The Promise

Chapter 2

-Melody-

"That's why I signed you up too." His words brought a mixed feeling of terror and joy.

"Really Haz?!" I cried. He smiled and nodded.

"I made a promise, and as Rapunzel once said, I always keep my promises."

"Thank you Harry. But you know I can't sing in front of people, not without freaking out. I don't think I can do this!" I was panicking on the inside. I felt a warm, gentle hand cup over my fading bruise. I looked up into his bright green eyes.

"You'll be ok Mel. You're gonna do great, and we're both going to be put through. We'll practice everyday after school in the park to help you get past your fear."

"I don't know what I'll sing though. What are you doing?"

"Isn't She Lovely. What's your favorite song?"

"Easy, Sweeter by Gavin Degraw."

"There you go," he said with a smile.

-Harry-

Melody and I practiced every day in the park under our favorite tree. People would stop and listen. Occasionally they'd give us money, thinking we were busking. We always gave it back. The week before our audition was the worst for her.

"I'm not ready Harry!" she would say.

"For the billionth time Melody, you're more than ready. If you say that one more time so help me Melody Anne, I will steal all of your underclothes in your sleep and bury them in the backyard."

"You're bluffing."

"Try me, I don't bluff Melody." She huffed and went back to her room.

"Harold if you touch my underclothes so help me I'll-"

"You'll what? Slaughter me in my sleep?" I chuckled. All of her friends and our families knew about the audition. My mum was taking us, and none of her family can make it. They're so scattered. The last we saw of Ryan was that night about a month ago. I still couldn't believe he did that to her for all those years.

He made her live in a shed in his backyard while he lived in the house. She didn't have a bed, just a thin cloth blanket on the ground of the shed. She got two small meals every day, a piece of toast in the morning, and cold soup in the evening. Explains why she's so skinny. She told me most of the stuff that went on, but I read most of it in her diary *cheeky grin*.