(violet's outfit for this chapter)

Since Jackson has been busy with summer school, Violet tried focusing more on her music. She practiced and played whenever she had the chance. She would wrote whatever came to mind that she thought would be a good song lyric. That way so she wouldn't forget it.

She's been working on this song for awhile and recently finally finished it. She wasn't sure what she wanted to do with it. She didn't want to keep it all to herself, but she wasn't sure if she wanted to share it. She wasn't even sure if she was ready. She wasn't sure if she could handle people listening to it and hearing the words that came from her heart. So, instead, she asked Stephanie for advice. She had a feeling Stephanie would understand. Stephanie was a musician herself, and she had always been supportive of Violet's music. Violet felt like she could talk to her, and Stephanie would give her honest, unbiased feedback.

"Hey, Violet. How's it going?" Stephanie greeted her as she entered the room.

"Hey. I'm okay." Violet sighs and ran a hand through her hair. "How's your leg?" She asked, her gaze falling on Stephanie's leg that had a cast on it. Stephanie had fallen in a gopher hole and now had to wear a cast for six weeks.

Stephanie shrugs with a strained smile. "It's definitely a hassle, but I'm managing. It's just a temporary thing, and it hasn't slowed me down too much. I'm actually quite impressed with how well I'm managing to get around despite the cast."

Violet chuckles, shaking her head in sympathy. "Well, I'm glad you're holding up okay. I'm sure it's not easy."

Stephanie waves off her concern with a dismissive gesture. "Don't worry about me. I'm fine." She says. "Now, what did you need help with?"

Violet bites her lip and takes a deep breath. "I just finished with this song I've been working on." Violet replies, glancing at her nervously. "I'm not sure what to do with it."

"Oh? Can I hear it?" Stephanie asked hopefully, smiling at her.

"Maybe." Violet blushed and bit her lip. She felt a mix of anxiety and excitement. Sharing her music always seemed like a big step, but she trusted Stephanie and knew she'd get honest feedback.

"Come on, please?" Stephanie begs, her eyes shining. "I'm sure it's amazing!"

"Okay, fine. But you can't be biased, and you have to be honest." Violet replied, her voice slightly stern.

"Okay, okay. I promise." Stephanie raised her hands in defense, making Violet roll her eyes and chuckle a little.

"Alright. Oh, also, been learning acoustic guitar so don't blame me if it sounds a bit rough." Violet added, smiling slightly despite her nerves.

Stephanie gave her an encouraging nod. "I'm sure it'll be great. Just play it when you're ready."

Violet took a deep breath and picked up her guitar. She adjusted her position, feeling the familiar weight of the instrument in her hands. As she strummed the opening chords, she felt her nerves settle slightly. The music had always been a refuge for her, a place where she could be herself. She grew more comfortable as she kept singing, becoming stronger and more confident. She started singing, her voice initially shaky but growing stronger as she got into the song. The lyrics were deeply personal, a reflection of her emotions and experiences. As she played, she felt a sense of release, a letting go of some of the fears she'd been holding onto.

Stephanie sat in silence, completely absorbed by the music while watching her with amazement and awe. She could feel the rawness of Violet's emotions in every note, the pain of past struggles, and the healing that followed. Violet's voice carried the weight of her experiences but also the strength she had gained from them. It was a song about finding oneself amidst chaos, of learning to accept love and support from those who truly cared.

As Violet reached the final note, the room fell silent, the only sound the soft hum of the ukulele strings fading into the air. Violet looked up nervously, her heart racing as she waited for Stephanie's response.

When she finished, she looked up at Stephanie, her cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and hope. "So, what do you think?"

Stephanie sat speechless for a moment, stunned by the beauty of the song and Violet's incredible talent. She blinks back tears and smiled, her eyes filled with pride and admiration. "That was amazing, Violet. I'm blown away. You're so talented, and that song is incredible. It's beautiful and heartfelt and just...Wow! I mean, I know I promised to be objective and not biased, but that was just...Wow."

Violet laughs, her face brightening and a smile spreading across her lips. "You really think so?"

Stephanie nods, grinning at her. "Yes, definitely! It was one of the best songs I've ever heard. You have an amazing gift, Violet. I'm serious. Please, don't ever doubt that."

Violet hugs her, unable to contain her joy and relief. She had been so nervous about sharing her music with Stephanie, but now she's glad she did. Knowing that her friend supports her and believes in her means the world to her. "Thank you, Steph. That really means a lot to me." 

Stephanie smiles, wrapping her arms around Violet. "Of course. I'm so proud of you. You've got something special here, Violet. Don't hide it. I think you should share it."

