I couldn't believe my ears. My plagiarist was boldly singing my song before everyone after calling herself my fan. I clenched my hands into a fist a stepped forward to attack, but Becky held me back.
"Miss Maeve, what are you doing?" She hissed.
"We're in a competition where you get to represent your brand, Miss Maeve. You cannot act out yet. Let us let her be for now and sue later. We have all of the evidence we need." Becky said.
"Miss Maeve, for now, prepare yourself because you're the next to perform." She added and I listened.
Currently, she was an acting manager and assistant and I was glad to have her by my side. I was so upset but I listened to her.
With the recent scandal about me, it was truly wise to avoid being in trouble again. More actions than words are the best choices now.
After singing the next verse, she shed her performative tears and everyone cheered for her. People threw flowers, and others whistled. I wouldn't lie, it was a beautiful performance.
My plagiarist was one person who stole my song and sang it to perfection. But she wasn't better than the original.
I hated that she had such a powerful voice just like me. She sounded just like me.
Rae stepped back in, Martin and Craig rushing towards her.
"You were beautiful out there." Craig clapped.
"It was nothing." She said. The other girls went to cheer her on, each congratulating her, but I said nothing. I ignored her completely, waiting for my turn like Becky had asked.
Since I was the last performer, the backstage stage was almost cleared for the night.
Rae stared at me, I could feel her gaze and she started walking towards me. The audacity to even try that. She had almost reached me when the announcer announced my name and I walked through the curtains.
"Good luck Maeve." I heard her faintly but I moved past her. I would deal with her later, it was time for me to take my place as Velmora's lead artist. It was time for me to show them what singing was.
Since I was the last act, the other contestants and Rae sat among the audience.
The hall that was once lively and filled with good spirits was now so quiet and dull. Everyone just stared. No one cheered or said a thing.
"How is everyone," I said sweetly. I might be a new artist in this life, but I wasn't new at all.
A few murmurs were heard from the audience, but just as I've trained myself, I didn't care.
"Hello, Maeve, how are you today?" One of the judges asked.
"I'm great."
"We know you're already a star, but we've had quite a few competitions ahead of you. Are you sure you can handle them?"
"We'll see about that." I smiled.
"Alright, go ahead and take us away."
My hands tightened around the microphone, I took a deep breath, and closed my eyes. Then the instrument started playing.
Just the way I wanted. My lips parted and then I started singing, letting the beat get to my soul.
"I still hear your footsteps down the hall
Like you're coming back, but you never call
Every memory's louder than my heart
And I can't tell if healing's supposed to feel this hard.
Pre-Chorus
You were my safe place, my sweetest escape
Now you're just a shadow I can't erase
Chorus
You're the ghost of us I can't let go
Like a song stuck on the radio
Fading, but it still feels new
Every melody is stained with you
And I don't know how to love again
When every ending sounds like when
You walked away, and I lost trust
Now I'm haunted by the gh..."
"Thief!" I heard someone scream from the crowd and I opened my eyes to the audience barking at me including the judges. Murmurs filled the hall as everyone rained curses on me.
"Get her out of there she's a thief!" Someone screamed again.
My eyes moved around and then I saw Rae crying with Mr Martin by her side.
Martin frowned and walked up to the stage.
"Maeve, Rae has accused you of stealing her music. What do you have to say about that?" I stared at Martin in confusion.
Steal her song? She was the one who stole my songs not the other way around. I frowned.
"Why would I steal your music, Rae?" I said. I've never even met her before, so why would I steal from her?
"Maeve, all I've done is show you love as a senior. I understand you're going through a lot because of the public shame and embarrassment you've caused yourself, but stealing my music is so low." She wiped her tears.
"I didn't steal your music. You're the one who keeps stealing my songs not the other way around." I said to her.
This crazy bitch!
"Why would I steal your song when I haven't even met you?" Rae asked.
"Maeve, we both know how the industry works. It's not my fault Mr Orchard decided to push my songs instead of yours."
"You're my senior Maeve, I didn't expect this from you," Rae said then turned to the judges.
"To prove that I wrote that song, I'm going to sing the second verse and chorus." She said walking towards the stage.
Rae stood next to me, collecting the mic from Martin, and started singing.
I wear your sweater just to breathe you in
Pretend it's comfort, but it burns my skin
All the promises you swore you'd keep
Now they're only secrets I cry to in my sleep
Pre-Chorus
You were my safe place, my sweetest escape
Now I'm just dancing with your mistakes
Chorus
You're the ghost of us I can't let go
Like a song stuck on the radio
Fading, but it still feels new
Every melody is stained with you
And I don't know how to love again
When every ending sounds like when
You walked away, and I lost trust
Now I'm haunted by the ghost of us
Bridge
Maybe in another life we'd stay
But this one only taught me pain
I keep rewinding, I keep reliving
The love we had, the love you're not giving
Final Chorus
You're the ghost of us I can't let go
Every heartbeat still whispers no
I'm broken, but I still hold on
To a love that's already gone
And I don't know how to love again
When every ending sounds like then
You walked away and left me crushed
Now I'm haunted by the ghost of us.
Everyone rose to cheer for her. Rae has sung my song so perfectly.
"See Maeve. I didn't mean to insult you but you're a thief."