I'll Be The One

Chapter 42:

=Normal POV=
[Tuesday, 4/2/2019-4:00 pm]
[Archipelago; Arc Isle]
[Raseri Residence]

Tallon enjoyed spending the night with Hunter in his room, and Hunter liked it too. Unfortunately; Hunter woke up first with a boner. Not wanting to make things awkward, Hunter swiftly and carefully without waking Tallon up went to the bathroom to take a cool shower. When the erection faded; he changed the water to hot to actually shower. By the time he got out; he wasn't hard anymore and Tallon was awake. Hunter was wearing just a pair of boxers and sleep pants when he came out of the bathroom, towel drying his hair. Tallon blushed a bit as the two shared a kiss before Tallon went to use the bathroom. The two decided to go out for a breakfast date before Tallon went back to his apartment to clean it, and then he told Hunter he had to do a few things with his family. The rest of the time until today had been spent with Hunter hard at work on his term paper while the gang did their jobs of trying to locate the bigger groups that were causing the most damage. So far, nothing.

Currently, Tallon was at his parent's house because they had asked him if he'd babysit his younger siblings for a bit. Of course, Tallon didn't mind. While he watching Arianna, Elliot, and Cole. Garet was working. Daniel was home too, studying hard for finals though, he didn't need to be watched because he was eighteen now, but it was a school day, so he wasn't working. Daniel still had high school until June, but then he'd graduate and work his job full time; right now, it's only Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Since Daniel was hard at work studying; the Raseri parents didn't want to take away from that crucial time, so they asked Tallon to babysit. Tallon had been over since 2:00 pm when they got off the bus. Finally, Rachel and Dustin arrived home and strolled through the door together.

"We're home," Dustin said.

"Thank you so much for watching them, Tallon," Rachel kissed his forehead.

"No problem," Tallon smiled. "They've been doing their homework since they got off the bus. Pretty sure they are almost done,"

"I'm done," Elliot stated.

"Me too," Cole beamed.

"I'm stuck…" Arianna mumbled.

"With what, sweetheart?" Rachel asked now.

"It's this music thing we have to do. Supposed to write a small song, like…The length of a reprise," Arianna informed. "We can do a full song, if we want. And we can have help from others. We've had weeks to do it, but I've got nothing for all my attempts. I don't know how to make lyrics, or play instruments…" she muttered. "It's due on Friday,"

"Seems a bit much for a ninth-grader," Dustin mentioned.

"I'm afraid we can't help much in that department either," Rachel frowned.

"But…I think I know someone who can," Tallon smiled. "Hunter is wicked good at all that stuff. I can call him and see if he'd come over to help. He doesn't have class today, and he'd be at work already if he had that. I think he's working on his term paper," he shrugged. "Or napping,"

"Do you think he'd help?" Arianna wondered.

"It's worth it to at least call and ask," Tallon got his phone, pulling up Hunter's contact ID and calling him. "Hi, babe. What are you doing?" he asked. A slight pause. "That sounds incredibly boring. So...I had a question. My little sister has a music assignment that we're kind of useless to help her with…Do you think you can come over and try to help her?" he inquired. "We're at my parents' house," he added. "Okay. See you soon, bye," Tallon ended the call. "He said to give him fifteen minutes and he'd be right over,"

. . .

[4:20 pm]

Hunter arrived and parked at along the side of the road; he grabbed a few things and headed for the door, knocking. Tallon answered it with a smile. "Hey, baby. Thanks for coming over,"

"No problem. I wasn't doing anything except trying to take a nap," Hunter smiled back, walking in with Tallon.

"You tired?" Tallon wondered.

"Didn't sleep that well last night. I'm okay, don't worry," Hunter assured as they reached the living room.

"Hi, Hunter," Rachel greeted.

"Hello, Mrs. Raseri," Hunter replied and then he gave a wave to the rest before moving next to Arianna as Tallon sat down on the couch. "I hear you need help with music,"

"Gods, please…" Arianna sighed.

