Mitch sat on the chair nervously, smiling shakily at Kevin. Today is the day to see if the cochlear implants did what they had to do.

Emphasis on the 'it'.

For the past two weeks, Mitch has been depressed. He couldn't believe what Travis did to him and he wants to know why he told everyone about Rick not being his real dad. It broke his heart to know that someone he loved betrayed him like that in front of people he trusted and were close with.

Why me?

Kevin tapped his knee, getting his attention right away. He nodded, smiling when Scott held his hand to comfort him. Kirstie stood behind Kevin, a smile on her face as she recorded the entire thing, wanting to be remember this moment forever.

*Mitch, I'm going to turn on the right implant.* Kevin signed, putting his finger on the button, making sure he didn't hurt Mitch. *It is on the highest level. Is everything okay?*

All Mitch heard was ringing, causing him to put his hand on his ear and hiss in pain. Kevin smiled apologetically, turning the volume down a bit.

*There we are. It's on medium volume. Ready to turn on the left one?*

*Yes.* Mitch answered excitedly, putting his right ear on Scott's chest. He looked up at his brother, smiling sweetly. *May you sing? The first thing I want hear when I start hearing again is you singing.*

*Of course, Mitchy. I love you.*

Scott sang softly, smiling when he heard Kirstie crying. Kevin turned on the left one, going back to his computer to check on some things. Mitch's face turned to one of confusion, causing him to look all over the place. Kevin smiled, encouraging Scott to sing a bit louder. When the blond man did, Mitch covered his mouth and began to cry. He sobbed quietly, hugging his brother tightly. Scott stopped, crying himself as Kirstie smiled, trying her best not to sob loudly.

"Could you hear me?" Scott asked softly, smiling when Mitch nodded. "Why are you crying so hard?"

"I...I could hear you sing again."

Scott gasped, realizing that Mitch spoke again after all these years. Sure, Mitch sounded like he was deaf his entire life, but Scott didn't care.

Mitch could hear him sing again.

"It worked," Kevin exclaimed, patting Mitch's back. "Is it a bit scary?"

"Yeah, the fan sounds weird," Mitch answered, raising an eyebrow. He looked up at Kevin, putting his hand on his throat. "Why do I sound weird?"

"You haven't talked since you were deaf," Kevin answered, handing him a business card of some sort. "You will have a speech therapist that will *help you*. Do you understand what I am saying?"

"A bit. I just need to be talked to with voice and sign lan-lan...*language*."

"It'll take some time," Kevin told the teenager sweetly, patting his back once more. He smiled at Scott, hugging the oldest Hoying tightly. "You're an amazing brother, Scott."

"Thank you so much, Kevin. You've been so helpful for us."

"Isn't that what families do for each other?"

Scott nodded, frowning instantly when Kevin left. He gathered his stuff immediately, taking Mitch's hand in his and yelling at Kirstie to follow him. When they got to the car, Kirstie couldn't help but glare at her brother for his rude behavior.

"What was that, Scott?!"

"I can't say. I really can't."

I don't want to lose Kevin and Avi like I lost Mom and Dad. I have to keep them away from my siblings...all of us...and even me.

~~~

It was finally opening night and Kirstie was nervous. They just finished the scene before the last scene of Act One, the one that will have Ariana singing it. She shook her head, hoping that if was just nerves.

You're going to be hugged by the girl go your dreams. Don't mess it up! You could finally tell her how you feel about her.

Kirstie gulped as she heard the Main Angel talk to Ariana, scolding her slightly for bringing a human up here. She shook her head, not ready to go on stage.

"You have to realize that bringing this selfish person here could cause chaos in Heaven, Belle. You can't do that."

"Let me make her selfless. I'll stop at nothing to make sure she changes."

Kirstie took a deep breath, adjusting her business skirt a bit befits she walked on stage. When she did, she walked with a bit of a swing in her hips, adding personality in her character. She heard someone whistle, turning to the audience quickly to realize that it was Jeremy.

I'm gay, honey. I like girls.

"How do you like it up here?" Ariana asked, spinning around a bit. Kirstie scoffed, walking away to sit on a 'cloud', a.k.a newspaper on a random block used by the director. "You just cannot answer."

"Watch me!"

Kirstie crosses her arms, hearing Ariana him quietly. Her character is supposed to be annoyed, but she can't help but swag a bit to the beautiful music being produced by her costar. She turned around quickly, her eyes full f wonder.

"Were you singing?"

"Of course! All angels do it," Ariana replied, giggling a bit. The audience laughed a bit, Ariana's adorableness making the show better. She sat down, smiling at Kirstie sweetly.

Now I get to hear sing.

"Could you sing for me?"

The piano played softly, causing Ariana to look up at Kirstie. She took a deep breath and began to sing.

There's a song that's inside of my soul
It's the one that I've tried to write over and over again
I'm awake in the infinite cold
But you sing for me over and over and over again

Ariana stood up, looking at the sky a bit as if she was looking for an answer.

So I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands and pray to be only yours
I pray to be only yours
I know now you're my only hope

Sing to me the the song of the stars
Of your galaxy dancing and laughing and laughing again
When it seems like my dreams are so far
Sing to me of the plans that you have for me over again

Her voice became louder, becoming more emotional as she fell to her knees.

So I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands and pray to be only yours
I pray to be only yours
I know now you're my only hope

I give you my destiny
I'm giving you all of me
I want your symphony
Singing in all that I am
At the top of my lungs in bringing it back

So I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands and pray to be only yours
I pray to be only yours
I pray to be only yours
I know now you're my only hope

Ariana turned back and sat back down, staring into Kirstie's eyes as the song ended. Kirstie closed her eyes, kissing her sweetly.

And all she got in return was applause and Ariana's shocked face.

What just happened?

