Chapter 18
Later that evening, Kelly found herself pacing her bedroom, clutching her phone tightly. Her mother's warm smile and encouraging words still lingered in her mind, making her feel both comforted and a little vulnerable. After a moment of hesitation, she finally dialed Scarlet's number.
"Hey," Scarlet's calm, slightly teasing voice came through the line. "What's up, little bird? Miss me already?"
Kelly rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a nervous laugh. "Can you come over? Just... I need to talk to you about something."
Scarlet paused, her voice growing softer. "Are you okay, Kel? Did something happen?"
"Nothing bad," Kelly said quickly, though her heart was racing. "I just... need to see you."
"I'll be there in ten," Scarlet promised without hesitation.
True to her word, Scarlet arrived in under ten minutes, leaning casually against Kelly's doorway in her signature leather jacket and jeans. "So, what's this about?" she asked, her usual confidence softened by a genuine concern.
Kelly motioned for her to come in, closing the door behind them. She sat on the bed, fidgeting with the hem of her hoodie, while Scarlet sat beside her, leaning back on her hands.
"My mom... she asked me about us today," Kelly finally admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Scarlet raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And what did you say?"
"I... kind of denied it," Kelly admitted, cheeks flushing. "But then she smiled and said she could see the way I look at you. And I asked her if it's okay, you know, if the person I love isn't... a boy."
Scarlet's playful smirk faltered slightly, replaced by a flicker of vulnerability. "And what did she say?"
"She said it's more than okay. That it doesn't matter who I love, as long as I'm happy," Kelly said, her voice trembling slightly as she met Scarlet's gaze.
Scarlet exhaled slowly, her shoulders relaxing as a genuine, warm smile spread across her face. "Your mom sounds amazing, Kel. That's... really good to hear."
Kelly nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "It is. But it's also scary, you know? I've never really... talked about us to anyone before. It feels so real now."
Scarlet reached out, gently taking Kelly's hand in hers. "It is real," she said quietly. "But you don't have to rush anything. It's your story, your pace. I'm not going anywhere."
Kelly squeezed her hand, her smile growing as her nerves eased. "Thank you, Scar. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Scarlet smirked, leaning in just slightly. "You'd probably be chasing some boring guy like Jax and missing out on all this," she teased, gesturing to herself with a wink.
Kelly laughed, lightly swatting her arm. "You're impossible."
"But you love me for it," Scarlet shot back with a grin, her voice teasing but her eyes full of warmth.
"I do," Kelly admitted softly, her heart swelling with gratitude and love as she leaned her head on Scarlet's shoulder.
For the first time, Kelly felt completely at ease—like she wasn't hiding anymore. And Scarlet, in her usual confident yet gentle way, made her feel like that was exactly where she belonged.
A Quiet Moment Together
Scarlet stayed for a while, their conversation shifting to lighter topics. The weight of Kelly's earlier confession gradually melted into a comfortable silence as they sat on the bed, side by side. Kelly, still leaning against Scarlet's shoulder, traced invisible shapes on Scarlet's hand.
"You know," Scarlet said after a while, her voice softer than usual, "I think your mom likes me."
Kelly laughed, tilting her head to look up at her. "She does. She told me you're... unique."
Scarlet raised an eyebrow, feigning offense. "Unique? That's all? Not incredibly attractive or irresistibly charming?"
Kelly rolled her eyes, but her smile didn't waver. "She thinks you're good for me."
The words hung in the air for a moment, and Scarlet's teasing expression softened. "And what do you think?" she asked, her voice quieter now, a touch of vulnerability breaking through her usual confidence.
Kelly sat up slightly, meeting Scarlet's gaze. "I think... you make me feel safe. And strong. Like I can be myself without having to hide anything." She paused, her cheeks warming. "And maybe a little frustrated when you tease me too much."
Scarlet smirked. "That's my job, little bird. Keeps things interesting."
Kelly gave her a playful shove, but her smile lingered.
As the night grew later, Scarlet finally stood, stretching her arms lazily. "Alright, I should let you sleep. Don't want you blaming me if you're late to school tomorrow."
Kelly frowned slightly, reluctant to see her go. "You don't have to leave. I mean... if you don't want to."
