Chapter 9: Chapter 9

: The Rose

"Now this is the life," Mr. Ryder announced Glancing at them, they raised a glass to a good future with a couple of cheers and whistle as they sped toward Capital Records.

Upon arrival the large glass doors was pushed open for them by Luke, they climbed out and walked into the large building.

The boys were more than happy to be back as they stopped at Lucy's desk.

Mr. Ryder talked to her, “Lucy, be a darling and put these boys in the system, they’re here to stay," he informed her with his arm around Justin.

"Of course sir," she replied smiling sweetly at the boys, coming out from behind her table, wearing a black tight skirt with pink polka dots and a plain white designer t-shirt that she finished off with pink lipstick and a dub of blush on her soft cheeks.

Her hair was still in a ponytail and fell beautifully down her back. Her cheeks took the form of a deep blush when she noticed the way Justin was looking at her, "Take good care of them," Mr. Ryder continued, "as you probably heard these are my boys now."

"Definitely sir, they're in good hands," she replied, releasing a beautiful smile.

Mr Ryder turned to the boys, "When you’re done, meet me by the studios on the 20th floor," he said.

They nodded in reply,

"OK, follow me," Lucy began, swinging her hips away from them and dang did they follow.

They boarded the escalator that was on the other side of the building and to the system operations room.

Here they were asked a few questions, then they were put into the system. Tammy run both facial and voice recognitions on both of them then saved them into her mother board.

When they were finally done they headed to the elevator,

"OK sir, this is where I leave you, just tell Tammy which floor you’re going up to and she'll take you there.” Lucy said still smiling,

"You know you don't have to keep calling us sir, this guy here isn't even close to that," Justin grinned putting one arm around Chris.

Lucy giggled.

"Let’s get properly acquainted, I'm Justin, Justin Star," he said giving her a handshake.

"Hi, I'm Lucy," she played along her eyes twinkling,

"And this is Chris," Justin said looking at him.

"I thought for a second there I had become invisible," Chris whined laughing.

Lucy's cheeks turned red again, "I-I think you two must be on your way, Mr. Ryder hates waiting," she said

"Well then Lucy, I'm looking forward to being around you, I mean working here," Justin sashayed, taking her hand and lightly kissing the top of it.

It shocked her but made her smile, making her eyes shine. The boys backed into the elevator as Chris leaned in, “that was smooth"

Justin shook his head, smiling, "Tammy take us to the 20th floor,"

"Command accepted, 20th floor," she replied.

Justin and Lucy were still looking at each other till the doors of the elevator closed, just before they shut, Justin nodded at her and she waved back.

"And that's how you get a girl," he said turning to Chris, his hand was still around him.

"You do realize she's about nineteen or twenty, that’s three years older than you," Chris said looking at Justin weirdly,

"No she's just about two years older,” Justin replied remembering her face as he guessed her age, " and I'm turning eighteen," he snapped back,

"Yeah like next year," Chris retorted,

"Who cares, Lucy is beauty itself in the flesh," he said leaning against Chris, Chris agreed, Lucy was beautiful after all, “besides age aint nothing but a number," Justin continued feeling a song coming up.

Chris laughed shaking his head, "Agh, yeah, you got it bad."

They arrived at the 20th floor and tried to find the studio they should be heading for. Unlike the one's they had been to before, these looked way more sophisticated.

It was easy, since they could see Mr. Ryder's body guards standing by the entrance.

They approached them and the body guards let them in, finding Beatz and Mr. Ryder in headsets, deep in a conversation.

Mr. Ryder looked up at them, "come hear this beat, I'm sure your voice would work so well in it," he said calling them over.

The boy’s fist bumped Beats and sat down.

Beats played the beat aloud for everyone to hear, listening to it for a moment.

Justin was swaying along to it, "you know something, I wrote a song the other day and I think it will do well with this beat. I mean it suits perfectly!" Justin said still throbbing to the beat,

"Really? Then how about we hear it?"

