"You want us to make a song with you?!"

Aurora had met the guys backstage and proposed the idea to them. Everyone thought it was a great idea except for Luke, who practically laughed at the suggestion. She had expected this reaction and was prepared.

"It would benefit both of us. You could even land a record deal once people hear your music," Aurora said.

"That would be really good for us," Reggie added. "Yeah, it would. Luke?" Alex prompted.

Luke still wore an annoyed expression. "No, it's out of the question. I am not singing some girly pop song about sparkles and glitter," he said.

"Sparkles and glitter are basically the same thing," Kelsey interjected.

"That's beside the point. I'm sorry, princess, but here's a word you've never heard before: no." Luke walked away.

Aurora rolled her eyes. "We'll think about it, okay?" Alex said, causing Aurora to nod.

"Thanks," she muttered before Alex and Reggie ran after Luke.

"You did all you could," Kelsey said, placing a hand on Aurora's shoulder. "Now it's up to the three of us to try and convince him."

Aurora sighed and sat down on a crate. "I don't understand what your brother has against me."

"It's not you," Kelsey said, sitting down next to her. "He's always been like this, ever since we moved out of our parents' house to live with Melanie."

"You guys ran away from home?" Aurora asked, eyebrows narrowing.

"Well, not really," Kelsey replied.

Kelsey sighed before telling the whole story to Aurora. "My parents got Luke a guitar for his fifteenth birthday. They knew how much he loved music, but after they bought that guitar, everything changed. They fought more about his schoolwork, his behavior, and how late he'd come home. One day, he just snapped and ran away. We found him at Alex's place, and I talked to my parents about letting him live with Melanie for a while. It seemed better because Melanie is a teacher and deals with all kinds of kids every day. They agreed, and now Luke lives with them. I do too, but I still visit my parents occasionally. Luke hasn't seen them in years."

Aurora absorbed the story, gaining a new understanding of Luke. He wasn't just being difficult; he was hurt. Hurt could be healed. "Give him a chance. He's not an asshole, he just needs to wake up," Kelsey said.

"I understand," Aurora replied. "I think your brother and his band have potential, and I'm trying to help them realize it. But I can't force them to do anything."

Kelsey sighed and stood up. "I'll try my best to convince him. I'll let you know what he says."

"I need to know by tomorrow morning before I leave for my recording session at three," Aurora said, standing up. "I know it's last minute. I'm sorry."

"You're good, girl," Kelsey said. The two began to walk out of the auditorium. Aurora hoped Kelsey could work her magic. This was her only chance.

__

"Kelsey, I said no," Luke insisted as he closed the fridge door.

"Come on! It's Aurora Roberts!" Kelsey begged.

"Exactly. That's why," Luke replied, walking out the back door. Kelsey followed him outside.

"I don't get it. What do you have against Aurora? Is it because she's a successful woman? Do you hate women?" Kelsey asked, causing Luke to stop in his tracks.

"Don't play the woman card," he said, turning to her before walking into the garage, which they had converted into their studio.

"Look, I'm just saying this could be really good for Sunset Curve," Kelsey said. "It could help you get noticed."

"We can do that on our own," Luke said, grabbing his journal filled with songs.

"I'm not saying you can't, but you know this could help," Kelsey insisted.

"Hmm, let me think. No," he retorted, then walked out of the studio, leaving his sister behind. Kelsey groaned and followed him back inside the house.

"You are so stubborn," Kelsey said.

"That makes two of us," Luke replied. The twins walked into the living room to find Alex and Reggie chilling on the couch, watching TV. Melanie was reading a book in the corner with her glasses on.

"Will you guys talk some sense into your friend?" Kelsey asked Alex and Reggie, turning their attention away from the TV.

"Wouldn't this be good for the band?" she asked. "I mean, it wouldn't be horrible," Alex said.

"I think it's a good idea," Reggie added. "Aurora seems nice." He shrugged.

Luke groaned. "If I collaborate with someone, I have to connect with them and their music. If I don't, the chemistry just isn't there."

Kelsey's eyes widened. "That's...that's...I..." she stammered. "That's exactly what Aurora said! God, when will you see that you're both so alike?"

"Kelsey, just drop it, okay? It's not happening," Luke said.

Kelsey rolled her eyes. "Hey, look. They're talking about Aurora on MTV," Reggie said, causing the twins to walk into the living room. They sat on the couch and watched the segment on Aurora.

"Well, it seems our pop princess has just finished her first week at Los Feliz High School," the interviewer began. "A lot of people are speculating on why her parents decided to enroll her during her senior year. Some say she needs inspiration for a new album, others say it was a punishment. The truth? According to Aurora's parents, they just wanted to give her a taste of normality. But she's a pop star; her life is far from normal. Either way, Aurora seems to be adapting to high school life."

"On the topic of Aurora Roberts, here's her number-one hit, 'All Eyes On Me,' from her debut album." Suddenly, the screen went black before Aurora's face appeared, and she started to sing. They were playing her music video for "All Eyes On Me." Melanie put her book down and started watching along with the others.

