Danny lay awake, the soft morning light filtering through his curtains illuminating the room, but the brightness did little to ease the knot in his stomach. He sat up, brushed his tousled hair back, and took a deep breath, trying to shake off the anxiety that clung to him like a second skin. Today wasn’t just any day; he had a meeting with Aisling Jang-Doyle, and the weight of what he wanted to discuss loomed heavy in his mind.
Danny only vaguely of her law degree, something Artemis had mentioned in passing. Who knew it’d be helpful now? He swung his legs over the edge of the bed, the cool floor grounding him for a moment before his thoughts spiraled again. What was he even doing? Stepping away from the management of his parents felt like standing on the precipice of an emotional cliff. He adored them, but the pressure was becoming unbearable.
Danny glanced at his phone, the screen lighting up with notifications. Just a few minutes ago, he’d innocently thought about delaying the release of his upcoming album. A thought that had been so reoccurring. A thought turned into a decision, and a decision that led him to post it on Instagram—a public declaration that made him feel both liberated and terrified. The comments flooded in, fans expressing their support, but now, he couldn’t help but feel the weight of their expectations heavier than usual.
Danny’s Instagram Post
Hey everyone,
I hope this message finds you all well! I wanted to take a moment to reach out and speak from the heart. First off, I just want to say thank you for your incredible support and patience over the past few months. You guys mean the world to me, and it’s because of you that I strive to create music that resonates.
I have to share some news that’s been weighing on me. I’ve decided to push back the release date of my album, The Art of Falling. I know this may be disappointing, and I truly apologize for any letdown this may cause. The truth is, I’ve been pouring my heart and soul into this project, and I want to ensure that it reflects the highest quality and creativity possible—a true representation of the journey I’ve been on.
Right now, I don’t have an exact new release date to share, but I promise I’ll keep you all updated as we move forward. This album means so much to me, and I want it to be something you can feel proud of and connect with on a deeper level.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support. I can’t wait to share this next chapter with all of you. In the meantime, I’ve got some exciting surprises in store, so stay tuned!
Sending all my love your way,
Danny 
As he scrolled through the comments, he felt a pang of guilt shoot through him. Perhaps he should have consulted his parents before taking such a drastic step. But he needed to take control of his career. There was so much more at stake than just an album release; it was his identity, his voice, and he was tired of feeling like a marionette guided by strings he didn’t control.
Danny moved quietly through the familiar hallways, careful not to disturb the stillness of the early morning. He could hear the faint sounds of his parents’ hushed words from their room, a reminder that he was still under the watchful eye of their expectations. He kept moving.
He reached the kitchen, where Howard, his elderly driver, was already sipping a cup of coffee. Howard had been with the family for decades, a silent guardian of sorts. As Danny approached, there was an understanding between them, a bond formed over years of late-night drives and shared secrets—okay, maybe just Danny’s secrets.
Without a word, Howard raised an eyebrow, silently asking if Danny was truly ready for this. The young musician nodded, his heart racing with a mix of trepidation and excitement. Howard returned the nod and reached into his pocket, producing the keys to the SUV— the one with the tinted windows—as dark as California legally allowed, perfect for slipping away unnoticed.
Danny took the keys with a grateful smile, the metal cold in his palm, a tangible symbol of independence. He turned to head toward the garage, moving with a determination that propelled him forward, despite the gravity of the decisions that lay ahead.
Once inside the SUV, he turned the ignition, the engine purring to life, a sound that felt like freedom. He backed out of the driveway carefully, glancing in the rearview mirror for any sign of his parents stirring. With a sigh of relief, he pressed down on the gas and pulled onto the quiet road leading away from the mansion.
As he reached the end of his long driveway, his phone buzzed with a notification. He glanced down, his heart sinking as he read the headline: “Danny Gray Announces World Tour to Support Upcoming Album!” The shock settled like a rock in his stomach. Danny slammed on the breaks to grab his phone before pulling onto the main road. His parents had gone to the press without even discussing it with him! The very thought sent a wave of frustration washing over him. They were making decisions for him, still pulling strings like he was their prized puppet.
He quickly swiped to unlock his phone, scrolling through the flood of messages from fans full of excitement and support. “I can’t believe it!” one message read. “When can we get tickets?” another followed. He could feel the panic creeping in. World tour? He took a deep breath and pulled onto the main road.
Danny pulled into the coffee shop they’d agreed on, early. Right next to a black porch he’d recognized instantly. He’d seen Artemis and Aisling emerge from it plenty of times. As he creeped into the stop directory next to it, he rolled down his window, pulling his glasses to peer in. As her window came down, he leaned out slightly. “Maybe here isn’t a good place to meet? I… I’m kind of trending on Instagram and X right now.”
orp • @Caticorn • Aisling • AHHHHH