A Second Verse | ONC 2024

| ONC 2024 SHORTLIST |

Nikolas Hoffman just wants to lay low. After coming out as transgender in high school, he made a vow to draw as little attention to himself as possible, diving headfirst into his work as a copy editor as soon as he graduated college. Now, Nikolas has finally decided to give himself a much-needed vacation to a small beach-side town in upstate California. However, everything takes a turn when an all-too-familiar face shows up at his hotel.

Axel Reed is the well-known guitar player and lead singer of The Kissing Teeth - and just so happens to be Nikolas' ex-friend. Much to the latter's dismay, Axel has a nasty habit of drawing crowds of paparazzi everywhere he goes and is always down for a little mischief.

It's safe to say that Nikolas' vacation just got interesting.

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Written for ONC 2024. Keep in mind that since this is a contest entry, this is an unedited draft and, as such, there may be some grammatical errors I've missed.

This story was inspired by the following prompts:

(Main Prompt) 9. After some long months of working harder than ever, you finally get to your well deserved vacation getaway but when you arrive at the hotel there is this one star that brings all the paparazzi and trouble with them and makes your vacation a one to remember.

8. You start singing along to a movie soundtrack late at night forgetting that your window is open. Someone from the outside starts singing with you.

33. A broken heart beats with all its pieces. And it still wants the same person.

Word count: 29,030 words

Current status: Shortlister