4

"Are you sure we are even able to get in here?" Camden questioned, standing in front of the door and she smiled.

"Camden, do you not know who I am?" She took a key out of her pocket, "My father gives us a key for emergencies."

"I'm pretty sure this isn't an emergency."

"Do you want a new song or not?" Her smile dropped.

He nodded quickly, "It's an emergency."

She smiled again, turning around and unlocking the door, quickly going inside and putting in the code for the alarm so it wouldn't go off. Nova motioned for Camden to follow her and he softly shut the door, doing as she said.

Nova turns on the light, letting him see all the instruments they have. Every single instrument you could think of was in here. The first thing they see is a mini stage, where Melody and Nova would go when they were younger, and to their left is a grand piano. To their right is the rest of the instruments—trumpet, guitar, cello, etc.

Nova walked all the way into the room, letting Camden follow her before shutting the door. "This room is soundproof." She explains, watching him take in everything, "Sometimes when I couldn't sleep, I would come here and write whatever I wanted, or just softly sing the songs I already had written while playing the piano." He stopped looking around the room to look at her.

"Really?"

She softly chuckled, nodding, "Yeah." Before he could say anything she spoke again, "Come on, it's only eleven and we have a lot of work to do." He sighed, sitting next to her on the piano bench.

--

"Finally, that was the longest bathroom break I've ever--" Nova turned to look at Camden, who had frozen yogurt in his hand. The spoon was still in his mouth as he froze when Nova locked eyes with him.

He moved it, speaking with his mouth full, pointing behind him, "I saw the frozen yogurt machine and couldn't help myself." Her expression full of judgment did not change. "Sorry. Did you want some?" Cam nearly turned around to go back.

"No!" She sighed after realizing how loud she spoke out, "Can you just sit down? It has been two hours. I'd like to go to bed soon."

"Well, why is it taking so long?" She glared as he sat next to her, "I mean, what do you typically do for inspiration?"

"I don't know. It's different every time. It would help if you worked with me instead of just going on breaks."

"Woah, I didn't want to do this." Camden stood up and moved behind the piano to face her better, becoming frustrated, "I was dragged here. I told you I can't write songs."

"You haven't even tried!" Nova snapped back. There was a brief moment of silence. Both held eye contact until Nova sighed and looked down at the piano, slowly brushing over the keys from his last hit. Her last hit. "Look, maybe we need to know more about each other. Then, we can use that to write a song."

"Fine," He leaned against the piano, "what do you like to do for fun?"

"I like hanging out with Flora and Melody. I like to write songs. I like to read. I like to--"

"Boring..." He dragged out the word, locking eyes with her. She narrowed her eyes so he decided to speak. "I like riding dirt bikes along that hill over on Willow Street. Oh! And playing laser tag around the mall with Z at night is super fun because sometimes we have to run from the security guard." Camden starts laughing, but Nova rolls her eyes.

"You are a celebrity now. I think running from security guards is out. Especially if you want to continue to be signed onto my dad's label."

"So...what? I have to be a stick in the mud like you?" Camden's eyes widened after he realized that he spoke his thoughts aloud. Her mouth open in shock was enough for him to know that this was it. His career has fallen before it even got two feet off the ground. "I'm sorry." He runs his words together but she shakes her head.

"I should've known helping you would be a mistake." She grabs her music sheets and stuffs them in her journal, shimmying out from the bench, and makes her way to the door. Camden steps in front of her, his hands on either side of her arms. The anger that gives him chills is in her eyes, showing that she has no patience for his attitude.

"Please." He starts before she can, hoping that he is showing his desperation for her, "I can't do this without you. I'm sorry." Her eyes light up and he gives her a small smile, thinking it was his words that caused the spark.

"That's it!" Nova smiled back, turning back toward the piano to begin writing.

"What's "it"?" He asked, sitting next to her once again. Camden peeks over at the words she sloppily writes down and smiles again, but this time it warms his heart, knowing that he was the reason for her inspiration this time.

There's no way I could do this without you.