"No worries; I can help," Hunter promised. "So, what is the assignment, exactly? So I know the barriers on which my help shouldn't go past?" Arianna went through her folder and pulled out the paper, handing it to him. Hunter read it over carefully, understanding that the final performance had to be by the student, but getting help with music and lyrics could come from anyone as long as they were mentioned in the report written how the student came up with their song. "Seems a bit much to ask of a Freshman…" he stated.

"I said the same thing," Dustin said.

"Well, the cool thing is that as long as Arianna does the final performance; she can get as much help as she needs to make the song happen," Hunter informed. "So…How far have you gotten?"

"Hardly anywhere. I have no idea how to do all this kind of stuff. I've always been interested in it, wanting to be a singer when I got older…But I was hoping to take music as a major in college to prepare for all that…" Arianna admitted.

"I'm to assume you know your pitch range and length when singing then?" Hunter asked. Arianna nodded to him. "Well, the first part I like to start with when writing a song is…What will it be about? What do you want your song to express? Love, makeup, breakup, inspirational? Stuff like that,"

"Hadn't really thought about it…Everyone is gonna shoot for the easy stuff, so I guess I wanted different. Something people…Wouldn't go for," Arianna shrugged.

"Most of those songs are reserved for perhaps saying goodbye to people you care about, overcoming depression, so on and so forth. Definitely not a top pick as they're mood killers," Hunter told her.

"Well…That's what I wanted. Something people wouldn't pick, but can still draw attention to serious stuff. Eye-opener songs, I guess," Arianna said.

"Interesting manner of putting that explanation; I like it. So you want something that targets heavy problems around the world? War, bullying, suicide as a few examples?" Hunter inquired. Arianna nodded to him again. "I would advise, and just a suggestion; that you start with something a bit easier. Writing those other types are harder unless you've experienced it or have previous knowledge on the matter. Most artists write from personal feeling or experience. As an example, I wrote military songs based on my desire to want to join, and stories from my uncle,"

"Oh…Okay. Alright…Never been through any of that, so guess it's out. But what about…Suicide Prevention, or Anti-Bullying? I hear all these stories about kids killing themselves because of bullies. I see kids in my school get bullied and every day I wonder if one of the times I go in; I'm gonna find out one of my classmates ended their own life because of it," Arianna said.

"You and me both," Hunter agreed. "Happened a few times when I was in high school. Kids killing themselves, getting killed in car accidents,"

"Have you ever written songs about it?" Elliot asked.

"More than I can keep track of, and some never finished because I ended up feeling like they might be too deep," Hunter said. "But this isn't about my songs. I wrote how I felt with my experiences. You need to write for yours. When you pick something to write; you need to put a bit of yourself into it, your emotions and feelings at least. You can't preach a message if you can't put the message of how it makes you feel into it. Otherwise; it's just…Meaningless words with some fancy music behind it. You want your audience to understand your message, see things from your point of view,"

"Not following. And I only jumped in because I think I'm getting same assignment in a couple weeks…" Elliot informed.

"I suppose it is hard to understand if just explained, so let's try another way. I'll sing one of my songs, and then I want you tell me what the message was? Sound fair?" Hunter suggested.

"We'll try…" Arianna and Elliot nodded.

"Are you keeping to the anti-bullying and suicide topic?" Rachel questioned.

"Nope, completely random," Hunter smiled. There was a knock on the door as Dustin went to answer it; he returned moments later with Tallon and Hunter's group of friends. Hunter assumed it had to be police business since Tallon didn't look the least bit surprise they'd all come over.

"Hey, Hunt," Madison greeted.

"Sup?" Hunter replied, scrolling through songs on his phone.

"Not much. Tal told us to come over earlier," Avery informed. "What are you doing here?"

"My musical talent was called upon to help a younger sister," Hunter chuckled.

"Hunter is trying to help Ari and El understand the message in the song you create, so he's going to sing one of his and we have to figure out the message," Daniel informed, coming into the living room.

"Alright, found one. Ready?" Hunter asked. "It's mainly for them to figure out, not you guys," he added.

"We're ready," Arianna said as Elliot nodded.

Hunter started the song as Arianna instantly eyed him curiously. "Come out moon. Come out wishing star. Come out, come out…Wherever you are," the music was very soft now. "I'm out here in the dark, all alone and wide awake. Come and find me," Hunter gave Arianna a light look, and a single, barely noticeable nod.

