Behind the spotlight

adored E

han had the face of a dream: striking brown eyes that seemed to hold secrets, soft black hair that curled just enough to tempt

followed his every move online, flooded his concerts with light sticks and banners. Th

s. He loved the sta

most days-he co

arted at 6:00

Blake, also his manger, sharp and comm

terviews this morni

d. The blackout curtains blocked the dawn li

a constant these days, chased with the bitter afte

before, sold-out arena, fifty thousand fans, three hours of

mself upright

d, as always, on a clip

- Wa

reakfast

o interview

azine shoot

interview 2

ography rehea

ty talk show

igning event

Return

miliar handwriting: No slacking, You need to smil

at it for a

imself. No pa

ssy radio studio, headphones tight over

han Blake! Ethan, welcome back! You've been breaking records this

pilot. "I'm grateful. Really honored

insane! You looked amazing,

ve performing. It gi

crazy schedule? You're

Good management. And

uckled, o

of compliments, rehearsed answers,

e shoot

cks of designer clothe

pher called, sweat on his brow. "Let's try a moodi

fed his hair again between shots. Someone dabbed powder on his face

father scrolled h

han smile w

ed. Another DJ, more gushing pra

our coming up-Europe, America!

t hoarse. "Lots of re

is stomac

ed. The rehearsal room pulsed with bass, s

her barked. "Clean thos

art hammering, lungs burning. He was

ted a tall figure watching silently f

too valuable now. Too many obsessed fans. We nee

was in his late 20's-mili

istered his name: Na

re him, he'd keep distance, follow orders,

how taping st

Loud music. Studio au

er celebrities, every move calculated,

You've been so busy lately! How

ile. "I'm lucky.

o one saw his fingers t

when he arrived at the

st winners, sponsor guests-each granted

, silver pen in hand, eyes he

iddy, tearful, they where handing

han ! I love you so so

signing her album. "Tha

thing twiste

t even sav

Back at

oors of glass and marble. The

head in hands. His throat f

ake the morning shoot. No delays. We can't risk upsetting the sponsor." He

voice cracked.

start. You're at the top

d," Ethan

er snapped. "You wanted this

eyes, something i

e, still on calls, Ethan stood and wa

ars. His chest ached. His

is anymore. I

y-thirty-nine floors above the city. The door slid

the stone tiles. The sky above

e. The railing barel

reath

more cameras. No

m

the narrow ledge, toes c

lights blinked faint

slightly, e

figure had alre

against a column, smoking a late-night cigarette. An assistant sou

he watched the young s

for his phone, hitting

arter moved silentl

, in the exhausted slump of his shoulders. The pressure, t

ony door slide o

d saw the slim figure poised o

he called,

espo

d again, arms lo

d fast, hea

lease." His tone sof

s a broken whisp

ned forward

an l

nd Ethan's waist and hauled him backwards,

truggling weakl

lding him tight. "You

sed against

grip didn

e phone camera

exploded the

Blake Saved From Suicide

p Video Goes Vir

Raise Concerns Ab

s everywhere, news channels,

young star on the ledge, th

gs tre

gEthan #Yo

bled. Reporters camped outside. The manag

than sat curled in

messages from friends, fel

't look

oom, Nathan

ng. Just watc

n didn't feel