*Emily’s POV (2pm, Friday the 7th)

I’ve been in LA for a couple of weeks now with Mackenzie and Niall and honestly, I haven’t seen them all that much. I went to Capitol Records the day I got here and met with Zayn’s producers. The next day, I started auditioning musicians for the album. The next week was me being really picky about who I wanted to play on our album.

I mean it’s really important to both of us that we have the right sound. One musician not being the right fit could change everything. One of the days I even called Zayn and put him on speaker so that he could hear the people too. It’s been pretty crazy. Now, I’ve picked out the guitarist, bassist, and drummer. We did good! The only thing now is us still not having someone to play the keys.

I’ve been listening to pianists all week, but still none of them are clicking with me or Zayn. I’m starting to lose hope. “Zayn, I don’t know what to do. We’re completely stuck. We cannot start recording anything until we have a piano player. You know that. The songs are too keyboard heavy to start without one.”

“I know, babe. Don’t worry. Someone fantastic will come along.” he says. “But what if no one does? Then your career is doomed!” I say worried. “C’mon you know that won’t happen. There are plenty of pianists in LA. The right one just hasn’t shown up yet. Keep looking, love.”

“Okay…I’ll talk to you later. Bye.” I say feeling defeated. “Talk to you later, bye.” he answers. Frustrated, I prop my elbows on the table with my head in my hands. After a moment or two I decide to go to the piano. I sit on the bench and begin to play the piano part to one of our songs. When I finish I say to myself “Is that really so hard to do, people?”

“No it’s not. Not for you.” One of Zayn’s producers is at the door. He must’ve heard me. “Emily, I’d like you to consider something.” “Okay…” “Have you ever thought that just maybe, no one else can play your songs the way that you can? And that you may be the best person for the job yourself?” he asks. I stop and actually think. I never really considered myself being one of Zayn’s musicians.

I just thought I would be his songwriter and that would be the furthest extent of my job. But I suppose that I could use the extra money. “No, I never considered that. But I think I should. Mr. Flynn, I am hereby hiring myself as Zayn Malik’s keyboardist. Tell anyone we’ve made appointments to see tomorrow that there is no longer a need.” I say with as much authority as I can muster. “Great. I’ll get in touch with Zayn to let him know you finally caved.” he says with a wink before leaving. Of course.

So now I’m getting paid for technically two jobs: songwriter and keyboardist! This is great. If I make enough money from this and this can become a pretty steady thing, I wouldn’t have to go back to school. I could just start my career right now. Satisfied with having done my job with finding everyone I need, I send out an email to my other musicians saying that our first rehearsal will be Monday afternoon and to look over the music beforehand. After that, I decide I’m done for the day and let everyone know before I leave to go back to the house.

I get back to the house and all I see is Mackenzie at the piano playing various chords. “Uuuuugh! Nothing’s working!” she says clearly irritated. “Need some help?” I ask a little amused. “Yes please! I can’t get something that sounds right!” So I help her with that one thing, but then that one thing leads me to come up with literally every other part of her song and within a few hours, I’ve helped write the music for her whole song.

“Emily, you’re a life saver! Thank you so much!...The trouble is, I still have the whole rest of my album to write the music for.” Okay so I know I’ll sound crazy, but I mean…I have to help my best friend, right? She needs me! “What if…I was your songwriter too along with Zayn?” “Are you serious?! Oh my gosh you’re totally saving me, girl!!” she shouts hugging me.

“But wait…can you handle all of this? I mean you’re writing songs for two different people with two different sounds and plus you’re one of Zayn’s musicians like you said. Will it be too much?” “Not at all! Trust me, it will be so fun. I’m living my dream, Kenzie. And you’re living it with me.” We smile and hug when Niall gets home.

“Oh hey Niall! Guess what? I am now also Mackenzie’s songwriter.” I say putting my arm around her. “Finally! Haha just kidding, but we were expecting it eventually. Now you don’t have to worry anymore, love.” he says going to Kenzie and hugging her from behind.

My phone starts to ring, it’s Zayn. I excuse myself and answer it. “Hey, babe. So you’re my keyboardist, huh? About time you came to your senses.” “Yeah you knew the whole time that you wantedmeto do it and you didn’t tell me?!” I say fake mad. “I wanted you to figure it out on your own!”

“Yeah okay. I also have some more news. You know how my best friend Mackenzie is here working on her album too? Well, I am now also hired to behersongwriter! Isn’t that great?” “Well of course, love! Congratulations! But aren’t you gonna have a lot on your plate then?”

“Yeah, but this is what I wanted to do. This was my dream and now I’m finally living it.” I say smiling to myself. “Well I’m really happy for you, babe. …I miss you so much.” “I miss you too. I wish you could come here sooner.” “Yeah, well DeVito wants me to stay in school as long as possible before I ‘uproot my life’ and stuff.” he says.

“Yeah I suppose that’s a good idea. Well I’ll let you get some rest. I forget that we have a 3 hour time difference between us.” “All right I’ll talk to you soon. Good night!” he cheers into the phone. “Good night, sweet dreams sweetie!” I cheer before we hang up. I go back into the living room with the piano and notice Kenzie and Niall aren’t there anymore so I sit at the piano and play some gentle, soothing classical.

While I play, I think about the good fortune that’s come into my life all of a sudden. I have two songwriting jobs plus playing keyboard for my boyfriend. My boyfriend is amazing and really seems like my perfect match in every way. I have five best friends who I love to death and I’m starting to find a friend in Niall.

I’m getting paid for three different things which means I’m gonna be bringing in the cash for a while. I’ll have to be here more than a few months. Better tell Hannah. All of this happened to me within the span of almost three months. It’s unfathomable sometimes the things life can bring you.

Notes