"I'm empty and I'm cold and my heart's about to break. Come and find me," Arianna sang, which surprised everyone, but they didn't interrupt.

"I need you to come here and find me because without you I'm totally lost," Hunter and Arianna sang softly.

"I've hung a wish on every star; it hasn't done much good so far. I can only dream of you…" Hunter did by himself.

"Wherever you are," Arianna and Hunter sang together as he pulled her to her feet and standing next to him.

"Go on," Hunter told her.

"But when the morning comes and the sun begins to rise; I will lose you. Because it's just a dream, when I open up my eyes; I will lose you. I used to believe in forever, but forever is too good to be true,"

"I've hung a wish on every star…" Hunter took over.

"It hasn't done much good so far! I can only dream of you…Wherever you are," Arianna joined in with Hunter now. The music took over for a few moments. "I'll hear you laugh. I'll see you smile. I'll be with you,"

"Just for a while!" Arianna sang out louder.

"Oh, I'll be there just for a while!" Hunter followed up behind her.

"Oh woah!" the two continued as the music picked up and went on for a little time before Arianna and Hunter prepared to start singing again. "Oh! Used to believe in forever!"

"But forever is too good to be true. I've hung a wish on every star…" Hunter sang on his own.

"It hasn't done much good so far!" Arianna sang with him now. "I don't know what else to do. Except to try and dream of you! And wonder if you're dreaming to! Wherever you are. Wherever you…Are…" the music cut seconds after they finished.

"Um?..." Tallon started.

"I thought it was supposed to be Hunter singing one of his songs?" Seth finished the sentence.

"It was a trick performance. I purposely picked something she would know and end up singing," Hunter stated. "What was the message?" he asked Arianna.

"Losing or missing someone you love that you know no amount of anything will ever bring them back, but also knowing that you can always remember them and hope they are thinking of you no matter where they are," Arianna informed.

"Correct," Hunter nodded. "And do you know why I did this?"

"No…" Arianna confessed.

"You couldn't have understood the meaning unless you know that feeling. Anyone can sing a song because they like it, but how many people sing a song because they sympathize? You didn't just sing this song because you know it and could, Arianna; you performed with passion because you understood the feelings. Every song I write has a meaning behind it because it was something I experienced and knew others might have to. Singing is an excellent coping mechanism, at least for me. But others use the music to help them as well, let them know they aren't alone because there are people out there who are going through whatever they are. It doesn't always have to be something sad either; that's why there are so many different types of songs out there," Arianna looked at him. "This is what I wanted you to understand when it comes to writing your own music. You have to create it with a meaning that you feel for others to grasp. Maybe not everyone will, but it holds meaning to someone who understand the feeling you do," Hunter explained. "Make sense?"

"I do," Arianna nodded. "The teacher tried to get that across and made it wicked confusing. Your way is a lot easier,"

"Your teacher instructs you about music, but does not teach with the experience of writing music, so he or she doesn't understand how difficult it can be without the proper context in which you're creating songs. You can't learn this stuff from someone who doesn't do it actively. Your teacher can show you pitch, length, how to stay in tune with a group…But unless they write and perform as an artist does; they don't truly understand anymore than you do when it comes to writing song," Hunter stated.

"Yeesh, you should be the teacher," Elliot said.

"I'm good, thanks," Hunter chuckled. "So, you understand what you need when you write now?" Arianna nodded again. "Now, using that…Pick what you want your song to be about,"

"And while they do that; I'll start dinner," Rachel stood up and went into the kitchen.

"And we can have our meeting," Dustin motioned for the cops in the room to come with him.

"We'll be here," Hunter said with a smile; he kissed Tallon when he walked by. The cops in the room left, leaving Flynn, Harper, Madison, and the Thorston twins in the living room with Hunter, Arianna, Cole, and Daniel.

. . .

[6:30 pm]

"DINNER!" Rachel called. Everyone returned the main area, and sat down for dinner. Rachel had made two large pans of sausage and potatoes for everyone to enjoy. Garet came home at 5:00 pm from work; he took a shower and then joined everyone. Hunter worked with Arianna in a quieter room; it was Tallon's old bedroom, which was being used as general storage, but kept organized.

