# Chapter 3: The Duet, the Diva, and the Note That Wouldn’t Bend
Hello everyone, it’s me again! How are you all doing? Today I will continue to walk with you and review Chapter 3 of "The Deal: Off Campus." So grab your headphones, settle in, and let’s dive into a rehearsal room where the harmony on the page is nothing compared to the discord between the singers.
This chapter opens with Hannah Wells at her absolute limit. She’s rehearsing a duet for the winter performance with Cass Donovan, and if you thought musical chemistry was all about blending voices, think again. Cass is convinced Hannah should sing the last note in E major. He brings it up again and again, like a broken record, and Hannah—our wonderfully self-aware pacifist—admits she’s this close to punching him in the face. She doesn’t believe in fighting, war makes her queasy, but Cassidy Donovan is testing every peaceful bone in her body.
Hannah knows exactly what Cass is doing. He wants the song to end on *his* note. He wants to shine alone, to push her into the background while he takes the spotlight. Ever since they agreed to team up for the winter showcase, he’s been pulling little prima donna moves. If Hannah had known he’d be this difficult, she would have said hell no to the duet. But it’s too late now. She’s invested too much time, and she genuinely loves the song. Mary Jane—MJ—wrote it, and it’s incredible. Besides, Hannah knows the faculty loves duets; the last four scholarship-winning performances were duets, and the judges go crazy for complex harmonies. This composition has them in spades.
Cass, sensing Hannah’s resistance, turns to MJ for backup. He runs a frustrated hand through his wavy dark hair and pleads with her, trying to get her to agree that ending in the same key will pack more punch. MJ, sweet and fidgety on the piano bench, melts under his magnetic stare. Cass is infuriatingly handsome, and his voice is phenomenal. Unfortunately, he knows both facts and uses them like weapons. MJ hesitates, then betrays Hannah with a murmur: “Maybe Cass is right. Why don’t we try E Major, Hannah? Let’s just do it once and see which one works better.”
Hannah wants to shout *Benedict Arnold!* but bites her tongue. She knows MJ has been dealing with Cass’s outrageous demands for weeks, so she grumbles a reluctant “Fine.” They sing it again. And it’s a disaster. The note is far too low for Hannah, and instead of making Cass’s gorgeous baritone stand out, her clumsy, off-key part draws attention away from him. MJ, biting her lip, timidly says Hannah should stick to the original key. Cass isn’t stupid, even if he is arrogant. He snaps, “Fine. We’ll do it your way, Hannah.”
Hannah grits her teeth and thanks him. Their hour is up, and the rehearsal space is about to belong to a first-year class. She quickly gathers her sheet music and slips into her pea coat. The less time she spends with Cass, the better. The irony isn’t lost on her: they’re singing a deeply emotional love song, and she can barely stand him.
Cass eyes her expectantly. “Same time tomorrow?” Hannah reminds him that tomorrow is their four o’clock day—she works Tuesday nights. Displeasure hardens his face. He complains that they could’ve mastered the song already if her schedule weren’t so inconvenient. Hannah arches a brow and fires back: “Says the guy who refuses to rehearse on weekends. Because I happen to be free both Saturday and Sunday nights.” Cass’s lips tighten, and he saunters off without another word. *Dick.*
A heavy sigh echoes behind her. MJ is still at the piano, still biting her lip. She apologizes softly, saying she didn’t realize Cass would be so difficult when she asked them to sing her song. Hannah’s annoyance thaws when she sees how upset MJ is. She assures her it’s not her fault. Cass is an amazing singer, so let’s focus on that. MJ smiles and says Hannah is amazing too—that’s why she chose them. She couldn’t imagine anyone else bringing the song to life.
Hannah smiles back. MJ really is a sweet girl, and one of the most talented songwriters she’s ever met. Every piece in the showcase has to be composed by a songwriting major, and even before MJ approached her, Hannah had planned to ask for one of her songs. She promises, “We’re going to sing the shit out of your song, MJ. Ignore Cass’s bullshit tantrums. I think he just likes arguing for the sake of arguing.” MJ laughs. “Yeah, probably. See you tomorrow?” “Yeah,” Hannah says, and the chapter closes with her walking away, frustration still simmering but determination stronger.
**Reader’s Impressions & Star Rating**
I absolutely loved Hannah’s voice in this chapter. She’s funny, self-aware, and refreshingly honest about her own violent impulses while still clinging to her pacifist ideals. The dynamic between her and Cass is deliciously tense—he’s the kind of arrogant, talented charmer you love to hate, and MJ’s nervous loyalty makes the trio feel real. The rehearsal conflict isn’t just about music; it’s about ego, control, and who gets to shine. The chapter balances humor and frustration perfectly, and the little details—like the pea coat, the first-year class waiting, the irony of singing a love song with someone you can’t stand—make the scene vivid and relatable. This is classic Elle Kennedy: sharp dialogue, emotional undercurrents, and characters you want to follow.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ 4.7 / 5 Stars
**Next Chapter Prediction**
Based on the rising tension with Cass and Hannah’s need to protect MJ’s song, I predict the next chapter will either throw us into another rehearsal disaster or finally introduce Garrett Graham in a way that collides with Hannah’s world. Since *The Deal* is all about a bargain, I suspect Garrett will soon approach Hannah with an offer—maybe tutoring, maybe a fake-dating scheme—and their arrangement will begin. Hannah’s frustration with Cass might make her more open to a distraction, especially one that could help her get through the showcase. Either way, the stakes are about to rise, and I can’t wait to see how Hannah handles both the stage and the hockey player.
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