Double Trouble

The End

California's POV

"I what?" I asked.

"You. Got. A. Contract." Gary said slowly, enunciating every word.

"What do you mean, I got a contract? A contract for what?"

"Hi, Ms Walton. I'm Herman Eisenhower, a music executive. I'd like to have a word with you, if that's alright?" A tall man with a dark, trimmed moustache asked me.

"Uh, sure?" I said uncertainly.

"Great! Follow me," he said, and he walked briskly out of the auditorium and into a small dressing room. Gary followed us.

"You have talent." Herman Eisenhower stated. He watched me, as if waiting for me to say something.

"Okay..." I said to break the silence.

He nodded. "We're always looking for new talent," he put extra emphasis on 'talent'. "And I think you're exactly what we want. What do you think?"

"What do I think of what?" I asked stupidly.

"Cal, he's offering you a music career. It's not that hard to understand." Gary explained bluntly.

"Oh," I said, a smile spreading across my face. "Yes! That would be awesome!"

"We just need to talk to your parents fill in some forms, and we'll get the ball rolling."

He'd have to talk to Jane. "Look, I don't think-" I started to explain, but Gary cut in.

"That might not work. Her and her mother have a, uh, rocky relationship. Besides, Cal will be 18 next year and then she can look after herself."

Herman looked me up and down. "Well, if I can't talk to your mum, we can't really take you just yet. But you have an amazing voice, and we really would like you with us," he handed me a business card with a number printed on it. "Call this once you're 18, and we can sort things out with you. Until then, good luck."

I slid the card into my pocket and stared at his back as he left the room. He stopped when he reached the door, and turned back to me.

"By the way, your performance tonight? Excellent. Well done."

I smiled widely at him, returning to my senses. "Thank you," I said, holding up the card. "Thank you so much. I'll call as soon as I can. Thank you."

"I'm glad," he nodded at me. "We'll be waiting."

"Thank you." I said again, but he had already left.

I squealed and jumped onto Gary, who hugged me happily.

"I'm so proud of you, Cal. You deserve this, you really do."

"Thanks," I whispered. "I just wish Val was here to see it. She would have gotten this, if I wasn't here. She's so much better than me. She missed out."

"Don't worry about her, Cal. She left. She knew what she was risking."

"But now she's missing," I said, remembering the note Flynn had found. "We don't know where she is anymore."

"We'll find her, don't worry. Be happy! You just got an amazing opportunity! And it wasn't because Val was missing, it was because of your amazing voice and your hard work. You would have gotten it even if she was here."

"Thanks Gary," I smiled at him. Flynn burst into the room.

"Guys!" He yelled. It was the happiest I'd seen him since before Val left. "I'm going to Hollywood, right now!"

"Flynn, that's amazing!" I smiled.

"Yeah, that's good," Gary said. "But what about Val?"

Flynn's face fell. "I don't know. She doesn't answer any of our phone calls. She keeps running away. I don't think she wants- I don't think she wants to be with me anymore."