9

"Great news girls!" Orion speaks with glee, a big smile on his face. "One of you can be in Camden's new music video."

"Really?" Melody nearly screeches, her heart racing at the thought of touching Camden. Her mouth is still open in shock as she turns to her sister, but she turns away when she sees that Nova has a blank expression on her face.

Nova stays silent, not wanting to show any interest that would later be labeled as feelings for Camden.

"You two have to decide who. This most likely will not be his last music video so maybe one of you can be in the next one too." Orion brings them in for a group hug before clarifying, "If this turns into a fight, neither of you can be in it." With those final words, he walks out on his phone, his focus showing that it was clearly work-related.

Melody turns to Nova, pouting and holding her hands together. "Please, please, please. I will do whatever you want."

"You can have the spot. I don't want it." She turns away from her sister, not wanting to talk about the subject any longer.

"What? How can you not want it?" Melody tried to grab her arm, but she yanked it away and faced her instead.

"I'm not interested. Shouldn't you be happy?"

"I am...but it seems like you have a problem with him. Did he do something to you?"

"No. I just know this would mean more to you than it would to me."

"Okay. You know you can tell me anything." Melody tries to pierce through Nova's façade, not breaking eye contact.

Nova nods, forcing a smile. Melody gives her a hug, running away to tell all of her friends that she will be in a Camden Moon music video.

-

"Alright now, this is the scene where you two walk toward each other and kiss." The director continues to talk to them, instructing where they stand as Zander mocks him.

"Orion, I feel insulted. You saw the work I did with Camden's last music video and then you hire someone else?"

"I'm sorry Ander. I wanted a professional for this next one. Tell you what, I can ask if he is willing to let you shadow him. You can learn more and put together a test video for Camden's next music video." Orion responds, trying to compromise with him.

Zander doesn't mention that he got his name wrong. Instead, he smiles and reaches his hand out, "That sounds great, sir. Thank you."

Orion hesitates, but eventually shakes his hand and walks over to the director. He nods and waves Zander over. The director turns to Zander, giving him instruction. Zander smiles and shouts, "And...action!"

Nova watches Camden and Melody while her dad and Zander keep their eyes locked on the screen. They stop when their shoes are touching. She goes on her tiptoes and wraps her arms around his neck. Nova feels her heart pound. The song they wrote together sounds so much louder. She starts to feel herself lose her breath as he meets her halfway, leaning down and placing his lips on hers.

Nova feels her heartache and her eyes water while her stomach clenches.

"Cut!" Zander yells, giving a high-five to the director. Camden looked up just in time to see Nova slip out the door, racing down the hall. He doesn't think before following her, trying to figure out where she would go.

He glances in each room before finally seeing her at the piano where they wrote their first song. He walks in, shutting the door behind him, cautiously approaching. The last thing he wants is to make this harder for her. "Nova?" He calls out, realizing that he may scare her if he tip-toes any longer.

Camden watches her shoulders rise and fall as she takes a deep breath, sitting up straight and placing her fingers along with the keys. He is at the piano by the time he can make out the song she is playing. There's no way I could make it without you. "That was a fun night. I like hanging out with you." His voice is low but he doesn't know why when no one can hear them. He leans his elbows against the piano, focused on his hands before forcing himself to try to make eye contact with Nova. "Did I do something wrong?" His head tilts a little but she keeps hers down.

He wants to reach forward and lift her eyes to meet his simply so he can see her. But he remembers that she ran out during his music video for her song and places his focus back on fiddling with his thumbs. She probably regrets helping him become famous when it is her hard work. "I'm sorry," Camden speaks the words fast, trying to ignore the pain in his chest from knowing that he was the one to hurt her. If only he hadn't stolen her song in the first place...

He pushes himself off of the piano and turns toward the door, Zander opening it at the same time. "Dude, they want you back. He is really mad that you walked out and said he is going to talk to you about what 'cut' actually means."

Cam nods, "Yeah, I'm heading back now. Can you let them know?" Zander glances at Nova before nodding back and leaving them. He takes one last look at Nova, hoping she was going to say something, but she keeps her back toward him.

"I'm really happy for you, Camden." She manages to speak the words without them sounding shaky. She takes another deep breath, turning to look at the boy who is now staring at her. He gives the facial expression that she knew he would. The puppy look. Where his eyes get big and his head tilts because he feels sorry for her. She fakes a smile and pretends her eyes are not puffy and red. She pretends that he isn't only here because he felt bad. "You were born for this, and I'm glad I can help you live out your dream." Nova starts to choke at the end, remembering why she was crying.

He steps forward, but she shakes her head, turning away from him again. She sounds stuffy as she sniffles and wipes her tears, "You are already in trouble. I'm fine. Knock 'em dead." She tries to force a small laugh and continues to play the piano to take her mind off the twist her stomach felt seeing Melody's lips on Camden's. The ache in her heart listening to her song play over and over, drowning out any accompanying noise. A song she might have sung on stage if she wasn't such a coward.

She heard the door shut, and she finally broke down.