Chapter 14: Some kind of Shift in A Star

Two weeks later………

(Roderick)

I had sent out some of my songs to millions of record companies. What took me by surprise was that I had already gotten a response from Wind-up Records. It said:

We've listened to your song and we've like what we heard. We will give it to one of our artists. Also, we've enjoyed your song so much, we'd like you to sign with us full time in Los Angeles. Let us know your answer by December 15th. Our number is 310-860-3500.

There were other things written, but I kept focusing on those sentences. They liked my songs and they were offering me a full time job! I was so excited I felt myself starting to bouncy.

I ran upstairs and picked up the phone to call Aisha, but then I stopped and something else came to mind: the job was in LA. This meant I would be leaving things behind. My friends, my family, and most importantly Aisha.

I didn't know what to do. This was a great job and it was something that I wanted to do my whole life, but everything was perfect with Aisha. It had only been three months, but things were going really great with her. She'd already given me everything I've wanted. What would I do without her?

I hung up the phone and dialed a different number. An hour later, I sat at Starbuck's when Murray walked in and sat down across from me.

"So, what did you want to talk to me about?" Murray asked.

"Wind-Up Records liked one of my songs," I said.

"That's great!" Murray exclaimed. "Congradulations!"

"And they want to sign with them full time," I continued.

"Again, that's great!" Murray said. "Looks like we're going to have two things to celebrate tonight."

Tonight was Amy's birthday and Murray was throwing a party at his place for her.

"The job is in LA," I said.

Murray was silent.

"Well?" I said, prompting him for an answer.

"Oh," Murray said, finally.

"That's all you have to say?" I said, getting a little annoyed.

"What do you want me to say?" Murray asked.

"I need help!" I said, desperately. "I don't know what to do!"

"Okay, here's the situation," Murray said. "This is the job of a life time. You're never going to have this opportunity again."

"But, I'm leaving my friends and family behind," I said.

"Right. But, your family's always too busy to see each other. You, Amy, and I rarely hang out together. Even though, you've quit your job your time is mostly spent writing songs or with Aisha."

"I know."

I played with my cup thinking about this.

"This is about Aisha, isn't it?" Murray asked.

I nodded.

"There'll be other girls, Roderick," Murray said.

"Not like Aisha," I said.

"You've said this about every girlfriend you had, but you always chose work over them," Murray said.

"But, it's different with her," I protested.

"How?" Murray asked.

Aisha and I had something special and everything was familiar and exciting. We understood each other. We had a deep connection. I didn't know how to explain that to Murray, though, but he looked at me and somehow I think he understood.

"Wow," he said. "You've never had problems choosing between work and your love life. She really is different, isn't she?"

"Yeah," I replied. "I have two weeks to decide."

Murray sighed. "I don't know what to tell you," he said.

Great, I thought. What am I going to do?

(Aisha)

That night I with Roderick talking to some friends when Murray started clink his glass.

"Everyone, can I have your attention, please!" he yelled.

Everyone quieted down.

"I just wanted to make a toast to the birthday girl," Murray said, slinging his arm around Amy. "Amy, we've been dating for five years and it's been great. You have been the best friend and girlfriend I ever had. Without you, I wouldn't have any reason to wake up in the morning. That you so much for being born. Happy birthday."

Amy smiled and kissed Murray. Everyone awed except Roderick and I.

"That was sweet, but it made me so incredibly nauseous," Roderick said.

"He should write for a Soap Opera," I agreed.

"That's not all," Murray said, getting down on his knees and taking out a small black box. "Amy, will you marry me?"

Amy's eyes brimmed with tears as shesmiled and said yes. Murray placed the ring on her finger and everyone cheered.

"That wasn't cheesy," I said.

"No, it wasn't," Roderick said.

"See, that's how proposals should be. Short and simple."

"I know. It should actually come up if your having a normal conversation. If you have this whole monologue, then you're going to know what's going to happen."

"You've really thought this out, haven't you?"

"Kind of."

"I'm going into the kitchen to get something to drink. You want anything?"

"Sure. Champagne."

I nodded and went into the kitchen. A few minutes later, Amy came in and we shrieked and hugged.

