Get Into Character

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The song is Zack's song he wrote for a secret person. It's It's Always You by Nick Merico.

Madison's POV

I woke up to my alarm, which means I need to get ready for the competition. The only words that have been in my head are Zack's last words from last night. It's chilling. I get dressed, eat my cereal, and start stretching. We hear a knock on the door, so my mom goes to get it.

"Gina? Zack?" she asks. I see Gina enter, not looking at Zack. I look at Zack, who is wearing all black clothing.

"Madison," Gina says, looking at me, "Fix him." I stand up and walk over to him and extend my hand. He takes it and walks downstairs to the lobby with me.

"Zack, tell me what's going through your head." I say, letting his hand go as we sit on the couch.

"If I'm not a threat, than what am I? I need to get ahead in this competition! My dad will kill me if I don't!" he yells. He can tell I'm shocked from him yelling.

"I know how you feel." I say. He looks up at me, that same concerned look returning to his face.

"W-What do you mean?" he asks, scooting a little bit closer to me.

"My dad demanded that I win, give him the money, and not say a word. He said he wouldn't like what happened to me if I didn't..." I stop to take a breath, "If I didn't win." I say, my voice shaky. He takes me into a hug, and I find myself crying in fear.

"D-Did he threaten you lately?" he asks, pulling away. I see him now crying too.

"Um...." Do I tell him? Next thing I know, he snatches my phone and starts to read the texts.

"H-He threatened m-me?" he asks in shock, looking at me. 

"I-I..." I say, crying like a mess, not even knowing what to say at this point. I can't tell if he hates me or wants to punch me or something like that.

"Maddy, you know this means that someone in the competition is spying on us." he says.

"I know. I just, don't know wh-" I stop when I realize who it is.

"Well?" he asks.

"It's Elizabeth." I say, looking up at him.

"There's no way." he says.

"Think about it. She was in the dream where we were in danger. That guy was my dad." I explain.

"We don't know for certain. We'll have to keep an eye out." he says, standing up.

"So, did you fix him?" Gina asks, coming downstairs. I look at him and he smiles. He nods before grabbing his bag. "Thank you, Madison! You're a life saver!" Gina says, hugging me.

"No problem! I just had to help him." I say, pulling away. We walk to the competition building and start stretching.

"Thanks for helping me Maddie." Zack says, standing up.

"No problem." I say, standing up with a smile. Abby starts us off with a challenge. I hope one of us 2 win.

TIME JUMP

Lexine won the group challenge. She gets to pick her duo partner, but the rest of us are scrambled.

"Hadley." she says. Hadley smile, since she got picked first.

"Ok, you may go find your assignments in the lobby." Abby says. Zack and I walk out together to go look. Zack is with Brianna and I'm with, oh no...

"Madison, no way." Zack says, looking at who I'm partnered with. He doesn't want me to be with Elisabeth and much as I do. I turn around to Zack, who has a serious, yet concerned, look on his face.

"Zack-"

"You tell me if anything happens. Ok?" He says, holding my arms. I nod and go to practice.

TIME JUMP

Elizabeth has been the worst. Every time we stopped for water, she'd pinch me or slap me or punch me. I need to act like I'm ok for Zack though. I walk out and he's talking to Hadley about something. She motions me over to join the conversation.

"We're having a party at the beach again." Hadley says with a smile, filling me in.

"Cool, I'll be there." I say with a nod and smile. Zack pulls me aside and looks at my arm.

"Madison." He says seriously.

"Please be quiet about it." I say quietly, feeling the EDS on me. He nods and gives me a hug, and I try not to cry. I walk across the street to the hotel with Hadley and Zack. I change into my swimsuit and a cover up, bringing extra clothes with me.

"Ok, let's go." Zack says, grabbing his guitar. "I finished a song."

"I can't wait to hear it." I say with a smile.

"Such a cute smile." He says with a smile, walking out the door. I follow him as we get to the beach. We don't talk. We just look at each other a lot.

"Hey guys!" Brianna yells with a smile. We wave and enter and sit by the campfire.

"Before we swim or anything, I have a song I wrote for someone."  Zack says. He starts to play, and I remember the lyrics from what he was playing in the lobby.

You cant fight the rain when its already fallingYou cant hide the truth from yourself when you're all inNo one can erase this, I'll always be drawing you closer and closerWhatever I do, its always you

I really like this song. No, I love this song.  Mom comes down near me and says,

"Emergency, come on!" I know it has something to do with dad, so I give Zack a hug before running off with my mom.

"What is it?" I ask, confused by the  situation.

"Your father. He's on his way." she says seriously.

TIME JUMP

We all danced really well! Zack was amazing! I think I was good, but you never know.

"May the following two dancers step forward? They were the best of the night." Abby says. She scans us all before saying, "Zack and Brianna. You two are safe." Zack smiles so big, it makes me smile. I give him a hug, but I can feel my dad's cold eyes on me. I pull away with a smile and go back.

"Tua and Asia, you two are not safe. The rest of you are." Richie announces. I smile and go stand by Zack. I see mom talking to Gina, and Gina looks worried.

"Tua, today is not your day." Abby says. Zack and I give her a quick hug before rushing backstage to our parents.

"Zack, we're gonna be staying with Madison for a little while." Gina says, handing him a suitcase. Zack knows what this is about. He grabs my hand and runs across the street in a sprint. Mom and Gina sprint across the street as well and run into our room. We lock it just as my dad is out in the street, since I'm looking out the window.

"Zack, can you stay with me? In my room?" I ask, laying down. He nods and lays down with me,  letting me put my head on his chest.

"Of course. Always." he says softly. Before I fall asleep, I hear him say "It's always you..."

The song. It's about me. Oh my God. Zack likes me.


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⏰ Last updated: Dec 26, 2015 ⏰

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