A Secret Wish

Ever since she was a young girl, Yvette Kurroi had always dreamt of being a famous music artist. In envy of other famous singers, Yvette decides to embark on her musical journey to fame.

Chapter one-----------

"You know, Yvette," her mom began, stirring a pot of stew on the stove, "you've got a voice that could melt the coldest of hearts."

Yvette's cheeks flushed with a mix of pleasure and embarrassment. "Thanks, Mom," she mumbled, fidgeting with a loose string on her sweater. She knew her mother meant well, but the praise didn't quite fill the void she felt inside. It wasn't just about singing in the kitchen anymore; she craved the thrill of a packed venue, the lights, the applause, the life she'd seen in the glossy music magazines.

Her mind wandered to the garage where her dad had set up an old drum kit, a hand-me-down from a relative who'd once had rock star dreams of his own. Yvette had always felt drawn to it, the way the drumsticks looked in her hands, the rhythm that seemed to pulse in her veins. But singing was her true passion, and she'd honed her craft through school choirs and talent shows, dreaming of the day when her name would be up in lights.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the shrill ring of the phone. It was her best friend, Luna, with a wild idea. "Yvette," she squealed through the receiver, "have you heard about the open mic night at the Rusty Guitar?"

"No," she replied cautiously, her heart already racing with excitement.

"You have to come with me!" Luna insisted. "It's perfect for you. You could get discovered!"

The Rusty Guitar was the closest thing their small town had to a music venue, a dive bar that hosted open mic nights for locals with stars in their eyes. Yvette had never been, but the legend of it whispered through the hallways of her high school, of artists who had played there bere making it big. It was the first step on the ladder she hadn't dared to climb.

With a deep breath, she made her decision. "Okay, I'll do it," she said, trying to sound casual. But inside, she was a storm of nerves and excitement. This was her chance to get out of the kitchen and into the spotlight.

The next week flew by in a blur of preparation. Yvette picked out her favorite songs, practicing until her voice was hoarse. She even tried to write her own lyrics, scribbling them down in a notebook during math class. The night of the open mic, she donned a vintage dress she'd found in her mom's closet and a pair of knee-high boots, hoping she looked the part.

Walking into the dimly lit bar, she felt a rush of adrenaline. The scent of stale beer and the murmur of conversations filled her ears as she followed Luna to the stage. The anticipation was palpable, and she felt it in the pit of her stomach, a strange mix of fear and excitement.

When she finally took the stage, her knees trembling, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The opening chords of her first song filled the room, and she opened her mouth to let her voice soar. And for that moment, she was no longer just Yvette Kurroi from the quiet street with the big dreams. She was a performer, and the Rusty Guitar was her stage.

The crowd was initially indifferent, their chatter unabated, but as the music grew louder, their conversations dwindled. Heads turned, drinks paused mid-sip, and eyes focused on her. The raw emotion in her voice washed over them, and she could feel the room start to listen. It was a feeling she'd never experienced before, a connection to a bunch of strangers that seemed almost supernatural.

Her performance was a rollercoaster of high notes and heartfelt whispers, her voice a thread weaving through the silence, connecting every soul in the room. The applause at the end was thunderous, echoing in her ears long after the last note had been sung. Luna's proud smile beamed at her from the edge of the stage, and even the bar's grumpy owner offered a rare nod of approval.

Encouraged by her success, Yvette began to frequent the open mic nights, each performance bringing more confidence and a growing fan base. She posted videos online, and soon enough, she started to get messages from people outside her small town, praising her talent and asking for more. It was a taste of the life she'd always dreamed of, but she knew it was just the beginning.

One evening, as she packed up her gear, a man in a sharp suit approached her. He introduced himself as a talent scout and handed her a card. "I think you've got what it takes," he said with a smile that held a hint of something she couldn't quite place. "Come to the city next week. We'll set you up with an audition."

Her heart pounded in her chest as she stared at the card, feeling the weight of the opportunity in her hands. This was it: the moment she'd been waiting for, the chance to leave the kitchen behind and step into the spotlight. But she couldn't help the nagging question in the back of her mind: was she ready for this?

The days leading up to the audition were a whirlwind of nerves and rehearsals. Her parents offered their unwavering support, her dad even teaching her a few tricks on the guitar. The night before, she barely slept, her dreams a jumble of flashing lights and unfamiliar faces. When she finally climbed onto the bus to the city, she felt both terrified and alive.

The city skyline grew closer with every mile, a tangible symbol of the future she'd been chasing. As she stepped off the bus and into the concrete jungle, she took a deep breath of the polluted air, feeling a strange thrill. This was where her journey truly began.

The audition was held in a nondescript office building, a stark contrast to the glamour she'd imagined. But as she sang her heart out in the sterile room, she knew she'd found her purpose. The panel of judges sat with their stern expressions, but she sang for herself, for the girl in the kitchen with the big dreams.

When she finished her last song, there was a moment of silence, and she held her breath, her heart racing. And then, the head judge looked up and spoke the words she'd been longing to hear: "You've got something special, Yvette. We'd like to offer you a record deal."

Her world tilted on its axis. This was it: the moment she'd dreamed of since she was a little girl. She looked over at her mom and dad, who'd come along for support, their faces a mirror of her own shock and elation.

The reality of what was happening began to sink in as she signed the contract, her hand shaking slightly. She was going to be a music artist. Her heart raced with excitement and fear in equal measure. The path ahead was fraught with challenges, but she was ready to face them head-on.

The story of Yvette Kurroi's rise to fame had only just begun, and she had a feeling it was going to be one hell of a ride.

Author's Note

Please tell me if I can make any improvements:)

Reviews

[Dennis Wolf]

You might want to start with a stronger opening 🤔
Something more immediate and gripping. Even if you take an excerpt from further in the story, the first profound challenge, some obstacle or devastation down the line that threatens to completely undermine her efforts.. Or even something that subtly hints at complication, conflict..
And then ease into the flow of the story from there.

Cheers

[!AMJ!]

Hey! Thank you so much for the feedback! I'll learn to do that next time with my next story.
Cheers:)

[Dennis Wolf]

No problem, and no rush 🙂
Other than that, you've got a relatable character here with relatable desires and goals and relatable frustrations.
So just keep writing, yea?

[!AMJ!]

Thank you!
Of course:)

[Joss Jeffrey]

Your work is absolutely remarkable, and I will love to help to bring it to life through story art and animation and also i can help you to reach a broader audience. Do you have any other social media account when we can connect? you can find me on this Telegram: @Yaroslava_6ixyes or discord: @yaroslava70

[!AMJ!]

Hey, there! Thank you for the review:) I do not have another social account, I fear. But we can discuss such manners on here, if that would be okay.