It's Like Music In My Ears

AMBER'S POV

The Big Sister Role:

Being Francis’s older sister, I’ve always felt this responsibility to guide him, even when he doesn’t ask for it. He’s a good kid, but like any teenager, he gets caught up in his own head, thinking the world’s going to end every time something doesn’t go his way. I’ve been there—I know how it feels. So when he started talking about this girl, Melody, I knew it was serious. He didn’t just mention her in passing; he talked about her with this intensity that I hadn’t seen in him before. That’s when I knew I had to pay attention.

The Meltdown:

Then, everything started falling apart. Francis came home one day, looking like he’d been through hell. He told me what happened between him and Melody, how he’d screwed up, and how she wouldn’t even talk to him anymore. I could see the pain in his eyes, and it hurt me to see him like that. But I knew I couldn’t just give him a hug and tell him it would be okay. He needed more than that. He needed to understand that sometimes, you have to let things play out, that you can’t force someone to forgive you, no matter how much you want it.

So, I told him to be patient, to give Melody space. I reminded him that rushing things wouldn’t make anything better, that he had to respect her feelings. I could tell he wasn’t happy with that advice—he wanted to fix everything right then and there. But I had to make him see that sometimes, the best thing you can do is wait.

The Competition Day:

The day of the competition, I was nervous for Francis. I didn’t tell him that, of course. I wanted him to go in with confidence, not worrying about what I thought. But deep down, I was worried—not just about how he’d perform, but about what would happen with Melody. When I heard about Norman’s seizure, my heart sank. It was a stark reminder that life doesn’t always go the way we plan, that things can change in an instant. But it also made me hope that maybe, just maybe, it would put things into perspective for Francis and Melody.

The Performance:

Then, Francis did something that completely surprised me. Instead of sticking to the plan, he switched up his performance and started playing "Godspeed" by Frank Ocean. I couldn’t believe it. It was such a bold move, and I knew it came straight from his heart. That was the Francis I knew—the one who wasn’t afraid to take risks when it mattered most. When he finished, I could see the reaction in the room, especially from Melody. She was clearly moved, and I hoped that it would be enough to start healing the rift between them.

The Aftermath:

When Francis came home after the competition, he looked emotionally exhausted but also relieved. He told me about his conversation with Melody, how she hadn’t shut him out completely, how there was still a chance. I could see that he was still nervous, still unsure, but there was a spark of hope in his eyes. I told him again to be patient, that if it was meant to be, things would work out. I reminded him that he couldn’t control everything, that sometimes, you just have to let life unfold.

The Rebuilding:

In the days that followed, I saw a change in Francis. He wasn’t just obsessing over the competition or Melody anymore. He was more focused, more grounded. He started spending more time with her, not as a competitor but as someone who genuinely cared about her. I could see that he was learning, that he was growing up right before my eyes. It made me proud to see him handling things maturely, even when it was hard.

The Resolution:

When Francis told me that Melody had finally agreed to give their relationship a chance, I felt a wave of relief. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy for them, but I also knew that they both had the strength to make it work. Seeing them together, happier and more connected, was all the proof I needed that Francis was going to be okay. He had learned so much from this experience, and I knew it would shape him into the person he was meant to be.

In the end, I realized that my role wasn’t just about giving advice or being there when things got tough. It was about letting Francis find his own way, supporting him without trying to control the outcome. And as I watched him move forward with Melody, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of pride. My little brother was growing up, and he was doing it with a lot of heart.