Justin sang a short part of the song he made.

"It's good," Beats replied,” but we going to have to work on it more, it needs a few more tweaks, let's see what we can do."

Just then Mr. Ryder's phone was brought to him, ringing its head off, he picked the call up and went out of the loud studio.

After a minute or so he came back, "I need to go, but you boys need to finish this track by Monday morning. I want the very best, Beats and I mean the very best." He said.

Beats nodded and assured him he had everything under control, he then turned to the boys,

"I need to go out of town for a while. There’s something wrong with Rihanna's scheduled performance in L. A, it's hysterical over there and I'm wanted ASAP, I'll see you boys on Monday morning with this track, it's a hit I can feel it, but in order for this to work out, you need to be here tomorrow and on Sunday to finish this song till late in the evening, Bryson will pick you two up every morning till Monday and deliver you guys safely home," he said pointing to a big buff guy who looked like the other body guards,

"I want the very best when I return and I mean it," he repeated, turning his gaze back to Beats, "I'll tell George to keep an eye on you and remember boys your phones must be on you at all times,"

"Yes sir,” Beats, Chris And Justin said at the same time, then burst out laughing.

They stopped suddenly because Mr Ryder was giving them the look, "I'm dead serious OK?" he said eyeing all of them.

They looked at each other and nodded respectfully, "this is the music business people, the most challenging industry in the world, to be on top you must act like it," he said.

They all agreed silently, "good, I'll see all of you on Monday morning," he said smiling and then he walked out.

"Well that's Mr. Ryder for you, a nice guy but, he always knows the right time for everything, and just like he said now’s the time for work boys, so Justin get behind the booth," Beats ordered pulling up to his equipment.

***************

After hours and hours of studio time Beats called it a day. It was then Chris and Justin realized that making music was no joke, they could count how many times they had to redo, record, tweak. And to top it all off they weren't even near done and Justin’s throat hurt. Beats said something but Mr. Ryder hiring a vocal coach for Justin after that then they had practiced some more till the sun set.

They all exchanged numbers and parted ways down by the lobby.

Lucy waved them a sad goodbye as they left the building, finding Bryson waiting for them outside in a black hammer.

He opened the door for them and drove them home safely.

The next day they got up early and repeated their routine. Bryson came early the next morning picked them up and dropped them at Capital Records.

They began to practice as soon as they arrived.

"I hope everything's all good here," a head peeped into the recording studio and in came George. "Let me hear it," he said standing behind Beats,

"Really?" Beats asked in an unconvinced way.

"Yes, I want to hear it," he said taking a seat watching Justin sing from behind the glass.

Chris couldn't stop looking at George, he was a hundred percent sure there was something different about George.

He sat like a girl and his voice was girlish. He loved to fling his hands from side to side and cared a lot about how he looked like. George caught him staring,

"Bad manners!" he scowled at Chris, “didn’t your mother teach you it's bad to stare at people?" he asked.

Chris shook his head and stuttered an apology.

George paused eyeing him carefully, a small smirk replacing his scowl, “Any way you're handsome so I'll let it slide, got anything you're doing this weekend?" he asked in a sexy girlish voice.

Chris was shocked and couldn't say a word, “oh C'mon George he is way too young for you, “Beats barged in laughing,

"Who ever said age was the issue? He’s cute and I like him," he replied poking Chris.

Beats laughed and looked at Chris surprised face, "don't mind him, he always hits on younger boys, don't fall into his trap, he claims he's a world renowned sweet talker," Beats warned, but Chris still had a shocked look on his face,

"He still doesn't get it does he?" George asked with a slight chuckle.

Beats shook his head, his shoulders shaking in deep laughter.

"I'm gay genius!" he said laughing at Chris, "but don't worry, I won't do anything to you, I don't bite," he said patting Chris hand.

Chris relaxed and smiled, "unless of course you want me too," he continued.

Beats laughed out loud slapping his knee as Chris managed a short chuckle.

After hours and hours of practicing Lucy came up.