Scarlet paused mid-stretch, her eyes flicking to Kelly with a faint smile. "You sure? I thought you'd be sick of me by now."
Kelly shook her head, her voice soft. "Not tonight. Stay, if you can."
Scarlet's smirk faded into something gentler as she stepped closer to the bed. She sat back down beside Kelly, resting a hand lightly on her knee. "Alright, little bird. Just tonight."
Kelly smiled, relief washing over her features as she scooted back under the covers. Scarlet leaned back against the headboard, her legs stretched out. Kelly turned to lie on her side, her head resting near Scarlet's shoulder.
"You know," Kelly started after a moment, her voice muffled against the blanket, "I never thought I'd feel this... okay. Like, with everything that's happened, I thought it would take forever to feel normal again."
Scarlet glanced down at her, her expression softening. "You've come a long way, Kel. You're stronger than you think."
Kelly looked up at her, her hazel eyes gleaming in the dim light. "That's because you've been here. I don't think I could've done it without you."
Scarlet chuckled quietly, brushing a strand of Kelly's hair back. "I'm not going anywhere, you know that."
Kelly closed her eyes, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Good," she whispered, her voice trailing off as sleep began to claim her.
Scarlet stayed awake a little longer, watching the rise and fall of Kelly's breathing. She leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her temple, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Sweet dreams, little bird."
The room fell into silence, a calm settling over them as the night deepened. For the first time in a long time, both of them felt a rare sense of peace.
.....
At school
Kelly blinked in surprise as Sarah leaned casually against the desk, crossing her arms with a sly smile.
"So," Sarah began, her tone light but teasing, "how about you, princess?" She deliberately emphasized the word in a tone that was all too familiar.
Kelly froze, her cheeks immediately flushing. The way Sarah said it, slightly playful with a touch of mockery, was eerily close to Scarlet's voice.
Sarah smirked knowingly at Kelly's reaction, tilting her head. "What? Did I hit a nerve? You look like I just caught you sneaking out past curfew."
Kelly crossed her arms, trying to appear composed despite the heat rising to her face. "I don't know what you're talking about," she said, but her voice wavered slightly.
"Oh, really?" Sarah arched a brow. "I just thought you'd want to talk about you and your girlfriend since you're always asking about me and Jax."
Kelly's jaw dropped, and she sputtered, "We're not—you're—you don't know what you're talking about!"
Sarah leaned in closer, her grin widening. "Come on, Kel. It's written all over you. The way you've been glowing lately? How you light up whenever she's around? Don't even get me started on how you blush every time I say 'princess.'"
Kelly groaned, burying her face in her hands. "You're insufferable."
"And you're not denying it," Sarah teased, nudging her playfully.
Kelly peeked at Sarah through her fingers, finally letting out a resigned sigh. "Fine. Yes, Scarlet and I are... together. Happy?"
Sarah beamed, leaning back triumphantly. "Extremely. I knew it! I mean, who else would pull that whole 'guardian of yours' routine? She's, like, your person, isn't she?"
Kelly couldn't help the small, shy smile that crept onto her face. "Yeah... she is."
Sarah softened, her teasing tone giving way to genuine warmth. "I'm happy for you, Kel. Really. You deserve someone who cares about you that much. And for what it's worth, I think Scarlet's a good match for you. A little intense, but... she gets you."
Kelly looked at Sarah, her eyes glimmering with gratitude. "Thanks, Sar. That means a lot."
Sarah winked. "Anytime. Now, when are you going to tell me all the juicy details?"
Kelly rolled her eyes, laughing as she lightly shoved Sarah. "Don't push your luck!"
The auditorium was buzzing with excitement as Kelly and her school band wrapped up their final song. The roar of applause was deafening, and Kelly's cheeks hurt from smiling so much. Performing on stage as both a dancer and vocalist felt surreal—it was her first big concert, and she couldn't believe how much she'd grown.
After the show, Kelly lingered backstage, helping her bandmates pack up their equipment. She was wiping her face with a towel when a man in his late twenties approached her, holding a sleek business card.
"Kelly, right?" he said, extending his hand.
She blinked, surprised. "Uh, yeah, that's me."
