Beyond the Name (A Jaafar Jackson AU)
At Juilliard, everyone knows Jaafar Jackson-the talented theater prodigy, campus heartthrob, and golden boy carrying the weight of a legendary family name.
But Jaafar is tired of being the untouchable one. Tired of fake friendships, constant expectations, and people who see only the Jackson legacy instead of the person behind it. He dreams of becoming an artist on his own terms, without constantly feeling like he has to prove himself.
Then Caroline Hennings arrives.
A scholarship freshman from a small town in Ohio, Caroline has no interest in Jaafar's fame or family name. When a demanding acting class forces them to become scene partners, their rivalry slowly turns into friendship-and eventually something more.
For the first time, Jaafar feels seen for who he really is.
But between Juilliard's ruthless competition, family expectations, jealous rivals, and the pressure of carrying the Jackson legacy, Jaafar and Caroline must discover whether their love can survive a world where everyone is watching.
Because sometimes, the hardest role Jaafar has to play is being himself.