𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲, 𝐥𝐮𝐤𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧

𝐟𝐢𝐯𝐞: 𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞?

ROLLING STONE

October 4th, 1995
Aurora Roberts makes a comeback with an unknown band

Last week, Aurora Roberts released her new single "Bright," featuring a band called "Sunset Curve." While the identity of Sunset Curve remains somewhat of a mystery, record producer Barry Martin reveals that they are simply three regular high school students from the same school Aurora Roberts has been attending for the past two months. This raises several questions: Why did a rising star like Aurora Roberts choose to collaborate with a relatively unknown band? Did they pay her? Is she taking pity on them? Although the reasons remain unclear, "Bright" appears to be a significant hit. While it has yet to reach the number one spot, there's speculation about whether it will make it into the top ten.

___

"I can't fucking believe this!" Luke exclaimed, throwing the newspaper onto the table.

"Okay, it's not terrible. They did say the song was good," Kelsey reassured him.

"They basically called Alex, Reggie, and I nobodies," Luke retorted, pointing at the article. The group was gathered in Luke's kitchen, reading the Rolling Stone article about Aurora and the band. It had been nearly two months since they wrote "Bright," and it was finally released last week.

"At least it's publicity," Reggie offered.

"Yeah, Aurora, what's that thing you always say?" Alex asked. Aurora, however, was focused on Luke, noticing his frustration and anger. She decided to reassure him.

"Look," she sighed, walking over to him, "publications like Rolling Stone always target your weaknesses to make you look bad. Trust me, I've been there." Luke looked up, locking eyes with her.

"They're nobodies. All that matters is that we know the song rocks, and you guys aren't nobodies. They're just saying that because you aren't paying them. Why do you think they never say anything bad about Madonna? She pays them to make her look good. It's all fake," Aurora explained.

Luke sighed and nodded. "You're right." he said. I shouldn't let them get in my head. They're just—"

"Assholes," Aurora finished for him. "I know." Luke smiled at her.

"There's no reason to focus on what..." Aurora picked up the paper, "...Rolling Stone says about us. We know we're good, and that's good enough, right?" She looked around, and everyone agreed.

"You know what? You're right," Luke said, grabbing the newspaper. He walked over to Melanie's office and shredded it. "Out of sight, out of mind," he said, clapping his hands.

"That's the spirit!" Aurora exclaimed with a smile. "Now, who's hungry?" Luke asked.

After a heated debate in the car about where to eat, Aurora suggested a burger place they had never heard of on Rodeo Drive. She even offered to pay for the meal, knowing it wasn't exactly cheap. Besides, it was her parents credit card going towards the bill. Aurora felt that spending more time with the group would strengthen their bond. They didn't necessarily have to keep hanging out after producing "Bright", but for some reason, they still did. Kelsey would invite her over, and they'd all end up spending time together. Aurora genuinely enjoyed being around them; they made her feel normal, like she wasn't a pop star. She was just Aurora.

Two months ago, she couldn't have imagined herself hanging out with Luke, and now they had grown to like each other. Luke hadn't been his grumpy, bitter self around Aurora. Ever since their talk, their relationship had significantly improved. When Luke wasn't being a total jerk, he was actually cool to hang around. The group was currently seated in a booth at the back of the burger joint. As soon as Aurora walked in, people started pulling out their disposable cameras and snapping photos of her. Fans asked for autographs and pictures, and she didn't say no because she was in a good mood.