3.4 Part One: Starlight Shores

I took deep breaths as i enjoyed the fresh air coming in through my window. I had just had the best night sleep i had had in a long time. I stood up and looked out through the window. Starlight Shores looked beautiful in the morning light. I got dressed and went downstairs to the kitchen where my mom and Ian was already digging into the freshly made pancakes.
"Good morning," I greeted them.
"Good morning indeed. It's 9 o'clock already. You just woke up?" My mom was always up early. She felt it was good to get ahead of the day. Ian didn't even look up as i entered the room. I sat down at the plate that was put out for me and began eating. My mom made the best pancakes. It was even rumored back in Moonlight Falls that she made the best pancakes in the entire town.

Ian had finally started growing facial hair. He had wanted that for a long time, but just hadn't been able to.
"So, what are you going to do today?" my mom asked me. Seeing how i had just relaxed the last week since we moved here, she had a bit of an attitude against me.
"Well i was thinking of heading down to the park to see if i can catch the Proprietor in town. I heard that he usually hung out there, looking for new potential clients."
She looked up from her breakfast. "That sounds like a splendid idea! You need to get out more. You've just been sulking around the house ever since we arrived here. It isn't healthy for you, dear."
"I haven't been sulking around," I said offended. "I've just taken my time to get used to the town, that's all. Ian is the one sulking."
"Hey! I never wanted to move here. You guys forced me. I had a fine life back home," he exclaimed.
"Yeah with your drug buddies," I threw at him.
He stuck out his tongue at me like a child. "You're so childish. Why don't you grow up."
"You grow up."
God damn. "I have to get going," I said, getting up. I put the plate in the dish washer and called a cab. We had had to sell the car to be able to afford other things. As i stood waiting for the cab, i looked up at our house. It was beautiful. It was all i had ever wanted, and more. It was three stories tall with four bedrooms and five bathrooms. It was a beautifully decorated house, both inside and outside.

 We had a barn ready for horses. I just needed a bit more money so i could buy one. And then some more money so i could buy another one, and then breed them. I also wanted a mate for Lulu. She needed a playmate and i also wanted to breed puppies with her that i could then put up for adoption. Maybe even keep one pup. Anyway i needed some money to achieve all that, and what better way than getting a job.
I went straight for the park and there i found the proprietor. His name was George Durelli. He wasn't exactly what i would call attractive but again, i wasn't going to date him so it didn't really matter. I told him i wanted to become a singer. "It means a lot of hard work, and many never actually succeeds getting famous. Are you sure you want to pursue this career?" He looked at me like he didn't think i had it in me. I think it might have shown how new i was to this town. I didn't know its secrets or the best way to communicate with the citizens, but i knew one thing: "I have what it takes, sir. I know i do. I have many dreams. One of which to be a singer. Another one i need money for. Money i don't have at the moment, but i am sure i will get from singing and performing. Just give me the chance to prove i am worth betting on. Please, i beg you."

What was that look he gave me? What it pity?
"There there," he said. "I know money can be a tough issue in the beginnings. I have been there myself once." He gave me a predominantly look, then said: "Alright, i'll give you a chance to prove yourself. But you must put all your effort into this. Now, the first thing you will have to do is perform sing-a-grams to people around town. You will get phone calls when there is a request, explaining what the given case is about. It can be anything from  a cheer up to a love song from a dear one. It might seem degrading and pointless, but it is the best way to get your name out there. As you progress you will start to get gigs around town. I will do what ever i can to help you, but it all relies on your effort. Again, are you sure you are up for this?"
"I'm sure!" I said
"Good, that's the spirit! A good way to get your name spread through the community is to play on your guitar on any venue you fancy. And you can even earn a few tips along the way. Now get out there and show people what you got!"
I started straight away. People were gathered around the park, either having a picnic with friends or just hanging around talking to people they meet. They started to notice me and enjoying my music. I even got a few tips from bystanders.

Already the next day i got phone calls from people who wanted a sing-a-gram delivered to friends and family. My first performance was for a lady who had had a bad day. Her boyfriend, to whom she had complained to, called and asked me to perform for her to cheer her up.

Next up was Isaack Luck. It was his birthday and i was to congratulate him with singing and dancing.

I couldn't help notice how handsome he was. After i had performed for him i introduced myself to him.

I found out he was Virtuoso (just like me!) ambitious, genius and a workaholic. He worked as a Band Manager in the Music career. We talked for a while until i was called up again. When i was done for the day i headed home to find Ian and my mom had already gone to bed. I took a plate of some leftover in the fridge and sat down to eat, pondering about the day. It had been quite good. I found it okay to do sing-a-grams as i met a lot of different people that way and i was able to brighten their day just by singing and dancing. It made me feel good about myself.

Terrance had moved into his own house when we moved here. He had found a cute little one bedroom house down beside the water.

Ian was being quite grumpy lately. I suspected it was because he was now drug free and he was experiencing the "joy" of living like everybody else. He had taken a job at the sports stadium as a Rabid Fan. It wasn't exactly his dream job but he had to start somewhere.

 In the meantime i had gotten my very first gig at Flying V's Coffeehouse. It wasn't big but it was a start. People watched as i did my best at performing and giving them a good experience.

As i descended from the scene i saw Terrance standing in the back of the crowd.
"Hey Terrance," I said as i approached him.
"Hi Bea. Great show!"
"Thanks. Hey are you coming to my party tonight?"
"Sure, i wouldn't miss it for the world."
"That's great. Well I guess I'll see you soon then. Bye," i left the area in a cab and drove home to prepare for the pool party i was having that evening. I had invited a lot of people. Most of them I had met by doing sing-a-grams.

I stood by the stereo dancing along the music with Terrance. Ian was sulking in a corner like usual, making no effort to talk to anyone. I had told him he needed to attend the party and socialize, but apparently he ignored one of my requests.
"Are you having a good time?" I asked Terrance.
"I am, thanks for inviting me."
"Well of course, you're my brother."
My eye wandered around the room, looking for one particular person. After a while i went outside to see if he was there.

I spotted him in the pool among the other guests. Isaack Luck was my newest crush. It was him i dreamed about at night and longed to see in the daytime. Besides inviting him to the party, i hadn't talked to him since that night i did the sing-a-gram to him.
He caught my eye and i shyly looked away.
"Hey Bea! Get into the pool!" He called out to me. "It's time for the hostess to join the party!"
I considered it for a moment and then lowered myself into the pool. "Hey thanks for coming to my party Isaack." I said. "I'm really glad you could make it."
He glared at me with a strange look on his face. "Of course i would attend to your party Bea. You're a cool friend."
Friend. Of course. I had been so stupid. He didn't see me as nothing else than a friend. 
I guess he could sense i had become sad because he said: "Are you okay? You suddenly went all quiet." He took on a playful look in his eyes and splashed me with water, pulling me out of my trance. I splashed him back and for a while we did nothing else.
Then Terrance came outside and asked for me to perform.
I got out of the water and started singing, the guests gathering around me. They even tipped me.

Terrance stood a in the back and urged me on, clapping his hands. I gave it my best shot and they loved it.

As I laid down in bed i thought of the party. It had gone quite well, despite the fact that Isaack only sees me as a friend. I had to do something about that. How could i turn it around? I had to find a way.