A New Ball Drops

It was a difficult time in my life. The Bud and Roach Show was still in motion, but I was struggling. Every day, I felt like I was dragging myself through mud, weighed down by the exhaustion of trying to make a name for myself in the unforgiving world of entertainment. I was tired, desperate, and my personal life was falling apart. Brenna and I were on the outs, our relationship a crumbling tower that threatened to bury us both. My mom had finally had enough, and she no longer wanted me in the house. My drinking had spiraled out of control, and I was lonely. I felt like I was on a ship lost at sea, battered by the storm and left to navigate the dark waters all by myself. In my desperation, I decided to open the market for artists to pay for an interview slot on the show. I knew it wasn’t the best decision, but I was so tired of struggling to make ends meet that I was willing to do whatever it took to keep the show going. The lights had to stay on, and I couldn’t bear to see my dream fade away into obscurity. At the same time, I had reached out to Nicole, aka NOE. She had recently been diagnosed with cancer, and I wanted to check in on her. We had met at a gig at The Bitter End, and I knew we were destined to work together. There was an undeniable spark between us, a shared love of the business and a drive to succeed. I knew that we could help each other reach our goals. When I arrived at her apartment, the air was thick with tension and uncertainty. We smoked a blunt and talked about our dreams, the smoke weaving around us like tendrils of hope. I told her about my aspirations of being a celebrity, of making it big in the industry. As I spoke, the weight of my despair lifted ever so slightly. She listened intently, her eyes shining with belief in me. In that moment, I felt seen and heard, and I knew I couldn’t give up. With nowhere else to go, one night became two nights, two nights became four, and before long, I was watching the New Years ball drop from her television screen. As the glittering orb descended, signaling the end of a tumultuous year, I couldn’t help but reflect on the chaotic journey I had been on. I was grateful for the sanctuary that Nicole had provided, the warmth of her apartment a balm for my wounded soul. As the clock struck midnight and the new year began, I knew I had to face my demons and continue my quest.