Then I found something from a month ago.
Then, I found something from a month ago.
On August 26th, Chelsea posted a picture
with the caption, “So many ideas flowing.”
I zoomed in to get a closer look.
Suddenly, my head started pounding!
The paper next to her had the same notes
that I had.
Even the deleted lyrics were identical!
The song was based on my personal
experience; there’s no way it could have been
copied.
Maybe Chelsea went through the same thing?
No, that’s impossible!
Chelsea and Brad grew up in the North.
How could they live on a small island down
South?
How else can you explain the lyrics?
Just when I couldn’t wrap my head around
what was going on, Jen called me again.
There was no lead about the leak.
Now I’m stuck.
Jen’s right.
The company spent millions on my single for
,,“』 “སྐ
marketing and advertising, with billboards and
commercials.
So, I had to get a new song out.
I went to the studio, grabbed my guitar, and
my hands started shaking.
This time, I’m writing about my story.
I hope that Chelsea didn’t experience this life
too.
I spent two days and two nights writing the
new song.
I used a separate phone and sent a demo to
Jen.
Jen sent me five emojis right away
“Rock music? Ashley, you’re a musical genius!
How many surprises do you have for me?”
Before I could reply, Jen sent a voice note, “I
made a reservation at the recording studio. I’ll
pick you up in an hour.”
When I left, the sky was already starting to
turn.
Jen stretched.
“The company thinks it’s a bad time to
release it, since it’s almost Memorial Day.
How about we release it on June 3?”
I paused.
“What’s Chelsea been up to?”
“I know someone at Summit. They said
Chelsea hasn’t been there. What’s she
doing?”
You’re supposed to do concerts and
interviews after you release a song.
This is suspicious.
So, I agreed with releasing it later.
After I got home, I slept the best I’ve had in a
while.
Then I woke up to Jen knocking on my door.
“Ashley, this isn’t good!”
“Chelsea released a new song… that’s the
exact same song you recorded this morning!”
Jen’s words broke me.
Why couldn’t I stop what was happening?
Am I not allowed to do music anymore?
Do I have to live in her shadow?
I made sure to leave my phone on the patio,
and I didn’t use my computer to write my
songs.
How did Chelsea know?
Chelsea’s new songs have been trending
online.
She beat records.
Her fame made the celebrities getting
married irrelevant.
Someone asked her how she changed her
style on the song.
“Someone stole my music before. Luckily, I changed the dates so they didn’t steal from
me. This song is for those that take credit
from other’s work. Talent is what songwriters need, and you’ll never beat me!”
Her declaration turned social media upside
down.
People found my posts and started
commenting.
“You’re the copycat, right? Aren’t you
releasing a song? It’s been a while since you
said that, where is it?”
“You’re supposed to be a songwriter. Did you
have someone write your songs before?”
I didn’t release a song, but I was still labeled
as a copycat.
But, my fans came to my defense and argued
back in the comments.
Chelsea had just started and had very few
fans.
This situation made her look bad.
That’s when my boyfriend stepped in.
“You’re coming to Chelsea’s party tomorrow!”
Brad said it.
I laughed.
“Why!”
“Are you serious? Your fans are hating on
Chelsea! She can’t sleep or eat!”
“If you want to be my girlfriend, you have to
come to the party.”
Chelsea stole my song, and I have to go
celebrate.
I had to go to find out what she’s hiding.
The day of the party, Chelsea linked arms
with Brad and was surrounded by people.
<
“Chelsea broke KK Music’s record! Her songs
have been on the charts for a week!”
“Chelsea’s emotional songs make people cry,
and her rock songs make them feel too. She’s
the real deal!”
Chapter 2
After that disaster, I went straight to Jen.
When she heard I was quitting music, she
flipped.
“The label isn’t going to let you walk away
that easily! Your contract isn’t up for another
three years, Ashley. Are you sure about this?”
I just nodded, and Jen sighed. “Alright, the
sky’s the limit. I can’t stop you. I hope we get
to work together again someday.”
<
I squeezed her hand and smiled, feeling like a
weight had been lifted.
A few days later, the label announced my
departure on Twitter, followed by my own
statement about retiring.
All the trolls who had been on my case
celebrated.
“Chelsea was right about her being a copycat.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t feel so guilty about
quitting.”
“She acted all high and mighty at Chelsea’s
party. Now she’s crawling away with her tail
between her legs. What a joke!”