Songwriter

Chapter One

Destiny's POV

I took a shaky breath, nervously tapping my pencil on my desk. I heard heavy sighs from around me, a few whispers, and then my pencil is taken out of my hand. I go to shout, but then I notice that it's the teacher. "Ms. McClain, I believe that this is in fact English class, and not band. Please do not use the desk as a drum." Mr. Averette tells me in a rather harsh monotone tone. "S-Sorry..." I stutter quietly. Out of habit, I begin to tug on my ear. I stop when I feel my hearing aid move. I was in speech therapy for my stutter, and I was still trying to break the ear tugging habit. I was born deaf, so I was fluent in American Sign Language. I had cochlear implants done in both ears when I was about eleven. I begin to chew on my lip out of nervousness, my eyes darting around the room. The teacher places my pencil on my desk, walking off. I was supposed to be getting an email today at some point. I was in the top five song choices for Shawn's writing contest. They really liked the fact I lived in LA, I think. The bell finally rings, and I jump up. I pick my things up off the desk, and start walking towards the door. I get stopped as a blonde with way too perky boobs stands in front of me. "I hope you don't believe you actually have a chance with Shawn." She giggles, and I roll my eyes. "I don't th-think that. I-I just want t-to wr-wr—write." I stutter out, mentally slapping myself for the lack of control over my stutters. "You've only been able to hear for seven years. I doubt you know music well enough to be able to write a song." She cackles, and I glare at her. "I've b-been reading the l-lyrics since I was s-seven." I spat back. "I d-don't have to explain myself t-to you." I tell her, and start to shove past her. "This isn't over, freak!" She yells as I turn the volume down on my hearing aids. As I walk down the hall on my way to the lunch room I stop at my locker to put away my things and grab my lunch. Everyone around me continues to stare. At this point in life I was used to it. That doesn't mean it hurts any less though. So I do the one thing I do right, aside from writing. I sing.
"I can see it coming
Why am I not running?
I can see it coming
But I don't start running

But I don't start running
I can see it coming
Why am I not running from it?

I am so used to it
I no longer hide
I am so used to it
Then why do I not go numb inside?

I don't try to hide
Even though I know it hurts inside
Why am I not numb?
I am so used to it

I've tried
To run
To hide
It always hurts inside

I've only stopped running
I have seen it all before
I am used to it
I've tried to run
I've tried to hide
It always hurts inside
But I am used to it
I've seen it all before

I've tried
To run
To hide
It always hurts inside..." I don't get to finish, seeing as everyone was starring at me. I put my head down, realizing I was at my lunch table. I push my lunch away, too embarrassed to eat. I pull my phone out of my pocket, sighing when I see that I don't have service. I scroll over to my notes, pulling up the song I had written for the contest. I take a deep breath, reading the lyrics for what seemed to be the millionth time.

Introduction:
Does this define me?
Words surrounding,
Stuck inside me
Does this define me?

Verse One:
Can you see me?
I call out, mirror... mirror...
Can you see me?

Verse Two:
Mirror,
I can't hear you,
That isn't me,
You don't know me,
Mirror... mirror...

Bridge:
This isn't me
Who is this I can see?
This isn't me
This isn't me--------

Chorus:
Who is this,
Mirror?
Your words surrounding
They can't define me,

Verse Three:
You don't know me,
You can't define who I am, mirror...
I am me

Verse Four:
Does this define me?
Words surrounding,
Stuck inside me
Does this define me?
No, I am me...

Chorus Two:
I can't hear you,
You don't know me,
Define me,
Mirror... mirror...
That isn't me
Who is this I can see?
This isn't me
That isn't me
Who is this,
Mirror... mirror?

Bridge:
Your words surrounding
Can't define me,
Can you not see me?
I call out,
Can you see me?

Exit:
Mirror...! Mirror...!
I can't hear you,
You don't know me,
Mirror...! Mirror...!
Can you see me?
I cry out,
Can you see me?
You don't know me,
You can't define me, mirror... mirror...
I am me...

With the contest they didn't want you to put a melody to it or give the song an order, they just wanted you to create the frame. I wanted more than anything to finish the song, but I knew that if I did I would more than likely be disappointed if they chose me and my song didn't fit what I had created. I love writing, but it's hard to write when you're under pressure. I back out of the song I wrote for the contest, and I moved to the song I was trying to write currently.

I hear that blue bird call
But is it me?
As far as I see
It can't be

My heart is free
I can flee
I am free
But is it me?

It was all I had. I couldn't think. I couldn't write. I had no inspiration. This contest has me so nervous. I pause, then I create a new note. I wrote down the new inspiration.

Trapped inside my mind,
Closed off,
I can't escape

(Oh, Oh)
Help me,
Save me.

Oh, Oh
Locked away,
Set me free

I can't keep
Screaming
Fighting
Crying
So, I cry out
Help me,
Save me,
I cry out,
Set me free,
I cry out,

Why did you go?
Away from here?
All of those promises,
left shattered on the ground

Why did you leave me?
Abandoned on the floor?
I am surrounded,
And left trapped inside my mind

I tapped the side of my phone, trying to think. I had everything except the intro. Suddenly, my phone was snatched out of my grasp. "Hey!" I shrieked, whirling around to see who had my phone. My jaw dropped, and my stomach flipped. The last person I expected to see was him.