Home Soon (Sequel to What It Seems)

Chapter 24

After our little vacation, we all went back to Cleveland to go to the album release party. The next morning, the boys left to go on the tour for the new album. Me, Kenzie, and the kids were staying behind this time. Our main focus was planning the wedding. Even though Colson wasn't here, the planning really needed to begin and we planned out certain days to skype to catch him up on what we had gotten done. Jess was staying with us to help with taking the kids to school and to keep me focused.

I haven't been in the studio since before Colson proposed and the label has been bugging me to get in and get something done. They want another album but I feel like my main priority at the moment is my family. I love making music and connecting with my fans, but I've been forcing myself to write anything down just to make the label happy and I feel like it's not even genuine anymore, like I didn't even write the words I'm singing. I'd rather wait and actually write songs that mean something to both me and my fans than what I'm doing now.

Me and Kenzie have been up since 6.  We have a routine now since the boys have been gone; it's only been a week. We wake up early with the kids, get them ready for the day, Jess takes them to school, she does what she has to, then comes back and basically nags me all day until I give in and either write more for my book or attempt to write another song.

"Okay, come on Sky. We need to have a meeting."

"That's just what I was thinking." I said and down to the basement.  We both sat down and it was silent until I surprisingly spoke up first.

"I need a break. From music."

"What? You've basically given yourself a break for the past 4 months. What you need is to get an EP or something together for the label."

"Sorry, I've been trying to write that fucking book that you've nagging me about on top of the music, and trying to spend time with my family. I know we make a lot of trips but they aren't very long, 3 days at the most and then I'm back to trying to write. And having kids as young as they are can really tire someone out and I've really been wanting to be more involved with their school but I can't be because I have you and the label continuously pushing me and I can't take it anymore."

"I offered to get you guys a nanny, but you were completely against it. And who cares what you're writing about for your songs? We need something, Skylar."

"The nanny thing again? Did you even listen to a word I just said? A nanny in no way helps me or Colson be more involved in the kids lives. And I care about what I'm writing! My fans do too. I have people who have gotten my lyrics tattooed and I don't want one person to regret doing that. I want to be real with my music and I want to be someone people can relate to. My fans mean the world to me, the label and their money don't mean shit if I don't have them. I'm taking a break whether you all like it or not."

"You know what, I tried. You say you're fans mean the world to you but you take a 'little' break?" she said standing up.

"Jessica, I'm so wore down and drained from this industry, I think my fans will understand. They care about my well being. You've never understood anything I've ever gone through in my life. None of it. I just don't think you ever will because all you've ever cared about was the money. If I'm not making any, you aren't. And I'm not like that and neither are the people around me."

"What are you saying?"

"I think you need to leave, I can handle getting the news out on my own." she scoffed and left the house without looking back. I found Kenzie and she was smiling while continuing to write.

"I'm so fucking happy you finally did that."

"What? Fire her or take a break?" I laughed.

"Everything. I don't know what's happened to her over the years, but that is not the same Jess we knew back when you first got signed." I nodded my head and continued to help her with the planning.

-

It was a weekend and I had Ashleigh help me get on Ellen last minute to make the announcement. Ellen was more than happy to help me do this. Me, Kenzie, and the kids all flew out Friday after they got out of school and we went right to film. The episode wouldn't air until next week but I wanted to get this over with as soon as possible. I told the boys and they were all very supporting of my decision and I guess they had all been keeping quiet about how they felt about Jess.

After Ellen introduced me, I very nervously walked out and tried not to look as nervous as I was feeling. I haven't said a word about the announcement only because I was waiting until everyone knew I would be on Ellen.

"It's been a while since you've been here, how have you been?"

"I've been great."

"Before we get too serious, you know the reason you're here, I would just like everyone to see this picture. It's Skylar and her family. I love that you have no idea what's going on here. It's definitely Ellen Show material. We show a lot of pictures like that here." I started laughing the instant I saw it. It was in Australia on the beach when Jess attempted to take a picture of me, Colson, and the three kids but the kids decided a normal family photo wasn't an option.

"Yeah, that was a great trip." I said while laughing.

"So now that we've all had a nice laugh, Skylar is here with a huge announcement. Go ahead." I took a deep breath before I spoke.

"I started out in the music industry when I was 18. I never had a normal life from that point and the years between then and now have had a lot of ups and downs. My fans and my family have been what's kept me happy and alive at some points. I've been so lucky to be able to connect with so many awesome fans around the world and we have a bond that will never, ever be broken. You all are the reason I'm even here right now. If I had to go back to the talent show where this all started, I would not do a thing differently. With that, we all know things in the music industry are not as perfect as we all like to pretend it is. At the end of the day I'm human and so is every other musician out there. I'm not the only one with a family so I know a lot of people have been supporting my decision. I've wore down and this industry has drained me and I need to step back for a while and take a break from all of this. I'm forcing myself to write songs just so I can make the label happy and the songs I've been giving them aren't me. I've always made a point to be nothing but honest and I feel like not only am I letting myself down but I've been letting my fans down. I want to try to feel normal and human again. I will be taking a break from music until I'm at a point where I enjoy making it again. This is not the last of Skylar, I will be back. I'm just not sure how long it will take me. There are just a lot of things I need to figure out. I love you all so much and I hope you all can understand."

-

So what do you guys think? I really hoped you liked it! I wasn't planning on having Sky do this so soon  but I really wanted to give you guys something.