SuperStar!

Chapter 44: Reactions to "One of a kind"



As the video played on, the room's energy shifted with each new song, drawing out an orchestra of emotions from the audience. Ethan, standing quietly off to the side, stole glances at the crowd. The expressions on their faces said more than words ever could.

7 Years

When "7 Years" began, the room fell into a hushed reverence. The melancholic piano intro swept through the venue, and Ethan's dad, Adam, leaned forward in his seat, elbows on his knees, hands clasped tightly. He didn't just hear the song; he felt it. Each lyric hit like a ripple across his memories—Ethan's first steps, the scraped knees, the soccer games, the late-night talks about dreams and doubts.

As Ethan's voice crooned the line "Soon I'll be 60 years old," Adam's throat tightened. His eyes glistened, though he didn't let the tears fall. He leaned over to Emily, whispering, "He's wise beyond his years. I wasn't ready for this one."

Emily simply nodded, her own emotions catching up with her as the song ended. Adam clapped slowly, lost in thought, his pride unmistakable.

Another Love

The haunting notes of "Another Love" took over, and murmurs rippled through the room. Tom Cruise, seated a few rows back, straightened in his chair. His sharp gaze locked onto the screen as Ethan's voice swelled with raw vulnerability.

"This kid," Tom said softly to his assistant, shaking his head in amazement. "He's pouring his soul into this. It's rare to find someone this young with this kind of depth."

The assistant nodded, scribbling notes furiously, but Tom was too captivated to notice. By the time the final chorus faded, he was clapping, leaning over to someone nearby and saying, "Mark my words—this kid's going to be a legend."

Mama Said

Ethan introduced the next track with a heartfelt message: "This one's for the woman who taught me how to dream big, how to believe in myself, and how to never forget where I come from. Mom, this is for you."

Emily's hand flew to her mouth as the familiar, upbeat melody of "Mama Said" started. Tears streamed down her cheeks before the first verse even ended. The lyrics were a playful yet tender ode to her unwavering support, each line a love letter wrapped in nostalgia.

Diddy, sitting toward the front with his entourage, leaned back, sipping a glass of champagne. He tilted his head, a smirk curling his lips as he watched Ethan on the screen. "He's got it," he murmured to his assistant, eyes lingering on Ethan's image. "The look, the voice, the presence. He's got... everything."

"Everything?" the assistant asked cautiously.

Diddy chuckled lowly, his tone loaded. "You know what I mean. If I were twenty years younger..." He let the sentence hang in the air, leaving his assistant shifting uncomfortably in his seat.

Fire on Fire

When "Fire on Fire" began, the dramatic buildup had the room on edge. Precious, seated with a group of influencers near the middle, adjusted her phone discreetly, capturing snippets of the performance for her social media story. The soaring vocals caught her off guard, and she found herself leaning forward slightly, her focus entirely on the screen.

"Wow," one of the influencers beside her whispered. "This is... huge. Like, movie soundtrack huge."

Precious nodded, smiling to herself. She didn't always say it, but moments like this made her glad to call Ethan her brother.

Counting Stars

By the time "Counting Stars" played, the energy in the room shifted again. People were clapping along, their earlier tears replaced by wide smiles. Bella, Ethan's stylist and creative director, abandoned her seat entirely, dancing unabashedly near the front.

"This is the one!" she shouted to anyone who would listen. "This is the one that's going to break records. I can feel it!"

Even Bill, the head of Ethan's label, standing stoically in the back, couldn't help but tap his foot to the beat.

Riptide

When "Riptide" came on, it was the younger fans' time to shine. The song's playful energy had them bouncing in their seats, clapping along as if they'd known it for years. Precious, still with the influencers, laughed as one of them tried to do a quirky dance move that was trending.

"He's such a dork sometimes," Precious said, her tone teasing but affectionate.

One of the influencers nudged her. "You've got the coolest brother, though."

She smiled, but her focus drifted back to the screen, her laughter fading into quiet pride.

Save Your Tears

As "Save Your Tears" began, the mood turned somber once more. Ethan's mom reached for Adam's hand, their fingers intertwining as they listened. Across the room, a woman from the marketing team wiped her eyes discreetly, the song's introspective lyrics stirring emotions she hadn't expected.

A young executive leaned toward Lucian, the label head. "This could be the one," he said in a hushed voice. "It's universal, but it feels personal."

Lucian nodded, his eyes never leaving the screen. "It's why we signed him. He's got that magic."

Demons

The night reached its emotional peak with "Demons." The raw, vulnerable lyrics laid bare Ethan's struggles, the ones he rarely spoke about. Bella was seated again, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, her usually vibrant expression softened.

"He's not just singing," she said softly to the executive seated beside her. "He's telling his story. Our story."

The room was spellbound, each note digging deep into the hearts of everyone present. Diddy, for once, was quiet, his usual bravado replaced by a contemplative expression.

As the final note faded, the room erupted into applause. Fans were on their feet, cheering, clapping, and shouting Ethan's name. Onstage, Ethan stepped up to the microphone one last time, his smile wide but humble.

"Thank you all for coming tonight," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "This album is my heart, my soul, and my story. I'm so grateful to share it with you."

P.S Please add and view my other book The Next Big thing this would really support me thanks


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