• Melody •

* Dear diary:

Date: March 28, 2022

Tell me this is just a dream.....

I was finally getting the biggest opportunity that I was destined to have.

Along the way of my journey to finding new artist to build up I met the best one

Shang Marsh. 🤍

He was just everything and more.

He was my very first kiss since a long time and it felt like how it should have
felt.

Was he already having me feel like a little kid at the candy store?

Diary he could be the one for
me

diary closed *

The morning sunlight continue to grow throughout my curtains as I sat up in my bed writing in my diary.

Feeling a bit good this morning, I decided to head downstairs to the studio and sing something.

It's been a while since I've recorded anything since the rising star of autumn.

I can say autumn has been doing super well and with her fan base constantly growing she will
be the it girl in no time.

But, I wanted to do something a little more different.

I wanted to see if I still have what it takes to be the it girl if I wanted to go back down that path.

Grabbing my sandals I got started with my daily routine for the day.

30 mins later......

I was finished getting myself together as I grab my notebook and a pen.

Im assuming copper was over at autumns house for the day so, I didn't have to worry about him down my back trying to give me his brotherly love.

Stepping down the steps and towards the kitchen I grab a quick bite to eat like an orange and headed to the basement.

My mind was overflowing with so many ideas but I finally pick one that had a story behind it.

Playing around with the keys I wanted to find the best beat.

Once I found that everything else would fall in place.

Gently turning the volume up to this instrumental I began to get in my vibe.

Before i fully committed to this session, I lit a few cashmere scented candles around me.

It always seem to ease my mind and allowed the lyrics to just flow from my heart.

Now finding the perfect beat I began to write down my lyrics.

They was starting to come together so I decided to read them out loud but on beat this time.

Starting the instrumental over I just let the words flow from out my mouth .

Song: People

By: Melody Tatum

I've been drinking more alcohol for the past five days
Did you check on me?
Now, did you look for me?
I walked in the room, eyes are red and I don't smoke banga
Did you check on me? (Did you check on me?)
Now, did you noticed me?

As I got more into the song cooper softy knocked on the door before he lean against the door frame.

I continue to sing but drop my voice more into a whisper.

I then wave my hand for him to come inside before I turn the music down a bit.

" wow it's been a minute since I've seen you alone do a song" he said shoving his hands into his pockets.

I adjusted in my seat while clicking the pen just to have some sort of noise going on.

" I know I just wanted to see if i still had it... turns out I do"

" well then go in studio and acutely record then" he said

I frown my brows before disapproving his offer.

" I can't. It's not ready yet"

" what? from what I heard Mel you definitely are ready. Come on for old times sake"

Thinking hard about his request I slap my notebook before smiling.

" alright. Fine I'll go in the booth but don't laugh if I sound a little rough it's been a while"

Copper nearly ran me out the chair as he took over the seat now getting my track in order.

All I could do was laugh before walking into the booth.

Taking a deep Breath I waited for cooper to turn me up, and just as he did by giving me the thumbs up I place the headphones on my ears.

" let's take it from the top" he said through the mic and i gave him the okay.

When I heard the music coming in I closed my eyes and just thought back on everything that I've went through when I was living In the uk.

How painful, and difficult my life was back then and how my brother came to my aid when I needed him the most.

With my eyes still shut I parted my lips as the words just came out of my mouth.

• 3 mins later •

" that's a wrap" cooper said with a huge grin on his face.

I laugh before placing the headphones back and stepping out of the booth.

My nerves was so shot i didn't know what to do next.

" so how was it? How I do?" I asked anxiously.

" well for starters that voice of yours is freaking amazing you can really go places with it"

Now feeling that this could be the best time to tell him about my in counter with Shang I did just that.

" cooper there's something that I been wanted to tell you"

" what's up?" He said with concern

" so you know that flier you had plaster on the wall three days ago?"

" yeah. what's this about?"

I placed my items down before taking a seat beside of him.

" well I got accepted to become Shang marsh songwriter, and I was also thinking about doing my own music along the way"

The atmosphere was definitely a big difference from when he first walked in.

" say something" I said as I started to bite my nails.

" I..I mean what's there to say you clearly had your mind made up three days ago when you decided to give this man a call. So my opinion never even matter"

" I didn't want to tell you because I knew you would react"

" react like what?" His voice intensified

" like this. Anger about me taking the offer I don't want you to be angry cooper"

" Mel it's not about being angry it's about being around a complete stranger that you don't even know."

" it's not a big deal" I said

" it is if I don't know him. Mel I'm your brother my job is to protect you especially from what you have been through when we was teenagers. I'm not saying that you can't do what you love but I don't trust it"

I smack my lips as I knew he wasn't going to be happy for me.

I knew he would have reacted in this kind of way and that's why I took the job.

I needed some time to be independent for once and I felt like this was my moment.

" is it that you don't trust the job or you just don't trust him"

He sigh out loud as his nose was flare up and his face was turning red.

" it's not about him. This is about you and being away from home for I don't know how long"

" it will be good for me to go and experience the music world with Shang. I trust him and i need you to do the same thing"

" I won't. I'm sorry maybe our childhood fucked me up to the point where I can't put my trust into anyone who gets near you but I can't do it"

I tried to catch my tear that was cramp up Inside my eyes for a long time but it was too late.

They started to pour like rain.

" you have to learn to believe in me copper. You have to want to know that I will be okay at some point you will have to let me go"

" I can't do that right now so forgive me if I'm being an overly protective brother, but I will always be this way until I'm dead. That wont ever change"

He quickly sniff while catching his tear before it was able to make an appearance.

I knew that my mind was made up of what I was going to do and I knew eventually my brother would come around but I knew right now he needed some space.

" I should probably get going. I have a meeting with my Shang about a couple of song choices"

" you do what you want it's not like my voice really matters now do it?"

Stuck between answering that question he stood to his feet before walking back up the stairs leaving me alone in the basement.

Not even attempting to follow behind him I allowed for him to go and I did the same.

Just in a different direction.