"Hey, gorgeous!" George said throwing imaginary kisses at her, "Hello sir," she replied, carrying a tray of juice filled cups and pizza,

"I thought you guys must be hungry so I brought some food," she informed them smiling brightly.

Justin came out of behind the glass and joined his companions in eating. He had to admit food was what he needed at this moment in time. He grinned looking at Lucy who smiled back, a soft blush forming. Too cute for her own good.

"Darling come join us!" George said to her, Justin raised both eyebrows at George when he heard this.

Could they be dating?

Chris leaned in having had seen his confusion, whispering in his ear, "don't worry he's gay."

"Oh."

"No, thank you. I'm fine sir, I've got a lot of work to do any way. I’ll just see you guys later." Lucy left them hurriedly spring one last glance at Justin causing George turned to Beats,

"Did that girl just turn down a food invitation?" he asked surprised,

"I believe she did," Beats replied laughing.

"It’s either Hail Mary spoke to her in a dream or she likes someone in this room," he said taking a sip of his juice, Justin Beats and Chris burst out laughing.

"I'm serious, that girl just denied food, pizza" he gritted out lifting a slice, "believe me when I say that's not easy," he said joining their laughter.

They joked more then continued practicing till dusk.

The next day was Sunday, after church they had to go back to CR for final touches so that they wouldn't disappoint Mr. Ryder on Monday.

By twelve thirty Sunday after noon, Lucy walked into the studio once more with lunch packs and soft drinks.

"Girl, you can't tell me you going to deny food again, diet or not you can't get any skinnier than that, " George commented as she was about to leave, "c'mon and join us, don't be shy darling."

"I don't think I should," she replied softly,

"Girl, bring your ass in here!" George called out playfully, Justin and Chris laughed

"Yeah Lucy, just spend some time here, you are on your lunch break," Beats added with a rough grin, Justin nodded along with Chris, before walking over to her taking her hand and leading her back to the group, "just for a while, " he whispered lowly as she looked at him from underneath her eyelashes.

"Okay we're going to go behind the screen and you’re going to record us," Justin informed Beats,

"Wait, what?" Lucy asked pulling away, "I'm no singer,"

Justin retook her hand, "let's just go have fun!" he said almost dragging her playfully behind the screen.

Beats put a beat and they began to sing together. She wasn't all bad either she had an average sort of voice.

The boys played along joking and laughing, Justin made sure she had a good time and they all had a couple of laughs.

When lunch was over she said goodbye and went back to her post smiling,

"She likes you," George said looking at Justin,

"Ah man, why you got to be so direct?" Justin laughed.

Chris and Beats were smiling then burst into fresh laughter when George said,

"That’s the reason she denied glorious food yesterday, because of you. Lord forgive your soul."

"Aint it funny what women would do for love?" Beats asked. George rolled his eyes, "and you would know...how?" He asked.

Chris and Justin couldn't contain their laughter when Beats sent a sharp scowl toward George who shrugged it off.

"Okay, okay," Beats said between laughs, "we need to get back to work , Mr Ryder will be coming back tomorrow and if he doesn't find good results, he'll be mad," he said.

They all paused and stood quiet for a moment,

“Ah Mr. Ryder," George said, "I bet before he left he gave you the look and said, ' to be on top you must act like it,'” he imitated, his deep voice ringing in the air, doing a very good impression of Mr Ryder.

The silence was broken as they all popped laughing all the way, "Then I bet he ended it with a 'I'm dead serious,' " George said getting up furrowing his eyebrows like Mr Ryder and releasing another perfect impression.

Justin couldn't contain the size of laughter he had anymore and dropped to the floor. Chris was almost crying and Beats had his head buried in his hands as his belly bellowed over.

"Okay that's enough," George said finally, "commercial break is over, back to serious business," he said standing up.

Justin managed to pull himself up and crawl to the other side of the screen.

It took a while but soon they were back to recording.