"She's kind of good," she said.

Luke shook his head and scoffed, grabbing the remote to change the channel. "I am not singing some girly pop song!" he said, walking out of the living room.

The three of them tried everything they could to convince him, but his decision was unwavering. He wasn't going to record a song with Aurora. Having some random dude write the song and then having them sing it? He'd rather die from eating hotdogs than let a stranger write his music. Aurora might be fine with that, but Luke wasn't. Tomorrow, he'd go over to Aurora's and tell her she would have to find someone else because Sunset Curve was not going to record a song with Aurora Roberts.

___

That night, Aurora sat on her couch with her aunt, playing a game of UNO. Every Friday night was game night, just the two of them. They would order food, pick a game to play, and listen to music on Aurora's record player. Tonight, they were eating Chinese food while listening to a Fleetwood Mac album. The fireplace was on, and Aurora was wrapped up in a fluffy white blanket in the corner of her couch.

"UNO," her aunt said, placing her card on the pile. Aurora nodded, glancing at her own cards.

"Yeah, well..." She grabbed a card from her hand and placed it on the pile. It was a plus-four card. Carla's eyes widened.

"Blue," Aurora smirked.

Carla sighed and picked up four cards, none of them blue. "Damn it," she muttered. Suddenly, the record player stopped, signaling the end of side A.

"I'll get it," Aurora said, standing up and walking over to the record player. She lifted the needle and flipped the record to side B.

"Hey, did you find anyone to collaborate with?" Carla asked as the music began to play.

"Sort of." Aurora shrugged, sitting back down on the couch. "Remember the guys I told you about? Luke, Alex, and Reggie? Apparently, they're in a band and they're really good. I suggested collaborating, and while Luke immediately turned it down, the others were pretty into it. Kelsey and the guys are trying to convince Luke. I don't know if it'll work, though."

"A garage band?" Carla asked, skeptical of her niece's choice.

Aurora sighed. "They're really good, Carla. Yes, they don't have a record label yet, but this could help them get noticed."

Her aunt grinned. "You felt the spark, didn't you? When you heard them play?"

Aurora smiled. "I did. They have real potential, and I want to help them."

Carla nodded. "Well, you did everything you could. Now it's up to them to take this opportunity."

Aurora nodded. "If they say no, there's always TLC. 'Waterfalls' is one of my favorite songs."

Carla chuckled, setting down her cards and sitting next to Aurora, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "If you're really that desperate, I have no problem singing."

"Are you kidding me? No. I'd rather never write another song than risk your cancer coming back," Aurora said firmly.

Carla sighed and nodded, then glanced at the clock in the corner of the room. "It's late. I should get going. Are you good here?" she asked, standing up.

Aurora nodded. "I'll be fine. It's not my first time home alone while my parents are away on business."

Carla smiled and hugged Aurora before grabbing her bag. "I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yeah, three o'clock," Aurora said.

Carla turned to her before opening the door. "I love you."

"Love you too," Aurora replied with a smile.

Once Carla left, Aurora started tidying up. She put the UNO cards back in their box, turned off her record player, and placed the vinyl back in its sleeve. After putting out the fire, she cleaned up the rest of their Chinese food. She thought she'd do well living on her own. Having spent so many days alone in the house, she felt prepared to move out and manage on her own. She didn't need a boyfriend or husband for companionship. The truth was, Aurora had never really had a boyfriend before. She'd been on dates, but they never went past the third one. She had never written a song about a guy, refusing to do so unless she knew it was real, something that could last.

After finishing her chores, Aurora went upstairs to her room and turned on the light. She changed into a simple tank top and shorts for bed. As she settled in, she noticed her journal on the nightstand. Picking it up, she flipped through it. The pages were filled with songs she had written—some really good, some drafts, and others so bad they were scribbled over. Sighing, she closed the journal and set it back on the nightstand, turned off the light, and drifted off to sleep.

___

The following morning, Aurora prepared for the day, knowing that Luke would tell her "no" one last time. She knew it was coming, and it would be alright. There were other people to collaborate with, though the spark wouldn't be there. At least she would get to write her own songs. As she left her room, she paused, spotting her journal. Grabbing it, she walked downstairs. Passing her piano, she stopped in her tracks, staring at it. Then she looked down at her journal. She walked into the room, sat down at the bench, and opened the key lid.

Meanwhile, Luke drove over to Aurora's house to deliver his decision: a firm "no." There was no universe where he would make a song with Aurora Roberts. As he pulled up to her driveway, a security guard blocked the gate. Luke rolled down his window as the guard approached. "Hi, I'm Luke. I go to the same school as Aurora. I need to talk to her...about a project," he said, partially lying. The guard scanned him before walking away. Luke was unsure what was happening until the guard pressed a button, opening the gate. Luke drove up the driveway, his jaw dropping at the sight of her house. It was huge—the largest house he'd ever seen. What did she need with all that space? He wondered how many bedrooms it had. Three or four would be enough but this looked like it had at least six.

