Everyone has a song that captures who they are. No one but Leila Gonzalez can hear them.
Melodies and tunes fill her head everywhere she goes, and all she wants is to replicate them in her songwriting. There's just one problem: she sucks at songwrit...
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"WHAT DO YOU WANT, FLYNN?" Neil asked.
Flynn cocked his head to the side, a growing smirk on his lips. Leila could see how their fans could go crazy. His actions annoyed her, sure, but that didn't mean he wasn't attractive. Anyone with eyes knew that his looks paired with his vocals caught most people's attention.
"To apologize," Flynn replied. "I didn't think you'd make it this far without screwing everything up. I must say, it was a smart move to use her to prove yourself to come back."
She frowned and turned to Neil. He set his jaw, standing frigid as his eyes glared holes into Flynn's head. Both Ace and Mason eased back from the growing tension.
"What does he mean, Neil?" She asked. Neil didn't even bother to look back at her. His eyes trained on Flynn's, unflinching and frozen. She was tempted to snap her fingers in front of his face, but her body tingled and numbed. She feared moving.
"He means that Neil did this whole thing for good publicity to get the clear to get back into the band, hot stuff," Ace explained. He clicked his tongue as he winked. Leila reeled back and pursed her lips.
A loud drum solo echoed as the next performers got the crowd to start jumping. Their footsteps pounded on the ground, and Leila felt the beat coming right up her chest. That paired with Ace's words brought a bitter taste to her tongue.
Neil lied to her.
It wasn't 'all her.' He just wanted a way back to his precious band. He saw the opportunity to get good press, and jumped on the train without hesitation. He didn't care about her or her feelings, he was concerned about himself.
"Leila," Neil struggled to get out. She narrowed her eyes. "Don't believe what they're saying."
She crossed her arms. "You know what? Maybe those rumors were true. I'm out of here."
His eyes widened as she whisked around to grab her guitar and put it back in her case in a flash. He followed her, chanting a half-assed speech that was supposed to explain his motives. The damage was done.
The floors around their music room flooded. The walls crumbled before them. And she wasn't interested in hearing why it got destroyed.
"Leila, please. Don't listen to them. They're trying to get me to screw up and they're manipulating you."
She jutted a finger at his chest. "Did you or did you not see this as a way to make amends for yourself with the people of Hillbourne all so your precious music career wouldn't fall in shambles?"
He shut his mouth, gazing at his black boots as if they were the most interesting thing around. She scoffed and fastened the latches of her guitar case.
"I can't believe I ever agreed to this with you," she spit out and ran.
"Leila!"
She didn't bother to turn back. She escaped the dark labyrinth and squinted at the bright sunlight. Walking back out into the crowd, she didn't even mind the wooziness that came upon her as the songs inside battled for dominance, creating ultimate noise. She searched for her family, but unfamiliar faces greeted her instead.
"Leila!" She heard behind her.
She looked back to find Neil trying to reach her, but a group of girls all ran to him as he appeared. His cheeks warmed a deep red, and soon the swarm covered him whole. She sniffled and ran out, not even caring if she left her family there. She needed to get out of Townsquare, to put as much distance between her and Neil, like she should have when they first met.
She should've seen it all coming. An upcoming rockstar coated in rumors, all of which pointed to his taking advantage and terrible temper. She was so focused on the temper, she didn't realize that he was using her all along. And he got his way. Now he reminded Hillbourne why he was one of the best guitarists in town, and those rumors would vanish into the air. His positive performance would gain him approval to get back with his band and leave her in the dust.
So much for never forgetting about her.
All those meetings and talks they shared, proved meaningless. Tactics to get her to agree to his plan. He saw her as a ticket for a good publicity stunt, and now he would just get rid of her like a piece of crumpled paper.
She should've known.
"Leila, mi corazón!" Her breath hitched as her mother's arms wrapped around her suddenly. "That was amazing. I'm so proud of you."
Ismael and Elisa cheered her on for her performance. She wished to mirror their excitement, but it left into the wind. Her previous elation was nothing but an illusion, all construed by Neil. A master of deception, and she was the brainwashed bunny.
"You were great up there," her father said, coming up behind her. "But I'm worried about who you were singing about..."
Leila shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "Trust me. If that song was about anyone, they'd be dead to me."
"Well, if it was about anyone or not, I think it was amazing," her mother reassured her with a smile. "Now, who's ready for some dinner? I'm thinking of breaking the rules and going to that restaurant close to Larwick."
"Going out of Townsquare during the Hillbourne Music Fest!" Her father gasped in horror. "I think that's a great idea. What do you think, kids?"
Ismael and Elisa jumped up and down, clapping and squealing (the squealing was Elisa). Leila just nodded, which they frowned at, but said nothing about.
She should have been excited. She should have been happy. She conquered her fears and performed one of her songs. Locked words now spilled over the world, drenching anyone that would care to listen with her perceptions. But it was tainted. A streak of rockstar pain all over it.
Leila wished to leave and never go back again. Any form of escape from the festival was welcome. And anywhere that was far from Neil Ferrer was the best place for her.
