hel

sight. Sighing, I bend over to catch my breath, my heart scre

sks, breaking the silence between us

person in the spotlight, Jake. He does

and sang in front of me, and then all of a sudden, you shut do

to stand my ground. "You wouldn't

me from. "Is he harassing you?" He ret

How the hell did you jump

d lied about singing, when none of tha

have to swear you won't tell anyone." He rolls his eyes and scoffs. "I mean it, Jak

my threatening

sing what's been going on. "I'm a ghost-singer. The

arks a

e now. I made a deal with Camila, and that deal invol

antage of you. Do you realize how talented you are? And you're throwing it all away jus

the street, but you know how hard it is out there even without trying to make a name for yourself. No

Mama. I wouldn't put it past her to do s

the brick wall next to us. "Ophelia, you're one of the best singer

ed across multiple cities, or even states? Mama's the most important

NOT let Cam

this a secret. Camila will retaliate and make my life a living hell if she finds out I told you. And there are others in my l

ods his head. "Fine. I won't say anything. But, Ophelia, is there nothing els

my hair ruffling my face

em to have an

y so Skylar doesn't hear me. I'm not able to answer any questions rig

sliver of hope there. He wants Camila, and I'm fully aware of that. It's not like I want to date a fucking Ozark an

es me down, I'll sure as hell take him with me. I

d my desperation and willingness to give up my dreams. I'm sure if he were

d be something-a singer, a star. I don't see how that'll ever be possible for

eans to

he fear of losing it all, is ringing with a tune in my ear. I usually try to start off with lyrics before I mo

it ever really true?" I sing

ly, scaring me. I jump at the sudden noise, befo

w message, and

sher, Jake, and I are standing on my corner, all three of us talking. My heart rate spikes,

one r

ing. She's goi

isper, but she barely lets the

Asher? Why is he talking to you?"

in to shake, unsure why this i

ng dramatic and reading into nothing, the

llo." That's it, Ophelia, lie through your damn teeth. Camila doesn't usually have a

say to him?"

by to say hi. He heard my friend playing guitar

ne. "Asher is MINE, okay? And he's all part of my plan. So don't you dare

l. There's nothing that has been told to Asher; there's no

moment. "Swear on

er knows nothing, and he won't ever know anything. "I swear on her life." It's like acid o

't ever know a thing. I hold back the disdain in my voic

the last thing I want is f

udible. I can't risk Asher or anyone finding out

ting Asher out on another date on Friday night,

cour

ar me in a few days. I want something fresh, something new. None of the

prob

to fall desperately in love with me, and I

y after she talks, and I finally let out a long, stutte

e best. He'll sweep Camila off her feet, marry her, and they'll live a life of luxury. She'll ge

odpeckers, and so far, no one's scored anything. They're about to go into halftime with zeroes across t

up my notebook, and more rh

the truth of what I do? You're the one who's gone and shaped me, the single o

ng to lose the melody singing in my ear. I imagine Mama singing to me at night to help me th

keep up with the rhymes and words that pour into my

ow this, I'm writing "

ar it and finally

song could cure her, but all

myself, I let the tears fall down my face as I conjur