During classes, I tried to focus on writing more lyrics for my freedom song. But, all that was on my mind was the upcoming contest, I was hoping that I could try to get on my Aunt Mary's good side so I could try out for it, but at the same time, I knew that she wouldn't say yes. Especially after this morning's ordeal.

On the way back home, Vanessa and Ethan kept teasing me about my obsession with Aidan's music, and they kept bugging me, asking if I was going to try out for the duet with him. "I don't know. You know how nervous I can get when it comes to performing in front of people," I sighed as I continued to look at the untouched lyrics on the page. "Well, picture it this way. Imagine that there's nobody in the room, that you're just by yourself," Ethan suggested.

That's actually not a bad idea. The only people who I felt comfortable with singing in front of were my mother and father, but now they were gone. "Well, here we are. Good luck trying to convince your aunt to let you go. Text us when you get the chance," Vanessa said, crossing her fingers for good luck. I took a deep breath as I entered the house, and I saw Aunt Mary was sitting on the couch, painting her toenails a dark purple.

"It's about time you got home. I need you to help Alexa," she sighed, still looking down at her feet. "What does she need help with?" I asked. "Alexa is going to enter the contest, and she needs guidance with her singing," she explained. To put it lightly, Alexa was not a very talented singer. She sounded like a squeaky mouse. "Aunt Mary, I need to ask you about something," I said as I took a deep breath and hoped for the best.

"Very well, this better be quick," she sighed. "I know you want me to help Alexa with her singing, but I was wondering, could I try out for the duet with Aidan as well?" I asked. Aunt Mary looked up at me and burst into laughter. I knew the answer was clear, but I wanted her to say it out loud just to be sure. "Are you serious? A celebrity singing with a servant? That's ridiculous!" She said as she continued laughing.

I walked out of the room and down the hall to my room to grab my guitar. It was hard not to cry, but it was hurting me knowing that the person who had been supposedly taking care of me for over a year was crushing my dreams. "Don't let people stop you from chasing your dreams," I heard my mother's voice fill my head. I let out a small sob at the thought of my parents and wiped away tears that were about to fall down my face.

"Took you long enough," Alexa growled as she continued to stare at her phone. "Aunt Mary said that you needed help getting ready for the contest?" I asked, sitting at the foot of her bed. "Yes, I want to sing Call Me Maybe,"  That song was usually for beginners or those who were inexperienced with singing. But, I wasn't going to say anything, fearing that I would anger Alexa. We started with a few warmups, which she wasn't very good at, and then I played a chord that was similar to the original version of the song.

"I threw a wish in the well, don't ask me I'll never tell. I looked to you as it fell, and now you're in my way," Alexa sang off-key and in a low voice. I wanted to get it over with so I could get my chores and homework out of the way. It was obvious that Alexa was not good enough to get the duet with Aidan.

After about an hour of this torture, Alexa wanted to stop practicing, and I was so glad that I could do my homework and chores. "Serena! I need you to mop the floors, clean the carpets and wash the windows!" Aunt Mary called from the other room. I let out a small sigh, and I got to work on the chores.