🌟🌟🌟

🌟🌟🌟

I step outside the limousine and onto the red carpet, I could hardly see anything past the flashing lights and yelling from the paparazzi and fans. My bodyguard escorts me through the sea of people and down the red carpet, I smile and wave at a few of my fans as they compliment the outfit I've chosen for tonight's event.

My silk scarlet dress falls like a waterfall down to my ankles, I thought the dress would expose too much skin due to the long slit where my left leg is. And the pretty sweetheart neckline, revealing more cleavage than I'm used to.

It's been two years since I left high school -- two years since my whole life changed.

Yet over the years, I have grown to love my body. Of course, there is the odd time my anxiety bubbles up when I think about all those hateful comments I received in high school and from the media. I've grown to love my body and express my curves more nowadays.

I also couldn't turn down the offer to wear such a beautiful dress that my best friend Stella made for me. It's beautiful.

I've become very popular in the music world and also in the fashion world. People want to know me. At first, I thought it was scary to have so much attention focused on just myself, I kind of hated it. But I did what I loved doing. And now here I am.

It's pretty crazy to think how I ended up here after high school. I started going down a dark path of depression and anxiety -- especially after my breakup with Reese Black.

It hit me harder when my mom was taken to rehab. I was a mess. I honestly thought I lost the only parent I had left.

Luckily, my mother pulled through that night but she did have a broken rib and a slight concussion. The doctor said her addiction had become far too serious and she needed the right medical help.

My Nanny Grace took care of me while my mother was taken to rehab. Not long after, we found out my mom got into a substantial amount of debt. Our family lawyer told us the only way to fix this debt was to sell our beloved home that I grew up in. So with a heavy heart, I packed my bags and stayed with my Nanny Grace on the opposite side of town. We had to keep it a secret, the last thing we wanted was the media to find out. It would further taint our reputation.

I decided to leave high school. It was a hard decision and Sky tried to stop me from making that choice, but I had already made up my mind. Too much had happened with my mom and other responsibilities she left behind. It all became too much for me to handle, so I spent the last half of my high school year being homeschooled.

It was hard for a while, my grades started to fall and I quickly fell into depression. After a few months of living with Nanny Grace, my brother called me one afternoon. He told me about a video that had gone viral of me singing. It was at my first house party.

The video was getting more and more views by the day and everyone was talking about 'the little Love daughter who could potentially be the next big superstar.'

I didn't believe it at first. There was no way I could be a superstar.

The next thing I knew, I was approached by a record company that wanted to make an album with me. Me. I was studying at home that day when they called. My Nanny Grace looked at me and I looked at her, stunned. We were speechless.

My dreams came alive overnight.

I decided to take the risk. The record deal changed my whole life and suddenly, I didn't have to worry about money or my future. I cleared my mom's debt within a year and even bought Nanny Grace and my brother a house each.

Theo became my manager, I knew I could trust my brother with all my heart. I needed someone to keep me organized, someone I could trust to deal with my finances on a day-to-day basis. My lawyer had warned me not to hire a family member. Although, I refused to hire anyone else.

Theo told me he didn't want the whole world to know he was the long-lost son of Mason Love and I fully supported him.

"Marnie!" fans were yelling for me and I smiled brightly for the cameras. I stop and pose for a few minutes and then continue heading towards the big building.

Tonight is a very important award ceremony for music and I am nominated for a few categories. I felt elated and excited, my heart is pumping wild with adrenaline for the thrilling night ahead.

"Hey babe," I feel a warm hand wrap around my waist. I look up and see my boyfriend Ethan Dawson. He's a well-known actor and model, desired by most of the female population.

We started dating almost a year ago. It's difficult to spend time with him because of his busy schedule. Nevertheless, we have managed to make our relationship work since.

His crystal blue eyes gleam down at me while the blaring lights flash constantly around us. He gives me that beautiful trademark smirk and I smile up at his handsome face.

I don't know how I got so lucky to date such a fine man. He is every girl's dream and I was starstruck the day he approached me after an interview in Las Vegas.

He confessed his feelings to me, he admitted he had a crush on me. He told me how gorgeous I was. He said he 'adored my long moonbeam hair, brilliant blue eyes and hourglass figure'. I blushed and I fell instantly from his heavy flirting. He wanted me out of every other pretty girl out there and I was left choked up and breathless.

Ethan Dawson is a charming man, with wit, intelligence and a great personality. I was very much smitten with him from the start.

"You look beautiful." he whispers in my ear, causing goosebumps to rise on my skin.

"Thank you," I whisper, blushing into his neck. I watched a few of his movies when we started dating, I could instantly see the appeal to women. He doesn't have to try, it comes naturally to him.

We head inside the building after swerving through all the paparazzi. I was mesmerised by the whole place. It is the first music ceremony I've been to and it is like a dream come true.

Hundreds of people are already here and it looks like many more people are yet to arrive. Ethan sits next to me, clutching my hand. He flew from Florida to LA so he could be with me for the award show tonight. I think it's so sweet of him. It's been so long since I last saw him, I'm glad he could be here tonight.

