12 years. It had been 12 damn years since his life had been turned upside down.

Tiberius Tee, as he was now known, looked up from his spot in the bed. He reached over to look at the time on his phone before rolling back. As he did, he felt a pair of arms curl around his chest. They were soft and feminine, everything a guy his age wanted, and Timmy just wanted to get away from them. This would be the third time this week he had woken up with someone. He never let anything happen, not that he didn't want to. But Timmy wanted to find someone who wanted him to be with, not someone who wanted Tiberius Tee.

Timmy was 25 now. He had moved out of his last foster parents home the day of his 18th birthday. He'd loaded up and jumped on a train to make his way, traveling around the country. He'd decided to try his hand at panhandling for money and stopped on a few corners to play some songs he knew. It always went over rather well. He had a great voice and he was pretty good with that guitar. Ok, he was incredible with that guitar. He could do things with it to make Santana or Hendrix jealous. And Timmy made it look natural.

He spent weeks playing songs, but then one day while in Chicago, he decided to take a new swing. He'd written a few original songs and wanted to see what happened. So he settled down and began playing his songs. And he had drawn a crowd like he would never have imagined possible. Before Timmy knew it, there were nearly 300 people trying to get closer to hear him and his acoustic guitar. He made over $1k that day alone.

Timmy kept moving, seeing the country. He wrote more songs and would only play them on occasion. But when he did, it always drew a crowd and he made bank. Yet none of that really mattered to him. Timmy just wanted to enjoy music. So he did.

All that had changed when he hit 20. After living place to place, he'd settled down a bit more in Boston. He had about 5 different location he would switch through, playing each one a few days a month. He was making more than enough to cover his apartment, but it wasn't what he wanted. So he had pushed the money into the hands of some of the other beggars.

And then it had happened. One night he was out and happened to be playing some of his originals when a local music exec strolled by. The guy was caught in a second and didn't walk away. When everything ended and people began to wander off, he went and spoke to Timmy. And the whirlwind launched for Timmy again.

The guy built a new image for Timmy and over the next 5 years, Tiberius Tee would produce 2 albums with 4 number one hits, and both albums would top the list themselves. Timmy was an overnight sensation and with his second album, people knew he was there to stay. He took a tour around the country and that was the first time he'd had a night like this one. His security team, under orders from his manager, had let a woman slip into his room. She had been ecstatic and tried desperately all night to get Timmy to do stuff. But she was wasted and there was no way Timmy was going down that road. Finally he had gotten her to calm down and the two had spent several hours talking. When she had finally passed out, he slipped her into the bed and laid down on the covers himself.

The next morning, he got her water. She thanked him for being a gentleman and asked what she should tell everyone. Timmy told her to say whatever she would like. He would not contradict it. And that was how his life had gone. It happened at least 5 more times on that tour alone. Each time, Timmy was the gentleman and took care of the lady. And each time, he let them say whatever they wanted to say. Some chose to say nothing, some chose to talk about their 'night of mischief' with the superstar. None ever told the truth, but Timmy didn't care. And with his reputation building, neither did his manager.

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After helping his newest lady out of the room, Timmy strolled over to his managers room. The two had been together for about 4 years and Chase probably knew more about Timmy than anyone else. Timmy looked incredibly different from his younger days and the last 6 years before becoming a superstar, he had moved far too much to make any friends. It had allowed him to fade in their thoughts, which he appreciated. Timmy just wanted peace.

I know, odd thought for a international superstar.

So Timmy walked over to Chase's door and knocked, waiting for his manager to open the door, hastily tying a robe on.

"Who is it?!" He caught himself when he saw Timmy. Timmy had made Chase who he was and Chase knew that. He wasn't exactly a bad guy, Chase wasn't, but he was a music manager and needed to get things done. But Chase also understood that the only reason he was here today was because Timmy was actually that good. He took a breath and went on.

"Whats up Tee?" Timmy grimaced a bit. He had requested they use the new name because he really didn't want people to know who he was. And Chase had loved the idea and thought the name, while odd, was enough to create some mystery itself. As such, when in public Chase always called him Tee.

"Thanks for the lady last night."

"Haha, sure. Did you two actually do anything this time?"

"What do you think?" Timmy began pushing his way into Chase's room. Chase threw his arm up to stop the artist. He peered back over his shoulder before turning back to Timmy.

"Let's go to your place man." Timmy smiled. Apparently Timmy wasn't the only one with company last night.

"Alright, come on over." He paused for a thought, then looked back and stopped Chase. "But only once you're ready." Then Timmy slid back into his room before Chase could react. Chase smiled at himself before slipping back into his own room.

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"Ok, now what's up?"

Chase had taken about an hour to get ready and say goodbye to his guest. He looked tired and Timmy knew that getting his manager up at 10am was too early. He smiled a bit at that. Timmy was still young enough to make his way through the day on 3-4 hours of sleep, but it was clear that Chase was beyond that point. And Chase wasn't much older. Maybe 35? Timmy never really asked. The two didn't ask too many personal questions, but they had a decent relationship.

Timmy smiled up at Chase.

"I'm tired of these one night stand things you keep trying to set me up with, Chase." Chase just smiled back.

"Well Timmy, go find a girl and I'll stop."

Timmy let out an exasperated sigh.

"I want to, but it really isn't that easy and you know it. I want to find love. Not some fling or someone who wants my body or my money."

Chase thought over what Timmy was saying. He knew the kid was serious, but he had never heard Timmy ever talk about wanting a friend, let alone a relationship. It had confused him, but the guy was good. As such, he had let it slide. So Chase looked up at Timmy after some careful consideration.

"Ok, look kid. I know someone who could…set you up. She works to arrange couples who could really work together. When we finish the tour, want me to give her a call?"

Timmy offered Chase a genuine smile here.

"Thanks man, I would appreciate that."

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The tour concluded in its typical manner. Timmy ended each and every tour in Boston in honor of that being where he got his big break. After finishing, rather than staying that evening Timmy and his team flew straight back home to Florida. Timmy had fallen in love with St. Augustine and had bought himself a nice place down there. And true to his word, Chase made the call as soon as they landed.

It took a few days, but Chase came in to see Timmy and offered him some good news.

"So my friend said she is willing to help, but she will need to come visit. She understands where you are coming from on the relationship vs. money thing and all, so she wanted to get a real picture of you before she tries to find someone. She'll be here tomorrow at 3."

After that, the two settled in. Timmy felt much calmer knowing that at least something was underway. He still wasn't sure he could trust Chase's friend, but if Chase said she was ok, he would at least try it.

And so the next day rolled around. Timmy felt nervous throughout, not really quite sure what he should be doing. So he sat down and tried writing a new song. The melody came simply enough, and it was beautiful. It was the words he couldn't find. Timmy found himself frustrated. It was the most difficulty he had ever had writing a song. He finally gave up when he heard a knock at the door and Chase open it.

Timmy moved into the living room to wait for Chase and Chase's friend. His life was about to change, or so he hoped. And if this lady was any good, it would certainly be for the better.

As Chase and the lady came around the corner, Timmy felt his breath catch. She had fire-red hair and after looking a second time, Timmy knew he saw pink eyes. He tried to steel himself up and hide his emotions at seeing her.

Standing before him, apparently getting ready to set him up on a date, was Vicki. Who he had not seen in nearly 12 years.