SuperStar!

As the last echoes of applause faded, the lights dimmed, and a projection screen behind Ethan flickered to life. The room hushed in anticipation, the atmosphere electric with excitement. Ethan stepped quietly to his parents' side, joining his mom, Emily, who had just returned after a brief chase to find Precious, her mischievous daughter. The screen flashed, and Ethan appeared on the video, his face lighting up the screen with a confident smile.

"Hey, everyone," his voice rang through the speakers, calm yet filled with emotion. "I'm so grateful you're all here tonight. I'm going to start things off with a song that means a lot to me—it's the title track of the album, '7 Years.'"

The video paused for a moment, a slight tension hanging in the air. And then, the music began.

The hauntingly beautiful melody of "7 Years" filled the room, and a collective gasp swept through the crowd. Ethan's voice was nothing short of mesmerizing—raw, passionate, and filled with heartache. The fans exchanged stunned glances, their eyes wide, mouths hanging open in shock and admiration. Even those who had been following Ethan's rise couldn't have anticipated the depth of his talent.

Bella, standing near the front, was overwhelmed, her hand over her mouth as tears welled up in her eyes. "Oh my God," she whispered, completely taken in by the performance. "This is unreal. I didn't know what to expect, but this... this is incredible."

Emily, sitting next to Adam, looked at her son with a mix of pride and awe. "He's incredible," she said softly, her eyes glistening. Precious, still a bit distracted by the flashing lights and cameras, suddenly stopped in her tracks, eyes glued to the screen as the sound of Ethan's voice filled the air. Even Bill, who had been quietly observing from the back, was visibly moved. He nodded appreciatively, his usual reserved demeanor softened by the moment.

When the song finally stopped, the room remained in stunned silence, as if the audience was collectively holding its breath. And then, the applause erupted, loud and sincere, reverberating through the venue. Ethan's voice came back through the video, still calm but with an edge of emotion.

"I hope you all enjoyed it," Ethan said, his voice slightly softer now, filled with sincerity. "'7 Years' is a song that's very dear to my heart. Next up, is 'Blinding Lights.' Hope you like it."

Before the fans could fully digest the last track, the first notes of "Blinding Lights" broke through, catching them completely by surprise. The upbeat tempo hit with such energy that it was impossible not to be swept away by the rhythm. Fans could feel the pulse of the song in their chests, even if they didn't know the lyrics. The infectious beat had them clapping and tapping their feet, their faces lighting up with excitement. It was a stark contrast to the somber tone of "7 Years," and the crowd reacted accordingly, feeding off the electric energy of the music.

"This is insane!" one of the fans shouted, throwing her hands in the air. "I didn't even know this song, but it's so addictive!"

Bella's eyes sparkled with awe, her voice barely above a whisper. "He's changing the game. How does he go from that emotional ballad to this fire? This is... next level."

The track ended, and Ethan's voice returned, smooth and assured. "Thank you," he said, with a smile that hinted at both pride and humility. "Now, here's a softer one. It's called 'Another Love.' Hope you all feel it."

The change in tone was immediate. "Another Love" was a deeply emotional ballad that had the crowd captivated. Ethan's voice was tender, full of longing, and the room fell silent, as if everyone was caught in the gravity of the moment. The soft melody and heartfelt lyrics (even though many were hearing them for the first time) had the crowd swaying, some with their eyes closed, lost in the music.

"This is beautiful," Emily whispered to Adam, her voice filled with emotion. Precious, who had been bouncing around earlier, now stood still, absorbed in the song, her gaze never leaving the screen.

The video continued with Ethan's voice introducing the next track. "Now, here's a fun one. It's called 'Counting Stars.' Let's keep this energy up!"

And the mood immediately shifted. The energetic and anthemic song brought the crowd back to life, even those who had been quietly absorbing the slower tracks. People were on their feet now, clapping to the beat, their faces lit up with excitement. Ethan's smile widened as he watched the crowd react, seeing the joy in their faces, even if they didn't know the words yet. This wasn't just about the lyrics—it was about the experience of hearing something new, something raw and powerful.

The next track, "Fire on Fire," followed with intensity. The song's rich vocals and powerful chorus had the audience singing along in spirit if not in exact words, their hearts syncing to the music. The crowd was entranced by Ethan's ability to capture such a wide range of emotions and styles. Even the most cynical of industry executives couldn't deny the magic.

"Let Me Down Slowly" came next, a heart-wrenching ballad that had the fans swaying gently in time with the music. The room was quiet, each note of the song lingering in the air, filling the space with an undeniable tenderness. The moment was deeply moving, and the fans couldn't help but whisper among themselves about the raw emotion Ethan had poured into the track.

Then came "Riptide," with its catchy and upbeat melody. Fans reacted with enthusiasm, some clapping along to the rhythm, others nodding their heads to the beat. Even though they were hearing it for the first time, the catchy tune made it easy to follow. The energy in the room was infectious, and it wasn't long before the crowd was once again swept up in the song.

"Runaway" followed, a track that had an almost ethereal quality to it. Ethan's voice floated through the speakers, and the fans were spellbound. Bella was in the front, her hands clasped to her chest as if trying to hold onto the feelings the song stirred in her. "Young Dumb & Broke" came next, with a youthful, rebellious spirit that had the fans laughing and cheering in excitement. Ethan's voice was confident, the lyrics full of swagger, and the crowd fed off the infectious energy, even if they were hearing it for the first time.

"Save Your Tears" was next, bringing an emotional depth that had the audience in quiet contemplation. The powerful, introspective lyrics resonated with everyone in the room. Ethan's voice took on a raw vulnerability that had the fans hanging on every note.

Then the two songs he had told them "Mama said" which he did for his more and "love someone "showing his familia love those who brought him up 

Finally, "Demons" played, bringing the album to a close with a deep, emotional punch. The crowd was still, lost in the final notes, and when the music stopped, the room was filled with an overwhelming sense of awe. It was clear that everyone, from the fans to the industry execs, had just witnessed something extraordinary.

The video ended, and the lights slowly rose. Ethan made his way back to the stage, a beaming smile on his face, his heart still racing from the performance.

"Thanks so much for listening," he said, his voice full of gratitude. "The album will be out in about two hours, but before we wrap up, let's go back to the video for a second."

The video flickered again, this time showing the album's cover—a picture of Ethan, drenched in sweat, eyes closed as he sang his heart out in the middle of the studio. The image was raw, unpolished, and beautiful. It captured everything about the album: the passion, the heartache, the triumphs, and the struggles.

Across the room, the CEO of Universal Music Group stood with Jessica, watching the entire performance with admiration.

"When you told me he didn't want any features," the CEO said, turning to Jessica, "I was skeptical. But now? This kid is going to take over. This is insane. He's got the range—the ability to shift moods. He's going to change the game."

Jessica smiled, pride evident in her eyes. "Told you."

back to Bella and the other fans, some wiping away tears, others still in shock. "I can't believe it," Bella said, shaking her head. "How can someone be this good? This is... this is a masterpiece."

The night had been unforgettable, and Ethan knew this was just the beginning.

P.S Please view my other book The Next Big thing a football novel about David jones