Support Act // z.h

n i n e t e e n

Zach.

A series of "thank you"s echoed the mini van as we all headed out and spilled onto the footpath in front of Atlantic's office. "Cheers to Something Different!" Daniel excitedly says, leading all of us to follow behind him as he walks inside. Greeted by everyone in the lobby, we quickly say hello before getting directed to an elevator and then immediately into David's office. "Boys! So glad you came in, let's talk tour!" He greets, overly excited. Just smile Zach, it's your contract. "Now we have four artists to consider as support acts. I'm going to play two demos from each artist and you will decide who, based on their talent." He continues as we all took a seat. He pulls his laptop closer to him before adding a quick "You can choose a maximum of two artists". He pressed a key on his laptop and a females voice comes pouring out the speakers. She was good, but there was definitely room for improvement for her. I glance towards Jonah, who shared an uncertain look. "Not too happy with her? That's fine, let's move on to the next, shall we?" David asks. This time, a males voice. He was also good but not really the vibe we wanted to have. "Next." Daniel states bluntly, surprising David. The next voice sounded like an angel, each word she sang was so gentle but with lots of emotion behind it. Her voice sounded very familiar but I couldn't put my finger on to it. Her two demos ended and the next singers voice poured out the speaker. Another male, his voice also sounding familiar. The vibe of his music was something we could definitely work with. I glance towards the other boys who also seem to enjoy this artist too. As his voice fades out the room was quiet, the only source of noise was the busy Los Angeles streets outside. "So?" David asks, expecting an answer. Jonah was the first to pipe up "Can we have a few minutes to discuss?" He asks, bitterly. David takes a brief nod and walks out of the room, leaving us five to discuss. "The second girl was Stephanie." Jack says, that's why she sounded familiar, and so pure. It would be amazing to take her on tour, I didn't even know she was signed, let alone with Atlantic. "I had no idea she was signed, she didn't mention it at all." Jack continues, breaking my thoughts. "She is insanely talented and is breaking out into the music industry now. We'd be stupid not to take her" Jonah adds, I nod my head agreeing. It didn't take my mind long to think about her again. Everything about her was so intoxicating, I want to be around her all the time. The way she smiles to the way she talks about her emotion, she was just beautiful inside and out. She's everything I could ever want in a girl.

Stephanie's POV.

"All done?" David asks, entering the room. I nod and slid my contract back to him. He smiles and walks over to me and pulls me into a tight embrace "Welcome to the Atlantic records family" he exclaims. I offer him a warm smile as he embraces with Cassie and Jordan. "Now now, you may be recruited as a support act very very shortly, if I may bring you to a room with other artists?" he questions. I nod in agreement and say my goodbyes to Cassie and Jordan and follow David closely. He directs me to a room with three other people. A guy around 19, younger boy and a girl that seems to be 18. "Um hi, I'm Stephanie?" I say, but it comes out as almost a question. "Pretty sure we all know who you are" the other girl says with the fakest smile I've ever seen. Wow. "I'm Eben" the older guy introduces himself with a handshake, the younger boy following suite. "I'm Lewis" He says politely. The other girl just sits looking out the window. The four of us sat in the uncomfortable silence, no one wanted to speak, or so we thought. "I think we all know Steph is gonna get the gig" the blonde girl sitting across from me stated. "Excuse me?" I ask, causing her to chuckle. The two boys shifted awkwardly in their seats, almost leaning away from the other girl. "You heard me. We all know it. You're the one that's dating Zach and your brother is famous. You're obviously going to be recruited." She says, popping a bubble of gum I didn't even realise she had. Tour is what this is about, nothing personal. "First of all, what even is your name? Second of all Zach and I are not dating and lucky last, Jacks success has nothing to do with my talent." I snapped back. Eben and Lewis held in laughs as the girl across me backs down slightly. "Also, Kay, the boys aren't being told names, they are only hearing demos." Lewis muttered. She huffs and whips out her phone, turning away from us all.

The four of us sat in uncomfortable silence for what felt like forever until David comes bursting through the door. "Kay and Lewis, you may leave now. Thank you for coming in today." He politely said, causing Kay to stand up and walk out the room with no further explanation. "Was nice meeting you all" Lewis smiled as David closed the door behind them. "Well, I'm not sure if you were all aware but the reason we all called you in was because the teen band Why Don't We are going on tour and need support acts. They were provided with demos from all four of you and were asked to make a choice based on voice and talent alone. The boys all made the decision to chose both of you to join them on their American Something Different Tour!" He excitedly beamed. A tour? That's crazy. "Please follow me, I'd love to introduce you all" he continued, opening the door and directing us out and down a long hallway.

"Here, boys, are your two support acts for the Something Different tour! Stephanie Avery Carter and Eben Franckewitz!" the five boys all shared excited yet confused looks towards me. I shyly smiled and pulled up a chair next to Jack, Eben sitting on the other side. "Now, let's talk promotion!" David continued.

END OF CHAPTER. WORD COUNT: 1077

HI LMAO IM BACK
i've been spending a lot of time with family and friends recently after a thing that kinda hurted so i'm very sorry for my absence <3