Violet let out a shaky breath, feeling the weight of Stephanie's words. She had put so much of herself into the song, and the thought of sharing it with others was terrifying. But hearing Stephanie's encouragement made her feel a little braver. "Do you really think people would like it?" She asked when they pulled away from the hug, glancing down at her acoustic guitar while fidgeting with her hands.

Stephanie nods without hesitation, reaching for her hands fidgeting and giving her a reassuring squeeze. "Absolutely. I think a lot of people will relate to it too. I know I did. And you are incredible, Violet. People are gonna love it. People are gonna love you."

Violet smiled, feeling her confidence growing. She wasn't sure if she was ready to share the song with everyone just yet, but hearing Stephanie's words gave her hope. Maybe, one day soon, she would be brave enough to let her music speak for itself. For now, she was happy knowing that the song had touched at least one person's heart.

"Thanks, Steph. That really means a lot." Violet whispered, her voice soft but filled with gratitude.

"Anytime. I'm always here if you need me, Vivi." Stephanie replies, giving her a reassuring smile. "And when you're ready to share it, I'll be the first in line to listen." Violet nodded, feeling lighter than she had in days. She wasn't alone in this journey, and for that, she was deeply grateful.

"Thank you."

Violet hugged her close, holding on tight. She was thankful for Stephanie, and for her friendship. Stephanie was always there for her, and she knew that no matter what, she could always count on her. She was grateful for the support and encouragement she had given her, and she knew that she would continue to be there for her, no matter what.

As they pull apart, Stephanie's phone pings and she glances down at it. She grabs her phone when it buzzed, eyes widening at the notification. "Oh, looks like your song is already going viral."

"What?" Violet exclaims, her eyes widening in surprise and confusion while panic filled her. "How? I didn't record this yet."

Stephanie grins, turning the phone to show her the video. "Looks like someone filmed it."

Violet and Stephanie pull YouTube up and find the account the video was posted on. "Jackson!" She gasps, her cheeks burning in embarrassment. She glances at the window she regretted leaving open to find her boyfriend leaning on the window still with a grin, clearly pleased with himself. She gets off her bed and heads over to him with a glare. She grabs the collar of his shirt, tugging him inside her room. He stumbles, barely managing to catch himself before he falls. "Jackson Fuller! What the heck?! Did you just record and post my song without my permission?!"

Jackson chuckles, holding his hands up in surrender. "Okay, okay, before you freak out, just hear me out, okay?"

"I'm already freaking out!" Violet exclaimed, crossing her arms as she stood in front of him, glaring.

Jackson softens his smile and takes a step closer, placing his hands gently on her shoulders. "I know it was a little risky and sneaky. I just really wanted to support you. I couldn't help it. I just knew the world deserved to hear your beautiful voice and beautiful song. And look, everyone loves it." He showed his phone with the notification of the post he shared on his social media, gaining lots of likes and comments from friends and family and other people.

Violet's eyes widened as she scrolled through the flood of encouraging words. People were praising her voice, her lyrics, and how raw and emotional the song was. There were even a few people asking where they could find more of her music. She was overwhelmed. Part of her wanted to be angry with Jackson for posting something so personal without her permission, but another part of her felt a thrill of excitement at the possibility of sharing her music with a larger audience.

"I'm supposed to be mad at you, but how can I when you say such sweet things and support me like that." Violet grumbled and shook her head, crossing her arms as she gave him a slight pout.

"Aww, come on. Please, don't be mad. I'm sorry. I was just trying to help." Jackson gave her his puppy dog eyes, putting his phone in his pocket and wrapping his arms around her waist. "I'll take it down if you want. I just wanted to help get your music career going, I know how much you want to become a musician...And plus I wanted to show the world how amazing you are."

"Violet, it's okay. I know you're scared. But people are already connecting with your song. And that's a good thing." Stephanie chimes in, placing a hand on her arm. "You don't have to do anything you don't want to, but I think you should consider it. This could be a really great opportunity for you. Jackson meant well, even though he could have handled it better." Stephanie gives him a pointed look, causing him to give her an apologetic look and nod in agreement.

"Sorry." He mumbles, biting his lip and rubbing his neck. "I understand, and I should have asked first. But I just wanted to help."

Violet looked back at Jackson, her frustration softening as she saw his genuine remorse. She glanced at the overwhelming positive feedback and felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. "I really do appreciate your support, Jackson. It's just...I wasn't ready to share it yet. But I guess now that it's out there, maybe it's a sign that I should embrace it."

