"Thief! Thief! Thief! Get off the stage."
The chant tore through the hall like a storm. Every corner of the auditorium echoed with it, voices sharp and merciless. Their anger broke me, drowning out even the pounding of my heart.
Every single soul in the building had turned against me. They didn't see an artist, they saw a criminal. Just like in my last life, I was being humiliated, but this time, the shame was worst.
No one wanted to hear my side of the story. They all just branded me a thief because of mere words.
This wasn't how things unfolded before. Things hadn't gotten this bad in the past.
"Please, be calm everyone." One of the judges raised a hand, his voice steady yet commanding. Slowly, the fury in the room simmered into a tense silence, though eyes still burned holes into my skin.
The judge leaned forward, gaze piercing on me.
"Maeve, what do you have to say about these accusations?"
The microphone in front of me suddenly felt like a weapon. My throat tightened. Every word I could possibly say would decide whether I rose or shattered right here on this stage.
"I didn't steal her song." I said calmly.
"She's the one that had stolen my song."
Rae suddenly burst out laughing. She laughed so hard, her peach voice echoed in everyone brain.
"You liar." She roared.
"Martin was there. He saw me record that song in the studio. Isn't that right, Mr. Martin?" Rae asked my ex manager and he nodded.
Her stood proud at her side, didn't hesitate. "That's right. Rae's always been honest. I can vouch for her character." His words fell like stones.
I clenched my fists. He knew. He knew I had written it, yet still chose her side, because I refused to sell my music to them. Because I had refused to back down.
Before I could speak, Becky stood up, her voice clear and strong. "Maeve recorded that song with me present. I was there the entire time." My heart softened at her words.
Becky didn't need to be my friend or sister to be so loyal to me. She was more than a friend or sister.
"Yes my assistant was present including my best friend Ama." Maybe I was a little wrong. Maybe Ama wasn't an enemy after all.
"Ama?" Martin's voice was smooth, coaxing but I could tell the underlined threat beneath it. This people were ruthless.
Was this what Fred meant when he said he was going to deal with me?
Ama rose slowly. "Maeve… maybe you recorded something… similar. But I'm sure Rae's version was different."
I wasn't at all surprised even though I wanted to give her a benefit of doubt. I smiled.
"See?" Rae spread her hands, innocent as a saint. "Even her own friend admits it. Maeve, you're a senior compared to me. You've been in this game longer a s you're one of my inspiration." She said.
"I can't believe you would behave this way. If you wanted my song, you only had to ask. As a fellow artist, I would have given it to you."
Rae was successfully turning the crowd against me gently. Murmurs began again.
"Aww, she's so innocent and sweet."
"Maeve, you deserve to die for hurting our sweet Rae like this. Even after stealing her song, she clearly still respects you."
"What an ungrateful brat. How did we not see this personalities before now?"
"A whoring thief." Their words were merciless as they kept speaking against me.
One of the hosts slammed a hand on the table. "Unbelievable! Never in the history of this competition have we seen such disgrace!"
This was the biggest show in all of Velmora. Huge artist were made from this show. It wasn't one to joke with, yet I was being made fun of.
A female judge leaned forward, her voice cold. "You were once a star. What happened to you, Maeve?"
The male host raised his mic. "This is unacceptable and according to the rules of the competition, you are hereby disqu..."
"...How can you believe her words over mine?" I cut in and the hall erupted in gasps.
"This is a competition," I continued, my tone rising above the crowd. "How is it fair to condemn me without even letting me prove myself?"
The judges shifted uneasily. They whispered amongst themselves.
"We are not the ones who spoke up against you. Even your so called best friend couldn't back up your claims Maeve." The female judge said.
"If everyone is against you, how do we know you're saying the truth?" She asked.
I turned to the girl standing next to me, "You claim to be a songwriter, Rae," I said, my voice calm now. "So why don't we let the music decide? Right here. Right now."
Her smile faltered.
"One instrument. One stage. We compose and sing on the spot. No rehearsals. No excuses. Whoever stands at the end, wins."
The crowd roared in approval, their energy swelling like a storm.
The lead judge nodded. "Very well. We'll play one instrument, and the two of you will sing. Let's see who truly owns the music."
Rae's lips twitched into a strained smile, but her eyes flickered with unease.
"You're just jealous because everybody loves me now Maeve." Rae started.
"You're just jealous because your time has passed and it's not my turn." I spat.
"Since I'm so jealous, it wouldn't be hard to prove me wrong and keep me in my place right?" I said.
A pianists arrived on stage ready to play. I and Rae stood side by side the pianist ready to devour tonight.
"Don't get too comfortable Maeve, I always win." Rae said calmly to me but I said nothing to her.
The instrument immediately started and I started singing.