Melody's POV

It's Monday morning, and I just had my first session with a counsellor at the hospital. I had to tell her how I was feeling and what led me to do what I did that night. After telling her the story, I felt ashamed about what I had done.

After hearing how it affected Maggie, I have been trying to make it up to her by spending more time with her, trying to erase that memory from her mind. I would take it back if I could redo it, but I know there's no way you can change the past.

Beep, Beep, Beep. My phone goes off alerting me to a video message. I click on it and see Maggie's smiling face. "Hey, Maggie. Have you performed yet?"

Maggie shakes her head. "I want the support of my Big Sister. Without you, this song wouldn't be possible."

"You wrote most of it, Maggie. Don't sell yourself short. Hand the phone to one of your friends and make sure they have it pointed toward you, while you're performing."

"I will." She talks to her friend for a moment. "Can you hold this while I perform something I wrote?"

"Sure," one of the girls says, taking the phone from her. The friend sees me and says. "Hey, Melody."

A smile spreads across my face. "Hey,

The friend moves the phone back into position, and I see Maggie standing on a table with a guitar in her hand. She clears her throat. "Hey, everyone. I'm Maggie Stryker. I've had a secret crush on a guy for a while now and haven't had the guts to tell him how I feel. So, I wrote a song for him. I'm going to play it now."

Aliyah walks into the room at that moment and looks at the screen. "Is that Maggie?"

"Yes,"

Aliyah takes a seat, and her voice comes over the room.

I'm not sure if you notice me,
I'm the girl who sits in the stands,
Screaming for you to run and tackle,
The guy from the other team.

When you score a touchdown,
I'm cheering for you,
When you lose,
I want to hold you.

And tell you everything will be okay,
That we will get them the next time,
You will crush them,
And move on to the next game.

I have a crush on you,
One that makes it harder to breathe,
When you're near,
I don't want this thing to be a secret anymore.

If you feel the same way,
Come to me,
Tell me how you think,
That way I won't be a fool.

I'll give you time,
To think about this,
I know it's a shock,
But I can't keep this in anymore.

I want to scream your name from the rooftops,
Get people talking,
About us,
Cause we'd make the perfect pair.

I have a crush on you,
One that makes it harder to breathe,
When you're near,
I don't want this thing to be a secret anymore.

You have plenty of girls after you,
None of them seems to be a match,
That's why you keep a distance from them,
Come to me.

I know it's what you want,
Let everyone know how you feel,
Cause I don't think I'm the only one who cares,
Step forward and help me tell everyone.

That we're meant to be,
And no one can come between us,
Take a little step towards me,
Please tell me how you feel.

I have a crush on you,
One that makes it harder to breathe,
When you're near,
I don't want this thing to be a secret anymore.

A guy steps forward, and a cheerleader starts yelling at him, "Drew, you can't be serious about going to that girl."

"Mina, I'm not your boyfriend. You can't control me." Drew steps towards my sister and kisses her.

Logging off the call, a smile spreads across my face. "She got the guy."

Aliyah sits across from me. "I didn't know singing runs in the family. If I had known that, I would have signed both of you."

Shaking my head, I look at her. "You wouldn't have been able to sign us. Mom wants Maggie to go to school and get the education she needs. If singing doesn't work out like it has with me, then she needs a backup plan."

"True," she folds her arms across her stomach. "That song is going to be a hit. I need her in my studio asap to record it."

The door to my room opens, and Mom walks in. She has a manila envelope with Aliyah's name on it. "Last night, my daughter told me about the song. I went to the Lawyers and got something drawn up for Maggie. You can't go against the rules, or you'll pay the price." She gives the envelope to Aliyah.

Aliyah opens it and goes through every detail. "This seems reasonable. Maggie attends school during the school weeks and performs on the weekends and during the school holidays." She puts the papers down. What about interviews? I know a lot of people will want to talk to her."

"After school until 9 p.m., weekends can be anytime up until 10 p.m."

"Great," she looks at it again and then at me. "Have you spoken to Melody about her part in it?"

Mom shakes her head. She walks over to the bed and sits down. "Sweetheart, I want you to make an album with your sister."

I don't want to make an album with her.