**

The next morning Chris and Justin found Mr Ryder already in the studio, "How was your flight sir?" Chris asked as they walked in,

"It was pleasant enough," he replied smiling at them, "let's not waste time, let's hear what you got."

Justin quickly went behind the screen and begun to sing. He sang the whole song and then came out and was met with no form of applause like usual from Mr Ryder though Beats and Chris were smiling,

"I didn't feel it," Mr Ryder said turning his eyes away from Justin to Beats,

"What?" Beats asked, "Sir, I think this track is good and will do very well on the market," he countered lifting one eyebrow up.

"Bingo!" Mr Ryder said standing up, "what did you just say?" he asked.

"I said it was a good track and it could do well on the charts," Beats repeated.

"Exactly! The songs good not great! We don't need a song that will do well on the charts, save that for some other lucky son of a bitch. I could have picked someone else to do that, but I chose Justin because with his voice a song cannot do well on the charts, that's too low for him, it must do great, the best!" he explained, then he turned to Justin, "what's the title of the song?" he asked.

"Darling," Justin replied.

"What does it talk about?"

Justin paused for a minute, "a broken man, crushed beyond what could be fixed"

"Precisely!" Mr. Ryder said touching him on the shoulder, "then sound like it, be crushed. That's what you sing. Think about the time in your life when you were crushed, broken or bleeding. Sing that pain, call on that frustration, and turn those tears into your music. Then sing it in a song. That's what people want to hear. They want to feel what the artist feels. These days any song can hit number one but only few stay on top for generations and generation to come. We don't need a good song, I could sing one right now and with a few strings could make number one. I need a great song. I need a solid foundation. You're not here to be a one hit wonder boy, go and try again," he said taking a seat back.

"Think about how your life was before the orphanage and put music to it," Chris added in a low voice, touching his shoulder.

Justin walked into the music chamber slowly and put the head phones on.

"Darling,

I'll never be the type to call you every day.

Give you all the love and attention you deserve in every way

I don't believe in love, loves just a word we tend to say.

So why keep giving me a heart you know I'm probably going to break?"

He sang every word like a familiar story. His eyes shut like he was reciting a prayer.

He remembered how his brother Chad used to beat him up. As he sung he could feel the pain stretching through him, bones breaking beneath knuckles, tears falling on hard ground, cries falling on deaf ears. His voice shook with the music strong and fierce.

Chris clutched his chair tighter as he heard the missing ingredient flow through his ears.

Beats had paused and Mr Ryder seemed like he was hardly breathing.

“You say you're going to stay when the nights are cold.

I got no love to keep you warm.

Got no heart to hold your soul

do you love me? Darling."

He sang the chorus like a beautiful regret, a promise broken, a heart smashed to pieces. He allowed the words to take control of him, his voice to flow through him like a river.

Mr Ryder's eyes were turning red with each word Justin sang, almost as if seeing the whole world before him.

"You should know that deep inside

There's less to give and more to hide.

Heart so dark it turned to ice.

Don't love me, Darling.

Mmm da-da-da-da

I'm not so good at love

I'll never be enough

to love you, Darling"

He finished, in his mind he had been back in that alley where it all begun and when he ended the song he could see Chad walk away and disappear into the night.

"And that's how you do a song! That is how it's done!!" Mr Ryder said standing up, clapping vigorously wiping the tears from his eyes.

Chris stood up and began to clap too. Beats just sat there not knowing what just happened. Justin opened his eyes and a tear dropped and fell silently to the ground.

He stood there for moment failing to breathe, he hated how he felt at first then he felt relieved. Mr. Ryder and Chris' congratulations faded in the background and his heartbeat seemed to be louder.

He felt as if he had just been sliced open and all the pain, anguish and hurt from the past had just flown out of his open wound.

He felt a gentle touch on his shoulder and he turned his head around sharply.

Mr Ryder patted him, "sometimes bad memories shouldn't be buried but remembered so that you learn from them," he said realizing how deep this had been for Justin.

