It wasn't long until the first of September rolled around. Jade West was stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her outfit for the 50th time, feeling the weight of both anticipation and something else—something that tugged at her chest. The room was filled with the soft morning light filtering through the blinds, the kind of light that made everything seem like a scene from a movie, though it didn't quite match the film that was playing out in her mind.
Today would be her first day at the New York Film Academy, LA Campus. Not the New York one like she'd planned in her head all those years. She should have been thrilled. This was the moment she had worked for, the dream she had cultivated since she was a little girl, watching films with her mom and studying the classics. Jade had been accepted into one of the top film programs in the country—an accomplishment, no doubt. Yet, as she looked at herself in the mirror, something felt off.
Part of it was the sheer magnitude of everything going on in her life. A few days ago, her girlfriend had performed at the MTV Video Music Awards pre-show, one of the many major public performances she'd done now. She was on brink of releasing her first album, and it felt like her world was suddenly spinning at a speed Jade couldn't keep up with. Cat's career was skyrocketing and Jade had stood by, watching as she soared.
It was a strange feeling, being so happy for Cat but also feeling like her own moment had been dulled, as if her achievement didn't shine as brightly against the backdrop of Cat's rapidly growing fame. There was no ill will—Jade knew it wasn't Cat's fault. In fact, Cat had been incredibly supportive. She had woken Jade up this morning with a full breakfast spread, her face bright with excitement for Jade's first day at school. "You're going to crush it today, Babe," she'd said, her voice full of love and encouragement.
Jade shook her head, trying to focus. She had her own dreams to chase. Today was about her—her future, her passion. Filmmaking.
She grabbed her keys and walked out of the room, her heart still heavy but determined to put one foot in front of the other. She found Cat in the kitchen, sipping coffee and scrolling through her phone. She noticed Jade enter the room and looked up and smiled, her eyes lighting up. "Have a great first day, Baby! I'm so proud of you." Her voice was full of pride and love, and Jade felt her heart swell.
When Jade finally stepped onto the campus, the reality of it all hit her. The glossy buildings, the buzz of students milling about, the air thick with excitement and possibility. She walked to her first class, her heart racing. Film Theory 101. The classroom was filled with students, some older than Jade, some fresh-faced like her. She took a seat near the back, silently scanning her classmates. She didn't need to make friends, she had a few of those already, but it wouldn't hurt to make note of anyone she may want to work with. Jade was smart enough to know that being in the right circles could make a big difference in a field like filmmaking. She'd spent enough time in creative spaces to understand the importance of networking, of finding like-minded people who could elevate your work, challenge your ideas, and maybe even help you get your foot in the door when the time came.
As the professor walked in and welcomed them all, before starting to talk about what she would be covering this year ahead, Jade's eyes casually flicked around the room. There were a few people who stood out. In the front row, a girl with platinum blonde hair and thick, dark eyeliner scribbled furiously in a notebook, her focus unwavering. Jade pegged her as the type who lived and breathed film, someone who took the craft seriously. She made a mental note of her, thinking she could be an interesting person to work with—someone with a deep passion for the art.
But it wasn't just about who might be useful. It was about finding the people whose work excited her, whose ideas could push her own creative boundaries. She wasn't looking for an instant connection, and she didn't need a crowd to succeed. But she did want to be in the right company, surrounded by people who got it, who had the same hunger she did. After all, this was where the magic happened—when you found those who saw the world through the same lens.
As the lecture progressed, Jade let herself sink into the rhythm of it all. She might not need friends, but the thought of collaborating with some of these people—of creating something that could one day make its mark on the world—was enough to spark a renewed sense of purpose. Here, it wasn't just about Cat's album or the whirlwind of her career. It was about Jade's path now.