Imagine #94: Camp Pop Punk (End)

You and Elisa had been spending a lot of time with each other since the night she asked your favour. You honestly enjoy your bonding and your rehearsals always end up like just a best friend bonding. You can feel that she's enjoying it too.

Elisa praises you non-stop which really makes you conscious of what you are doing at time, but you know that what he's saying is true. It's just not for flattery or anything, the girl is not hard to read after all. You just taught her the piece, let her play with it so she can find her right style which she did but the song still sound like the original. What's important is, she's doing this such big of a favour to you.

"Hey, um, why don't you sing the whole song with your own version? I mean, I can use it for practice too. Let's go to the recording studio and record it for a while." She said and you reluctantly agreed, you really don't want to go near the cabins anymore, but you just told yourself that you don't have to care anymore.

You and she just began to walk towards the studio and you're really doing well at not paying attention to those glares and eyes landing on you. You really don't understand too, but you just pushed the thought away and continue to chat with Elisa. You both went straight for the temporary recording studio and soon enough you're all set to record your song.

"Okay, just do your best, Y/N. Like you're going to perform." Elisa said to you with a smile and you nodded at her, after that you went for it.

You sang your song passionately and you did as she said, you sang like you're performing. You can even see Elisa's amazed smiled from outside the live room and you know she's really enjoying listening to you. After a few moments, you were done singing.

"It's perfect! God, they don't know what they are missing out in here!" she said excitedly with a hint of a sad smile. You walked out of the live room to get closer to her again. Elisa saved the recording on her USB.

"Oh well, what's done is done. Come on." You said patiently with a smile, already walking outside.

Before you can even reach out for the doorknob, the door suddenly opened revealing someone you don't want to see in there.

"What are you doing here?" Patrick asked the moment he saw you. There was a slight shock in his face too.

"What's it to you? I was just helping Elisa." You answered him coldly, getting out of his way. After that, Patrick fell silent for a little while like he was trying to say something that he can't just say.

"Yeah, somehow she's still a camper here so she can still use this." Elisa explained to him as Patrick gazed over to her.

"You sure she's not bothering you?" Patrick asked her that came so harsh to your side. You almost wanted to slap him, but you stopped yourself.

"Oh Patrick, are you really blind or you're just pretending to be?" in shock, that was the reply of Elisa. She suddenly became so serious, then after that, she smiled again. "If you'll excuse us, I still have to practice for the competition." She continued. Elisa walked and pulled you gently out.

Silence fell between you as you walk away from that recording studio until you reached the silent part of the campsite again.

"Thanks, El." You told her with a smile.

"I was too late to protect you back there, but now I'll be here. Thanks for helping me again, okay? You'll watch the competition, right?" she asked.

"Of course, I'll support you with all that I have, girl." You excitedly said.

"See you there," she said then winked before walking back to her own cabin.

---------------

Tonight is the final competition and you're really excited to see Elisa's performance. She was the last one to perform tonight and you're nervous for her too, but you know she'll ace this. Everyone was giving their best performance and it's really amazing to see, you're just a bit sad that you won't be performing with them, but that's all done and you just let that thought go. Now you're here to support your friend.

Finally, the last contestant before Elisa finished performing and the host is now calling out for your friend. You screamed and show your support along with the others too.

"Let's all welcome...Elisa Yao!" the host said and your friend came out on stage.

She was wearing a simple black dress and she looked so beautiful with that curly hair of hers. She smiled at you and you gave her a big thumbs up. She slightly nodded and the intro started. Honestly, it gave you goosebumps, that was your song that she was going to sing, this is a big favor, the judges will still here this song...Finally, the verse started and as long as it did, you stand there in disbelief.

She was lip synching...she was using your recording.

You can't understand why, but it seems like she practiced it seriously because no one was noticing a thing instead of you which you know that that was your voice...not hers. Everyone was cheering and this had been the loudest cheer compared to the other contestants. You gazed to the judges which are the band members and they all seemed mesmerized...with the song, your song, and your voice...most especially Patrick, that was staring at Elisa with full amazement.

"Honey...is it just me or she really sound like you?" your mom asked and you can't even answer her.

After the performance, the crowd had gone wild and the judges were on their feet...and Patrick was really the most enthusiastic one in there. Soon enough, they were giving their comments.

'That was really wonderful!'

'I can see that song being in the top charts!'

'I'm really willing to produce your music. Seriously!'

Those were just some of them...it really amazed them and you're still shocked while looking at them.

"Seriously, I heard you one time, but I didn't know that it was you. I heard you practicing in the recording studio and my gut feeling from then on was really right. I'm telling you, you'll get that trophy tonight. You are amazing, full of talent and with that song and voice? You'll go so far even without that help of anyone!" Patrick said and you honestly want to laugh at him. He's saying all that because he heard you, your voice and your song and he became all 'amazed' even saying 'you can go further without any help'

After that, Elisa bowed, not even saying anything, just smiling in there. Soon enough, all the contestants were up on stage as the host hold the name of the winner in his hands. Your heart was beating so fast and you don't even know why! Frustration? Nervousness? Happiness? You really don't know. You can't even talk right now.

"For the grand winner of this year's Camp Pop Punk Competition...please go forward and receive your award... ELISA YAO!!!" the host said and the crowd cheered so loud again.

They all loved her performance, which you sang...which is yours. She walked in front and received the prize and thanked everyone with a smile...but there's something wrong with it.

"Thank you so much, but can I...say something?" she said with a confident smile.

"Of course dear! Go on." The host said.

"Well, this camp had been one of the best experience I ever had...I mean this campsite, the camp leaders and the cabin mates, it's really amazing. There were ups and downs and I must say, I learned a lot of things here, but the most important thing I learned is people really had a bad habit of dragging good things down." She said which made everyone fell silent. You were on the edge of your seat while listening to her.

