Changing Tune

5. Putting up a fight

Chapter 5: Putting up a fight

Ellie's POV

*****

After playing at the beach party with the boys, things were supposed to be better. People were going to finally realise that I was not as untalented as Jay Hart had made me out to be, and that I was not in the band because I wanted to try and get with one of the boys, but because I loved playing the guitar, and being in the band. That, however, did not happen. 

At least not in the way I had expected it to. 

Playing with the band was more than just amazing. The euphoria and excitement that came over me in that moment is simply indescribable. After such a long time of having people say what they wanted to say about me, it was finally my turn to say something to them, but not with words. I wanted to communicate with them in the same way I had communicated with James and the guys in the audition, with my guitar. 

The more the people cheered, the more I could feel my passion and excitement pulsing through my veins. Up there on that stage, I felt as if I were unstoppable, and I knew there and then that that was a feeling I never wanted to get rid of. 

I couldn't miss the sense of happiness I felt as soon as I heard everybody clapping after our song finished. They enjoyed the song, meaning that they enjoyed my playing. I couldn't miss all of the smiles that I got from people as we walked down the stage, nor the people who were previously so sour towards me, actually congratulate me. 

Everything was finally right with the world, and I could actually embrace my talent without having anyone judge me or call me untalented. It felt good, and I couldn't help but hug the guys for everything they had done for me. Even when I was willing to give up on them because of Jay Hart's words, they were not willing to give up on me, despite knowing that it would impact their band if they played the cards wrong. 

That's why when I woke up on Monday, I was in a good mood. Opening my eyes as soon as my alarm clock rang, I hurriedly got ready for school, a small skip on my steps. It was the first time in a while I had felt like that, and I would go as far as saying that I hadn't felt that way since Luke and I were still together.

My smile remained plastered on my face even as I walked into school, hoping that the previous concert made everybody finally accept me. I knew I had to get used to people whispering and murmuring upon seeing me, and I also had to accept all of the extra stares I was getting. 

As soon as I got out of my dad's car, I couldn't miss all of the people who had stopped what they were doing just to examine me. Despite knowing that once I got myself out there, I was prone to that kind of attitude, I still felt uneasy knowing that I was under scrutiny. That, however, was not enough to ruin my mood. 

What did ruin it, on the other hand, was what I found stuck to my locker as soon as I neared it, my eyes scrunching in confusion as soon as I saw many people looking at it, snickering a muttering things under their breaths. 

Jay Hart's magazine in all its glory was stuck to my locker, my face and the band on the front page. 

Tears pricked my eyes as I ripped the magazine off of my locker and threw it on the floor, opening my locker as a couple of papers flew out of it, the words 'Untalented', and 'Clout chaser' written on a couple of them. 

Turning around, I couldn't help but noticing the students around me laughing and pointing at me, making me feel exactly like I had felt only a couple of days before. I was hurt and sick to my stomach at the fact that people were so cruel that they had to make someone feel bad for chasing their dreams.