You're The Music That's Been Playing Inside My Head

Guitar Villian: Part 1

I look out on the balcony for any sign of the mailman, impatiently tapping my foot as I wait. "(y/n), you need to be patient, he'll be here soon enough," Flaake tells me and I respond with "I know! But I'm just so nervous! What if I actually won that competition?! Then I'll get to write and compose a song with Jagged Stone! And it'll be in his next album! I need to know how I did!"

That's when out of the corner of my eye I see him, the mailman was finally here! Rushing downstairs I grab the keys calling out "Mail's here! I'll get it!" Excitedly I go outside and grab the mail, surfing through it to hopefully find the letter I was looking for. "Oh my gosh, it's here! I'm so nervous!" I mutter as I stare down at a certain envelope when I hear a familiar voice. "Well, you just gonna stand there staring at it?" "Luka! Hey! I guess you came to get the news?" I ask waving the envelope and he nods stating "That is if you're gonna open it."

"Of course I am! What if I won?" I joke back as we head into the bakery and I hand over the rest of the mail. Taking a quick sigh I open the letter and read the letter out loud. "Dear (y/n), we are pleased to announce that you are the winner of Jagged Stone's Music Competition. This means you will get to write and compose a song with Jagged Stone and the song will be featured in his next album. Thank you for participating you will hear from Bob Ross Records soon. Sincerely, Penny."

I blink at the letter in shock as I ask "I did it? I won?" "You did it!" Luka congratulates me, pulling me into a hug stating "We have to celebrate! How about a treat, on me?" "Sounds like a great idea congrats girl!" Mari chimes also giving me a hug when our attention turns to the door as a balding man in a white suit comes in asking "Is Marinette Dupain-Cheng and (y/n) (l/n) here?" "That would be us, sir," Mari waves him over and he introduces himself.

"My name is Bob Ross the CEO of Bob Ross records I have a proposition to make for you Marinette and we have much to discuss your collaboration with Jagged Stone (y/n)," We both give each other a surprised look, that was fast. He then explains what he had in mind.

"So, are you interested?" "Uh wait, wait, wait, let me get this straight you want me to design the album cover for Jagged Stone? My all-time favorite singer?" "That's right, requested by Jagged Stone himself, I brought a few visuals and soundtracks so you both can get a sense of what we're going for," He hands over an XY album, and Marinette, Luka, and I stare at it in confusion, all three of us thinking the same thing: This isn't Jagged Stone. "This doesn't seem like Jagged Stone material," Mari starts to point out and I chime in with "More like a perfume ad." "This is the direction of his new image, more modern and current."

"Really? Wow..." Luka muttered staring disappointedly at the album. "I was thinking-" Marinette starts to say before being cut off. "Don't think, this is what is selling these days." "Sure..." We trail off. "And one more thing we're in a hurry so we need both of your proposals by the end of the day, you up to it?" I feel Luka's hand grasp mine and lightly squeeze it, giving me an encouraging nod as we agree and Bob leaves.

"I'm kinda disappointed...I never thought my favorite artist would develop into...This," Luka says, gesturing toward the XY album and I feel my heart ache at his sad face. "It's ok Luka I promise you that even if this is what Jagged is going for it'll be the best song you've ever heard!" He gives me a smile stating "I have my doubts but I believe in you. You've got work to do so I'll leave you be, we'll have that celebratory treat later," I nod and see him out before Marinette and I get to work while listening to this bland and awful music.

Finally, Marinette turns it off and we both sigh in relief Marinette asks "Why does Jagged Stone wanna change his style?" "Especially to this. XY's music is so cold, lifeless, repetitive, mundane, bland honestly just an insult to music."

"Exactly! This is like the total opposite of Jagged and what I've just done here is ugh," Marinette shows me the cover it had Jagged lifting his head back with a smile completely surrounded by pink and purple light. "Tell me about it, I'm doing the best I can to make this sound good but," I play what I've got down so far, causing Marinette and me to cringe. "I'm gonna go get a soda," I say stepping away from the desk and heading downstairs, Flaake soon coming out.

"You know that's not Jagged's style or yours so why are you doing it? Don't you already have a killer song you've been working on in case you won?" "Yeah but this is what Mr. Ross said to do." "So you're not gonna go with your gut on this?" She asks crossing her arms at me. I stare at the soda can in my hands for a minute before sighing "I'll do what I have right now just in case this is what Jagged wants but I'll keep the other song I've been working on in mind."