"It's so clear and obvious that you were amazed, mesmerized with my performance, right? What if I tell you all that that was the performance of someone you once pushed away, someone you once though that have no talent, someone you once said that 'needs help to go far'." She continued confidently which really shocked you. "That's right, that wasn't me. That was all lip synching." She said and right on cue, the recording played again and everyone was shocked...most especially Patrick.

"It was all her, Y/N. I asked her to record her OWN song with her OWN voice, making her believe that I'll use it so I can practice...but this has been my plan. It disgusted me what you all have done to her, what you all have done to drag someone with a precious talent down." She said, having an angry tone now. "Now, eat your words, that girl has talent and it's obvious you fell in love with it. Most especially you, Mr. Stump. The girl you disliked, the girl you easily hated by hearing some rumors. I have no idea why you acted that way, but I just like you to know that for a moment, you ruined someone's dream and that someone have looked up to you for years. Good job, I must say." She said confidently. "Now, so long and goodnight, everyone. Let this sink in." she winked before going down the stage.

Everyone was stuck on their seats in there and the first one to move was you. You stood up and went straight for Elisa.

"Elisa! Elisa!" you caught up with her and she smiled at you. "Why would you..."

"You deserve it, Y/N. They should know what they have done wrong. It's a big slap to their face, seriously, have you seen their faces?! It's hilarious." She said while laughing and you laughed too.

"You're really insane, but thank you so much!" you told her.

"Just don't forget me if you go far with your talent, okay?" she playfully said.

"Of course not! From now on, will be inseparable in this industry. BFF?" you asked while welcoming her into a hug.

"Freaking BFFs!" she said then hugged you and you know that's the start of a good friendship.

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"You got my number, right? Promise we'll hang-out always, okay?" Elisa asked me and you nodded at her. You are just accompanying her to board her bus.

"Of course, El. I promise. You take good care of yourself okay?" you said and you both shared a tight hug.

"You too, girl. Bye for now!" she replied as she boarded her bus.

You waved her a goodbye before you walked away. You are going to stay for a while so you and your mom are together on one bus. Last night was the competition and since this morning, people have come up to you to apologize what they had done and as a natural kind and forgiving girl, you forgive them all. What Elisa had made them realize if enough to open their minds, and you realized that's enough for you too.

You took all of your belongings from the cabin and went out to look at the campsite one more time with a smile.

"Hey." Suddenly, you heard someone at your back, you looked back then saw Patrick there.

"Hi." You said calmly, showing no emotion.

Patrick was trying to say something and it's like he's forming a sentence in his head but can't and just end up chuckling. "You know I'm really waiting for you to shout at me or slap me or even punch me." He said while chuckling and you laughed at him too.

"You won't believe that I'm waiting for the same thing." You joked. "But seriously, I won't because it's not a kind thing to do." You continued.

"I'm sorry...for everything. You're right, being like this...being rude...really does push away people that I'm supposed to be with and I hate the fact that I chose poorly when I told you those things, Y/N. I'm really sorry." He suddenly said seriously while staring at your face. You just smiled at him. Yes, you are willing to forgive him, but still those words left scars from a wound caused by a knife.

"Yeah, we make mistakes so I forgive you. Nobody's perfect after all." You said calmly to him. Suddenly, he was giving you a calling card, and you gladly took it.

"But what I said with your song is all true. I definitely ate all of the bad words I told you before when I heard that recording, it was near to perfect. Your voice...your song...everything, I'm so ashamed for thinking that you are taking advantage of us when instead we are the ones needing your help." He said with a low laugh.

"Let's just leave that behind, Patrick. We've all learned our lessons there, but thank you for appreciating my song." You answered him.

"Maybe you'd like to work with me...or us? Just don't get shy to call that number okay?" he said and you nodded.

"I'm going to keep this. Again, thank you, Mr. Stump. I guess, we'll still see each other around since we're in the same industry?" you said while smiling and he nodded.

"I'm already looking forward to it. Take care, Y/N."

"Same to you, Patrick."

After that, you parted ways. You looked at the calling card in your hands and smiled while reading it. 'We'll meet again soon...I hope."

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*One year later*

You didn't call Patrick...not because you are full of pride, but because you want people to think you can handle yourself without the help of any established artist...and so far you are doing good. You're one of the most popular worldwide artists now and you can't believe you've done it by yourself, and of course, with the help of Elisa. You both are popular artists now and people often call you both the dynamic duo. You're on a tour right now, but tonight you'll have a special guest in your concert and you couldn't wait for it.

"Now for the next cover song, I'll be singing with someone." You said as your crowd cheered louder. "I'll be honest, I hated this guy once before, like seriously I almost want to punch him." You said playfully as you laugh. "But that was all in the past now and I've proven him that I'm worthy enough, so enough of this and let's all welcome...vocalist of the band called Fall Out Boy, Patrick Stump!" you introduced and he went on stage.

"Seriously, everything she said was true." That was the first thing he said that made you laugh. You and Patrick shared a hug. "Making her hate me was one of the things I regret doing, but at least I've learned a thing or two from that experience." He continued.

Both you and Patrick are rather close friends now and you've left that part behind. It's really amazing how your relationship started and you know it'll be a good tale to tell others in the near future.

The crowd cheered when the music started as both you and Patrick showed your talent in there. You know that he's still amazed with your talents and vice versa. He's still your inspiration after all.

And really, your experience from Camp Pop Punk was not the best one, but surely, you'll cherish that memory for a lifetime.

{YeY!! THANKS FOR READING! ^_^}