Chapter 1

"This is it!" I thought to myself as I practically skipped off the train, "This is what you've been waiting for your entire life! You're going to be a STAR!" I smiled brightly and held my suitcase close to me as I stared at the sign in front of me with awe. It read "WELCOME TO NEW YORK CITY, IF YOU CAN MAKE IT HERE, YOU CAN MAKE IT ANYWHERE" in large cursive letters. I sighed happily, visualizing my future. I could see my star on the walk of fame, I could hear the crowds chanting my name, I could feel the warmth of the stage lights on my face. I couldn't wait to get started. I pulled out a small notepad from my jeans pocket and a pen. I carried around a notepad and pen to prepare myself for signing autographs when I became famous, but for the time being, I used it to keep my list of things I needed to do make my dreams a reality. I put my suitcase on the ground, clicked my pen, and scanned my list.

"Steps to achieve total stardom," I read out loud, "Step 1, make it to New York City." I smiled. "Check. Step 2, get into my dream college." I bit my bottom lip. I did get into a college in New York, but it wasn't my dream school. NYADA, my dream school, unfortunately did not accept me. As heartbroken as I was, I was still semi-glad that I got into NYU. After all, they had a decent drama and music program, not as good as NYADA, but still. I shrugged and half-checked that box on my list. "Now what's next?...Oh! Step 3, find a place to stay that will fuel my creative juices." I shoved my notepad and pen into my pocket, picked up my suitcase, and left the subway. The streets were flooded with people coming and going to various places. I walked at a steady pace, enjoying the sights and sounds of the big city, still amazed that I was actually here. Even though it wasn't my first time in New York City, because I would take the train here from my hometown in New Jersey to see shows and stuff, it was still the first time I was here to make something of myself. I could've wandered around the city for hours searching for the perfect place for me, enjoying the view of the city under the sunset if I really wanted to, but luckily I had already called someone to rent out an apartment. I looked up at the address number of the tall, slightly run-down brick building in front of me.

"This can't be it," I said, looking at the dilapidated building. I looked down at the crumpled napkin I scribbled the info on while I was on the train. "5506 West 40th Street." I winced and regrettably looked up to see the same address written on the top of the building. I sighed. "Well, it's not so bad, Elliott." I said to reassure myself. "All the great ones started from the very bottom and made their way to the top. That's gonna be you, remember that." I walked into the apartment building and tapped the bell on the front desk. "Excuse me? I would like to get my room key?"

"Just a second!" Came a raspy voice from the back room. Moments later, a crotchety old woman came slowly to the desk. She raised her glasses to her small eyes and looked at me. "Oh!" She exclaimed in excitement. "What a handsome young man!" I chuckled and blushed lightly.

"Thank you, mam." I said smiling. "Um, my name is Elliott Gilbert. I called a few hours ago about the apartment for rent." The old woman smiled.

"Well, let's have a look see." She opened a dusty brown leather book on the counter and scanned a list of names. "Here you are. Elliott Gilbert, room 113." She turned around and grabbed a tiny key ring containing two keys. "Now," She said coughing lightly, "Did my husband tell you about the rent?"

"Oh! Yes!" I replied. "I have it right here." I dug through the front pocket of my suitcase and pulled out a stack of money. "$1,000, there you go." I handed the old woman my first month's rent in exchange for my keys.

"Thank you, dearie," She said. "Your room is on the third floor. Have a wonderful evening, Mr. Gilbert." I smiled and carried my suitcase up the stairs to the third floor. Once there, I surveyed the numbers on the door until I found mine.

"Room 113," I said as placed the key into the lock. "To think, this is where my dream begins." I opened the door and walked inside my new home. It was very small, about 300 square feet wide all around, with an even smaller bathroom, and in the corner was a refrigerator that even a munchkin from the Wizard of Oz would find tiny. The paint on the walls was chipped and there was a draft coming in from the 2 large windows in the room. The lights flickered and the floor creaked as I walked on it. "It's not perfect," I said, "but with a little work, I'm sure I can make it fabulous." I walked over to the wall closet, opened the door, unzipped my suitcase, and began to unpack my clothes. I took only my finest outfits, some essentials like underwear and socks, and my hand designed and sewn costumes. My parents promised to ship the rest of my belongings via mail, considering that I couldn't fit everything on the train. Surprisingly, all my outfits fit in the cramped closet. I smiled and checked step 3 off my list. I grabbed my bathroom utilities from my suitcase, which consisted of facial moisturizer, TRESemmé hair products (hairspray, gel, shampoo, and conditioner), tweezers, nail polish of various colors, body and face glitter, Mac makeup products (eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara, concealer, etc), makeup remover, toothpaste and toothbrush, hairbrush and comb, and lipgloss, and placed them in the bathroom cabinets.

Once I finished unpacking, I took a shower, put on my silk pajamas, brushed my teeth, and inflated my air mattress. I knew that once I made enough money, I would buy the best mattress I could afford, but until then I would have to manage with my air mattress. I removed my pillows from my suitcase and placed them comfortably under my head. Before I drifted off to sleep, I took one last look at my notepad. "Step 4," I yawned, "join an indie band and make music." I smiled sleepily. "I've got a good feeling about this."