~~~

Scott sighed as he went to work the next day, not kneeling how to tell Kirstie the news of her moving to another school. She has been acting weird since she kissed her costar on stage this past weekend and it weirded Scott out. He knew Ariana because of her being in choir all four years yet she never went to any of the concerts.

Why did Ariana look at Kirstie weird when they kissed? Isn't that in the script?

"Oh, well. If it isn't the Gay Pride Committee leader. Where's your flamboyant brother and your lesbian sister?"

He rolled his eyes and turned around, smiling a fake smile as he came face to face to one of his students. It was the same girl who picked on Kirstie and Ariana not too long ago, only making Scott dislike her more.

What does she want?!

"Why did your sister kiss that nerd?" The girl asked, shaking her head. Scott scoffed, going back to work. "Your entire family is going to die because you and brother hate chicks and your sister hates bros."

"I'll really appreciate it if you didn't speak like that. I will report you to the office and make sure that you won't go on the class trip."

"Too bad my daddy is the principal," she spoke in a soft tone, pretending to frown sadly. Scott cursed loudly, cashing her to smirk. "You'll lose your job faster than I will lose my privileges of being a senior. Good luck, Hoying. You'll need it."

She slammed the door, causing Scott to scream angrily as he threw something. He shook his head, wanting that student to know that her dad won't let anything slide because of her behavior.

If Kirstie or Mitch acted like that, I wouldn't hesitate taking away ghost priorities! Those are earned, not given.

He shook his head, getting ready for his next class when the door opened. He smiled when he saw that it was Alex, hugging his boyfriend tightly as kissed his cheek.

"I miiiisssseedd you!"

"I missed you too," Alex murmured, a bittersweet time in his voice. "Melanie signed a singing contract. She's going to be in the music industry now."

"That's amazing! Wait...that means...?"

"The restaurant is going to be shut down. I'm so sorry, Scott. She didn't want to tell you."

Scott sat down on the piano bench, shaking his head. Why did Melanie do this when she knew he needed the job? He shook his head, a tear rolling Shen his cheek as he became angry.

"I need a job. I need money. I can't live like this anymore! Kirstie and Mitch need a place to live! I hate my life, Alex. So much."

Alex frowned, bringing in Scott as he began to cry. The older male smiled a bit, kissing Scott's forehead tenderly.

"She's going to help you. He's going to give you some of her money so Kirstie and Mitch could go through college. Your grandparents are rich too and they need to give the money to someone when they pass on. That's good, besides the dying part of course."

Scott laughed a bit, knowing that Alex made everything better. As they were about to kiss, Kirstie came in angrily. Tears of frustration rolled down her face, shoving a piece of paper in Scott's chest as she glared at him.

"HOW DARE YOU NOT TELL ME I'M LEAVING THIS SCHOOL! I NEED TO BE WITH ARIANA!"

"Why?" Scott asked aoftky, his heart breaking when she began to sob quietly. "Why Ari?"

"Because...because I love her. So much."

A/N: This book has about five or so chapters left and it will all be over! Sorry for not updating this for so long, lol. It's one of my favorites! Anyways, I hope that you all enjoyed this chapter and remember that I love you all.:)

-Maddie🐧🐧🐧