Melody jerked awake panting; she had been having bad dreams ever since Justin told her. He told her everything, every dangerous thing he had been involved in and most importantly the upcoming competition. She sighed and looked at her clock; 4: 31 AM. She wondered if Justin would be up so she decided to call him.

"Ugh. Hello?" Justin groaned tiredly.

"Oh! I'm sorry! I just-" Melody stammered.

"It's fine. Whadda need?" Justin asked sounding more alert.

"I just wanted to talk to you..." Melody murmured running a hand through her tangled hair.

"You had another nightmare?" Justin questioned as he grabbed a pair of jeans and a sweater out of his closet.

"Yeah." Melody sighed as she flipped her light on.

"Want me to come over? I will."

"Please?"

"Of course, Mel. I'll see ya in ten."

Melody went out into her small living room/kitchen and waited for Justin's knock; she quickly let him in when he knocked. She relocked the door before leading Justin to the couch, "What happened this time?"

"It's the same every time, Justin. You always die." Melody's words were hard and stiff making Justin touch her leg.

"It's my fault," Justin whispered making Melody shake her head.

"No. I'm glad you told me... How long until your competition?" Melody asked looking at him.

"A few months... The summer..." Justin replied softly looking around the apartment.

Melody nodded and looked at her friend, he looked almost sad, "What?"

"Nothing."

"Justin, you're lying."

"I am not!"

"Liar."

"Ugh. No."

"Fine. I'll just stop talking to you."

Justin took her face in his hands, turning her head so her eyes were locked with his, "If I win..."

"What?" Justin, in a moment of bravery, kissed her softly.

She was surprised but tangled her hand in his hair and deepened the kiss as he rested a hand on her waist, and Melody pushed him on the couch making him break away gasping for air, "You are so much braver than me when it comes to that stuff. Always have been, always will be."

"We balance each other out," Melody whispered against his lips.

"I'm not brave... I cried when I had to give a speech for the first time," Justin replied trying to not feel awkward or be awkward.

"I'll be brave for you. You're the strong one," Melody explained resting her chin on his chest.

"Strong?"

"Strong."

"How?"

"You have always been strong for me."

"Psshhht."

"You're modest."

"You have little confidence."

"How?"

"You cried for an hour after you sent in application for Julliard. You said you weren't good enough and then a few months later, you got an acceptance later."

"Justin... You know-"

"I do know. It's okay that you're insecure but you need to have more confidence!"

"Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black?"

Justin was silent as she shifted so she could see his face better. They were quiet as they waited for the sun to rise so Melody could get ready for her morning class.


Four Months Later

"Good luck..." Melody distanced herself from Justin as he left for the competition.

"Mel..." Justin stepped towards her and she shook her head.

"Go." Justin kissed her cheek before disappearing into the portal.

Melody felt a tear run down her face and she wiped it away and sat next to Harper and Zeke looking at her legs. Harper was friends with Melody but didn't know her well enough to console her so she just smiled at the depressed teen.


"Justin! You can't keep this up!" Melody yelled at her boyfriend.

"Why not?" Justin demanded throwing his apron at the counter.

"You're hurting everyone around you!" Melody exclaimed.

"I'm sorry that Alex ruined my life!" Justin yelled back.

"Your life. Fine. If being a wizard is your life, I guess you don't need me anymore," Melody shouted making Justin frown, "Melody... Wait!"

Melody shook her head and walked out of the sub shop making Justin kick a chair angrily. This was his breaking point; he wasn't ready to forgive Alex but he couldn't let Melody leave him because he was being a jerk. Justin followed her quickly grabbing her arm, "Melody!"

"What?" Melody spun to look at Justin.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't be taking my anger out on you," Justin replied making Melody sigh.

"I can't watch while you do that to your family," Melody told him making him nod.

"I can't forgive Alex but... I can treat her better," Justin replied softly.

"I understand, I guess." Melody stood on her tiptoes to kiss him and he met her half way resting his hand on her waist.

Justin pulled away suddenly making Melody purse her lips, "Seriously?"

Justin blushed, "Well..."

"Jeez. I don't need eighth grade health again," Melody replied cringing.

Justin stuck his tongue out at her making her roll her eyes, "I have my audition tonight."

"For?" Justin asked lacing their fingers together.

"West Side Story!" Melody replied grinning.

"Oh. You'll do great. What song?"

"One Hand, One Heart."

"You sing beautifully on that song."

"Thank you!"

"Just speakin' the truth!"

Melody shook her head as they reached the subshop. Alex was washing tables and turned to go to the back when she saw Justin. Justin went behind the counter and began to put away supplies. Melody went top talk to Alex, "He's stubborn."

"Yeah, I know." Alex's voice was bitter and almost sad.

"I'm sorry he's being like this," Melody told her smiling sadly.

"It isn't your fault."

"I know. I told him he needed to stop."

"What'd he say?"

"That... He could never forgive you."

"This is hopeless." Alex had tears streaming down her face as she threw down the wash cloth and ran upstairs.

Melody sighed and kissed Justin's cheek, "I have to go."

"Call me after you audition!" Justin called.