Maeve couldn’t believe her ears.
Her plagiarist was boldly singing her song before everyone after calling herself her fan.
She clenched her hands into a fist and stepped forward to attack, but Becky held her 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 Maeve listened.
It seems Fred has kept it that way because he wants to humiliate Maeve tonight.
Currently, Becky was an acting manager and assistant and Maeve was glad to have her by her side.
She was so upset but she listened to her.
With the recent scandal about her, it was truly wise to avoid being in trouble again.
More actions than words are the best choices now.
After singing the next verse, Rae shed her performative tears and everyone cheered for her.
People threw flowers, and others whistled.
Maeve wouldn’t lie, it was a beautiful performance.
Her plagiarist was one person who stole her song and sang it to perfection.
But she wasn’t better than the original.
Maeve hated that she had such a powerful voice just like her.
She sounded just like her.
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 Maeve said nothing.
She ignored her completely, waiting for her turn like Becky had asked.
Since she was the last performer, the backstage stage was almost cleared for the night.
Rae stared at her, she could feel her gaze and she started walking towards her.
The audacity to even try that.
She had almost reached Maeve when the announcer announced her name and she walked through the curtains.
“Good luck Maeve.” She heard her faintly but she moved past her.
She would deal with her later, it was time for her to take her place as Velmora’s lead artist.
It was time for her to show them what singing was.
Since she 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,” Maeve said sweetly.
She might be a new artist in this life, but she wasn’t new at all.
A few murmurs were heard from the audience, but just as she’d trained herself, she 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.” She smiled.
“Alright, go ahead and take us away.”
Her hands tightened around the microphone, she took a deep breath, and closed her eyes.
Then the instrument started playing.
Just the way she wanted.
Her lips parted and then she started singing, letting the beat get to her 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!” She heard someone scream from the crowd and she opened her eyes to the audience barking at her including the judges.
Murmurs filled the hall as everyone rained curses on her.
“Get her out of there she’s a thief!” Someone screamed again.
Her eyes moved around and then she 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?” She stared at Martin in confusion.
Steal her song?
She was the one who stole her songs not the other way around.
She frowned.
“Why would I steal your music, Rae?” She said.
They’ve never even met her before, so why would she 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.” She 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 her, 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 had sung her song so perfectly.
“See Maeve.
I didn’t mean to insult you but you’re a thief.”