I'm really on a roll with all these new chapters. I'm so excited for the ending! Hopefully I'll have time to write it today or tomorrow. Be warned...there is a cliffhanger.
It was really happening and Luke couldn't believe it. Just seconds ago, his phone had almost buzzed off the table before he caught it in one hand. On the other end of the line was Mark Whitman, head of Replay Records, one of the biggest record labels in the world. Months ago, he and Beca were emailing Mark's personal assistant about internship opportunities for the summer after Mark had shown interest in some of the demos Beca had sent him months prior. They didn't expect anything and much to their surprise, many of the executives on the board really liked them.
It wasn't like they were going to sign Beca and Luke straight off the bat, but they did want to snatch them up before any other record labels could. It was on a 'strictly trial basis', Mark had said, emphasizing the word, 'trial'. Luke didn't care; at least they were getting their names out somewhere. It was much better than playing bars at 2 in the morning or working on songs in their bedrooms in the middle of the night. Beca and Luke were getting noticed and that was all that mattered.
There was one problem; they both were offered paid internships for the summer, but it was overseas. Luke was happy since most of his family lived in London, but he wasn't so sure Beca would be as thrilled. Los Angeles had always been the goal and it still was the goal, but a little detour from their plan couldn't hurt that much. That's why Luke had already agreed, telling Mark that he would get back to him with Beca's answer.
He wished the record label had internships in Los Angeles, but it was only for college students who needed to boost their resumes. Beca and Luke, the only two high schoolers that were able to catch the attention of Replay Records, had no place in the Los Angeles offices. Instead, after pulling some strings, the offices in London were open and ready to take in interns. The business had just been built up as the record label started to expand all over the world. Looking for staff members, they needed all the help they could get to spread their name out to the British music scene.
Luke and Beca were the perfect candidates, two young producers who were looking for experience. The London offices needed anyone and everyone that was willing to help. Mark had explained to him that at first they would probably be just learning the ropes, learning to establish a daily schedule in the offices, but he promised that by the end of the summer he would let them produce an album for a talent. It was probably going to be someone with less than ten fans who was only known in their hometown, but that was still an album that they would be able to work on. Luke would've taken up anyone by now.
It was also great because it was paid, unlike many other internships. Since the business was just starting out, they didn't have many employees that were taking up all the excess money. They needed Luke and Beca and they were ready to prove that with a checkbook and a pen. Luke and Beca could use the money to save up for a place in Los Angeles or go sightseeing in Europe. They wouldn't have to worry about how to pay for groceries or who would pick up the electric bill. The two of them weren't going to be starving artists and that's all that Luke could ask for.
Everything could be perfect again, just the two of them against the world. His family could spare a room or two since they lived in the surrounding area or he even thought his uncle owned this nice apartment right, smack in the middle of the city that they could stay in. So what if it was a studio that was smaller than Luke's bedroom now? It would be cheap and it would at least be something.
Maybe if he was able to show his parents that he was really serious about his music and that actually powerful members of the industry were starting to take notice, they would allow him to work and not go to some stupid college, Barden or wherever.
Luke hoped that Beca's parents would approve. Even if they didn't, all he needed was a yes from her. It wasn't like they were on some field trip where their parents had to sign their names to give them permission. Luke was officially 18 while Beca was at his heels with 17 years, almost 18. If he was old enough to join the army and go to battle everyday, risking his life for his country, he should be regarded with enough respect from his parents to know that he could live in another country. It wasn't like they were going to be playing around and wasting time, money, and energy. They were doing what they loved, becoming who they wanted to be as people.
He had no idea how, but everything was falling into place and he couldn't have been happier. School ended in less than a week and their flights were paid for and everything. How could this be possible? Was he living a dream? Was he on some prank show with hidden cameras following his every move?
Practically jumping out of his car, he ran to Beca's front door, pulling it open to reveal Beca finishing off a bag of pretzels at the kitchen table. Looking up to see Luke more happy than when she had bought him tickets to his favorite band, Beca's eyebrows furrowed in question.
"Hey, Luke. You okay?" She asked, hopping off the chair and making her way towards him. Before she could even realize, he had pulled her into a hug, a smile never leaving his face. "We did it," he said, holding her chin up so she was looking into his eyes, "We really did it, Becs. Mr. Whitman has paid internships for us over the summer."
Beca's eyes opened wide, her grin matching his own, "Oh my god, Luke! I can't believe it!" Their eyes sparkled with excitement, their hearts beating fast. Beca was now speechless, her mouth hanging agape as she mouthed 'oh my god' over and over again.
"The only thing is," Luke paused, savoring the smile on her face and hoping that it wouldn't fade once he revealed the news, "It's in London."
You know what to do...leave a comment with your thoughts and be sure to check out the other story I just published.