Backstage Passions [Pasiones Entre Bastidores]

Episode I

Episode One

     The campus buzzed around me, a mix of laughter and distant conversations. I sat at my usual spot in the coffee shop, my laptop open, but my mind wandered. "If I could just interview Alex Cruz," I muttered to myself. The thought ignited a spark that danced in my chest.

"Earth to Gabriela," Elena said, nudging me with her shoulder. "Still daydreaming about your celebrity crush?"

"Not just any crush. His music changed lives! Can you imagine the impact it would have?" My fingers flew over the keyboard, transcribing questions I hoped to ask.

She chuckled. "You and every other girl on this campus. But you actually have a chance! That backstage pass Daniel got you—"

"Wait, what?" I almost spilled my coffee. "Daniel got me a backstage pass?"
   
"Yep! I saw him with it earlier. He's hiding it for the concert, but he was grinning like he just won the lottery."
   
"Wow, I can't believe it!" My heart raced as images of Alex on stage flooded my mind. "This could be my breakthrough."
   
Elena leaned in, her excitement contagious. "Just be careful. You know how fickle fame can be."
   
"Oh, right," I sighed. "But maybe I could find the real Alex behind all the lights." "Exactly! You have to capture the side of him that no one else sees." Elena grinned, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "But you should also think about how you're going to handle the rest of your life once this becomes your new reality. You know how Daniel gets when he feels threatened by your dreams, right?"

"Don't remind me," I replied, feeling a bit of unease settle in my stomach. Daniel had been supportive—most of the time. But I could sense his jealousy creeping in whenever I talked about my ambitions, especially when they involved someone as famous as Alex.
   
Elena sipped her latte and scanned the room. "Well, just remember, you're amazing on your own terms. You can handle it."
   
As classes wound down and I hurried to my journalism seminar, my mind still buzzed with thoughts of Alex. Images of him performing flashed in my mind—the swagger, the intensity, the way the crowd erupted into cheers . I could picture it perfectly: the lights dimming, the swell of music building, the roar of fans clamoring for their idol.
   
"Gabriela, you in there?" my professor's voice jolted me back to reality. Dr. Sullivan eyed me over his glasses, raising an eyebrow. "I asked for your thoughts on this week's reading."
   
"Uh, right," I stammered, raking my memory for notes. "It highlighted the ethics of journalism and the responsibility we have to portray our subjects with integrity."

Dr. Sullivan nodded. "Good. And what does that mean for you personally as you pursue your interview with Alex Cruz?"

"Um." My heart raced as I pondered the weight of those words. "It means I have to balance my ambition with respect for his privacy. I want to tell his story, not just the headline," I said, finding solid ground in my conviction.
   
"Precisely," Dr. Sullivan said, giving me a nod of approval. "So remember that as you navigate your path. Fame can be a double-edged sword."
   
I scribbled a reminder in my notebook, my mind still spinning with thoughts of Alex and the upcoming concert .

When the seminar ended, I made my way out, still caught up in my thoughts. I barely noticed when Daniel slipped beside me, his presence a familiar comfort. "Hey, you. Ready for the concert Friday?" His smile was wide, but there was a glimmer of concern in his deep brown eyes.

"Am I ever!" I replied, injecting enthusiasm into my tone. "I mean, the chance to see him live is incredible, but also—I'm interviewing him right after. It feels surreal!"

Daniel's expression shifted, a subtle tightening around his mouth. "You're going to be up close and personal with him, huh?"
   
"Yeah, it's a huge opportunity! Just think about the article I could write! I want to reveal who he really is beneath the fame." My excitement surged, but I noticed Daniel's brows furrowing slightly.