Chasing Dreams: A Tale of Dreaming Big

Chapter seven

The next day, I was woken up by Chloe's alarm clock. She handed me her camera and started vlogging. "Hey, everyone. As you guys know, we got picked for the 50 pup." It was currently 3AM, and she took her phone and pointed it toward the camera. "I'm going to wake Lilly now." She walked over to my bed, but she couldn't see me yet. I quickly jumped out from under the covers.

"Good morning!" I said, feeling the excitement of the day ahead.

"Good morning," Chloe replied, her face lighting up with enthusiasm.

We headed to the kitchen, eager to kick off our day. Just then, the doorbell rang—it was the camera crew. Chloe opened the door to find four men standing there.

"Welcome in!" said Chloe, her voice welcoming.

"Thank you!" replied the camera men as they entered the house. They immediately began to set up their equipment throughout the living room. In just five minutes, they had everything arranged and ready to go.

"Okay, are you guys ready now?" asked a tall man, who clearly seemed to be in charge of the group.

"Yes!" we both replied excitedly, our nerves buzzing with energy.

Chloe got to work in the kitchen, making a big plate of eggs and bacon, along with a pitcher of bright orange juice. We quickly ate breakfast, knowing we had a busy day ahead. Once we finished, we hurried to get dressed.

Chloe chose a lavender light top paired with black soft pants. She accessorized with gold hoop earrings, styled her hair into a simple bun, and opted for light makeup that highlighted her features. As for me, I wore a cute pink top with a lovely collar that made me feel cheerful.

We raced around the house, making sure that everything was perfect for the day's filming. The excitement of being chosen for the special opportunity filled the air, and we were ready to showcase our journey.

And suddenly, the moment had arrived when we had to say goodbye. It felt surreal, as if time had flown by and now we were standing on the edge of a big change.

Matthew was the first to step forward. He wrapped his arms tightly around Chloe and me, smiling brightly as he said, "I'm so proud of you two!" His joy was infectious, but the reality of leaving everyone behind began to settle heavily in the air.

Lizzie, standing nearby, couldn't hold back her tears. "I barely see you as it is. What will I do when you're gone?" she cried, her voice filled with a mix of sadness and worry.

"Don't worry. I'll be home soon enough," Chloe and I replied, trying to reassure her even though we felt the same weight of separation.

"Yeah, right! You guys are the most beautiful, talented. Everyone is going to love you!" Lizzie exclaimed, her faith in us shining through her tears, but it still didn't lessen the ache of parting.

"Just be good for us and work hard," Chloe said gently, her tone encouraging yet filled with emotion.

"And remember to work hard for us," I added, my heart heavy as I spoke.

Ava stood silently, looking suddenly deflated. She nodded, tears brimming in her eyes, and she threw her tiny arms around us. "I love you," she whispered.

"I love you, too," I replied, feeling the warmth of her small embrace.

"Don't be sad. I'll be home soon," Chloe added, trying to comfort Ava, who looked so small and vulnerable.

"I know you are going to be awesome," Ava said softly, her belief in us shining through her sadness.

Grace stepped forward, her eyes glistening with unshed tears as she wrapped Chloe in a warm hug. "I'm going to miss you guys," she said, her voice tinged with a bittersweet note.

Next, Megan turned to me. She pulled me into a tight embrace, her warmth surrounding me like a cozy blanket. "And Lily, good luck! I'll be cheering for you! It has been wonderful working with you. When your world seems like it's falling apart and things aren't going your way, remember to always believe in yourself. Keep working hard, stay patient, and be persistent. Dream big and never give up!" Her words were both inspiring and reassuring.

"Promise me that? Promise," Megan said earnestly, searching my face for a sign that I truly understood her.

"I promise," I repeated, feeling a few tears trail down my cheeks as her encouragement settled into my heart.

"Oh, Lilly, you are going to be a star! I just know it!" Grace exclaimed, pulling me in for another hug, her excitement bubbling up despite the sadness in the air.

"It was really good working with you," I said, fighting back the emotion that threatened to spill over at the thought of missing her companionship.

"You better call me! Video call, send lots of photos!" Grace playfully nudged Chloe, her smile brightening just a bit.

Chloe laughed, "I promise, I will!" she replied, adding a bit of laughter to the emotional atmosphere.

Then, it was time for Dad to say his goodbyes. He looked as if he were on the verge of tears, his emotions spilling out in waves.

"Dad, don't cry," both Chloe and I urged him gently, not wanting to see him so upset.

"Listen to me, you two kittens. Win or lose, you'll always be stars to me," Dad said, his voice thick with emotion as we each took turns hugging him tightly. I pulled away and turned to hug Mom.

"Keep us posted! Text me, call me, video chat, take care of each other. I'm so happy for you guys. I love you!" she said, her voice filled with warmth and care.

Suddenly, someone raised a cup filled with orange juice and shouted, "A toast to Chloe and Lilly for achieving their dreams and the best of luck!"

That simple toast unlocked a flood of emotions inside me—the fears, sadness, anxiety, uncertainty, and self-doubt that had been building up. In that moment, I realized that none of that truly mattered. Even if Chloe and I came back home feeling like we didn't succeed, our family and friends would still be proud of us, no matter the outcome.

The weight of that love was almost overwhelming. I could chase my dreams, but nothing felt more secure than the love of friends and family. As the goodbyes continued, we hugged everyone tightly, wishing them well. We took a moment to gather together for a photo, wanting to capture the faces of our loved ones—smiles bright, hearts full—ready to support us on our journey.

We snapped pictures of all of us together, one with just the girls, another with the whole family, and finally one just with friends.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" Mom exclaimed as she hurried back to the house. After a minute, she returned with a small pink and gold box that made Chloe gasp in shock. Inside was very expensive jewelry that Mom had never let us near before, something passed down from her and her mother.

Mom held the jewelry out to Chloe. "I want you two to have this," she said, her eyes shining with love.

"Thank you!" Chloe and I replied in unison, our hearts swelling with gratitude.

Mom opened the box, and we both gasped at the sight of a diamond bracelet, a pink diamond bracelet, a pair of beautiful emerald earrings, and so much more. Chloe carefully closed the box and opened her backpack, placing the precious jewelry inside with care.

We walked outside, with our friends and family following us, sharing in this special moment. Our bags were already loaded into the Uber that awaited us. We closed in, Chloe close the door and her seat 

 Our bags are securely stored in the trunk of the Uber we just jumped into. The driver, who we know as Chloe, helps us with our things as we make ourselves comfortable in the back seat. We say goodbye to the familiar surroundings and wave to the friends we've left behind. Chloe is seated in the front, already clicking her seat belt into place to ensure safety as we get ready to hit the road. With everything in order, our exciting journey officially begins now, filled with anticipation for the adventures that lie ahead.