It's Like Music In My Ears

JACE'S POV

The Start:

When I first saw Francis and Melody competing against each other, I knew things were going to get complicated. They both had that fire, that drive to be the best. But as Francis’s best friend, I could see something more—something he probably didn’t even realize at first. He was drawn to her, even if he wouldn’t admit it. It was in the way he talked about her, always with that mix of admiration and frustration. I didn’t say anything, though. I figured he’d figure it out eventually.

The Drama:

Then came the drama. Francis tried to talk to Melody, tried to make things right after he messed up, but she wasn’t having it. I saw how much it ate at him. He’d act like everything was fine, but I knew better. He’d text her, wait for replies that never came, and then pretend like it didn’t bother him. But it did. When he finally told me what happened, I wanted to help, but what could I really do? He had to sort this out on his own. Still, I tried to keep things light, tried to distract him with jokes or music, even though I knew it wasn’t really working.

The Competition Day:

The day of the final competition was tense. I could see it in Francis’s eyes—he was nervous, but more than that, he was worried about Melody. I didn’t know what was going to happen, but I was there to support him, whatever went down. When Norman had that seizure, it was a shock to everyone. It reminded me how quickly things could change, how everything we stress over can just flip in an instant.

But then, Francis did something I didn’t see coming. He played "Godspeed" by Frank Ocean. It wasn’t just a performance; it was like he was laying everything out there, raw and real. I didn’t think he’d have the guts to do something like that, but he did. And it worked—at least, it seemed to. I could see how it hit Melody, how it made her pause, reconsider.

The Aftermath:

After the competition, I found Francis looking more relieved than anything else. He had put everything on the line, and now it was out of his hands. I knew he was still worried about what Melody would say, but there was nothing more he could do. He had given it his all. When he finally went to talk to her, I hung back. This was their moment, not mine. But I kept an eye on them, just in case.

The Reunion:

I saw them talking, saw how she softened toward him, and I knew things were going to be okay. Maybe not perfect, but okay. When Francis came back, there was this look in his eyes—hope, I guess. He told me what happened, how she was willing to give him another chance. I couldn’t help but smile. I had been rooting for them, even when things seemed impossible. They both needed this—needed each other, really. I told him to take it slow, to not mess it up, and he nodded, taking my advice seriously for once.

The New Beginning:

In the days that followed, I watched as Francis and Melody started hanging out more, rebuilding what they had lost. It was weird seeing them not at each other’s throats, but it was a good kind of weird. They were both happier, more relaxed, and that made everything better for everyone. I was glad I could be there for Francis through it all, even if I was just the guy on the sidelines, offering bad advice and trying to make him laugh.

In the end, I realized that this whole thing wasn’t just about the competition or even the drama between them. It was about growing up, about figuring out what really matters. For Francis, that was Melody. And for Melody, I think she realized Francis was someone worth caring about, someone who wasn’t just a rival but a friend—and maybe more.

So, yeah, things didn’t turn out how I expected, but they turned out pretty damn good. And as long as Francis is happy, I’m happy. That’s what best friends are for, right?