*Mackenzie’s POV (The Next Day, Sunday May 3rd)

I just finished recording the rough cut of my newest song I wrote in AMDA’s recording studio. Susan was sitting outside the booth bobbing her head along to it, smiling and giving me both thumbs up. I love that she’s so supportive. I walk out of the booth and immediately am greeted by her. “That was amazing, Kenz!” “Thanks, girl. I feel really good about it.” I say before we both squeal.

“Yeah I liked it too.” says an Irish accent from behind me. I turn around and see a super cute blonde smiling at me. I didn’t notice he was even in here. “Thanks, I’ve written a few demos. They’re all on my laptop.” I say blushing a bit. “That’s awesome. Maybe I could listen to a few of them over lunch tomorrow?” he asks shyly. I turn around to Susan who is giving me ‘DO IT!!!’ eyes. I turn back to him and say “Sounds great. I’ll meet you in the piazza at noon.” “Can’t wait. See you then.” the guy says with a wink.

Once he’s gone, Suz and I scream in excitement. I have a meeting or…date or something with a super cute Irish guy tomorrow! We walk back to our dorm and she helps me decide which demos I should play for him. We narrow it down to the best three and then just gush about how adorable his accent is and if he likes me or not. We are such girls. We decide to video chat the others last minute just in case any of them happen to be on. Luckily we get all three. “So why the last minute meeting, girls?” Sam asks.

“A really cute blonde Irish guy had been listening in while I recorded my newest song in the studio this afternoon! He said he liked it and I told him I had demos on my laptop, and next thing I knew we set up a lunch meeting tomorrow to hear a few others!” The girls all awed. “He definitely likes you, Mac.” Hannah said.

“Maybe he knows someone in the music business!” Emily says, “Don’t forget to mention that I helped you write the music.” she jokes. “Don’t worry, I was planning on it. I can’t take all the credit.” I say with a smile. “What if this guy does know someone in the business? This could mean great things for you.” says Sam. “Yeah I know…but don’t get your hopes up. He could just be hitting on me.”

We say our goodbyes and log off. “Well, I gotta get to the dance studio for jazz. I’ll see you later for dinner?” Suz asks grabbing her dance bag. “Yeah but let’s stop at Starbucks first, yeah?” “Of course! I’m gonna need the caffeine to stay up all night studying for finals.”

“I hear ya, sister. Have fun at class.” I say lying down on my bed. “Thanks. Have fun singing your little heart out while I’m gone.” she winks. “Don’t I always?” I say winking back. She leaves the dorm and I turn on some music on my phone, singing and tapping my foot to the beat as I get lost in my own little world.

The Next Day…

It’s lunchtime and I’m sitting at a table in the piazza waiting for blondie. I am so excited to play my demos for him. I’m trying not to get my hopes up that he has connections to the biz but the possibility is definitely there! I see him coming with a bunch of food in his arms and laugh.

“Whoa I didn’t know you were bringing lunch for both of us.” “This is all for me!” he says plopping it all down on the table. “Wow…big appetite?” “I guess you could say that. So since I forgot to mention this yesterday, my name is Niall Horan. What’s yours?” he reaches out to shake my hand. “Mackenzie O’Brien. It’s nice to formally meet you.” I say shaking his hand.

“You too. Now lemme hear another one of your demos! I’ll bet it’s great.” “I hope you think so.” I say pressing play. The demo finishes and he really likes it so I play him another. This goes on until I’ve played him all 5 demos I have and the huge pile of food that was here has become all wrappers and packaging.

“That’s all of them! Wow…you’ve heard every single one.” “Well they’re all fantastic. Look…I didn’t wanna say this up front, but my dad owns a professional recording studio here in town. He hasn’t heard your music before, but if you wouldn’t mind sending me one of the songs I would love to play it for him. Who knows, maybe he’ll want to get someone to sign you to the label!” Niall says.

“Okay I’ll send you one. But on one condition.” “Anything.” he says. “You also have to tell him that I can’t take full credit for it. One of my best friend Emily helped me write the music.” He thinks for a moment and says “Deal. I’ll let you know ASAP what the word from my dad is.” “Great, thanks Niall!” “No problem. …Hey Mackenzie, do you think I could get your number? I know we only just met, but I think you’re really talented and…really beautiful.” he says looking down getting flushed.

“Sure, Niall. Here.” I get out my pen and grab his arm to write my number on his hand. “Text me.” I say before I wink at him and walk away. I get back to my dorm and as I’m unlocking the door, my phone vibrates. It’s Niall, he texted me already. It says “Hey, love. It’s Niall :) I’m gonna call my dad right now and tell him about you and email him your demo. I’ll call you when I get his feedback. Talk to you later, beautiful. ;)” I smile and go into my dorm.

“Why are you all smiley?” Susan says knowingly. “Niall loved my demos—oh yeah his name is Niall by the way—and he’s gonna send his dad one of them because he works for a record label in town! Plus he thinks I’m talented and beautiful and asked me for my number!” I exclaim spinning around. She jumps up and hugs me saying “Oh my gosh, girl!! I’m so happy for you! You know, if Niall’s dad likes you, you could have your own record deal. You could be set for your career!”

“Whoa there, Susan. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s just wait to hear what he thinks of me.” I say calmly. “Okay fine. What do you want to do before dinner?” “I think I’ll just stay here and study for my psychology final tomorrow.” I say sitting down on my bed grabbing my psych. book from the shelf. “Okay, I’m gonna go out with some of my dancer friends then. See you in a few hours!” she says heading out the door. “See ya!” I shout after her.

I am so excited yet scared at the same time. I hope that I find out soon if my future is set or if I’m back to where I was. A professional singing career is what I’ve been dreaming of since I was little and to have Niall’s dad make that dream come true...wow. If his label signs me, I could quit AMDA and start my career already! ...But I need to finish off this year first. I’ve gotta start studying so I can get my mind off of this.

…but if I get this record deal, then I could have to stay here for summer and maybe even longer instead of going back home. Susan and Sam would probably be devastated that it would only be them in Chicago. But this will be for my career! Just like Hannah going to London and Emily staying in NYC. …I’m getting off track. I gotta do my best to study for this final while my career and ultimately the fate of my entire life is hanging in the balance.

Notes