<h4>Chapter 42 - Broken Hearts</h4>


    There was a long pause after Joey''s words. Even Uncle Charlie, who usually had something witty to say, stayed quiet for a moment.


    Rachel reached out and patted Joey on the arm. "I''m sorry, Joey. That sucks."


    Joey let out a slow sigh. "The worst part? She''s with Ross now."


    Rachel''s eyes widened. "Wait—what?"


    "Yeah," Joey said, bitterness creeping into his voice. "I guess they got close again. Some kind of academic bond. I don''t know. But I walked in on them arguing yesterday, and it was definitely... something."


    Rachel''s jaw tightened. "That bitch."


    We all went quiet for a second, surprised at the sudden venom in her voice.


    "Sorry," Rachel added, taking a sip of her drink. "Bute on, Ross? Seriously? She dumps Joey and goes for <i>Ross</i>?"


    I just raised my eyebrows but said nothing


    Charlie raised a brow, clearly amused. "Can''t say I didn''t see that oneing. You put enough nerds in one convention and sparks are bound to fly—over spreadsheets and fossilized teeth." Seeing that his joke didn''t lighten the mood as he hoped, he added quickly, "Okay guys, let''s drink. Still the solution to all problems."


    ———


    Later that afternoon, we all gathered in the hotel café for tea and pastries. The mood was casual, but a subtle tension still lingered in the air. Ross and Dr. Wheeler had quietly taken a table across the room, separated from the rest of us.


    "Look who decided to sit at the exile table," Chandler whispered to Monica, nodding toward Ross and Charlie Wheeler.


    "I can''t even tell if they''re dating or arguing about the geological time scale," Monica replied.


    "Or both," I added, sipping my juice.


    Rachel sat down next to Charlie, eyeing the other table. "I''d say I feel bad, but I don''t."


    "Neither do I," Joey muttered, still sulking with a croissant.


    Phoebe passed a te of muffins around. "Well, at least we have carbs. Carbs don''t betray you."


    I looked over at Ross and Dr. Wheeler, who were locked in a quiet but visibly intense conversation.


    Just as I was about to reach for another pastry, Dad leaned in and said, "Hey, son. I forgot to tell you—there''s a small musicpetition tonight at that restaurant by the beach. Thought you might want to check it out."


    I blinked. "Apetition?"


    "Yeah," he nodded. "The hotel''s hosting it as part of some local cultural night. They''re letting guests join. A couple of the staff said they''re signing up too."


    Charlie perked up. "Music? And you''re just now telling us?"


    I leaned back, tapping my fingers on the table as an idea came to me. "Actually... I think I''ve got a good one."


    Rachel turned to me, curious. "What kind of idea?"


    "I''ll need your help. Could you gather everyone from your group—Monica, Chandler, Phoebe, Joey... even Ross if he behaves," I smirked.


    Rachel raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Sure. What''s the n?"


    I turned to Phoebe. "Phoebe, do you know how to y guitar?"


    She smiled. "Do I know how to y guitar? Jake, my guitar <i>is</i> my soulmate."


    "Perfect," I said, already piecing the arrangement together in my head. "Let''s make tonight fun."


    ———


    That evening, we arrived at the beachside restaurant. The whole ce had thisid-back, open-air vibe with string lights dangling from palm trees and soft music ying in the background.


    Everyone gathered—our crew, Rachel''s friends, and even some curious guests from the hotel. Thepetition had drawn quite the crowd. I scanned the stage setup and noticed a sign-up sheet nearly full.


    Most of the performers were adults—tourists, locals, or staff members. Only one other kid besides me had signed up—a shy-looking girl, maybe twelve years old, sitting nervously with her parents.


    I nced over to her and felt a twinge of sympathy. Then I stood and said to Charlie, "I''m going to say hi."


    Charlie smirked. "Of course you are. Going to charm yet another girl, are you?"


    I rolled my eyes.


    Rachel grinned beside him. "Go on, Jake. Make her night. Maybe you''ll calm her nerves."


    I shrugged, I headed over toward the girl''s table. She looked up as I approached, a little surprised.


    "Hey," I said with a small smile. "You nervous too?"


    She nodded shyly. "Yeah. A little."


    I chuckled softly. "Me too." I lied


    There was a pause before I offered my hand. "I''m Jake. Jarke Harper"


    She smiled and shook it. "Robyn. Robyn Rihanna Fenty."


    I blinked and froze for a second.


    "Wow. That''s... a cool name," I managed, trying not to sound mechanical.


    Wait. Rihanna? <i>That</i> Rihanna?


    I quickly pulled myself together. "Don''t worry, you''re going to do great."


    I looked at her again—so normal-ish, so unassuming—and couldn''t help but think, <i>Yeah, future international superstar. Wild.</i>


    Then I murmured under my breath, "Money and age do wonders."


    She tilted her head slightly. "What was that?"


    I smiled quickly. "Nothing. Just thinking out loud."


    Robynughed softly. "Well... good luck tonight."


    "You too. Maybe we''ll both blow the crowd away," I said, stepping back with a wink.


    As I returned to our table, Charlie was already smirking at me like a proud uncle who just watched his apprentice flirt with royalty.


    "So?" he asked, lifting a brow.


    "She''s nice," I replied simply.


    Rachel nudged my shoulder. "She''s also adorable. You two would make a power duo"


    Charlieughed. "He''s building his fanbase early. That kid''s a walking jukebox with charisma."


    ------


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