"I understand." Jackson replies, smiling and squeezing her shoulder gently. "I really am sorry. I promise I won't do anything like that again without asking first. And if you decide you want to take it down, I'll delete the video. No questions asked."

"I'll leave you two to talk it over." Stephanie smiles and gives her a reassuring nod before walking out of the room. "Take care, Vivi. I'm really proud of you, and I believe in you. You've got this. Whatever you decide, it's going to be a good thing. I just know it."

Violet and Jackson thank her as she leaves, the room falling silent as the door closes. Violet took a deep breath, her thoughts racing. She didn't know what to do. She wanted to share her music, but she was afraid. She had been working on building her confidence, and while it was a process, she was getting there. But the idea of sharing her music with a larger audience was overwhelming. She wasn't sure if she could handle the pressure.

"You okay, Vivi?" Jackson asks, breaking the silence and squeezing her hand, looking at her with concern. "We don't have to talk about it anymore if you don't want to." He Violet looked up at Jackson, her emotions swirling. She could see the genuine concern in his eyes, and it helped to ease some of her anxiety. She took a moment to gather her thoughts before speaking.

"I don't know. I'm just....Overwhelmed right now. It's a lot to take in," Violet admits, her voice trembling slightly. "I wanted to share my music, but I wasn't prepared for it to happen so suddenly. It's like everything just exploded."

Jackson nods, understanding her struggle. "I get it. It's a lot to process. But maybe this could be a good thing, too. You've always wanted to be a musician. Now, here's your chance. You can reach more people, make more connections, and do what you love. You have a real chance to make your dreams come true. And I'll be right by your side the whole way, supporting you every step of the way." He smiles and cups her face, brushing a thumb along her cheek. "It's okay to be scared. But you can do this. I believe in you."

Violet takes a deep breath, her mind calming as she focuses on his words. He was right. She had always dreamed of sharing her music with the world. And while the thought of doing it was terrifying, it was also exhilarating. She knew that she would never know what might have happened if she didn't take this chance. She had to try. She had to take the leap. If she didn't, she would regret it forever. And so, with a deep breath and a nod, she makes her decision. She takes her boyfriend's hand, a determination rising within her. "Okay. You can leave it up. But no more sneaking behind my back. If you want to help, then we work together from now on." Violet states firmly, staring him down and giving him a warning look. "Got it?"

"Loud and clear, Vivi." Jackson gives her a sheepish smile and a quick peck on the cheek. "And again, I'm sorry. I was just trying to help."

Violet rolls her eyes but can't keep the smile off her face. "I know, and I'm thankful. But let's work together next time. We're better as a team, anyway."

"Agreed." Jackson smiles, and Violet finds herself smiling back, her nerves settling as she leans into his touch. As scary as the prospect of sharing her music with the world is, she knows she's not alone. She has her friends, family, and Jackson by her side. She can do this. "Wanna get some celebratory ice cream?" He suggested, a smile playing on his lips.

"Sounds good to me." Violet replied, taking his hand and letting him lead her out of the room, a feeling of anticipation and excitement building in her chest. She put her acoustic guitar to the side and followed him down to the kitchen. She and Jackson headed down to the kitchen, their footsteps light with the promise of a sweet treat and a moment of relaxation. As they walked, Violet's heart still fluttered with a mix of nerves and excitement, but Jackson's presence made the journey feel more manageable.

Once they reached the kitchen, Jackson quickly rummaged through the freezer and pulled out a tub of her favorite ice cream—chocolate chip cookie dough. He grins at her, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "I thought this might be a good day for a treat. You deserve it." He said softly, pulling out two spoons from the drawer.

Violet chuckles and shakes her head, her heart warming at his thoughtfulness. He always knew how to cheer her up, even when she didn't realize she needed it. "Thank you, Jax."

He winks at her, and after they sit on the counter together, they eat ice cream out of the bowl and enjoy each other's company. She felt so lucky to have him in her life, and as they sat together, she realized that no matter what happened, he would always be there for her. That was all the comfort she needed to take the next step, a newfound confidence rising within her. She could do this. She was ready. And with Jackson by her side, she knew that she would always have a safe place to fall, no matter what the future held.

She leaned into him and gave him a kiss, the sweet taste of ice cream lingering on his lips. His cheeks tinged pink as he smiled and kissed her back. When they broke away, they both had smiles on their faces, their hearts filled with hope and love for the future. As she and Jackson enjoyed the rest of their ice cream and snuggled up close, Violet knew that she had made the right decision. She would take the leap, and whatever came next, she would embrace it. Because she wasn't alone. She had her family, her friends, and Jackson by her side, and together, they would weather any storm that came their way.