Chapter 2 Recognition gained from hardwork

The dimly lit garage is now a makeshift stage, clutter cleared away to reveal a small circle of Justin's friends, their faces illuminated by the glow of a single lamp. Justin stands in the center, his acoustic guitar resting on his lap, fingers poised to play. His chestnut hair as usual is slightly damp from the shower, a few strands falling into his eyes.

He's wearing a fresh band tee, the fabric stretching across his shoulders, and his favorite pair of worn jeans.As he looks out at his audience, his mind drifts to Mia, her naked body pressed against his, the way she felt wrapped around him.He shakes his head slightly, trying to focus, and begins to strum the opening chords of the song he wrote for her. His voice is raw and honest as he sings about shadows and echoes, about a girl who's a spark in the quiet.

As the last notes fade away, the garage erupts into applause. His friends whistle and cheer, their faces alight with excitement."Dude, that was insane!" his best friend, Ethan, exclaims, clapping him on the back."You've really outdone yourself this time."The others nod in agreement, their praise washing over Justin. He feels a swell of pride, but beneath it, a nagging thought lingers. He's grateful for their support, but he can't shake the feeling that something's missing.He glances at the door, half-expecting to see Mia standing there, her green eyes shining with admiration. Butthe garage remains empty, and Justin's heart sinks slightly.He turns back to his friends, forcing a smile."Thanks, guys.I'm glad you liked it."

Later that evening, the garage is filled with the aroma of sizzling meat and spices.Mia bustles around the makeshift kitchen setup, her hair tied back in a messy bun, a few strands framing her face. She's wearing an oversized apron over her sundress, the hem fluttering as she moves. Hercheeks are flushed from the heat of the stove, and she hums softly to herself as she flips a burger.Justin watches her from across the room, his heart swelling with affection. She's taken it upon herself to feed their hungry friends, her movements efficient and caring. She plates the burgers with a flourish, adding a handful of fries to each one. "Dig in, everyone!"she calls out, her voice bright and welcoming.

The friends descend on the food, their praise mingling with the clatter of plates and forks.Mia beams, clearly pleased with herself.

As the evening winds down, Justin and Mia walk his friends to the door, their arms wrapped around each other's waists. Ethan, always the observant one, notices their closeness and raises an eyebrow."So, when's the big day?" he asks, grinning mischievously. "You two look pretty cozy."Justin blushes, glancing at Mia, who smiles enigmatically. "We're taking things slow," she says, her voice soft but firm. "No need to rush into anything."Ethan laughs, holding up his hands in surrender. "Just kidding, just kidding. You guys make a great couple, though."As his friends file out, exchanging knowing glances and whispers, Justin pulls Mia closer, his heart racing. He knows they're not engaged, but the idea doesn't scare him as much as it once might have. With Mia by his side, anything feels possible.

Justin's eyes flutter open, the early morning light filtering through the curtains.He reaches for his phone on the nightstand, blinking away sleep. As he unlocks the screen, a notification catches his attention - an email from a talent scout he'd met at a local open mic night.His heart races as he opens the message, scanning the contents quickly.

"Congratulations, Justin! We've been impressed by your raw talent and unique sound. We'd like to invite you to perform at our upcoming showcase for emerging artists. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain exposure and showcase your music to industry professionals."

Justin sits up abruptly, his mind reeling. He glances at Mia, still sleeping peacefully beside him, and grins. This could be his big break, the chance to take his music to the next level.He knows she'll be thrilled for him. He leans over and gently shakes her awake."Mia, wake up. You're not gonna believe this..."

Justin's eyes sparkle with excitement as he pulls Mia into a passionate kiss, his arms wrapping around her waist. Mia's sleepy eyes widen in surprise, but she quickly melts into the kiss, her own arms snaking up to tangle in his hair.Whenthey finally break apart, Mia is grinning from ear to ear, her cheeks flushed."Wow, what was that for?"she asks, laughing softly. Justin holds up his phone, showing her the email."I got an invitation to perform at a showcase for emerging artists!" he exclaims, his voice bubbling with enthusiasm."This is huge, Mia.It could be my big break!"Mia squeals with delight, throwing her arms around him."Oh my god, Justin! That's amazing! I'm so proud of you!"She pulls back, cupping his face in her hands. "You deserve this. Your talent is incredible."

Justin leaps out of bed, adrenaline coursing through his veins. He rushes to the closet, pulling out his best jeans and a crisp, black button-down shirt. Mia watches him with a smile, amused by his sudden burst of energy."Slow down, speedy," she teases, sitting up and stretching."You've got plenty of time."But Justin is already halfway out the door, calling over his shoulder,"Can't waste a minute! Gotta make a good impression!"He grabs his guitar case and rushes out to his car, heart pounding with excitement. As he drives to the venue, he runs through his set list in his head, mentally preparing for the performance of a lifetime.

The showcase is in full swing, the venue packed with industry professionals, fellow musicians, and eager fans. Justin watches from the wings, his heart racing as he waits for his turn. One by one, the other performers take the stage, each bringing their own unique style and energy.Butas the night wears on, the crowd begins to thin, their attention waning. That is, until Justin's name is called.He steps onto the stage, guitar in hand, the spotlight illuminating him.The crowd, sensing a change in the air, turns their attention to him.He begins to play, his fingers dancing over the strings, his voice raw and powerful. The first few notes are tentative, but soon, he's lost in the music, pouring his heart and soul into every lyric. The crowd is captivated, drawn in by his passion and talent.By the end of his set, they're on their feet, screaming for more.

As the final notes of his set faded into the night air, the crowd erupted into a frenzy. Voices rose in unison, chanting his name like a mantra."Justin! Justin! Justin!" The energy was electric, palpable, a testament to the power of his performance.He stood there, basking in the glow of their adoration, his chest heaving with emotion.This was what he'd dreamed of, what he'd worked tirelessly for.And now, under the spotlight, with the weight of their praise bearing down on him, he felt invincible.He raised his hands, silencing the crowd for a moment."Thank you,"he said, his voice cracking with gratitude."Thank you for listening, for believing in me."As the chanting resumed, louder and more fervent than before, he knew that this was just the beginning.