"I hope you recorded that!” he shouted back to Beats,

"Yes sir, I sure did," Beats replied giving him a thumbs up.

"I think y'all can go home and rest, after that performance you need to reboot," he said to Justin as Chris walked in.

Justin nodded still a little off balance. Chris caught him and helped him walk and then sit comfortably in the chair, Mr Ryder followed behind them.

"So we're going to promote the song and tomorrow you’re going to perform this song at The Rose," he said grabbing his phone, "so you should prepare yourself."

"The Rose?" Chris repeated taking a seat beside Justin, "You mean The Rose the Rose?" he continued asking in disbelief,

"Yes, I do mean The Rose,” Mr Ryder confirmed.

"Okay I don't get it, what is this The Rose thing you keep mentioning?" Justin asked still a little dizzy putting one hand on his forehead and rubbing gently. Mr Ryder smiled,

"It's the top club in Chicago," Mr. Ryder replied.

"Yeah," Chris agreed, "the top happening club in Chicago, where all the rich kids go to," he continued. Justin was impressed. "Mr Ryder I didn't think you would do so much for me to set me up at such a place," Justin thanked.

"I made a promise to you and you signed it. Plus they were more than happy to be the first to host the YouTube sensation that's been trending all over the world," he said smiling, Justin grinned.

"Okay enough is enough," Mr Ryder begun, "y'all need to prepare for the gig tomorrow. Bryson will come and pick you up around 3 pm."

Mr Ryder informed standing up, he said goodbye and left their presence.

"Man, I got to hand it to ya, I've never been moved like that in my whole life, your voice is much stronger than I ever imagined," Beats said looking over at Justin who was sitting next to him.

"Thanks man," Justin replied giving him a bro hug ending with a handshake then a snap.

"You’re definitely going somewhere and I'm just glad I'm a part of it, one thing I know about Mr Ryder is he is one of the best Managers out there, and a rare one at that. Good of heart and talent." Beats finished.

Justin nodded taking it all in, "he is something, and I really didn't expect this in all my years." He paused smiling, “I’m glad you’re a part of it too, got any tips for me for my performance tomorrow, bro?"

"Well," Beats began pressing some buttons, "I think the best advice I could give you is to have charm and sing with passion but it looks like you got that handled," he said eyeing Justin's good look, "Just try very much to connect with your Audience, before the performance introduce yourself and make 'em fall in love with your personality."

"Which for you isn't hard to do," Chris barged in. Justin grinned at this compliment.

"You're going to do well kid, you’re the best I've seen so far in my 14 years here, I can see why Mr Ryder prizes you,” Beats said.

"Yeah he only does that because of the contract we signed,” Chris replied.

Beats shook his head, "You're not the first ones Mr Ryder has promised to take care personally of, but you’re the first he treats with this much care." Justin and Chris looked at each other surprised,

“Yeah you boys got something good going on between you and him," he said putting the headsets on. Bryson entered and that was there queue to leave.

**

As Justin lay in bed he remembered how his day had gone.

"Chris?" Justin called out softly to him though the darkness," are you awake?"

He heard a shuffle of blankets like someone rolling over, "I am now," he replied with his eyes still closed,

"I have a question," Justin continued.

"If that's what it takes to get you to sleep then fire away," Chris replied.

"Yeah, OK but it's a personal question."

Chris opened his eyes and stared into the darkness, "what?” He asked softly,

"How was your life before you came to the orphanage? You never told me about that," Justin replied.

Chris twitched and sat up in bed. He propped himself against the wall, staying quiet for a moment then he said, "okay, I’ll tell you, only because I trust you, but warning it aint all rainbows,"

Justin smiled a little in the darkness, "the past almost always is ugly, I should know," he replied.

"OK... Uhmm... So what I remember from my past all these years is a clip of me, my mom and my dad going to the fair their faces have faded away from my memory, I wouldn't know them anymore." He added his tone sad, "I remember they asked if I wanted to go on one of the rides. It was my favorite and I remember I was waiting till I was old enough to go on it and that year I just turned seven so I was eligible. I was young and man did I love the fair," Chris said smiling, "I guess a little too much," he added as his smile faded.

