Capítulo 5: Chapter 5. Los Angeles Audition

"You know, youngest, it's not really good for you if you force yourself to do whatever this pop singer thingy is about." Rachel's older sister, Sophia Lee, is having a conversation with her younger sister as she prepares her bag for her upcoming trip to Los Angeles.

"I, too, have a dream. I want to become a singer." Rachel replied to her sister's words.

"Rachel! It's time to put an end to all of this! Pay attention to your older sister's advice!" Jonathan Lee, the soon-to-be medical student at Cornell University, is attempting to have a conversation with his youngest sister. "Mom and Dad won't provide any financial support for you, and you're only thirteen!"

"You need our consent! Even if you've successfully passed the audition, it's still necessary to obtain consent from an adult. I can see that you possess the looks, the vocal talent, and all the necessary qualities to become a successful pop idol or something of the sort. But how far will that career go?" Sophia repeated.

"But at least I died trying." Rachel responded without any hesitation.

"Rachel!"

Sophia took a deep breath. As she watched her younger sister's strong determination, her heart was filled with both fear and awe. At that very important moment, she knew how important it was to be honest, carefully preparing Rachel for all the problems that were to come.

She began to speak, her voice softly mixed with concern and reservation: "Okay, Rachel. Despite this, it's important to understand that these attempts won't be easy. Mom and dad probably will never agree with you, and they won't help you financially or emotionally. Some help is possible from me, but only up to a point. If you keep going in this direction, I promise to be there for you as your sister."

Rachel's eyes sparkled with an unusual mix of determination and gratitude, her smile growing across her face. At that time, she looked straight into the eyes of her two older siblings, Jonathan and Sophia. She was so sure of herself, even though she was only thirteen years old. They were both surprised by how firm her answer was, and it took them a while to realize that Rachel had a lot of faith for her age. And she was ready to face any problem that came her way because she was determined to reach her long-held goal.

Rachel answered with a firm "Yes, unnie," her voice full of confidence. Everyone in the room felt the weight of her words, leaving a lasting impact. "Your support is more than I could ask for and all that I truly need." Her resolve was clear in just a few words, and she knew how important any help was, no matter how small. Because Rachel was so focused, Jonathan and Sophia were constantly reminded that their youngest would never change her mind, no matter what they said or did. She had a strong will and a strong desire to do everything she could to follow her dreams.

Jonathan and Sophia exchanged glances, their eyes meeting in a silent acknowledgement of the seriousness of their sister's choice. In spite of their own doubts and concerns about her future, they couldn't help but feel fascinated by Rachel's intense determination. Deep down, they felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility, understanding they had a vital role to play in providing any kind of help possible.

The next day, Jonathan and Sophia take her to the airport and promise that they will find out where their parents are and explain what's going on. Their parents are too focused on their jobs to really pay attention to them, even though it doesn't seem to bother them. Quite often, they get home late at night and then have to go back to work very early the next morning. Some of the time, they never even get back home.

Rachel expressed her gratitude to her older sister and brother, embracing them tightly before making her way inside. "She'll be fine, right, noona?" Jonathan asked with a hint of concern.

"Rachel will be just fine," she assured. Both of them remained rooted in their positions, even as Rachel vanished beyond the gate, "hopefully."

Rachel felt a wave of nervousness wash over her as she stepped onto the airplane, taking on her first solo journey. The weight of independence, though thrilling, also brought a hint of unease.

Stepping into uncharted territory, she found herself immersed in a world where self-reliance became her only companion. Despite being under the attentive surveillance of the flight attendant, who was responsible for her well-being as an unaccompanied minor, Rachel couldn't help but feel a whirlwind of emotions—a blend of anticipation and nervousness.

She nervously informed her sister that she had arranged for someone to pick her up in Los Angeles and promised to give her a call as soon as she touched down in L.A.

Harper informed her of her early arrival in Los Angeles, offering to pick her up. They had never met before; their only knowledge of each other was the pictures they had seen on Facebook.

Rachel anxiously scanned the arrival gate, hoping to spot Harper. Feeling a bit overwhelmed by the vastness and constant activity of the airport, Rachel's heart raced as she skillfully moved through the bustling crowd.

Her gaze swept across each face with cautious attention, trying to align with the mental image she had crafted from Harper's Facebook photos. A blend of anticipation and nervousness tugged at her as she pondered how their initial meeting would play out.

Out of the commotion and clamor, a face that she knew well appeared, as if out of thin air. Harper, with a beautiful smile that reflected the same warmth Rachel had experienced in their virtual conversations, appeared. At that very moment, time stood still, and Rachel's uncertainties and anxieties vanished as she recognized the figure standing in front of her as her dear friend.

There was an immediate recognition, not only of physical features, but of a deep connection formed through shared stories, dreams, and the unbreakable bond of sisterhood.

Harper's gaze shimmered with profound insight as she extended her arms to embrace Rachel, surrounding her with a soothing presence that defied explanation. In an instant, their hearts formed an unbreakable bond, as if their souls had been intertwined since the beginning of time.

"Little Rachel!" With ease, Harper lifts Rachel's thin body to the air and says, "You're so cute, and I'm so happy to see you!" Harper exclaimed, her voice brimming with genuine excitement.

"Harper!" As Rachel's concerns vanished and a newfound sense of belonging emerged, tears began to glisten in her eyes. In Harper's presence, she felt a warm reassurance that she had made the right choice, taking this courageous step and embracing the path laid out before her.

"Let's go; I already rented a car; let's find something to eat!" Harper put Rachel back on the floor. For an eighteen-year-old, Harper is tall. Her soft stare and beautiful smile are even more bothersome in person than in pictures. "Are you excited?"

"Yes!" Rachel's smile widens, already forgetting about her sister.

"Then, let's go!"