"I'm Adam Carter, talent scout and producer for Horizon Records. I was in the audience tonight, and I have to say, you have an incredible stage presence. Your voice is unique, and the way you move on stage is magnetic. We'd love to discuss working with you on a professional level."
Kelly's heart stopped. "Wait—what? Are you serious?"
Adam chuckled warmly. "Dead serious. You've got potential, and I think we could help you develop that into something big. Here's my card—give me a call when you're ready to talk."
Kelly stared at the card in her hand, her mind racing. This couldn't be real, right? She was just performing for fun with her bandmates. A record label? That was something out of her wildest dreams.
She barely managed a "Thank you" before Adam nodded and walked away, leaving her to process what just happened.
Later that night, Kelly paced nervously in Scarlet's living room, her phone clutched in her hand. Scarlet was sprawled on the couch, watching Kelly with an amused smile.
"Kel, you're gonna wear a hole in the floor if you keep doing that," Scarlet teased, resting her chin on her hand.
Kelly whirled around, her eyes wide. "Scar, you're not gonna believe this. Some producer from Neon Horizon Records came to the show, and—get this—he wants to sign me. Sign me! Like... what even is my life right now?"
Scarlet tilted her head, her lips curving into a sly smile. "That's amazing, Kel. See? Told you you were a star."
Kelly flopped onto the couch beside her, still clutching the business card like it might disappear. "But... it feels too good to be true, you know? Why would a producer just show up at a school concert?"
Scarlet shrugged nonchalantly. "Maybe someone tipped him off. Maybe someone wanted to make sure the world saw how talented you are."
"How do you even think of something that "possible"?" Kelly raised an eyebrow with a small grin
Kelly stood outside the pristine glass doors of Horizon Records, her heart pounding in her chest. She'd never imagined herself walking into a professional recording studio at this stage in her life. But here she was, her dreams seemingly unfolding faster than she could process.
As she stepped inside, the receptionist greeted her warmly and directed her to Studio A. The hallway felt endless, her nerves building with each step. Finally, she reached the door and took a deep breath before pushing it open.
The room was sleek and modern, the air buzzing with quiet energy. Behind the soundboard sat Adam Carter, the producer who had approached her at the concert. He turned and smiled when he saw her.
"Kelly! Glad you could make it. Ready to see your new playground?"
She chuckled nervously. "I guess so. This is... surreal."
Adam led her toward the booth, explaining the equipment and layout. But before he could continue, the door to the booth opened, and someone stepped out, casually leaning against the frame.
"Hey, little bird."
Kelly froze. It was Scarlet. She was dressed in her usual edgy style, her headphones slung around her neck, a confident smirk playing on her lips.
"Scar?" Kelly's voice was a mix of shock and confusion. "What are you doing here?"
Adam grinned, clearly enjoying the moment. "Didn't she tell you? Scarlet's one of our co-producers. She's been working with us for years."
Kelly's jaw dropped. "Wait, you're the one who—"
Scarlet raised a hand, cutting her off playfully. "Guilty as charged. I might've suggested Adam check out your show. And maybe I was the one who said you were worth signing."
Kelly stared at her, her emotions swirling. "Scar! You didn't tell me you were involved in this!"
Scarlet shrugged, her smirk softening into something more affectionate. "I wanted it to be a surprise. Besides, this isn't about me—it's about you. You earned this, Kel. I just gave you a little push."
Kelly blinked, still processing everything. She felt a mix of gratitude and embarrassment as she crossed her arms. "You could've at least warned me. I almost fainted when Adam showed up at school!"
Scarlet laughed, stepping closer. "Where's the fun in that? Watching you shine on your own was worth it."
Adam chimed in with a chuckle. "You two can catch up later. For now, Kelly, why don't you step into the booth? Let's hear that voice of yours."
Kelly hesitated, her gaze locked on Scarlet. "Are you going to be here the whole time?"
Scarlet leaned against the wall, her smirk returning. "Of course. I'm not just your girlfriend anymore, Kel. I'm your producer. Let's make some magic, yeah?"
Kelly couldn't help but smile, her nerves slowly dissolving. As intimidating as the studio was, having Scarlet there made her feel invincible. She stepped into the booth, her heart racing for an entirely different reason now. Scarlet had always been her biggest support, but now she was also her collaborator.
