It's Sunday morning and you just started your shift at Spring Café, the whole in the wall coffee shop you've been working at for 6 months. As you pour your first cup of the day your phone vibrates vigorously in your pocket indicating you have received an email. You hand the cup to the customer, thanking them with a warm smile and retrieve your phone from your pocket. Anxiety hits when you realize this email is the one that will make or break your dream career as a recording artist. You open the email with fingers crossed and begin reading.

Dear Ms. Mile,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been chosen as the opening act on the summer tour with Fifth Harmony. We will be flying you to Los Angeles to meet up with the girls and kick off the tour. From there you will accompany the girls on their tour bus across country. Please contact us ASAP.

Management

You squeal with excitement as you bounce around the worn down café. The handful of customers shoot uncomfortable looks in your direction. You ignore them and continue your joyful celebration.

"Carson, what is going on?", your boss says as she emerges from the break room.

"They chose me! I'm going to be touring with Fifth Harmony!" , you say excitedly.

"That is wonderful Carson! I knew you could do it! You are very talented", the old woman says as she embraces you. "Take off for today. Martin will cover your shift.", she says with a smile, leading you to the door. You accept and hurry to your car. You start it up and blast Fifth Harmony as you drive to your best friend of 14 years' house. You pull up and immediately dial his number. After no answer you get out and approach the house. You reach above the door frame to retrieve the key and open the door. You make your way through the familiar home too the back room. You enter to find your best friend asleep.

"Oliver!", you exclaim as you jump onto his bed. Oliver awakes in a panic, shooting up from his bed.

"Damn it Carson! You scared the fuck out of me!", he pouts, holding his chest. You ignore his panic and bounce in excitement as you prepare to tell him the news. "What's up with you? Why did you break into my house and wake me up? You know I'm not a morning person.", he complains while yawning.

"They chose me." , you say, grinning widely.

"No way!", he says, hugging you tight.

"Yes way!", you say, returning the hug. "I just got the email this morning. I get to tour all summer with them. I'm so excited."

"This means you get to meet Lauren.", he winks. You blush as you envision your encounter with Lauren Jauregui. You snap back to reality as Oliver waves his hand in front of your face.

"Sorry.", you say embarrassed.

"Just let Camila know I'm interested.", he laughs. You elbow him softly in the side.

"Anyways, I can't wait!", you say exhilarated. You show your friend the email and he smiles as he reads each word.

"Contact them!", he demands with a grin. "Do it now so they don't choose the next person." He warns. You take your phone and begin to reply.

Dear Management,

I am excited for this tour. Thank you for choosing me to open. I am grateful for this opportunity. This has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember.

Carson Mile

After proof reading you hit send. You wait with anticipation for the reply. Oliver rubs your back as you both stare at your screen for the notification. After what feels like a lifetime you finally receive the reply.

Dear Ms. Mile,

We are excited to have you on this tour. We would like all of your contact info and you should receive a phone call informing you on our plans for the next few days. Please reply ASAP for we are short on time.

Management

You reply with a squeal and dance around the room with your best friend. This is the beginning of the best time of your life.

You're laying in your bed that evening when you receive the call. You look at your phone and an unknown number flashes on the screen. You answer immediately.

"Hello, Carson here.", you say nervously.

"Hello Carson! This is Madison Smith from the management team for the tour. I'm calling to give you the details of the tour." , she says in a sweet tone.

"I'm so excited. I can't wait to start this tour!" , you say happily.

"We're glad to hear that! So what we want to do is fly you here to Los Angeles tomorrow so you can meet with the management team, sign a few things, and go over a few things. Then we'll introduce you to security and they will go over protocol and inform you on risks that need to be prevented. After that you will meet with the stage crew and go over songs you will perform and how much time you have to perform and they will make sure they have every track and lighting perfect for you. Then you will meet the band and get situated on the bus. Simple but we are limited on time. I'm sorry for the last minute plans so I'll allow you to pack and get everything in order. Your flight is at 8 am.", she explains briefly.

"It's no problem. I'm thrilled for this opportunity.", you beam.

"Well in that case. We'll see you tomorrow morning. Thanks for your time Carson.", she says and hangs up. You celebrate with a short dance fit and begin packing.

"I'm coming for you Lauren.", you say with a blushing smile as you put the last items in your suitcase and set it next to your guitar case.

You arrive to the airport at 7:30 am. You exchange goodbyes with Oliver. He wishes you good luck as you board your plane. You get to your seat and listen to 7/27 as you anticipate your arrival in California. You drift off and dream of the moment you meet Lauren. Your excitement fills you.

