Couple days later

Melody

Ever since I came back home, things were kinda normal. I'm kinda famous now since I've been to Hollywood. My phones been completely off so I'm under the rock of everything.

I still contact Ashlyn but I know she's worried. She still tries to bring up about the boys and James... it hurts still. But I know I can't go show my face back. I know I'm pretty much without a job at Roque Records for going MIA. Even though Ashlyn has her company label opening up... she still wants me to go back to Gustavo and the boys.

I've reunited with my mom and picked up a job as a waitress.

"Well well... look who hit rock bottom." Chelsea's voice said behind me.

Chelsea. I thought her name.

"I'd figured you'd not handle Hollywood and come crawling back. How was dating that womanizer?" She asked mockingly.

"Oy!" Lucille, one of the Latina waitresses and my mom's best friend says speaking full on Spanish.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me," Lucille barked.

"Luc-"

"Oh my... not even Melody-"

"Chelsea I swear to god. If you don't leave, I'll give you a reason to leave." I threatened.

She laughs.

"Pathetic."

"Lady will you shut up? The girls is depressed for Christ's sakes!" One customer says.

"Yeah! Leave her alone!"

More and more people took on to defend me while I'm standing there with a broom in hand.

"Fine fine-" Chelsea paused before she turns towards me. "You, me. Outside." She said coldly.

"Chelsea-"

"Everyone... I'll handle it. I can throw a punch if I want to." I said as I followed Chelsea outside.

"What do you want?"

"To strike a deal. You're little miss popular."

"As I've been told." I said with an eye roll. "What do you want?"

"To trade places. I'll go to Hollywood in your place... date that hunky boyfriend of yours-"

"Ex boyfriend."

"That makes it even better."

"And what's in it for me?"

"I would tolerate you and mention that you left the spotlight for personal reasons."

And I didn't even think about it. I knew from the start she was jealous of me since day one. She only got with Jake to get back at me.

"Hmm let me think about it. No." I paused, "because you can't just take my place. Secondly, James wouldn't date a girl like you. Heck, he already hates you enough as it is without even meeting you."

Chelsea's one eyebrow raised.

"Oh? And you say he's your ex." She said defensively.

I scoffed.

"But yeah: no. Chelsea. You have to always kneel and kiss my shoes. No one in Hollywood is ever gonna take a selfish, entitled, mean, pretentious girl."

Chelsea stomped her foot, growling.

"You will pay!" She said angrily as she stormed off.

I leaned against the building as I saw Mom approached me.

"Hey, sweetie." Mom greets with an half smile.

"You on break?"

"For now... Lucille filled in everything and I had to ask Stacy to let me see you."

I nod.

"Honey... ever since you got here you haven't looked happy... are you sure about coming back?"

I didn't say anything: only to let out a sigh.

"I hate to admit it: I was stupid. It's just..." my voice trailed off, "it's just I'm scared mom. What it begins to happen to me? What it happens to him again?"

Mom then puts her arm around me.

"Sweetie, I can understand your fear. I just want you to follow your heart and follow your path..." she soothes.

"Do you still love him?"

The question still stings. Do I still love him? My phone rings and it was him. I looked at mom.

"Answer it." She says as I answered and put on speaker.

"Hi..."

"Melody! Finally you answered!" He cried.

"Where are you? Are you okay?"

I didn't respond right away.

"James..."

"Melody?"

"I...I'm sorry. I know what I did was stupid but... I was scared." I paused, "because of the whole thing and your tour and- I just couldn't handle it." I half admit.

"She also went MIA because of some sketchy company had asked her to sign." Mom says.

"Mom!"

"Who's that...?"

"James... this is my mom."

"Hi." Mom says.

"Hi, Ms. Jackson. I just want to say dating your daughter is the best thing ever happened to me."

Mom chuckled. Stacy walked out signaling to the both of us.

"James I gotta go."

"Wait... can I call you again?"

"Not right now because well..."

"Yeah."

"And let's just say this is my vacation too."

"Right... well... I love you."

"I love you too..."

I hung up as I went inside the restaurant with mom.

James

It's a relief she's alive and well... I can now see why she didn't want to contact me. She knew Hawk record would be on her tail and she was afraid and the pressure got to her.

"Hey..." Kendall says.

"Hey."

"Wait James? You don't sound upset."

"What's going on?"

I explained everything.

"Ohhhh..."

"We're sorry we've doubted you man."

I only nod... I can finally sleep easy for now.