Melody

Neat morning, I got up late. For the first time in days, I checked social media. I only kept my phone off at work and sometimes leave it on to contact my mother. Everyone was still trying to find out where I am and I still saw Hawk Record been calling my phone and tagging me everywhere, trying to get my attention.  I heard the door knock. Lilly and I looked at each other.

"I'll get it." Lilly says nervously as she went to answer while I went to hide.

"Hey, does Melody Jackson live here?"  A familiar voice asked.

"No she doesn't. Who are you?"

"Big Time Rush." Another one says.

Lilly didn't call out my name. I knew she's pretty suspicious.

"Uh... right. Bye-"

"Please. Do you know where she is...? We miss her."

"Yeah. It isn't the same without our friend."

My heart... I slowly come out of the shadows.

"MELODY!" Everyone except Lilly and Gustavo cried as they hugged me.

I hugged them back, smiling. Gustavo was still being stubborn but eventually took the hug.

"How did you guys know she lived here?" Lilly asked.

"We asked around town."

Oh god... they've must met Chelsea.

"Then... you must've met Chelsea." I said as Lilly and I looked at each other.

"Oh that's what the girl's name was!" Carlos says.

"Yeah she was trying to avoid the subject and hit on all of us." Kendall says awkwardly.

"Seems like a Chelsea thing she would do." Lilly said with an eye roll, "Lilly. By the way." She introduced as the others said their name.

"Now tell us why you went into hiding?!" Gustavo asked.

"Yes. Tell us why." A mysterious voice says.

It was... him. That man from Hawk Records.

"Hawk." Gustavo says surprised.

"Melody we've been trying to call but you haven't answered... have you made your decision?"

I looked at each and everyone of my friends... including James. I know they've probably worked their tails off to find me. James never did forget and gave up... I felt a hand on my shoulder and realized it was Lilly. I also looked at her.

Lilly always wanted to be an actress... but chose to be a cheerleader to please her parents.

"Well?"

"Yes... I've made my choice. I will sign with Rocque Records."

Hawk laughs thinking it's a joke.

"I'm serious. You wanted to sign me because you saw at my weakest and use it to your selfish advantage. That's not the manager I want." I went on.

"And I would not only betray my friends..." I paused, looking at James, "but my boyfriend as well."

"But Gustavo I have ONE condition."

"What?"

"You sign my best friend Lilly."

Lilly took notice shaking her head, "Oh Melody you can't-" I put my hands to her shoulders, "Lilly. Please. I know when I met you, your heart belonged to acting. Ashlyn and I both knew you want this so badly.... Come to Hollywood with us?"

Then Hawk ruined the moment trying to grab me but freight train happened to come right on cue.

"YOU WILL RUE THE DAY, MELODY JACKSON!" He yelled as I looked back at Lilly.

"Please, for me?"

"Well... here's a problem." Gustavo paused, "I write singers and bands, not actresses."

Then...

"Then I won't sign with you."

"What?!" The boys yelled.

"Guys... I love you all but I see the pressure and stress Gustavo is under. Ashlyn has a company that Lilly and I can sign with her company."

"I am not pressured or stressed! I'm fine." Gustavo lied.

Almost all of us knew it was a lie, excluding Lilly.

"Okay, maybe a little pressured."

"She does have a point."

James grabbed my hand.

"Are you sure about this?" James asked in a worried tone.

I nodded, smiling... maybe there's a light to this end of the tunnel.