"I can't, Mom. I have my albums to think about."

Mom places her hand on mine. "You have twelve months to put something together with Maggie. Please, do this for me?"

She knows how to guilt me.

"How many songs do you need?"

"Twenty-four. I don't mind if you get some help from some bands you've collaborated with over the years. Do you think Midnight Sun or No Heart will help?"

They owe me for the fame they are getting now. After all, thanks to me, they got their start on tour with me.

A smile spreads across my face. "I will call the bands and find out if they have any time available. It will be set up for next year, though."

My phone starts ringing, and I see 'Maggie' appear on the screen. I answer the call.

Me: Hey, Mag's. That was incredible.

Maggie: Really?

Me: Yes, you even got the guy.

Maggie: I did. Did I also get the studio time?

Me: Mom went to the Lawyer's this morning to get a contract drawn up for Aliyah, and she has to comply with it.

Maggie: Okay, thanks for your help, Melody. I owe you.

Me: I'll let you go. Have fun with the boyfriend. Bye,

I hang up the phone and then pull up Jesse's. It rings a couple of times before he answers.

Jesse: It's been two days since you called me. Is there something else that you need?

Me: Can you help us with a song or two to put on Maggie's album?

Jesse: Did she get signed for that song?

Me: Yes, Aliyah wants her.

Jesse: I'm not surprised by that. No Heart would love to help, but we're unavailable until after February.

Me: That works. I'm available until the 2nd of February, and then I'll be on a tour. During my time off, I will be working on things with my sister. Do you think the band will be okay with flying out to wherever I am for it?

Jesse: They would go anywhere for you. After all, it's thanks to you that the band is where it is now.

Me: Okay, I'll see you on the 1st of March.

Jesse: Bye, Melody.

Jesse hangs up, and I look at everyone. "No Heart will help us. Now, I have to call Midnight Sun. I hope they have time for me."

Aliyah smiles. "Those guys will give you their time between tours. All you have to do is ask them."

I go through my phone until I come across Jayden's. Pressing call, I wait for the call to connect. It takes a couple of rings before he answers.

Jayden: Hello, this is Jayden.

Me: Hey, Jay. It's Mel.

Jayden: Oh, how are you doing, Darling? I heard you're in the hospital.

Me: I'm okay. I'm getting the treatment that I need. Would you like to sit down and work on a song?

Jayden: I would love to. This year is busy for Midnight Sun. Is there any chance that we can do it in March?

Me: That would work. I can do something between my tour, which starts in March. Also, my sister will be recording with us.

Jayden: Really? I didn't expect her to follow in your footsteps.

Me: She's not in the industry yet. She will be with the single she's about to release in a couple of months. It's going to be a hit.

Jayden: I'm looking forward to hearing the song. Maybe she can make a guest appearance with Midnight Sun when we go on tour.

Me: You'll have to talk to her manager. She's allowed to tour during school holidays and weekends. Mom wants her to continue her education.

Jayden: You started your career at age eighteen. I don't remember you going to University.

Me: I studied online, and when I graduated, somebody told me that if I had attended the school, I would have been valedictorian.

Jayden: Damn, if I had known you were smart, I would have brought my school work to you when we were on tour.

Me: It's too late for that, Jay. I'll send you the dates for writing the song.

Jayden: Can't wait. It will be great to work closely with the sexiest woman in the music industry.

Me: Bye, Charmer.

Jayden: Bye, Darling.

I hang up the phone and look at the two women in the room. "Midnight Sun will help out, too. I hope that while I'm away, I can work on some songs."

Aliyah smiles. "I'm sure you will come up with something."

The door to the room opens, and the Doctor walks in. He looks at the clipboard in his hand and then back at me. "How are you feeling, Melody?"

"Fine, can I go home now?"

The doctor looks at Mom. "Mrs. Stryker, are you okay with her going home today with you?"

A smile spreads across Mom's face. "Yes, I am."

"Okay," he looks at me before adding. I'll give you a number for a therapist that Melody needs to see for a couple of weeks, just until you leave. The nurses have heard that you'll go to a secret location for a couple of months. I hope while you're there, you can heal."

"Thanks, Doc." I smile at him.