Two hours later you arrive in Los Angeles. You rush off the plane and grab your luggage. You look around and spot a sign that reads Carson Mile. You approach the man and show him your ID and he leads you to the SUV. You enter and are greeted by Madison and a few members from her team.

"Hello Carson. It's nice to see you. How was your flight?", she asks with a smile while shaking your hand.

"Hello Mrs. Smith. It was good. Felt like forever though.", you admit. She smiles and nods with understanding. She goes over the plans she explained the day before as you pull up to a tall building. You exit the SUV and head inside. She greets the receptionist and leads you to the conference room. You sit with the team and they hand over a contract. They explain the do's and don'ts of the tour and warn you of the consequences. You read through and sign it. You smile and hand it to Madison. You are taken back to the SUV where you are transported to the first venue of the tour. They escort you to security who go over their rules and explain how they will keep you safe at all costs. From there you are taken to the stage crew where you meet with the head of the crew, Mathew.

"Hi I'm Mathew. You can call me Matt. We're here so you can come up with a set list and work on the sound and lighting.", he smiles.

"Sounds good to me", you reply. You go over your set, listing some originals and covers you'll sing. He writes them down and loads the tracks into the system.

"All we need is a short sound check if that's okay.", he says as he focuses on the system.

"That's fine with me.", you say and walk to the mic center stage. He signals for you to start singing. You begin with the chorus of your song All The Ways. He throws a thumbs up when the sound is all set. You notice someone next to him watching you. As you make your way back to Matt you realize it's Normani.

"You're amazing. You must be the opening act.", she says in awe. You blush as she compliments you.

"Thank you. I'm Carson." ,you smile, holding out your hand.

"Normani.", she says as she shakes your hand.

"I know. Where are the rest of the girls?", you ask with a huge smile.

On the tour bus. I just came up to change out a couple songs. I should head back before Madison flips. I'm going to brag to the girls about you.", she says with a smile and small wave as she walks away. You watch star struck almost missing what Mathew was saying. He goes over stage directions and song transitions. After everything is covered you are led to the bus. Butterflies fills your stomach as you near meeting the love of your life. Madison enters first and you follow close behind.

"Girls this is Carson. She is the opening act for the tour. Show her love.", Madison smiles and exits the bus. You smile and wave awkwardly. You look behind you to make sure you have your escape route if you make a fool of yourself. You turn back to meet a pair of brown eyes and a wide smile.

"Hi I'm Camila.", she says happily. You smile as she takes your hand and leads you further into the bus. "This is your bunk." , she says patting the bed with your stuff already placed on it. "You're above Mani and across from Lauren.", she says. You try not to blush when you are approached by two more members.

"Hey I'm Dinah.", the tall girl says with a wink and a smile.

"And I'm Ally.", Ally says shaking your hand. You shake hers.

"Hey Carson.", Normani says from her bunk. "Glad you could make it. I already told them how amazing your voice is.", she chuckles. You roll your eyes with a smile.

"I'm not that great.", you protest.

"I'd like to hear you sing.", a voice says from behind you. You turn to meet those emerald green eyes you've been waiting for. Lauren Jauregui. You freeze as she flashes a smile.

"Uh..um..yeah..okay.", you say nervously. You grab your guitar and sit on the floor. You strum the intro to the first song that comes to your head.

Some nerve you have.

To break up my lonely.

And tell me you want me.

How dare you march into my heart?

Oh how rude of you.

To ruin my miserable.

And tell me I'm beautiful.

Cause I wasn't looking for love no.

You stop and look up to see all eyes on you in complete shock. Your eyes drift to Lauren's. She looks back with utter amazement. You blush and let out a nervous chuckle.

"Oh my God you are so good!", Camila says with wide eyes.

"Damn girl.", Dinah adds.

"Told you she was amazing.", Mani says with a smirk.

"You are a great singer.", Ally smiles.

"You're really amazing.", Lauren says. You're heart pounds in your chest. You feel a fire ignite in your cheeks as you turn a deep red. You lock eyes with Lauren and the world stops. You fall deep into those piercing green eyes. Everything around you disappears. She doesn't break eye contact. She gives you a nervous smile and winks.

"Carson!", Dinah exclaims, snapping you back into reality. "You alright?", she questions. You blush and let out a quiet laugh.

"I'm okay.", you say, avoiding the concerned stares the group is giving you. "This is just so surreal. I'm just a girl from a small town in Texas, and now I'm here in LA starting off a tour with Fifth Harmony. It feels like a dream.", you say, covering the real reason you were lost in a daze. You are startled as they all let out a "awwww" in unison and embrace you in a group hug. The tour has begun.