Chapter 1.

Eddie Duran was a realist. That's why when he realized he'd been suffering from writers block he asked for help. When you need help that's what you do...ask. However, this time the results had varied...he didn't like the songs that the ghost writers or other artists had submitted. They were cool and fun and you could dance to them...it's just that they were missing something.

He pushed these thoughts aside as he heard his mother Katy walk through the door of his loft.

"Sweetheart?" her voice carried through the air to the kitchen where Eddie was currently perched.

"Ma!" He smiled "what a surprise. What are you doing here?"

"Well, we hadn't heard from you in a few days and wanted to make sure that you were alright."

"Yeah, Ma I'm fine. I'm sorry I haven't been calling you back I've been...busy." He said running a hand through his all ready tousled hair.

"Honey" she sighed running a cool hand along is cheek "Is it the writing. Still not coming?" she asked.

"I don't know what it is, Ma. Usually, I can push myself into the zone but it's different this time, I can't come up with anything. I'd settle for a horrible song right now just to get the ball rolling." he exclaimed.

"Sweetie, don't force this, it has to come to you on it's own time or it wont be worth anything. Just try to focus on the contest right now."

"Yeah, I'm really excited to discover a new talent and help them launch their career."
"I thought it was just going to be one song?"

"Yeah it will be but odds are that if the song is good and the winner has talent then they could have a shot at a real career and if that's what they want then I'm gonna try to help. But it still doesn't fix the fact that something is getting in the way of my writing."

Then she asked the question. The one everyone had been avoiding. But if his mother wouldn't ask and try to help. Who would?

"Is it Chloe?" That caught his attention. Chloe Carter had dated Eddie for roughly six months Eddie fell hard and fast for the girl but a little over a month ago Eddie caught Chloe with Tyler Roark. She'd been cheating on Eddie the whole time. All she wanted was access to Eddie's money and influence. After that the truth piled on itself. Her mother was really alive, her name was Cindy. She was from Fresno. Every word out of her mouth had been a lie. It crushed Eddie.

"No, Ma honestly not." Eddie said "In all honesty, I'm over Chloe, she lied and cheated. She wasn't real and if she wasn't then I don't think the love I felt for her was either. I don't know what's getting in the way but It's not that. I'm over her. Really."

Katie was surprised that she believed it. But she did. Eddie had been better in the past weeks. Smiling more and laughing the way he used to. She just hoped the final part of the contest tonight would brighten his spirits and unblock him.

Because if there was one thing Katie Duran couldn't stand. It was seeing her son struggle.

"Might as well be mars..."she finished the song as strongly as she began it. Loren was an optimist. So when she thinks about her life...her dad walking out when she was four...her mother's death the year after...being placed into foster care. Bouncing around dodging foster parents who were either creeps, drunks, or abusers. She reminds herself that if she hadn't been raised in that environment she might me Meeker, timid and afraid to really sing. But she had a series of hardships in life that forced her to become a strong person. And so she was.

When her song made the top 25 she'd been thrilled. 10 she screamed. 5 she danced around the apartment and now that she had made it to the final 3 and was about to leave to sing at the MK club she was calm. She'd curled her hair, both herself and Mel had the night as well as the next day off so they got into the beat up old car they shared and drove to the club. They arrived right on time and as they checked in Eddie himself came up to them. Loren wasn't exactly the type to get starstruck but she'd be lying if she'd said that her stomach didn't get butterfly's as he said "You're Loren Tate right? Your song is Mars?"

"Yeah, that's right." she smiled.

A grin spread across his face like a rush of ink. "Look between you and me, I like your song the best. I'm not the only judge so make sure you still sing your heart out up there to convince them too but I think your song is definitely the strongest."

"Thank you. That means a lot!" she replied earnestly.

"Well I gotta get back" he laughed. "Good luck!"

"Um did international superstar EDDIE DURAN just tell you he liked your song the best?!" Mel exclaimed clutching Loren's hand in her own.

"Um...yeah I think that just happened!" Loren sighed wearing the world's biggest smile on her face.

Later that night...

"And the winner is...Ms. Loren Tate!"

Loren couldn't believe her ears as she heard them announce it! In a daze she thanked Eddie and the judges and walked off stage to hug Mel.

"Hey!" Eddie said as he appreciated her with his manager Jake "Congratulations! We have a lot of work to do now but don't worry about that tonight. Just enjoy yourself and have a good time and meet us here tomorrow at like noon to discuss the details. Does that work for you?" he asked.

"Yeah that's perfect for me. Thank you so much!"

AN: So I know Loren is a lot different in this story but I promise you will still see that optimism and honesty that makes us love her so much. Chloe will be in this a bit more too but she's not a major character so I don't worry about her too much. The biggest difference in this story besides the obvious ones is that Eddie is going to work really hard to make Loren believe in love and Loren is going to be the one holding back a bit. But don't worry I love my Leddie so everything will work out! Also, I know I sped through the contest and everything but I just want to start focusing on their getting to know each other and falling for each other. So don't worry it will get better! R&R! Thanks guys!