All the trouble at work went on it own...Melissa Kingsley was really grateful for the kind of boss she had; Jerry, was like the other bosses that will have you pay for the damages caused. Later that evening Melissa and most of her high school friends had a gathering at their usual karaoke bar and Melissa had only one goal after karaoke night: which was to collect her fries and disappear before anyone could make her confront her emotions.
Fortunately for her, she had a good friend Tasha
But, also unfortunately, life and Tasha had other plans.
"You crushed it tonight!" Tasha squealed, practically bouncing beside her as they walked through town.
Melissa groaned. "I barely survived. I was one bad note away from a lifetime of shame."
"And yet," Tasha grinned, "you were amazing. didn't you see the way our friends were cheering you on...even the almighty Eva with all her pride and steeze"
Melissa sighed, mentally preparing herself for the town's newest obsession: her unexpected stardom.
And then—her phone buzzed.
Unknown Number: We need to talk. The industry is watching.
Melissa nearly tripped over her own feet.
Hours later, Melissa found herself pacing the café's back room, staring at her phone like it was a grenade.
"Tasha, I can't call back," she whispered.
"You have to call back," Tasha countered.
"What if it's a scam?"
"What if it's real?"
Melissa inhaled sharply.
She pressed call.
The voice on the other end? Deep. Confident. Professional.
"Melissa Kingsley. I represent Skyline Records. We're interested in you."
Melissa's entire world shifted.
Melissa barely had time to process her potential future before another unexpected encounter threw her brain into a blender.
"You're distracted," Ethan said, leaning against the café counter, studying her far too closely.
Melissa scoffed. "I'm fine."
"You never say you're fine when you're actually fine."
Melissa glared. Ethan smirked.
"You won the bet," he continued. "Fries forever."
Melissa pointed at him. "You're avoiding the real conversation."
"Which is?"
"This sudden interest in my life," she snapped.
Ethan chuckled. "Trust me. I've always been interested."
Melissa almost knocked over an entire coffee pot.
Tasha, watching nearby, gave her an I-told-you-so look.
Melissa's new mission? Figure out if Ethan Clarke was just messing with her—or if he really meant it.
Melissa had two choices:
Accept Skyline Records' offer, chase her dreams, and step into the spotlight.
Stay in town, keep her normal life, and avoid the emotional disaster waiting with Ethan Clarke.
It wasn't supposed to be a hard choice.
So why did it feel impossible?
Melissa Kingsley had been given the opportunity—a direct ticket to fame, courtesy of Skyline Records.
So why did she feel terrified?
Tasha, of course, had no patience for fear. "Melissa, this is your dream. What's the issue?"
Melissa sighed, staring at her phone. "Maybe I'm not ready."
Tasha groaned. "You were born ready."
But Melissa couldn't shake the feeling that something was holding her back.
Or rather—someone.
Just as Melissa was preparing to make the biggest decision of her life, Ethan Clarke appeared once again—this time, looking way too serious.
"We need to talk," Ethan said, catching her in the café's storage room.
Melissa blinked. "About what?"
Ethan hesitated. His usual smirk was gone.
And that's when she knew—something was wrong.
"You leaving," Ethan finally said. "I need to know if you're really doing this."
Melissa swallowed. "And why do you care?"
Ethan exhaled sharply. "Because once you leave, things change. We change."
Melissa's breath caught in her throat.
Was Ethan actually admitting that he still—?
Melissa expected Ethan to be sarcastic. To make a joke. To avoid feelings at all costs.
But instead, he said three words that flipped her entire world upside down.
"I never stopped."
Melissa's heartbeat slammed against her chest.
"What?" she whispered.
Ethan held her gaze, vulnerability breaking through the cracks of his usual confidence.
"I never stopped—caring. Thinking about you. Wishing I hadn't left."
Melissa's entire life suddenly felt like it had been leading to this moment.
But before she could respond—
Her phone buzzed.
Skyline Records: Final call, Melissa. Yes or no?
Melissa had seconds to decide.
Fame. Or home.
Her future. Or Ethan Clarke.
Her dreams. Or her heart.
She inhaled. Closed her eyes.
And chose.
Melissa Kingsley's hand hovered over her phone screen.
One tap. One simple word.
Yes or no.
It shouldn't be this hard.
But then again, nothing in her life had ever been simple.
She could hear her own heartbeat, loud against the silence. Ethan stood just feet away, watching her like he already knew...like he was waiting for her to make the one decision that could change everything between them.
And Melissa?
She was about to jump.
Her fingers trembled as she hit Accept.
"I'm in," she said.
Skyline Records didn't hesitate. "Pack your bags, Kingsley. Welcome to the industry."
Melissa barely heard the rest because Ethan exhaled, looked away, and she swore she saw the moment his heart cracked.
But she couldn't take it back.
She wouldn't take it back.
Because for once, she was chasing a dream bigger than herself.
And Ethan?
If he wanted to stop her, he'd have to say something now.
Melissa knew everything was about to change.
So when Tasha suggested one last night out—one final adventure before she stepped into the unknown—Melissa agreed.
But she hadn't expected Ethan to show up.
And she definitely hadn't expected him to pull her outside, away from the music, the drinks, the overwhelming noise of celebration.
"I need to know something," he said, his voice rough around the edges.
Melissa swallowed. "Ethan—"
"If you go," he cut in, "do I lose you forever?"
Her breath caught.
"Say something, Lissa," he whispered.
Melissa opened her mouth.
But before she could answer—
Her phone buzzed.
Skyline Records:Your flight is in four hours. Time to say goodbye.
And just like that—everything crashed into reality.
Melissa had to go.
She had already chosen her path.
So why did it feel like she was leaving a piece of herself behind?
"I'll come back," she told Ethan.
Ethan held her gaze. "Promise?"
Melissa wanted to say yes.
But deep down, she knew nothing about fame was guaranteed.
So instead, she whispered, "I'll try."
And with that, she walked away, toward her future, toward the unknown.
Toward everything she had ever dreamed of.