SuperStar!

"Hello, everyone! I just want to thank you all for the support. I really appreciate it. We did it—Shape of You passed a billion streams! Thank you all for your support!" Ethan said, holding up the 1 billion stream plaque that Spotify had sent him for his song hitting the milestone.

"And Texas State, watch out, because I'm in the city! See you all on Sunday!" he added, smiling wide.

It felt surreal. Just after finishing his concert in New Mexico, where he had been doing interviews and talking with fans, someone had come up and handed him the plaque, congratulating him on the achievement.

"Posted," came the reply from the person sitting across from him.

Ethan sank into the couch on the bus ride, still processing the moment. As he sat down, he started going through his notes, with Rebecca who was on the bus with him today to help with a few things asking, "What are you working on, another song?" she asked.

Ethan shook his head. "Not really, just mapping out my thoughts," he said.

Rebecca, not fully satisfied with the answer, moved closer to where he was seated. Seeing how focused he was, she leaned in and peeked at his notes. Ethan, oblivious to her, continued writing. As she read over his shoulder, she saw that it was lyrics.

"But I thought he said it wasn't a song?" she thought, her eyes widening as she read further.

"Wow," Rebecca blurted out involuntarily, startling Ethan. He jumped, not expecting anyone to be so close. Seeing Rebecca there, he quickly tried to hide the note, but she wasn't having it. She was still in awe of the lyrics she'd just read.

"Wow, Ethan, that's beautiful! When did you write that? And why haven't you gone to the recording booth already?" she asked, standing up and walking around him.

Ethan shoved the notes into the drawer, shaking his head. "Why would you do that? You almost gave me a heart attack!"

Rebecca didn't seem to care. "Forget about your little heart attack, Ethan. Why haven't you recorded that song yet?"

Ethan grabbed a bottle of water from the table, opened it, and took a sip. "Well, for your information, the song isn't ready yet," he said between gulps.

Rebecca wasn't convinced. "From what I saw, that song is finished," she said.

Ethan took three more gulps of water and responded, "Yeah, well, it's not finished yet. I want to set the right vibe."

Before he could finish his sentence, Rebecca cut him off. "Not finished? Are you kidding me? That song is literally perfect!" She said with passion in her eyes, clearly defending the song she had just seen.

"Wait," she said, her eyes lighting up as a thought crossed her mind. "Hold on... don't tell me the reason you're being so defensive about it is because you wrote it for someone?"

Ethan immediately went on the defensive. "What? No, what are you even saying?" His face turned a shade redder.

Rebecca just laughed. "Oh my God, it's true! You really wrote it for someone. Wait, is it for Sydney Sweeney?" 

Rebecca folded her arms and said, "But you know, Ethan, about these Hollywood girls—you have to be careful."

Ethan shrugged. "I'm sure people say that about all girls in general."

Rebecca's expression turned serious. "Yes, but Hollywood girls are a different breed. You have to make sure you protect yourself at all times."

Ethan nodded. "Yeah, I know. Bill already warned me about that."

"Good," Rebecca replied, but before she could say more, Ethan smiled, a faint blush creeping onto his face. "But you're all just worrying for nothing. Sydney's not like that. She's funny, smart, kind, compassionate..." His voice softened as he spoke, and a spark lit up in his eyes.

Rebecca noticed his face getting redder as he continued, and she couldn't help but tease him. "Wow, dude, you really are a simp, huh?"

Ethan hearing that stood abruptly grabbing his music notebook saying. "Okay, and that's enough. I'm going to my bed. Unlike some people, I was singing and shouting all night yesterday. I need some rest." He started walking toward the back of the tour bus.

Rebecca burst into laughter. "Ooo, don't be like that!" she called after him, still chuckling.

As Ethan stepped through the door separating the living area from the sleeping quarters, Rebecca's playful voice drifted through from the other side. "Oh, how beautiful it is to be loved by a singer. See, such a song!"

Ethan shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips as he made his way to his bed. Lying down, his thoughts immediately wandered to Sydney. She had a way of making him feel alive, like he was truly seen.

Ethan knew he was the type to fall hard and fast, but this time, it felt different. Sure, he had told himself that before with the last girl, but now... now he was certain. Sydney wasn't like anyone else, and he couldn't help but believe this was something real.

Lost in his thoughts, his phone buzzed, breaking the quiet. Glancing at the screen, his smile grew wider when he saw who it was.

"Hey, you," he said, picking up the call.

"Hey, you," came the warm, familiar voice on the other end, soft and melodic.

Hearing her speak brought Ethan back to the first time they had met...

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