"This looks great, Mrs. Raseri," Drew said.

"Thank you," Rachel beamed. "Everyone dig in and enjoy," she announced. Everyone got some food, and a piece of garlic bread. The conversations were light around the table as everyone ate; it was a good time.

"How goes your assignment, Ari?" Daniel asked.

"It's going good," Arianna replied. "Moving right along,"

"Will we get to hear it, sweetheart?" Rachel inquired.

"If Hunter and I finish up these last bits; I can show it to you tonight," Arianna grinned.

"You're already that far along?" Tallon blinked.

"Hunter is a very good teacher," Arianna giggled.

"Oh, come now. You've done most of the work," Hunter stated.

"Not really. We just took one of your unfinished songs that was in the area I wanted to work with, and you let me finish it; then you tweaked the music in accordance to the lyrics," Arianna said.

"Joint effort," Hunter shrugged. "So, shall we get back to it?"

"We don't have much more to go, do we?" Arianna inquired.

"No, just the final bits and meshing all the music together," Hunter nodded. "Come on,"

"Give us another hour or so, and you'll be the first to hear it," Arianna smiled as she and Hunter excused themselves and went back to work.

"This is exciting!" Rachel clapped. "Our little girl writing her first song!"

"Yes, Love. I know," Dustin chuckled. "Come, let's clean up and get into the living room. By the time we finish up; they should be done," he added. Agreeing, everyone got to work to help clean up from dinner, anxiously awaiting. An hour later, all of them were in the living room and watching TV. Hunter and Arianna were finishing up in the spare room, but he noticed that Arianna seemed tired and weak.

"Are you alright?" Hunter asked her.

"I-I'm fine. Perhaps a bit tired from all the work we did," Arianna tried to smile. Hunter felt like something wasn't right here; she didn't look well. "Come on, let's go perform the song,"

"I think you should…Take a break, Arianna," Hunter suggested. "Maybe some water?"

"I'm okay," Arianna said getting up to move to the door. "I want to do this," she put her hand on the handle. Suddenly, her eyes rolled back into her head and she leg go of the handle.

"Arianna?!" Hunter scrambled over to catch her so she wouldn't hit her head. Arianna was passed out. "Tallon!" Hunter called. He wasn't sure if he was heard because the TV was pretty loud and they were in the back room. "Help!" he tried again. Hunter quickly made sure Arianna was still breathing with a pulse before lifting her into his arms bridal style and hurrying down the hall. "Tallon! Anyone! I need help!"

"What the?" Dustin quickly shut off the TV as Hunter reached the living room. "What happened?!"

"She just passed out. I-I don't know what happened. We were coming out to do the song; she said she was tired and I told her to take a break. Arianna insisted she was fine, b-but as she was going to open the door; she just went unconscious," Hunter panicked. Dustin took Arianna from him as Rachel and the rest of the siblings were up with concern.

"We need to get to the hospital!" Rachel said with worry. "Oh…My girl…I feared this happening…"

"Rachel…Relax. We don't even know if that's what it is," Dustin informed.

"I'll drive," Tallon spoke up first.

"Get the cruiser; I'll ride in the back with her. Rachel, you come with the rest of them," Dustin demanded.

"I'm riding with my little girl!" Rachel snapped.

"I'll bring the others," Garet said instantly. "We don't have time for this! Let's move!" he added.

"You guys have to go," Tallon said to Hunter and his friends.

"Don't worry, we understand. Keep us posted?" Trevor stated. Hunter didn't understand; he felt like he was the only one who didn't know what was happening here.

"I will as soon as I know," Tallon said quietly. Hunter wasn't sure what he could say or do right now, but he could tell this was an emergency and Arianna needed to get to the hospital. Hunter couldn't interfere on that, so he would wait to find out. Hunter left with the friends; he got in his car, watching as the Raseri's rushed to load Arianna in the car and take off. Garet was last out with the remaining siblings as they took his car following their parents and Tallon. Hunter turned the car on and headed towards the complex, all the while wondering what was wrong with Arianna that everyone knew except him, and if the young Raseri daughter was alright.