He gulped down the knot that had formed in his throat slowly then continued,

"I said yes and they put me on the ride. Sometimes in my dream I can see myself sitting in that ride. I was happy and went up down and around on that ride for hours. I could see my mother and my father waving at me from a nearby bench, I would wave back and my mother would smile at me. Then the third time I waved at her, she waved back but this time she didn't smile. I should have known it was a goodbye wave." He said shaking his head in the darkness and fighting the tears away.

“After sometime I stopped paying attention to them and focused on having the time of my life." he paused for a moment, "when it was over I looked for my mother and father but couldn't find them. I searched the bench and found a letter, all they left was a goddamn letter.’ He said sniffing. “Luckily I was found by the guard and brought to this orphanage. I was only seven." he finished shaking his head.

"What did the letter say?" Justin asked softly, Chris lifted up his head slowly, "they said they weren't in the financial means to raise me, and I would be better off at an orphanage, so they abandoned me." he replied.

Tears begun to creep down his cheek in the darkness,

"Maybe they were just trying to do what's best for you," Justin replied,

"no, they didn't love me, they could have just taken me to an orphanage and visited me from time to time, not just abandoning me." he said his voice was shaking, "you know sometimes I wonder if I was not worth anything to them that they could just leave, and not look back at all. How could someone just do that?" he asked tears were already flowing from his eyes and he was sniffing. Justin stood up and faced him,

"Hey, it's not your fault, okay? My mother left when I was five," he looked down at the ground, "so many times I've tried to make myself believe that she had a good reason to leave us but my brother Chad would always remind me consistently as if he was an alarm clock that she had left my dad for someone better and us too. We can't keep drowning in our parents mistakes, you and I bro..... we go way back, we know each other's pain, that's what makes us more than friends, we brothers, we've both been abandoned, but we will both rise and I give you my word bro, you can always count on me, I will always have your back. I'll never leave or abandon you. Cross my heart." Justin said drawing an imaginary cross over his chest. They hugged each other and Chris turned his grief into a sad laugh, "You promise right?" he asked smiling through the darkness, his sad eyes were twinkling with hope

"A crossed promise can never be broken," Justin responded,

"But you got to promise too."

Chris laughed and climbed out of bed and stood in front of Justin, "I promise that I will always catch you when you fall, cover your back, and even take a bullet for you. Just don't go throwing yourself in front of a gun for no reason."

Justin chuckled at this, " I swear that I will never leave or abandon you, you and I will be true brothers for life," he said, "ah you got to say the magic words," Justin barged in smiling, "cross my heart, and a crossed promise can never be broken," he said smiling and they hugged each other. "Chris wiped the tears from his eyes.

"I got you bro no matter what," Justin whispered in his ears. Chris patted Justin's back and buried his head into his neck and just paused for a moment soaking in there bro moment, then said, "You got to get some rest, it's a big day for you tomorrow, I'll be okay now," he said breaking away from his embrace and wiping the last trace of tears, "You sure bro?" Justin asked.

Chris nodded, "get in there," he said as Justin slipped into the covers. Chris climbed up to his to bunk.

"Goodnight,"

"Goodnight Justin," Chris replied smiling and closed his eyes. He was happy to find a friend or rather a brother like Justin.

**

The next day, they woke up and did there chores. They even stayed for a few lessons with the tutor since Bryson was only coming at 3 pm. But luckily the hours flew by like minutes and soon, the shiny black hammer pulled into the orphanage drive way and in went Chris and Justin.

They weren't taken to Capital Records but straight to The Rose.

It was at the top of a tall building, fully packed with a lot of dining tables and people of high class. There were a lot of females as compared to males around the ages of 15 -63. It was at the roof top so all could sit under the light of the beautiful stars as dark was almost upon them.

They were met by Mr Ryder who was with a fat man who was wearing a black tux.