The show started and I was so engrossed by the music and presentation that went into everything. After a couple of awards, my excitement increased. The woman on stage announced the next award which was, 'Best New Band.'

As the nominees were shown on screen, my heart began to race when 'Black Hearts' appeared up there.

I froze.

My eyes are glued to his face on the big screen. His band played a familiar song and he was singing while playing his guitar. I stared in awe. His low voice was the same. Rich and velvety.

He looked as handsome as I remember. Dark, unruly hair that is now about an inch longer and intense forest eyes. He is broader on the shoulders, but still slim, with more tattoos and sun-kissed skin. He is the perfect image of a handsome bad boy and the whole world loves him.

Of course, I knew of Reese's band and how big they are. Sky was the first to tell me and I was stunned but also delighted for Reese.

Is he a nominee? Is he here tonight?

My nerves escalate as I look around the room, looking for him.

It's crazy to think we are both up for awards. I remember all the late-night phone calls when we talked about our dreams of becoming singers/songwriters.

We both had the same passion for music. He inspired me to sing, he gave me the confidence I needed to perform.

When the woman announced the winner was 'Black Hearts', the crowd cheered with excitement.

The presenter sadly tells the audience that the band couldn't be here tonight due to a tour in Barcelona, although the room perks up a little when she announces that Reese Black left a short video for us to enjoy.

Oh.

My.

Gosh.

My breath hitches when I see Reese on screen. He looks hot and I could feel those old emotions coming back from two years ago within seconds.

After he thanked everyone important to him on his journey, something struck my heart when he said something in that short video. He said, 'When I was in high school, I met someone important to me -- that made me the person I am today. Without that person, I wouldn't be here. They led me down the right path and I'm incredibly grateful to her. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for inspiring me.'

The screen went back to normal and I felt... strange.

He couldn't have been talking about me? I mean, why would he? Besides, he knew plenty of girls in high school and I was only there for four months. So why do I have this strange feeling he was talking about me?

"He's a great singer, I'm a huge fan of that guy," Ethan whispers in my ear and my eyes widen.

"Oh," I smile. Probably shouldn't mention he's my ex.

The night goes on and when it was time to announce the winner of 'Best New Artist', I couldn't breathe. I felt so nervous, especially when they screamed my name.

I can't believe they announced my name.

There were so many huge names nominated so I was awestruck when it was my name called.

With shaky legs, I get out of my seat. Ethan passionately kissed me on the mouth and I stumbled onto the stage, feeling dazed. I wasn't afraid to be in front of an audience, I'm used to it now. I'm just so shocked I won.

I thank all the important people who supported me, I kept my speech brief and sweet before stepping down from the stage. Tears sting my eyes as I look down at my shiny new award. This. Is. Insane.

Two years ago, I thought my life would never look up. I was a failure to everyone and even myself. It's crazy how quickly it all changed for me. I'm so grateful for where I am now and the people I have by my side.

And this is just the beginning of my journey.

"Babe, I can't believe you won the award for best new artist, we should celebrate tonight." Ethan approaches me as I slip my heels off my feet. His arms wrap around me and he kisses my left cheek.

I'm back at my penthouse with Ethan, we've been dating for almost a year and he stays over at my house when he's not working.

Honestly, I hardly see much of him.

Yeah, it's a bit depressing as it gets lonely but I know he has commitments with work.

He's become such a big actor in Hollywood. We met during an interview for my first album and he was there promoting his new upcoming blockbuster movie. Ethan was sweet to me. He even offered to take me on a first date and we went to a beautiful restaurant in Las Vegas. We had a lovely night together.

He's the first guy I've been involved with since Reese Black back in high school. I was nervous as hell, but Ethan made me feel like a princess. A few weeks after that night, we made headlines. Everyone loved our relationship.

As I said, we don't see much of each other. We've been together for almost a year but we've only spent time with each other on a handful of occasions. The most we've been intimate was a few heated make-out sessions.

We haven't moved further than that. Will that change tonight?

Ethan brushes his pink soft lips against mine, his lips feel delicate, hot and wet. I melt into his warm embrace, anticipating what is yet to come. As the kiss heats up, Ethan's phone starts buzzing inside his dress pants.

He breaks the kiss to glance down at his phone.

He rakes his golden hair, a small crease in-between his brow. "I'm sorry babe, I need to leave. I have a flight to catch tonight, I completely forgot."

My shoulders fall, I was hoping he would stay over tonight. "Are you sure? I thought we were going to celebrate tonight?"

He grabs his jacket and shrugs it on. "I'm so sorry. I'll make it up to you, I promise and yeah, I'll message you when I land. You did amazing tonight, see you soon baby." He kisses me briefly and then he leaves.

As I settle down for the night, I can't help fearing if my relationship with Ethan was destined to be?

Will he always need to leave so abruptly and I'm left disappointed all the time? Will I ever have that same spark I had back in high school?

As I look at the silver band on my finger, I only hope we are meant to be.

🌟🌟🌟