**Chapter 1: A New Beginning**

Fay finished her performance at the local pub, her voice hoarse from singing her heart out. As she packed her guitar and other belongings, the crowd cheered and clapped, thanking her for an amazing show. She smiled and waved, feeling a sense of satisfaction and relief wash over her. It was always a rush to perform live, but now it was time to focus on her next move. After loading her equipment into her car, Fay drove to her agency building to meet with her manager, Rachel. The office was sleek and modern, with a stunning view of the city. Rachel, a tall, imposing figure with a sharp jawline and piercing green eyes, greeted Fay with a curt nod. "Hey, Fay. So, I hear you're planning on taking a summer vacation?" Rachel asked, her tone firm but not unkind. Fay nodded, taking a seat in the chair opposite Rachel's desk. "Yeah, I'm heading to my grandfather's hometown. I haven't seen him in a while, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to get out of the city for a bit." Rachel raised an eyebrow. "Your grandfather's hometown? That's... quaint. When exactly do you plan on leaving?" Fay hesitated, feeling a twinge of defensiveness. "I was thinking of leaving next week. I'll be back in a few weeks, of course." Rachel sighed, her expression disapproving. "Fay, you know how busy the industry is right now. We have a lot of projects lined up, and I need you to be more involved. You can't just disappear for weeks at a time." Fay felt a surge of frustration, but she tried to remain calm. "I understand, Rachel. But I promise I'll be back in a few weeks, and I'll make sure to stay on top of my work. I just need a break, okay?" Rachel nodded, though her expression didn't soften. "Fine. Just make sure you're available for the projects we have coming up. And Fay?" "Yeah?" "You need to be more active on social media. Your following has been stagnant lately, and we need to get you back out there." Fay nodded, feeling a sense of resignation. She knew Rachel was right, but it was hard to keep up with the constant demands of the industry. After the meeting, Fay drove to her father's house to pick him up. He was always busy with work, and Fay rarely saw him. As she pulled up to the house, she felt a familiar sense of anxiety. Her father, a tall, imposing figure with a charismatic smile, greeted her with a brief hug. "Hey, kiddo! Sorry I'm running late. I had a meeting that ran long." Fay forced a smile. "No worries, Dad. Let's get going." The car ride was awkward, with Fay's father barely asking her about her life or her music. Instead, he talked about his work and his colleagues, barely pausing for breath. Fay felt like she was just a spectator in his life, not a participant. As the conversation turned into a heated argument, Fay had had enough. She put on her headphones and tuned out, listening to the new beats her producer had sent her. The music was soothing, and she soon found herself drifting off to sleep. The rest of the eleven-hour ride was a blur, Fay sleeping fitfully as her father drove. When they finally arrived at her grandfather's house, Fay felt a sense of relief wash over her. Her grandfather, Lolo, greeted her with a warm hug. "Fay, my dear! It's so great to see you!" Fay smiled, feeling a sense of comfort and belonging. "Hey, Lolo. It's great to be here." As they chatted and caught up, Lolo mentioned the town's annual fair, which was happening in two days. "You should perform, Fay. The town could use some fresh talent. The same act has been performing for years, and the people are getting tired of it." Fay laughed. "I don't know, Lolo. I'm on vacation." But Lolo was persuasive, and soon Fay found herself agreeing to perform. Lolo immediately contacted the town's board, and to Fay's surprise, they agreed to let her perform. The next day was a whirlwind of rehearsals with a local band, including a drummer named Jun. They immediately connected over their shared love of music, and Fay felt a spark of excitement. That night, Fay performed at the fair, her music captivating the crowd. But as she was packing up her equipment, a sudden rainstorm rolled in, catching her off guard. As she was gathering her things, she was knocked over by someone rushing by. A stranger, a tall, dark-haired guy with piercing blue eyes, helped her to her feet. "Hey, are you okay?" he asked, his voice low and smooth. Fay nodded, brushing herself off. But as they huddled under a storefront tent, she couldn't help but feel uncomfortable under his gaze. "Hey, I couldn't help but notice your performance earlier," the stranger said, his eyes locked on hers. "You were amazing." Fay felt a blush rise to her cheeks. "Thanks." The stranger, who introduced himself as Avi, offered her a ride home, but Fay declined. As she walked away, he teased her about forgetting her bag, which he was holding. Fay rolled her eyes, but couldn't help but smile. "Thanks, I think." As she turned to leave, Avi called out one last time. "Hey, you're really cute when you're mad." Fay's face grew hot, but she just nodded and kept walking, feeling a sense of intrigue and curiosity about the stranger. And as she disappeared into the night, Avi couldn't help but watch her go, a smile on his face.