"Welcome boys, this is Mr Flinn Rodgers the owner of The Rose." he said introducing the fat Caucasian man who was dressed smartly.

He smelt like new money, "hello," he said giving them a handshake,

"It's great to finally meet the boy whose been setting You Tube on fire," he said smiling at them. He had a jolly round face but something about him didn't seem quite friendly,

"It’s nice to meet you sir," Justin replied returning the handshake. "Oh please just call me Mr. Rodgers then when you’re thirty you can call me Finn," he added laughing.

"Looks like you got a full house," Mr Ryder said turning to Mr. Rodgers,

"Oh it’s always like this but when I put out that 'Justin Star' was going to perform here I must admit, the population has increased further than usual," he replied.

"Well there's where you’re going to perform," he said pointing to a beautiful dressed stage gorgeously decorated. It had a piano which was also decorated with pink romantic candles all lit to spice the evening and some micro phones.

"Come let me show you were you can prepare," he said motioning to them. He took them to a back room then said Farewell.

There they found Lucy and Beats already making themselves comfortable.

"Well boys that was Mr Rodger for you, he's a little money hungry and arrogant but he's a good honest man," Mr Ryder replied, "that's the first lesson for you, Chris, to be a good manager you need to thoroughly know your business partners, their strengths and weaknesses," he said looking at him.

"Point taken," Chris replied.

"Good, OK so Justin you'll be on at 7 sharp and hopefully more people will arrive."

"More people?" Justin asked beginning to develop butterflies in his stomach.

"Relax boy, I believe in you. You got this." Mr Ryder said patting him, "besides this is a little crowd, when you go platinum you'll be performing for stadiums full of people as far as the eye can see," he continued, "I'm going to make sure everything's ready for you, and see to it that Humphrey is also all set up. He’ll be video recording you too and post your performance on YouTube. "

"I'm going live again?" Justin asked bewildered, "no son, we'll just post it later." he said, "You’re only going live here at the Rose." he said,

"I have to leave," he finished walking away, Larry and Martin followed him as he disappeared from their view.

"Oh my god," Justin exclaimed taking flopping heavily in his seat, "hey, hey," Chris encouraged taking a seat next to him, "You are very capable of this. We all have seen what you can do," he said as both Beats and Lucy nodded and sat around him.

"You are Justin Star, the record breaker, you can do this."

"But I'm so..," Justin trailed off as he raised his hand they could see him shaking all over, rapidly. Clearly he had stage fright, "there's so many people, I can't do this."

"Hey," Beats said as Justin's attention shifted to him. "I didn't want to tell anyone this but since it's just us, I presume it's OK." He said looking at both Lucy and Chris.

"Yeah man it's cool we won't tell anyone," Chris said nodding as Lucy agreed.

Beats turned his focus back to Justin, “YOU made me cry during your performance yesterday, which is quite hard to do, 'Cause honestly I never cry, man like seriously never. YOU revealed something in me I had buried for years and helped it flow out, and now I feel so free and relieved. YOU did that," he explained pointing at Justin, "you are the most talented star I've seen and this isn't a challenge you can't overcome." he said.

"You are incredible," Lucy pitched in, a bit shy but still serious,

"I watched you and I know your more than capable, I believe in you," she said touching his hand.

Their eyes locked and Justin's breathing eased for a second, he smiled and his smile took her breath away.

Mr Ryder walked in, "let's go Justin, you're almost on," he called out.

Justin stood up slowly and started walking towards Mr. Ryder, Chris took a hold of his shoulder and Justin stopped in his tracks and they faced each other, "Just remember, I got your back," he said crossing his heart, Justin grinned, "thanks bro," he said crossing his heart too, before walking toward Mr Ryder.

Beats shouted out as they disappeared into the crowd, "Go kick some high class ass!" he shouted and Lucy and Chris agreed while laughing.

Justin approached the stage, where Mr Rodgers was introducing him.

