Invisible String

Chapter 17 -Remember the rules

I audibly gasp as Ethan shares the story of how his long-term girlfriend ended their relationship on his birthday, eight months ago.

"The day of your birthday?" I repeat, my heart sinking for him.

"Yeah," he nods solemnly.

"And she was your high school sweetheart?"

"Yep, we've been together since we were freshmen."

After recording both versions of 'Tortured,' we decided to stay up and chat a bit more. We found ourselves sitting on the couch, engrossed in conversation for about an hour now. Somehow, the topic shifted to our love lives.

"But why? Did she give you any explanation for breaking up?"

"She said she couldn't handle me pouring all my time and energy into a band that never seemed to take off. It was like I was living in a fantasy world, chasing a dream that wasn't going to come true. So she made me choose between music or her."

I feel a pang of sympathy for him.

I knew that feeling all too well—the sting of disbelief from others. When I dropped out of college, many of my classmates labeled me as crazy, among other things, and it cut deep. While sometimes hearing that you couldn't do something could serve as fuel to drive you to prove them wrong, other times it only fueled doubt. It's a delicate balance, navigating between the criticism of others and your own belief in yourself. But ultimately, I learned that the only validation that truly matters comes from within.

I couldn't even begin to imagine how he must've felt, hearing those words from the person he loved the most. To have someone you care about deeply question your dreams and aspirations—it's a blow that cuts straight to the core. It's a betrayal of trust and a shattering of the foundation upon which the relationship was built. The pain of such a rejection must have been unbearable, especially coming from someone who was supposed to be his biggest supporter. 

"I'm so sorry, Ethan. That must have been incredibly tough to hear."

He gives a resigned shrug. "Yeah, it was a hard pill to swallow. But music means everything to me, you know? I couldn't just give it up."

I nod, understanding his perspective. 

No one should ever be forced into the position of having to choose between the person they love and their passion. Love should be about supporting each other's dreams and ambitions, not about stifling them.

"Well, you deserve someone who believes in your passion and supports your dreams, no matter what."

"Yeah... I can't wait to meet her," Ethan replies with a smile, but there's a hint of sadness in his eyes that makes me feel like I should offer him a hug. But I hesitate, worried it might come off as awkward. "I'm a relationship kinda guy."

"So you haven't been in a relationship since then?" I ask gently.

"Being in a band, things can get confusing. It's hard to tell if someone's interested in me for who I am, or if they're just drawn to the guy up on stage singing. I'm not really into casual dating; I'm more of a relationship kind of guy. So, I guess I've been taking my sweet time trying to find the right person to commit to."

And I knew that it would become even more challenging as his fame continued to soar with each passing day.

"It can be tough to find someone who truly understands and supports your goals, especially in the spotlight," I empathize.

"After my last relationship, I know exactly what I want. I just need to find someone to share it with."

I chew on my lip, mulling over the idea of setting Ethan up on a date with Veronica. They seemed like they could hit it off, and her passion for dance might resonate with Ethan's love for music.