Luelle climbed onto the stage and the host, Eric helped her up.
'Thank you'.
'Ladies and gentlemen, you know her. You sing her. The legend, Lily Vale!'.
Applause erupts. Luelle smiled, waves gently. She's calm, but her fingers are clenched together in her lap.
'You look stunning as always'.
'Thank you'.
'We heard that you'd like to tell the world something'.
'This isn't easy for me but after everything that's happened, I've decided it's time to step away. From the stage. From the spotlight'.
A sharp gasp ripples through the audience. Eric blinked.
''Are you saying you're retiring?'.
Luelle nodded gently. 'I'm saying goodbye. Not because I don't love music. I do'.
'We get it but I think the question on everyone's mind right now is, 'why?'. Why did you decide to retire so suddenly? Does this perhaps have to do with you fainting on stage?'.
'Oh no, my fainting on stage has nothing to do with my retiring. I will tell you all the reason for my retiring'.
'Please do'.
'When I was young, I lost my parents. I had no one except my grandfather but he soon got very busy. He barely had time for me anymore, I started seeking attention that I got on stage while I was twelve then.....
Luelle paused as she suddenly remembered something. A dark past of hers which she never want to remember.
*Oh no! Liam doesn't know about this*
'Why did you stop? Is something wrong?'.
'I'm okay. I suddenly remembered how naive I was then. Anyways, I got so engrossed in music and all the attention I was getting that family started coming second for me. I barely had time for anything else but I was happy that I had people who I could count on. I had my fans and I felt on top of the world but as time moved on, I felt suffocated. I grew tired of it and now, I just want to live a normal life'.
'Wow, a lot has happened to you Lily. You're really strong.'
'Thank you ".
The audienced who joined the Livestream all felt bad for Luelle.
'Our poor baby!'.
'She's been through a lot.'
'We love you Lily!'.
'All I want to say now is, I'm really grateful. To everyone who stood by me when I needed you all the most. I love you all, I'm only retiring but my love for you all won't fade, ever. Thank you all so much.'
'We love you too Lily. Now, may I ask what your plans for the future are?.'
'Well, I don't have anything in mind right now. All I want to do now is to enjoy myself, the future will take care of itself.'
'Alright thank you so much Liliy.'
'Thank you Eric.'
'Alright everyone, give it up for superstar Lily!.'
Luelle smiled gracefully and waved as she left. She knew her retirement would cause headlines.
Backstage, After the show. Luelle steps off the set, applause still fading behind her. The glow of the stage replaced by cool, shadowy quiet. She pulls off her mic with shaking fingers.
Liam is waiting. Leaning against the wall, arms crossed. Watching her.
"You sure know how to start a riot."
"I hope they don't hate me for this."
"They loved you enough to feel betrayed. That's not hate—it's heartbreak."
"What if they say I'm selfish. That I owed them more."
"You don't owe the world your soul, Luelle. You already gave them your voice. You get to keep the rest."
'Wow doc, you're really good at saying comforting words.'
'You should be happy. I don't say these things everyday.'
"So... what now?"
'Let's go'.
***
Kaelani watched the Live show at home . Xavier sat down on the floor looking like he's tired of life. He didn't know that a delicate looking girl like Kaelani would be the complete opposite of how she looks.
Xavier had a rule in his house which was to always keep things clean but Kaelani completely broke all the rules and he had to spend the last few days cleaning up her mess.
'Damn! Sister in-law really retired '.
'I better call her up.'
'Why? My cousin is handling everything.'
'I don't think so. I know Luelle more than your cousin does. She may look alright but I know she's not.'
'How do you know that?.'
'We've been friends since her parents funeral. I know everything about her.'
'Wow. I wonder how it happened.'
'Well....
***FLASHBACK
LUELLE'S PARENTS FUNERAL
The sky was a dull, bruised gray, the kind of sky that didn't weep but seemed to hold its breath instead. The funeral had ended, but Luelle stayed behind. She stood by the polished caskets with her arms folded tightly across her chest, jaw clenched against a world that had gone quiet too fast.
She didn't see the girl approach until she was already there.
"Are you Luelle?" the girl asked.
Luelle turned. The girl was about her age, maybe a little older, with wild, curly hair that didn't seem to care where it went. Her black boots were scuffed, and the sleeves of her blazer were rolled up like she'd borrowed it from someone twice her size.
"I'm Kaelani," she added, fidgeting with the frayed edge of her sleeve. "My mom knew your mom. They worked together in… something boring. I don't remember. But she made me come."
Luelle stared at her. She had no energy for strangers.
Kaelani sighed, glancing around like she already hated the adults gathered nearby. "This place sucks."
"It's a funeral," Luelle said dully.
"Yeah. That's what sucks." Kaelani stepped closer, lowering her voice. "Everyone's being weird. Too quiet. Like sad robots."
Luelle didn't respond. Her throat ached, but she refused to cry in front of this strange, chaotic girl.
Kaelani shifted, then suddenly pulled something from her pocket—a packet of jellybeans. "Want some? They're kind of squished, but the red ones are still good."
Luelle blinked. "What?"
"I figured someone should bring candy. I mean, someone died. That should come with jellybeans or fireworks or... something."
Luelle looked at her for a long moment. And then, slowly, she reached out and took a red one.
Kaelani beamed. "See? Better already."
It was ridiculous. Inappropriate. Maybe even offensive. But the jellybean was sweet, and the silence felt less suffocating.
"I guess you're sitting with us at the reception," Kaelani said, as if it were already decided. "I'll make sure no one says anything dumb."
Luelle didn't smile. But she didn't say no, either and that was the beginning of a lasting friendship.
***PRESENT
'Oh, so my sister in-law was changed by you. I'm relieved, I thought she had always been like you.'
Kaelani didn't answer him and decided to call Luelle instead.
'Hello? Luelle?.....