AVA
After the performance,I walked into the press area, reporters and camera crew swamped all over me eager to ask me questions about my debut and how I felt about it " Congratulations Ava,how does it feel to have finally debuted" a journalist from billboard asked shoving a microphone to my face " it was amazing" I replied her " am grateful for the support I got from my team and fans,I really appreciate it" I said " Ava, your performance was mesmerizing" A reporter from The Planet chimed in " what inspired your setlist" she asked, I thought back to the countless hours I spent preparing for my debut concert " I wanted to share my journey from struggle to empowerment" I said " music has been my safe heaven, my joy and I hope my story inspires others to find their own voice" I said " that's really beautiful Ava" she said. I answered a bunch of other questions.
Returning back home,I received a call from Lily " Ava, you've gain like a hundred thousand new followers, your concert photos and videos are flying everywhere on social media and a day after tomorrow,you have a TV appearance with Jimmy Fallon" Lily said excitedly " what, really?" I asked " yeah" she said " am so proud of you girl" she said and ended the call.
" Everything feels so unreal " I said to Jae-Hwan over the phone after the call with Lily ended " that's how it is" he said " sorry I couldn't stay after the concert to congratulate you " he said " it's okay" I said " I have a TV appearance with Jimmy Fallon the day after tomorrow " I said " wow, congratulations Ava, that's a very big step" he said " I know" ,we chatted for a while and ended the call to sleep.
THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JIMMY FALLON:
" Ava,your a force to be reckoned with, your music is infectious" Jimmy said after I'd made myself comfortable " thank you" I said with a smile " tell me what Inspired you to pickup the guitar" he asked " my father,he was a lover of music and he taught me my first chords" I said " wow, that's really sweet" he said,he asked a lot of other questions and we got along very well as he was very accommodating, I also had other TV appearances like : NPR'S morning Edition, SiriusXM the Spectrum etc, with various press conference and reporters asking the same questions in different ways " Ava,how do you plan to maintain this momentum" a journalist asked " I'll keep creating music that resonates" I said " I want my music to inspire and bring people together" I added " so Ava, what's next" another reporter asked " new music, collaboration and touring" I replied with excitement,the room erupted in a flurry of questions and camera flicks.
As I stepped into my apartment, exhausted from the non- stop media appearances,I was welcome by the silence of my apartment ,I kicked off my shoes, letting out a deep sigh. In the silence,I let my mind wonder ,the chaotic week since my debut concert,the endless interviews, photoshoot and performances,the excitement I felt had worn off and was replaced with fatigue " I need a break" I said to myself, reaching out to carry my phone,I called Lily my manager " Hey girl" she said " Lily am exhausted,I need a break" I said " I know,I was about to call to tell you to take some time off" she said " really?" I asked " yeah, like a week or two, once you feel refreshed and better, you can resume work right away" she said " thanks a lot" I said " and what ever you plan to do, will be fully sponsored by the company" she said " thanks" I said with gratitude and ended the call " where am I going to go" I thought,I browsed on my phone until I finally got what I wanted " aha,Santa Monica beach".
For hours I walked on the beach,the warm sand enveloped my feet as I walked along the shore line feeling the stress melt away ,I breathe in the salty air, listening to the waves soothing melody. I watched the surfers ride the waves, their woops of joy carrying on the breeze.One of them a young boy wiped out spectacularly and I couldn't help but laugh,I sat on one of the sea stones listen to the waves, brought out my journal and wrote some songs.
As the sun began to set,I settled onto a rocky out cropping with my feet dangling above the sand,I felt at peace,the stress of the past few weeks slowly melting away. Suddenly,I heard the sound of a guitar,the music was beautiful,I searched the beach trying to locate the musician,then I saw him JAE-HWAN, my idol and mentor sitting on a nearby rock,his eyes closed , lost in the music,his fingers moved gently over the strings of the guitar, letting out a beautiful melody. I didn't expect to see him here, I was happy, surprise and kinda felt something different that wasn't there before. He slowly opened his eyes and our eyes interlocked " Ava" he said,his voice low making me feel butterflies " what are you doing here Jae-Hwan" I asked him trying to sound casual, " needed a break, didn't expect to find you here" he said " y- your song, it's beautiful" I said my voice barely above a whisper,finally breaking eye contact with him, he smiled " thank you" he said .
We sat in comfortable silence,as we watched the sunset cast a golden glow over the beach,as the stars began to twinkle, Jae-Hwan came and sat beside me ,our shoulders touched sending shivers down my spine " am really happy for you Ava" Jae-Hwan said " thank you" I said with a smile " your music is really beautiful" he said and I blushed " Your too, Jae-Hwan" I turned to look at him and our eyes met,I felt drawn to him but hesitated,am not sure if what am feeling is what I think it is,it could just be admiration. As the night deepened,we sat and watched the ocean, listening to it's soothing melody.