Support Act // z.h

e i g h t e e n

Stephanie's POV

I stare back at my reflection in the mirror, a thousand thoughts racing through my mind. It was 4:30 meaning if I didn't leave soon, I'd be late to my opportunity of a lifetime. My phone vibrated on the counter in front of me, but I was too shaken to pick it up. I hear footsteps coming down the stairs to my bedroom and then into my bathroom. "Time to go, next rising star" Jordan teased. I look at him through the mirror and behind his attitude coated face, I could tell he was nervous for me. "I could be signed to Atlantic fucking Records within the next few hours" I say, with my nerves evident in my voice. I pick my phone up from the counter and shove it into my bag, along with a usb filled of demos and completed songs. I head up the stairs with Jordan tracing not too far behind me.

Jordan and I arrive with 5 minutes to spare, with Cassie greeting us at the entrance. "Stephanie, are you ready?" She asks. The thought of being signed sent shivers down my spine. "It's now or never" I simply reply, walking inside the big glass building. We make our way to the front desk where an overly bored worker sat, clearly in a daze. "Hi my names Stephanie Avery-Carter and I have a meeting" I quietly state, causing the blonde in front of me to focus on the world again. "Yes! You need this lanyard and who you're joined with needs to fill in this" She replied, handing me a lanyard and two clipboards for Cassie and Jordan, which were swiftly taken from my hands. I glance down at the lanyard that printed 'TALENT' in bold letters. I smile at the thought, and then read the following line, which printed my name. I glance back up to my manger and step brother, who were receiving lanyards themselves. Cassie was being told instructions of where to go, as Jordan and I listened before being led off. "Deep breathes" Jordan leaned in and whispered. I nod in return. Deep breathes, deep breathes, deep breathes.

"Hello Stephanie! Nice to finally meet you, and this is?" a guy in a classy black suit asked, offering his hand out. I take it politely as Cassie and Jordan offer warm smiles. "This is my manager Cassie, and my step-brother Jordan" I introduce, before being lead to sit at the table, with three other men in business suits. "Hello Stephanie, I'm Darren, this is Nick, Damian and you've just met David" Darren introduces, with an array of "Nice to meet you" coming from Cassie, Jordan and I. "So Stephanie, before we get into anything, do you have any demo tracks on you?" Nick asked, keeping direct eye contact with me. "Yes I do, this USB contains demos and completed tracks" I reply, sliding the USB across the table. David swiftly grabs the device and plugs it into his laptop. "We will have a listen of the demos before the completed tracks" He says, focusing more on the computer than me. He hits a button on his computer and my voice comes from the speaker. My first demo was for a song called Hostage, which I've almost finished writing. I look up towards the men, each giving approving glances to each other, before the next demo plays. "I think we've heard enough of the demos, let's listen to the tracks" Darren suggests, the rest agreeing before David changes it. Ocean Eyes comes out of the speaker, the song which really shows off my vocal range. The four men shared a surprised look as David turned up the volume. Cassie places a hand on my knee, her warm gesture filling me me with confidence. "We really like this, however we do have to ask to hear raw vocals in person just so we can be sure there isn't major auto tune" Darren says, causing David to pause the song. I nod my head and adjust my posture and let the adrenaline take over as I sing the finishing verse for Ocean Eyes. When I'm done, I'm greeted with shocked expressions from the four men and proud glances from Jordan and Cassie. "Stephanie that was brilliant, we'd love to have you on board with us here at Atlantic Records" David beams, offering me a big smile. They want me, a fifteen year old girl from a broken home to sign with them. "I'd love to work with you" I grin, causing Cassie and Jordan to let out a sigh of relief. "That's wonderful, may I ask, is Jordan your legal guardian?" Darren asks, Jordan and I simply nodding. David slides over a thick pile of papers, stapler neatly at the top. "This is your contract, we will give you a few minutes to read and discuss" Nick says as they all head up and leave the room. The second I hear the door shut I let out a big sigh. "You did it! I'm so proud of you" Jordan says pulling me into a hug. Cassie flung her arm around my shoulder and opened the contract and we all began reading.

"You must have one song finished every month for the first 18 months, can you do that?" Cassie asked. I think about the past 18 months and how easy it was to push out music every month. "Easily, that's fine" I state, Cassie nods and continues reading the papers. "I won't be your talent manager anymore, it'd be someone from here" Cassie continues to state. Beneath every pay check, each order, I knew she cared about me, other than for the money. "Can I still have you as a manager? Just not talent manager?" I ask, my eyes meeting hers. She breaks the eye contact and looks back towards the contract. "Yes, but we'd both be under Atlantic" she answers, her voice breaking ever so slightly. I nod my head as if to confirm this was the path I wanted to take. "All promotional relationships have to be acted to accordingly. For example, friendships, relationships and feuds need to come across as real, at all costs" Cassie says. I've never faked fights or friendships with anyone, that would be one of the hardest things. Cassie notices my reluctance to answer and briefly glances towards me. I give her a soft nod and she continues reading. "Instagram posts must be confirmed with your social manager" Cassie bluntly states and continues her reading. I took a deep breath and glanced and Jordan, who gave me a soft smile. "All relationships must be approved by management?" Cass questions, I nod to confirm as she continues her task. I glance at her, only to catch her face drop as she read lines. "You must never publicly complain about being overworked or overwhelmed, remember how many people would harm to be in your position" she reads with no expression. I didn't want to agree, but I'd be insane to turn it down. "Any proposed tours must be accepted unless medical issues or family crisis's" I nodded again. I didn't want to say yes, I really didn't.

end of chapter
1204 words