Less than a year ago, a drunk driver had crossed the median on I-95, slamming into the Varleys' sedan. In an instant, Von and Naomi were orphans.
The fallout was catastrophic for them. Their parents had no life insurance, and Naomi had to bury her own dreams of College along with her parents.
Despite being only a year older than Von, she stepped up to shield Von from the harshest realities.
Their only capable relative, Uncle Ken, had swooped in like a vulture. Instead of helping, he produced a stack of IOUs signed by their father, claiming the family home as collateral and kicking them out.
Naomi had managed to salvage a small savings account their mother had hidden away.
It was enough to keep them afloat for a year, maybe two if they were frugal. But Von, blinded by grief and denial, had insisted on attending the University; refusing to be a dropout like his sister.
Now, the savings were gone and the reality was setting in.
"I'm all ears," Von pressured after noticing Naomi was still hesitating.
She gave in and spoke;
"You see... Dad wasn't just bad with money, Von. He was a gambling addict, and that led him to keep borrowing from loan sharks."
"With no steady job, that was how they kept the lights on for us. But after the accident... the debts came to us."
"I have to pay interest every week. Just the interest. And if I miss a payment... they said they'd send someone to find us."
Von sighed, running a hand through his hair. He couldn't believe he had been so blind. While he was complaining about cafeteria food, she was paying protection money.
Just the thought made him angry with himself as shame burned in his chest.
'That was the old Von,' he reminded himself firmly. 'I'm a new Von now. I'll fix this.'
He looked straight at Naomi. "This debt... How large of a sum are we talking about?"
Naomi bit her lip and whispered the number:
"Three hundred thousand."
"Three hundred grand?!"
Von couldn't help but repeat in shock. Only after Naomi nodded did the horror settle in.
He forced a smile, though it felt brittle. "Don't worry about it, sis. I'll do something about it."
He said it to comfort her, but internally, Von was screaming. Three hundred thousand dollars.
If only he had been a sports fanatic in his past life! He could have bet on some games. Or if he had paid attention to the crypto market... was it Dogcoin that blew up? Or is it bobcoin?
He grimaced. He couldn't remember. And even if he did, the Butterfly Effect was a real threat. One wrong move and he could change the timeline, erasing his advantage.
No. He had to leverage the one thing he knew inside out. Entertainment.
He still remembered some of the movies and songs that had become hits. If he executed his plans properly, $300k would be pocket change.
He looked at Naomi. "Are you hungry, Nana?"
"No, I ate before I—"
Von gave her a serious stare that cut off her protest. "I'm famished. And you also look like you haven't eaten. So we're eating."
He ordered two large breakfast platters, and paid with the cash from his account. It was Nana's money, yes, but feeding her was the best way to spend it.
As they ate, Von kept the conversation light. He asked about her well-being, about her friends. But he noticed something odd. Every time he asked about her job, she shifted in her seat and gave vague answers.
'She must really not like her job,' Von thought with sympathy.
Suddenly, the café speakers blasted a loud, energetic jingle, interrupting his thoughts.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! ARE YOU READY TO BECOME THE NEXT BIG THING?!"
Von and Naomi turned toward the mounted TV in the corner.
The screen flashed with a high-budget montage. Screaming crowds in stadiums, confetti raining down, contestants collapsing in tears of joy. The logo spun onto the screen in gold and diamond letters.
Project Star
"After a two-year hiatus, the phenomenon is back! Season 5 is in full swing!" the announcer boomed. "We are recruiting two hundred of the nation's most talented musicians to come to Hollywood for the ultimate showdown!"
The screen shifted to a graphic of a contract being signed.
{ GRAND PRIZE: CLOUDARY RECORD DEAL & $1,000,000 CASH }
"Auditions begin February 2nd!"
A map of the United States appeared, highlighting major cities. New York. Los Angeles. Chicago.
And Miami.
"Are you ready to become a star?"
Von stared at the screen. He felt something within him, like it was destiny. That prize money was all he needed.
Ding!
A semi-transparent purple box appeared right over his vision.
_________________________________________
[Quest: Opportunity Knocks]
[Description: A Superstar does not wait for the spotlight; they seize it. The stage is set, and history is waiting to be rewritten.]
[Objective:
○ Register for the Project Star Miami Auditions
○ Qualify for the "Hollywood Week" round]
[Choice: [Accept] [Decline]
[Acceptance Reward:
● New Skill - Inspect]
[Failure Penalty:
● Taste bud paralysis (30 days).]
_________________________________________
Von shivered. 'I'll lose my taste buds??'
The System wasn't messing around. It was dangling a carrot and holding a hammer at the same time.
"Remember?"
Naomi's soft voice broke his trance. She was watching him watch the screen.
"That day in the garage... when you were twelve. You stood on that crate with the broomstick and promised me you'd be on that show one day..."
Von truly remembered. Being a star wasn't just a childhood wish; it was the obsession that had driven him to pressure Naomi into paying for University in the first place.
His grand plan had been to study Theater Arts, convinced it was his gateway to fame. But he had been rejected flat out.
Now, he was just rotting away in the Psychology department, studying a subject he didn't care about just to keep up the charade, all while Naomi paid the price.
But the show brought back a darker memory than that. In the original timeline, around this exact time, he had auditioned. Naomi had been the one that pressured him into doing so.
But he had failed, and he had done so miserably. His audition even became popular due to how much of a fail it was.
It had been the final nail in the coffin of his confidence, driving him into his room and into the depression that eventually killed him.
Naomi saw the shadow pass over his face. She reached across the table and squeezed his hand.
"Von, I know you're nervous," she said gently. "But remember... this is your dream. Aim for the moon, and if you miss, you're bound to hit one of the stars."
Von looked her in the eyes. "Nana... Do you really think I can make it?"
"Of course, Von," she said without hesitation. "I believe in you. You can do anything you want to. And I've always told you... you're a great singer. Perhaps the greatest I've heard."
'My F- in Vocals has something else to say about that,' Von thought wryly.
But Von wasn't worried. This time was different. He wasn't just a delusional kid. He had a System. He had future hits in his head. He could change things.
"I'm going to register, Nana. But only on one condition."
"What condition, Vonnie?"
Von didn't protest her usual girly nickname. He just squeezed her hand back.
"If I win some money from there... you quit that job. You quit everything, and you chase your dreams. I know how much you wanted to go to Art School, and I can't let you give up on your dream either."
Naomi's face fell. A dejected look crossed her features as she remembered the acceptance letter she had thrown away years ago.
"But Vonnie... the money..."
Von smiled proudly, pointing a thumb at the TV screen behind him.
"Don't you see that cash prize? The money won't be an issue when the time comes. Just make this promise first."
Naomi looked at him. She saw the conviction in his eyes. She couldn't refuse him.
"Okay, Vonnie," she whispered, a tear slipping down her cheek. "If you're successful... I'll do as you say. I'll chase my dreams."
"And I'll register for the auditions and go all the way," Von vowed.
The two siblings leaned over the table, hooking their pinky fingers together in a promise.