The Sound Of My Voice

The Deal

TW: MENTIONS OF HOMOPHOBIA. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK

I walked into the class and everyone was watching me. It felt like five years ago when everyone knew about my dad's death, everyone was looking at me and whispering.

"Take your seats, everyone."

The teacher was about to start the lesson when someone soon came into the room.

"Can I help you?" the teacher asked.

"I'm looking for Melody Anders."

Everyone looked shocked, even Freya.

"Uh, that's me."

I stood up from my chair. The well dressed man came up to me. He was tall in a black suit.

"I work for Jefferson's Record Deal and I'm here to give you this card. My boss's son saw you at Miss Freya's party and informed his dad about you. He was really impressed with your singing voice."

"Um, are you sure you got the right person? I don't sing."

"Everyone at the party heard your voice, everyone saw the video."

"Video? What video?"

"It's on someone's YouTube channel."

Someone recorded that night? My brothers probably already saw the video and told Mom. But then why didn't she call me?

"My boss would like you to come to his office today after school and talk about it. Good day."

I turned around and saw everyone's jaws on the floor. My jaw was on the floor too. I took my seat and let the day move on. At lunchtime Freya came to our table, and when I mean our  I mean Dennis and I.

"This is your fault."

"My fault?"

"You're the one who just had to sing."

"Need I remind you that you're the one who opened the curtains that night?" asked Dennis.

"No one is talking to you, Fag." Freya said.

That was what got my blood going. No one, and I mean no one, gets to call my best friend a Fag. I got up and dumped my food in Freya's hair. Freya had two things she loves in this world. And that's money and her hair. Freya screamed and I could see the steam coming out of her ears.

"How dare you!"

"Never call my best friend a Fag. You can mess with me, you can mess with my clothes, but never mess with friends."

"I could get you kicked out of this school!"

"I could also get you expelled, because me and Dennis were actually recording ideas for his podcast and we got everything that just happened recorded. So I suggest you walk away unless you want to get your ass kicked."

Freya knew she couldn't get me in trouble because all it takes is one push of a button and her life will be ruined. After that day I looked at the business card and thought about going. This could be my ticket out of the town. I went to the office where they directed me to the man's office.

"Mr. Jefferson?"

"You must be Melody."

He soon turned his chair around like how a villain would do in the movies.

"My son saw your performance at the party, great stuff. I'd like to offer you a record deal."

"A record what?"

"A record deal. You see, my son goes to places where they have people sing and see if they can be the next big thing."

"I don't know, I have stage fright. Sorry, but no thank you."

I was about to leave when he started talking again.

"What if I were to pay you?"

"Sorry, but money can't change my mind."

"What about college?"

I stopped in my tracks.

"College. I did some research on you and found some interesting stuff. Melody Anders, 17 years old, born on December 25, Christmas day and living with her 3 brothers and single mom. Your father died 5 years ago, in a car crash. Good grades and top of your class. But not enough money for college. You need to leave this town, don't you?"

"Too many bad memories here."

"Tell you what, I'll pay for your entire college tuition, any college of your choosing, on one condition."

"What's that?"

"You'll have to sing. Create a song, work with my son, and make it a hit. If you succeed, I'll pay for your college."

College is what I need to get out of this place. I can live my life without my brothers talking me down and without Mom reminding me of that night.

"What do you say?"

For the third time, I took the high road.

"Deal."