"Hey!" I said. "Happy Birthday and congratulations! I haven't seen you all night!"

"I know," Amy said. "All these people keep approaching me I haven't had a breath of air."

"Let me see the ring," I said.

Amy held out her hand. In the middle of two small diamonds was a large sapphire.

"It's beautiful," I gushed.

"I know," Amy said.

"Oh, before I forget," I said, handing her a Tiffany's bag. "I got it off the list."

"Is the receipt in the bag?" Amy asked.

"Yes," I said.

Amy squealed and hugged me. "You're the best friend ever!"

I had to laugh.

"So, what are you doing?" Amy asked.

"I'm just getting Roderick and myself some drinks," I said, pouring some champagne into two glasses.

"How's it going between the two of you?"

"Amy, I don't want to take the attention away from you. This is your night. You're the one who's engaged."

"Come on, tell me."

"It's going pretty great."

"Really?"

"Really."

"I knew it!"

"Knew what?"

"I knew you two were perfect for each other! Murray and I were right!"

"Yes, you were."

After a few minutes of chatting I went back out to the party where Roderick was talking with a nice looking couple. The guy had jet black hair and the woman looked like she'd stepped out of a Victoria's Secret Ad (and actually put some clothes on).

"Here's your drink," I said, handing it to him.

"Thanks," Roderick said. "I want you to meet some people. These are my old college friends Steven and Andrea Walker."

"Hi," I said, shaking their hands.

"Nice to meet you," Andrea said. "Roderick told us so much about you."

"Yeah," Steven said. "Do you sell your paintings on the street?"

"Steven!" Andrea elbowed her husband in the stomach.

I looked at Roderick who was shooting daggers at him and then laughed.

"What?" Steven asked.

"That's actually what Roderick said when he met me," I answered. "No, I don't sell my paintings on the street. I actually have some galleries and I teach an after-school art class."

"Oh, Roderick's niece is in your class," Andrea said.

"Yes, she is," I replied. "And she's the best student in the class."

"Speaking of jobs-" Steven said.

"Don't make a dirty joke," Andrea warned.

"I'm not," Steven said. "I was just going to say that she must be excited for him about his new job."

"What new job?" I asked, looking at Roderick who looked like he didn't want to be standing there.

"The job he got withWind-up Records in LA."

"What?"

I'd felt like someone pulled a rug out from underneath me and caused me to fall. Roderick got a job in LA? Roderick was moving to LA and he didn't tell me?

"Yeah," Steven said. "Apparently, it's not definite, but he got it."

The blood started rushing to my ears. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Roderick had gotten a job in LA. He was moving and he wasn't going to tell me. I needed to get out of there fast.

"You know what?" I said, handing my drink to Roderick. "It's getting late and I need to get home."

"Are you okay?" Andrea asked.

"I'm fine," I replied. "It was nice to meet you."

I walked to the door and ran into Amy.

"Happy birthday," I said, kissing her on the cheek. "And congratulations."

Before Amy could say anything, I was out the door and already pushed the button for the elevator. I heard Roderick calling my name, but I ignored him. The elevator was taking too long, so I ran down the stairwell with Roderick on my heels.

"Aisha!"

I didn't turn around. I just kept running down seven flights of stairs. It wasn't until we got to the lobby when he grabbed me by the arm and stopped me.

"I'm sorry," Roderick said. "I was going to tell you."

"Are you moving to LA?" I asked, angrily.

"I don't know," he said. "I might."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want to tell you until I figured out what I was going to do."

"What's there to figure out?"

"It's the job of a life time," Roderick said. "But, I don't know if I want to leave you."

"You're blaming this on me?"

"No! I'm not!"

I was angry and hurt. I could tell Roderick really loved this job, but I didn't want him to go to LA. Not when until recently, everything was going so great.

"I'm going home," I said, turning to leave.

"Please don't be mad at me," Roderick grabbed my arm again.

"I'm not mad," I said. "I just need some time to figure some things out."

I walked out of the building and I was sure I left him standing there in the lobby. I wasn't mad. I didn't know how I felt. But, I didn't know if things would be the same between us.

To Be Continued…………

A/N: Uh-oh! Chapter 15 is coming soon.