SuperStar!

Susan was getting her makeup done, and today was going to be the best day of her life—a day she would never forget. It was her wedding day, and she was overjoyed to be marrying the love of her life, the person she had been with since her junior year of high school.

Their love story was straight out of a movie cliché: the high school nerd falling in love with the varsity football captain. And yet, it felt so real to her.

Susan sat on the chair, her smile reflecting in the mirror as the makeup artist carefully applied the finishing touches. The room buzzed with chatter and laughter—her mom, elder sister, and her closest friends were all there, creating a warm, lively atmosphere.

Her elder sister, Amanda, leaned against the doorframe, sipping a glass of champagne. She was the epitome of poise, but there was a tension in the room that only Susan seemed to notice. Amanda's history with Isaac was a shadow neither of them liked to acknowledge. Amanda had dated Isaac briefly back in high school when she was the cheerleading captain. The thought still felt strange to Susan, but today was not a day to dwell on the past.

Susan's best friend, Lily, teased her about being jittery while snapping selfies with the others. Her mom bustled about, organizing last-minute details, her voice ringing with both authority and excitement. The whole room was alive with pre-wedding energy.

The knock on the door came suddenly, startling everyone. Lily went to open it, revealing Susan's younger brother, Jake, standing there with his girlfriend, Erica—who also happened to be the groom's sister and one of Susan's friends. Jake's expression was tense, and Susan immediately knew something was wrong.

"What happened?" Susan asked, noticing Jake's hesitation.

Jake glanced at Erica, who looked equally concerned but said nothing, then back at Susan. "Okay, promise you won't freak out…"

"Jake, just say it," Susan urged, her voice already tinged with panic.

"The band quit."

The room erupted into chaos.

"What?!" Susan jumped from her chair, startling the makeup artist, who dropped a brush.

Amanda smirked, leaning back in her chair. "Of course, it's always something."

"Why would you tell us this now?" their mom shouted at Jake, her hands waving in frustration.

"Everyone, calm down," Jake said, raising his hands defensively. "Barney's already out looking for another band."

Amanda snorted. "Barney? Really? The most unreliable person we know? Fantastic plan."

The arguments only escalated as Susan paced the room, her nerves fraying. Her friends suggested alternatives—using a DJ, playing a playlist from a phone—but none of it seemed good enough. Just as Susan's anxiety hit its peak, the door opened again, and Isaac walked in.

The room fell silent.

Isaac looked around, his gaze briefly meeting Amanda's before settling on Susan. He crossed the room, ignoring everyone else, and took her hands.

"Susan," he said softly, his voice steady and calm. "We don't need a band, or music, or anything else to make this day perfect. You've always been the song in my life—the melody I didn't know I was missing. Marrying you today is all the harmony I'll ever need."

Her eyes welled up with tears, and a small smile broke through her panic. "You always know what to say," she whispered.

He leaned in, and they kissed—a moment of calm in the storm.

Their mom clapped her hands. "All right, boys, out! We've got a wedding to finish. Go, go!" She shooed Jake and Isaac out of the room, herding the rest of the group back into action.

As the door closed, she turned to Susan with a proud smile. "You've got one of the good ones, honey."

The ceremony was beautiful, every detail falling into place despite the earlier chaos. Afterward, Susan and Isaac entered the grand hall as husband and wife, greeted by cheers and applause.

Amanda made her way straight to the bar, pouring herself a generous glass of whiskey. She watched the festivities from a distance, her expression unreadable.

On the stage, a large blanket covered the setup. The guests whispered curiously, glancing toward it. Susan and Isaac joined the crowd, but before they could ask questions, Barney burst in.

"Hey, hey, hey! How's my favorite newlyweds?" he said, grinning widely.

Isaac crossed his arms. "Barney, what's all this?"

Barney waved off his concern. "Relax! It's the band. You're gonna love it. Trust me."

Behind Barney, two men sat at a table. One was drinking milk; the other was nibbling on what looked like cheese. Susan and Isaac exchanged confused glances.

"Who are they?" Isaac asked.

Barney grinned. "Oh, them? That's Tom and Jerry. Don't worry about it. Let's focus on the band!"

Isaac's patience snapped. "Barney, I asked you for one favor. One! And this is what you come up with?!"

Before he could say more, Susan placed a calming hand on his arm. "Honey, it's okay," she said gently. "Nothing can ruin today. I'm already with you—for life."

Her words soothed him, and he sighed, pulling her close. Barney, unfazed, gestured toward the stage. "All right, lovebirds, get up here. Let me show you what I've got."

Reluctantly, Isaac followed, with Susan at his side. The guests gathered around, curious and eager.

A beat started playing from behind the curtain, and as it rose, the band was revealed. Gasps filled the room, and Susan let out a scream, falling to her knees in shock.