dont go | jack gilinsky

one.

• mari's pov •

i woke up this morning in a bed with sheets that are too white for my liking. i look around, a little confused and remember i just got to LA less than 5 hours ago. i flew in at around 4 this morning and i roll over to check my phone and its only 8:15.

it sucks waking up alone, but today is a big day. a day ive been waiting for since i was a little girl, but the only downfall is that ill be doing it all, alone.

two months ago, i was back home, in seattle. living with my parents and spending almost everyday with my boyfriend, Mario. life was virtually perfect. i was in cosmetology school and saving up money to move to LA. a few weeks prior i had been called by a major producer in California. He asked me to fly down for a consultation. everything went smoothly and i was set to sign the following week.

thats the week everything went wrong.

the day before my signing i received a call from Mario's mother informing me that there had been an accident.

flashback 2 pm
my phone will not stop ringing. i check the id and its Mario's mom. as i answered i just heard wailing.
'Mari? Mari are you there?' she asked hurriedly and somewhat frightened
"yes, whats wrong? whats going on?' more sobbing. i asked my question again and she replied, still sobbing, 'your parents came to pick up Mario. they were all suppose to fly out tonight and surprise you on your signing day. on the way to the airport they were hit by a drunk driver' she continued to sob and i looked around me, trying to take in all that happened. i tried to calm myself and continue talking to whom i hoped would one day be my mother in law, 'please, are they going to be alright?' there was a pause on the other line. and she firmly replied, 'Mari, i think you should come home.'
end of flashback

thinking back to that day still gives me uneasy feelings. i went from the happiest girl alive, to the most upset and hopeless in a span of 12 hours. burying the 3 closest people i had in my life was the last thing i expected to do at 18 years old.

the label was very understanding of my situation and they knew i needed some time to myself and to gather my thoughts and decide if i was still going to go through with the signing.

it was very tough to decide what i should do, but when i truly thought about it, the one thing Mario and my parents wanted for me was the deal. so now, a couple months later, im here in LA to sign that deal.

as you can imagine, its extremely tough to go from a teenage girl, 70% dependent her family, to becoming entirely self sufficient. the biggest problem is money, but i try not to think too much, or spend too much. i only have this hotel room for a day, and other than that i have absolutely no other place to stay. the label knows this and they know how difficult the situation is, but they still have agreed to continue with the signing.

i should probably start getting ready.

worn out from the plane ride and the past week of packing up what little i owned, a shower was necessary.

i hopped in the shower and just stood there for a moment, trying to take in what the day had in store. i was signing a record deal today, and i was doing so completely alone. i quickly washed my hair and face in the shower, realizing i didnt want to be late. my curly hair doesnt do well with heat so im letting air dry as usual. i wasnt sure quite what to wear, and i didnt have a lot of options. my typical style is lowkey a 15 year old boy who spends too much time on instagram. i quickly grabbed a dodgers jersey and a white tee for under and some jeans and my vans and grabbed my only bag i brought with me as i rushed out the door.

my uber was already on its way and i was making my way to the studio.

•jack's pov•
another day at the studio. johnson and i both have writers block, so its been a slow day. our producer said he has a new client coming in today and to be nice cause i guess shes going through some stuff or something.

johnson and i are never not nice, but i find it interesting that he made sure we knew.

we were sitting on the couch in the studio going over lyrics when we heard a knock on the open door

a raspy female voice soon followed saying,
'hi, am i in the right place? i feel.. lost'
i immediately turn around to match the face to the cute voice.

standing right there is one of the most stunningly gorgeous girls ive ever seen. as i stare in awe i hear johnson say 'if youre looking for the recording studio, then yes. our producer told us you were coming. hes finishing a meeting right now so you can just wait in here with us' i quietly thank him for answering, as i was suddenly dumbfounded as she stand before me.

something about her immediately draws me in. her curly hair, and her lack of makeup. something about her style of dress and confident, but humble aura. something about this girl is special and i find myself already feeling the need to get to know her.

as she sits on the seat across from me, i finally find the balls to say something, as she probably thinks im a dummy who cant speak.
'hi, im jack. this is johnson. whats your name?' she nodded and said 'im mari, very nice to meet the two of you' and gave a sweet smile and stuck out her hand. johnson shook quickly and as i shook her hand, i looked up and saw a smile upon her face.

that smile... i know im in trouble now.