Chapter 4 Shine's Unwavering Support

Maya hadn't left her room in two days.

Her parents knocked on her door occasionally, asking if she needed anything, but she always answered the same way-I'm fine. They didn't push. They probably thought she just needed time. But time wasn't fixing anything.

The rejection from the academy sat in her mind like a stain she couldn't scrub away. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the words again: We regret to inform you...

Regret.

That was all she felt now.

Regret for hoping. Regret for dreaming too big. Regret for believing, even for a second, that she could be something more.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, the sound cutting through the silence.

She ignored it.

A minute passed. Then another buzz.

And another.

Maya groaned, reaching for the phone without even checking the screen.

Shine: Maya, pick up your phone.

She frowned, blinking at the screen.

Shine: Maya. I swear to God. If you don't answer, I'm showing up at your house.

A tiny flicker of amusement sparked in her chest, but it faded just as quickly.

She sighed and typed back.

Maya: I don't feel like talking.

The response came instantly.

Shine: Too bad. Open your window.

Maya stared at the message, confused.

Then a loud tap, tap, tap sounded against her window.

Her heart jumped. She stood up, pushing her blanket off.

Through the glass, Shine's face appeared, her expression a mix of determination and impatience. Her dark curls were tied up in a messy bun, and she had her arms crossed, as if daring Maya to ignore her.

Maya sighed but couldn't stop the small smile that tugged at her lips.

She unlatched the window and pushed it open.

"What the hell are you doing?" she asked.

Shine grinned. "Being a good friend."

Maya shook her head. "You climbed up here?"

"Obviously." Shine peered past her. "Your room looks like a crime scene. Jesus, Maya. Have you even showered?"

Maya scowled. "Nice to see you too."

Shine hopped inside, landing gracefully on the carpet. "Okay, no more of this mopey, self-pity thing you've got going on. You've been hiding in here like a sad little puppy and I'm not letting it happen anymore."

Maya crossed her arms. "You do realize I just got rejected from the one thing I've been working toward my entire life, right?"

"Yes," Shine said, voice softer now. "And it sucks. It really, really sucks. But one rejection doesn't define you."

Maya looked away, her throat tightening.

"I put everything into that application," she muttered. "My best songs, my heart, my soul... and they still said no."

Shine nodded, stepping closer. "I know. And it hurts. But Maya, do you really think that one rejection means you're not talented?"

Maya didn't answer.

Shine sighed. "You've been playing music since we were kids. You live and breathe it. One stupid academy doesn't get to decide if you're good enough."

Maya scoffed. "Easy for you to say."

"No, it's not," Shine shot back. "Because I know what you're doing. You're letting this one moment tell you who you are. And that's bullshit."

Maya's jaw clenched.

Shine grabbed her hand. "Look at me."

She hesitated but finally met her gaze.

"I know this dream feels impossible right now," Shine said gently. "But you don't give up. That's not who you are."

Maya swallowed, trying to keep her emotions in check.

Shine squeezed her hand. "You are Maya Young. You write songs that make people feel things. You make music that matters. And if one school doesn't see that, then screw them. You'll make it another way."

Maya let out a shaky breath. "What if I don't?"

Shine's grip on her hand tightened. "Then I'll drag your ass to every open mic night, every talent show, every damn opportunity until the whole world hears you. Because you are not giving up on this."

Maya's chest ached.

For the first time in days, the suffocating weight on her shoulders felt just a little lighter.

She didn't respond right away, but Shine didn't rush her. She just stood there, unwavering.

Finally, Maya sighed. "You're really annoying, you know that?"

Shine smirked. "I prefer persistent."

Maya shook her head, a reluctant smile forming.

Shine grinned. "There's my girl."

Maya exhaled sharply and sank onto the edge of her bed, her head still buzzing with doubt. The words You'll make it another way echoed in her mind, but the sting of rejection fought against them, anchoring her in place.

Shine, plopped down beside her, bumping their shoulders together.

"You know," Shine mused, stretching her legs out in front of her, "when I failed my first ballet audition, I spent two days convincing myself I'd never dance again. I even threw away my pointe shoes."

Maya turned her head slightly. "You never told me that."

Shine smirked. "Yeah, because it was dramatic as hell. My mom found them in the trash, gave me the 'never quit' speech, and dragged me to class the next day. I hated her for it... until I realized I needed to hear it."

Maya let that sink in. She had always admired Shine's confidence, the way she carried herself like she belonged in every room she stepped into. It was hard to picture her ever doubting herself.

"But this is different," Maya murmured. "This isn't just some audition. This was everything."

Shine turned, fully facing her now. "No, Maya. This was one thing. One opportunity out of a thousand you're going to get. You don't even know what's waiting for you yet."

Maya swallowed. "But what if?"

"Nope." Shine cut her off immediately. "We're not doing that what if I fail nonsense. Instead, let's flip it. What if this rejection was actually a good thing?"

Maya gave her a deadpan look. "You're delusional."

"Maybe," Shine said with a grin. "But think about it. What if you were meant for something bigger than that school? What if they would've boxed you in, stifled you, made you play music that wasn't true to who you are? What if this means you get to carve your own path?"

Maya chewed her bottom lip. It was a nice thought, but it felt too soon to believe.

Shine wasn't done.

"Do you think Beyoncé allowed one 'no' stop her? Do you think Taylor Swift heard a single rejection and gave up?" Shine nudged her. "Hell no. You know why? Because they knew their worth. And you need to know yours too."

Maya exhaled, rubbing her hands over her face. "I want to believe that, Shine. I really do."

Shine grabbed her hands and pulled them away from her face, forcing her to look at her.

"Then start," she said, softer this time. "Start by picking up your guitar again. Start by reminding yourself why you fell in love with music in the first place. Forget that school. Forget the rejection. You were writing songs before them, and you'll write songs after them."

Maya's throat tightened again. She felt so small in this moment, but Shine's words cracked through the thick walls of doubt she had built over the past few days.

"Just try," Shine urged. "For me. For you."

Maya didn't answer right away.

But slowly, her gaze shifted toward the corner of the room.

Toward her closet.

She pictured her guitar.

Maya inhaled deeply. Her fingers twitched again, the same way they had the night before. Only this time, she didn't push the feeling away.

This time, she let herself want it.

Wordlessly, she stood and crossed the room. Shine watched silently as Maya reached down, opening the door of her closet and bringing it out. She hesitated only a second before her fingers curled around the neck of the guitar.

It was heavier than she remembered.

Or maybe it was just that it meant more now.

She settled back onto the bed, cradling it in her lap. Her fingers hovered over the strings.

She didn't know what to play. Didn't even know if she could play right now. But when she strummed a single chord, the sound hummed through the room, soft and familiar.

Something in her chest cracked open.

Shine smiled, leaning back on her elbows. "There she is."

Maya let out a quiet laugh, shaking her head. "You're ridiculous."

"I know."

A pause.

Then Shine added, "But I also know you. And you're not done yet."

Maya stared at her guitar, the weight of everything still pressing on her shoulders.

But for the first time since the rejection, she didn't feel buried by it.

Maybe Shine was right. Maybe this wasn't the end.

For the first time since the rejection, Maya felt something close to hope. It wasn't strong, not yet. But it was there.