Kelly shot Scarlet a playful glare from inside the booth, her hands resting on the headphones as Adam adjusted the settings on the soundboard. "So, let me get this straight," she said, her voice coming through the speakers, "not only are you my girlfriend, but now I have to be stuck with you 24/7 too?"
Scarlet, lounging against the back wall with her arms crossed, raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Oh, is that a complaint, princess? I thought you'd be thrilled to have me around."
Kelly rolled her eyes, trying to suppress a smile. "Thrilled? You wish. Now I can't escape your teasing or your bossy producer vibes. Sounds like a nightmare to me."
Scarlet chuckled, pushing off the wall and stepping closer to the soundboard. "Trust me, Kel, you're going to love every second of it. Plus, who better to keep you in line than me?"
Kelly huffed, crossing her arms. "You really think I need you to keep me in line?"
Scarlet tilted her head, her smirk widening. "Considering you're the one who gets flustered so much when I look at you? Yeah, I do."
Kelly's cheeks turned pink, but she didn't back down. "You're impossible."
"And you're stuck with me," Scarlet shot back, leaning closer to the glass separating them. Her voice softened just enough that only Kelly could hear it through the speakers. "Not that you'd want it any other way."
Kelly's mock glare faltered, replaced by a small, genuine smile. She looked down at the microphone in front of her and muttered, "Maybe."
Scarlet chuckled and motioned for Adam to start the track. "Alright, lovebirds, save the banter for later. Let's get to work," Adam said, shaking his head with a grin.
Kelly took a deep breath, focusing on the music as the first chords filled the booth. But even as she started to sing, she couldn't help but glance at Scarlet through the glass. No matter how much Scarlet teased her, there was something comforting about knowing she'd always be there—whether it was on stage, in the studio, or by her side.
As the music played, Kelly's focus shifted to the rhythm, her voice flowing effortlessly into the microphone. Yet, her thoughts kept circling back to Scarlet. There was a sense of warmth in knowing Scarlet was there, silently watching, always present, like a constant anchor she never knew she needed.
She could see Scarlet through the glass, standing with her arms crossed, the usual playful smirk softened into something that almost resembled pride. It wasn't something Kelly had ever fully understood until now—how deep Scarlet's care ran for her, how much she believed in her.
The song came to an end, and Kelly took off the headphones, looking up to find Scarlet's gaze fixed on her. The brief silence between them felt charged with more than just the music that had just played.
Scarlet's smirk returned, but this time it was softer, almost proud. "Not bad, princess. You've got the voice, now let's see what else you've got in that head of yours."
Kelly's smile was small, but it was there. "I guess I've got you to thank for all of this," she said, a little hesitant but genuine.
Scarlet's eyes softened, but her tone was teasing. "Only because I'm a genius. But don't worry, you'll figure that out eventually." She stepped closer to the glass, leaning in as if to get a better look. "What I'm more interested in is whether you can handle all of this attention now that you've got a record label on your tail."
Kelly frowned slightly. "I'm not sure. I mean... all this sudden pressure, you know? It's a lot to handle. I've been doing this for fun, but now it feels real."
Scarlet's expression shifted from playful to serious in an instant. She stepped into the booth, walking towards Kelly. "Look, I get it. It's overwhelming at first. But you've got something special, Kel. You've always had it. This is just the next step."
Kelly met her gaze, searching her face for any hint of doubt. "You really think so?"
Scarlet didn't hesitate. "I know so." She reached out, gently brushing a strand of Kelly's hair behind her ear. "And I'll be here. Every step of the way."
Kelly's heart skipped a beat. She didn't know if it was the way Scarlet looked at her or the weight of the moment, but it was almost too much to process. Scarlet was offering something more than just advice or reassurance; she was offering her unwavering support, her presence in the way only Scarlet could.
For a moment, Kelly let the silence linger between them, the tension easing just a bit. "Thanks, Scar," Kelly finally whispered.
Scarlet smiled, her usual playful grin returning. "No need to thank me. But... you're welcome anyway." She straightened up and gave Kelly a wink. "Now, let's get back to work. We've got a label to impress."
Kelly couldn't help but chuckle, the nerves from earlier melting away.
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: Truyen3h.Co