Inside the house, Aurora opened her journal to one of her oldest songs. It was one of her first good ones, called "Wake Up." She remembered the day she wrote it and how excited she was to show it to her aunt. She wished she could record this song more than any other, but according to Barry, it was too slow. She set the book down on top of the piano with the page open. Taking a deep breath, her fingers touched the piano keys.

Here's the one thing
I want you to know
You got someplace to go
Life's a test yes
But you go toe to toe
You don't give up no you grow

Singing her own music within the walls of her home felt like no other feeling, filling her with warmth and a sense of well-being. After performing so many songs written by others, it felt good to finally sing something that came entirely from her own heart.

And you use your pain
'Cause it makes you you
Though I wish
I could hold you through it

I know it's not the same
You got livin' to do
And I just want you to do it

So get up, get out relight that spark
You know the rest by heart

As Aurora continued singing, a wave of serotonin washed over her. Performing her own music was calming and filled her with emotion, unlike singing other songs, which often left her feeling numb.

Wake up, wake up if it's all you do
Look out, look inside of you
It's not what you lost
It's what you'll gain
Raising your voice to the rain

Wake up your dream and make it true
Look out, look inside of you
It's not what you lost
Relight that spark
Time to come out of the dark
Wake up
Wake up

Better wake those demons
Just look them in the eye
No reason not to try
Life can be a mess
I won't let it cloud my mind
I'll let my fingers fly

And I use the pain
'Cause it's part of me
And I'm ready to power through it

Gonna find the strength
Find the melody
'Cause you showed me how to do it

Get up, get out relight that spark
You know the rest by heart

Aurora then stood up, still playing the piano and singing along to the words in her journal.

Wake up, wake up if it's all you do
Look out, look inside of you
It's not what you lost
It's what you'll gain
Raising your voice to the rain

Wake up your dream and make it true
Look out, look inside of you
It's not what you lost
Relight that spark
Time to come out of the dark
Wake up
Wake up

So wake that spirit spirit
I wanna hear it hear it
No need to fear it you're not alone
You're gonna find your way home

Wake up, wake up if it's all you do
Look out, look inside of you
It's not what you lost
It's what you'll gain
Raising your voice to the rain

Wake up your dream and make it true
Look out, look inside of you
When you're feeling lost
Relight that spark
Time to come out of the dark
Wake up
Wake up

As Aurora pressed down on the final note, she smiled to herself. Closing the key lid, she sat back down and hugged her journal to her chest. "Wow," Suddenly, a voice startled her. She turned to see Luke standing in the doorway, stunned. How long had he been there? What was he doing here? Did he hear her singing?

"What are you doing here?" Aurora asked defensively.

Luke stepped into the room. "Did you write that?" he asked, surprised.

Aurora sighed and nodded. "It was one of the very first songs I wrote," she said.

"Why have you never recorded it? Why do you let strangers write songs for you when you're that talented?" he asked, genuinely curious. Had he just complimented her? He called her talented? What was going on?

Luke's mind raced. He had always thought Aurora was just a nepotism case, famous because of her aunt. Now he saw and heard a different side of her—a side he never knew existed. He felt like a jerk for judging her so quickly, but he still didn't understand why she hadn't recorded her own songs.

Aurora sighed again. "I'm not allowed," she revealed. Luke furrowed his brows. "What do you mean you're not allowed?"

"I'm under a contract that says I can't write or record my own songs. I've tried showing them my songs, but they always turn me down. I'm pretty sure it's because I'm a woman; only men write my music. So, no, I can't write my own songs," Aurora explained.

Luke finally understood the full truth. Aurora didn't like strangers writing her songs—she wanted to write her own but was trapped by her contract. He knew what it felt like to be trapped.

"You said if you collaborate with someone, you can write your own music?" Luke asked. Aurora nodded. "If it gets to number one on Billboard," she said.

Luke thought for a moment. He had originally come over to tell Aurora that there was no chance he'd ever make a song with her, but after learning the truth, he wasn't so sure anymore. Aurora could have picked any singer in the industry, but she picked Sunset Curve, an underground garage band without a record label. She wanted to write a song with them, not a girly pop song, but something heartfelt, like the music Luke wrote.

"We'll do it," he said, causing Aurora's eyes to widen.

"Seriously?" she grinned.

Luke smiled. Why did Aurora's smile make him smile? "Yeah," he nodded. "Your music isn't so bad, I guess."

Aurora walked towards him. "I thought you thought my music was plain garbage."

Luke chuckled. "Yeah, well, that was before I heard your music. The music you write."

Was Luke being nice to her? He didn't seem like his usual annoyed self around her. Maybe he just needed to know the real Aurora, not the one he thought he knew. Only a few people knew the real Aurora, and now Luke was one of them.

END OF CHAPTER