"And now the moment y'all have been waiting for. Yeah I know that why the house is extra full today." The audience laughed,

"He is a talented young man, who has the whole world puzzled for his incredible voice. A man with many talents. Many have asked who this upcoming young star is and fortunately I have the answer to that question," Mr Rodger said.

The audience laughed and clapped, Mr Ryder was right. It was very packed by now with some people watching by the bar and more by the tables while others just stood around.

"He has stunned many and his personality just rocks my world, I think I've fallen in love with him," Mr Rodger continued sending the crowd into another applause filled laughter and hundreds of smiles. "Oh and did I mention he's quite the looker... all single ladies out there! Clap if this is your night! Yeah I haven't forgotten about you!" he yelled out, the ladies clapped and shouted out.

"Ladies and gentlemen, all the way from right here in Chicago, performing for the very first time EVER right here, right now at THE ROSE, give a warm hand of applause to the YouTube sensation, ' JUSTIN STAR!!'" he said clearing the stage and the crowd went into a roar of commotion.

"You got this," Mr Ryder said rubbing Justin's shoulder, “go up there and make Daddy proud!" he said giving him a slight push.

Justin walked up to the stage he was shaking as he gave a handshake to Mr. Rodger, he stood at the microphone with his fist clenched for a moment. Then he saw Chris in the crowd. He mouthed to him, "You can do it," giving him a thumbs up.

Justin took a deep breath and loosened up. "Thank you Mr Rodger," he said into the microphone. "I thank everyone who is here tonight," he said

"You’re so cute!" a girl shouted out from the bar, people laughed and the ladies agreed.

Justin looked up at her, "oh thank you, beautiful and quite stunning lady, " he added spotting her, subsequently giving her his heart throbbing smile and a wink, that caused a roar from the audience, people clapped and the other girls died of envy.

"As a matter of fact, they are very beautiful ladies out here tonight, men, I hope you're happy"

The men agreed in a huge roar and ladies kept their focus on the heartthrob in front of them. Lucy bit her lip in jealousy.

"I'm performing for the first time ever just like Mr. Rodger said and I'm really glad I'm with y'all fine looking people," he said smoothly.

The audience didn't know it yet but they started to like Justin a lot and he had in just a few seconds established himself in their hearts, " I'm here to perform my first song and new single 'Darling,' dedicated to anyone with a 'past love, past things you wish you could change, regrets that shouldn't remain regrets,' I hope y'all like it," he finished.

They all clapped for him again and he took his position. People took out there phones and recorded his every move.

He sat by the piano and begun his intro, everything was quiet and no one was daring to breathe. It was as if they wanted to see if the voice that had betrayed their hearts on YouTube actually did exist or if it was possible to be extremely handsome. And talented.

Even the bar men and waiters stopped and just stared.

Justin started to sing and sighs of women all over filled the club, while Humphrey was recording.

He sung like he did in the studio, everyone listened with their hearts and not ears. His voice overpowered there worries and sent the women into a fever for him.

His music pouring in and out of them.

The sweet heart breaking music filled The Rose and everything paused. Some cameras went down as they tried to focus on every word.

They all were facing him and Justin was facing Chicago and singing his heart out. Melting each word and chasing the shadows that haunted him.

He dealt with that performance and had the audience in the palm of his hand. When he finished all was silent for a moment. All just stared in disbelief. Then a clap went up from behind and everybody stood up applauding.

"Encore! Encore!" they shouted each mesmerized and praying for another opportunity to be filled with the song.

Justin stood up and the claps became louder. Some people were wiping tears away from their eyes while others were just applauding vigorously.

No one stood idle everyone had been touched in their own special way, Justin smiled at them and some women held their breath as his dimples showed beneath his warm smile and the power of his looks dazzled them.

Mr. Rodger came up the stage smiling from ear to ear, he mouthed to Justin, "You were flawless!" He grabbed the mic and faced the dazed crowd,

"And that ladies and gentlemen was Capital records newest artist, 'Justin Star."