes narrowed. "Lena."

Lena sighed. "Seriously, it's fine. I'm used to it."

Gracie took a step closer. "That doesn't mean it doesn't hurt."

Lena swallowed.

She didn't say anything.

Gracie exhaled, running a hand through her hair. "I just—I hate that they don't see it."

Lena frowned. "See what?"

Gracie looked at her like it was the dumbest question in the world.

"How fucking good you are."

Lena's breath caught.

Gracie shook her head. "I don't care what they say. I don't care how long it takes. I know they're gonna come around. But until then..." She hesitated. "I just don't want you to think they're right."

Lena swallowed.

For some reason, that was the part that got to her.

Not the fans.

Not the hate.

Just—Gracie.

Standing here, looking at her like she mattered.

Like she was worth defending.

Lena's throat felt tight.

She stepped back, holding the door open a little wider.

"You wanna come in?" she asked, voice quieter now.

Gracie nodded.

They sat on the bed, the silence between them comfortable but heavy.

Gracie picked at a loose thread on the comforter. "You know I mean it, right?"

Lena watched her hands. "Mean what?"

Gracie looked up.

"Everything I say about you."

Lena held her gaze.

And maybe it was exhaustion, or maybe it was the way the words nothing special still burned in her head, but—

She believed her.

Gracie wasn't just saying it.

She meant it.

Lena let out a slow breath.

"I don't know why you're so nice to me," she admitted.

Gracie blinked. "Lena—"

"I mean, I appreciate it," Lena added quickly. "But I just—I don't get it."

Gracie was quiet for a second.

Then, softly—

"I think you do."

Lena's heart stuttered.

Her mouth went dry.

Gracie was still watching her, eyes dark, searching.

Lena wasn't sure who moved first.

All she knew was that one second there was space between them—

And the next, there wasn't.

The kiss was soft.

Hesitant.

Like neither of them wanted to break whatever this was.

Lena barely had time to process it before Gracie was pulling back, breath uneven.

"I—" Gracie started. "Shit. I—"

Lena's brain was static.

"Was that—" She swallowed. "Was that okay?"

Gracie let out a nervous laugh. "I don't know. Was it?"

Lena looked at her.

Her face was flushed.

Her eyes were wide.

She was still so close.

Lena exhaled.

And then she kissed her again.

And this time, it wasn't hesitant at all.