Stormy

Chapter 21

"And there is something else I have to tell you...", I continue. "What is it?", Emma asks, "You look so excited! What's up?" "Well...", I say, "Martijn has asked me whether he could release our song as his next single for Martin Garrix. With me being the featured singer... And I said yes..." "You did? That is amaziiiiiing! Congratulations, girl! You deserve it so much!", she screams, "That is gonna be huge!" Emma gives me a big hug and asks: "So what's the plan now? How does a release like that work?" "To be honest, I have no clue.", I admit, "Martijn promised to organize a meeting with him, his team and one of my teachers, where they would explain it all to me and where a teacher could help me go through the contract. It's probably gonna be on Wednesday. I guess I'll know more then." "On Wednesday? But that's your birthday, Julie.", Emma remarks. My birthday, whatever. I don't even care. "I know and I don't care.", I exclaim, "You know I don't like celebrating my birthday anyways." "Is it because your parents aren't here again?", she asks carefully. "Whatever.", I say annoyed and hop on my bed, "I'd rather hear how you guys are getting on with your track now." Trying my best to change the conversation. "We are still struggling a lot with the second verse.", Emma says, "We just can't find a vocal fitting to the melody that Julian insists on keeping on the track." "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.", I answer. "But he's making an effort to be nice to me, so I can't really complain.", she adds and throws me her phone with her headphones, "Take a listen." "Into infinity, a hidden galaxy, you got your eyes on me, chasing zero gravity. Emma, these lyrics are genius!", I say after I finish the demo. "Thank you!", she smiles and catches her phone back. "And you are sure you won't let me organize a party for your birthday?", she brings up the old topic again. "No party, no presents. Understood?", I exclaim, "And you are 100% not gonna tell Martijn about it. I don't want any pity." "Come on!!!", Emma says. "No means no.", I answer and put on my old headphones. Conversation over.

Flash forward to Wednesday, I grab my bike after school and make my way to the address that Martijn had texted me. He had invited Watse, as well as his A&R guy and Mrs Verholen to the meeting. As I arrive to the big studio building with a sign stating "STMPD RCRDS", Watse is just getting out of his car. He offers me his hand and says: "You're Julie, right? Welcome to STMPD. Come on, let me show you the way to the meeting room." "Thank you, Watse.", I answer. "So how are you doing today? Martijn has already shown me the most recent version of your song and I think it's amazing. Your voice sounds beautiful on it.", Watse asks me. "I am doing well and you? I guess I am just a little bit nervous because this is all so new to me. I've never done all of this before.", I answer. "Don't worry, we are here to help you through the whole process. Don't hesitate to ask me or Steven any questions that you might have.", Watse explains and opens the door to a meeting room in the upper floor of the studio building. In there, a man in Watse's age is already sitting at the table, working on something on his laptop. As he sees us, he gets up and offers me his hand: "Hello, you must be Julie, right? I'm Steven, I do A&R for Martijn's label. It's nice to meet you!" "Hello Steven, it's good to meet you too! Thank you all for giving me this incredible chance.", I answer and shake his hand. In that minute, Mrs Verholen and Martijn join us in the room. Martijn comes over to give me a hug and whispers: "Don't be nervous. I see you are. You've done such a great job so far." Before I can answer, Mrs. Verholen approaches me and says: "Hello Julie! I just heard it is your birthday today. Congratulations and I wish you all the best!" Urgh, that's just what I needed. I politely shake her hand and thank her for the kind wishes. I know she only had good intentions, but still it's annoying me. I don't want to be reminded of my birthday and therefore of my parents, that are somewhere on the globe and didn't even care enough to call for my birthday. Martijn comes back to me and protests: "Julie! Why didn't you tell me that it was your birthday today? I mean, I would have... Now I don't even have a gift for you. But happy birthday to you!" "I don't usually celebrate my birthday much.", I say quietly. Watse and Steven also come to shake my hand and congratulate me. Before Martijn can say anything else, Watse asks us to sit down so we can go through my contract for the song. It takes us about an hour to go through every detail of it. To have Mrs. Verholen with me actually gives me a very good feeling, just to have a second opinion on everything. Watse and Steven answer every little question about the business that I have and Martijn adds information here and there. Before they ask me to sign the contract, Steven asks me to play the acoustic version of the song for them. Martijn quickly runs down to one of his studios to grab a guitar. As he returns, he sits down next to me and we start the song together. It feels good to sing it for them and every new time I do the song, I feel a little more comfortable. Everyone in the room applauds for me as I finish the song acapella, just as back in the hallway. "That was beautiful, Julie! And Martijn, man, I love how you make her shine on the track. I'm confident this will be a successful single for the both of you.", Steven compliments our work. Watse and Mrs. Verholen agree with him. As Martijn returns the guitar to the studio, Watse shows me where to sign the contract. I place my signature on all three copies of the contract, one for me, one for Martijn and one for his label to keep. Soon Martijn returns with a bottle of sparkling wine and a few glasses. He gives me a smile: "It is Julie's birthday today and she signed her first contract for an incredible song today, I think we should toast to that!" The others agree and as Steven takes care of the sparkling wine, Martijn gives me another hug. He quietly says: "I know you don't want to celebrate, but will you at least stay a little bit longer after everyone has left? I'd love to show you around the studios." "You are so stubborn.", I answer. "So are you.", he smirks, "I'll take that as a yes, Julie." "Yes, Garrix. I'll stay if you insist.", I answer. "Perfect!", he smiles. The he raises his glass and says: "To 'Now That I've Found You'. And to you Julie. Happy birthday! Cheers!"