The Homecoming Queen Stole My Song, Then My Boyfriend Defended Her

The Homecoming Queen Stole My Song, Then My Boyfriend Defended Her

The homecoming queen, Tiffany, won a songwriting competition with my song, and I called her out on it in front of everyone.

But my childhood best friend, Jake, took her side.

“You're mute, you can’t even sing it,” he said. “What’s the big deal? Just let Tiffany have it.

“It’s not like you can’t write another one. Don’t be so stingy.”

Later, I teamed up with a senior, Liam, for a music reality show. Our original song went viral.

Then we were spotted checking into the same hotel.

Jake showed up at my door that night, yelling, “I’m reporting you for grooming a disabled person!”

Liam, with his robe half open, tilted my chin up. “Baby, let’s just play deaf tonight, okay?

“And we agreed, we’re only playing deaf, not mute.”

1

“And the winner of the Northwood University ‘Rainbow Tunes’ Songwriting Competition, in first place, is Tiffany Miller!”

“Wow, first place. I wonder what her song’s like?”

“We’ll hear it soon enough. Apparently, the judges aren’t just from the faculty, but Liam Sterling, the guy who just got back from Europe.”

I heard my dormmates talking about Liam as I came out of the bathroom.

I know that name all too well.

Jake was obsessed with Liam’s music and that’s why he chose to go to music school here.

And since I’ve been his best friend since forever, with a crush for just as long, well, I followed him here too.

Just now, Jake had texted me, saying he had just met his idol.

“No wonder they're making such a big deal. They even got a local station to film this thing.”

I dried my hands and joined them, trying to get a better view of the stage.

My roommate used sign language to tell me who the winner was. But before she could tell me what song, I heard it.

The melody, the opening notes hit me.

My dormmates went wide-eyed, looking straight at me. I flew out of my chair and ran to the auditorium, almost tripping over my own feet.

By the time I got there, I was on the stage, the song was over, and I was gasping for breath, trying to speak, “Ah, ah, ah…”

I had forgotten, I’m mute.

When Tiffany saw me, her eyes flickered with panic, but then she smiled smugly when I only made those “ah” noises.

The faculty member on stage rushed over, pushing me off the stage. “Hey, kid, we’re in the middle of an awards ceremony, please go back to your seat.”

I pushed back, pointing to Tiffany, then myself.

I desperately signed, “That song is mine, she stole it!”

But he didn’t understand me.

Someone in the audience yelled my name, “Chloe! Come on!”

My eyes lit up as I waved back at him.

“Jake! Help me out!”

I signed to him.

But he came over, his face all dark. He grabbed me and dragged me off stage.

I tried pulling him back, making desperate “ah, ah” noises.

He didn't care and dragged me into a corner, then shouted at me.

“Are you done causing a scene?”

I stared at him, reaching for his sleeve, my eyes starting to sting.

Almost begging, I signed, “Jake, she...