Rewritten Fates

Chapter 2

"Layla's POV"

**A Few Years Later**

Layla’s room was unrecognizable. Every inch of wall space was covered with posters, all of them featuring Rowan and his band, Eclipse. Their music filled the air, a constant soundtrack to her days. It had been years since that phone call, but the words Rowan had spoken still echoed in her mind, a lifeline that had pulled her out of the darkest place she’d ever been.

She had become obsessed in the way only someone who had found a new purpose could. Eclipse wasn’t just a band to her; they were a symbol of hope, of the will to keep moving forward. She had spent hours reading interviews, watching videos, and learning everything she could about Rowan and his music. It was almost as if, by understanding him, she could understand how to piece her own life back together.

One afternoon, as she and her best friend Natania were getting ready for Eclipse’s concert, Natania glanced at the newest poster on the wall and laughed. “You know, I just found out something wild,” she said, grinning. “Remember Chris? The guy you had a crush on in high school?”

Layla rolled her eyes. “How could I forget?”

“Well,” Natania said, “I found out Rowan went to the same high school as Chris. And guess what? It was just across the street from ours!”

Layla’s eyes widened in surprise. “Are you serious? I was right there, and I never even knew he existed.”

“Yeah,” Natania nodded. “Crazy, right? But hey, at least you know him now. And you’re going to his concert tonight!”

Layla felt a pang of regret that she hadn’t known Rowan back then, but it was quickly replaced by excitement. “Yeah, you’re right,” she said, her mood lifting. “I can’t wait to see him perform.”

They left her house, Natania helping Layla into the car before heading to the concert venue. The streets were packed, filled with fans wearing Eclipse merch and chattering excitedly. As they were about to line up, Layla’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and saw an unfamiliar number.

“Hello?” she answered, a bit distracted by the noise around them.

“Hi, Layla! This is Jennifer from Silver Screen Studios. We’ve reviewed your application, and we’d love to invite you in for an interview. Could you come in this evening?”

Layla’s heart skipped a beat. Silver Screen Studios was her dream, a place she had always wanted to work. But tonight? During the concert?

She bit her lip, torn. But the opportunity was too big to pass up. “I can be there in half an hour,” she said quickly. “But I’ll need to be out in time for… an event.”

“Of course! We’ll make it quick,” Jennifer assured her.

Layla hung up and turned to Natania, explaining the situation. “I’m going to go to the interview, and then I’ll come back in time for the concert.”

Natania raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure? It’s cutting it close.”

“I have to try, just join the line and keep a space for me inside” Layla insisted, determination in her voice.

She wheeled herself over to the bus station, getting there just in time, and within a few moments she arrived at the place. Layla’s excitement bubbling over. But when she arrived, her heart sank. The building was older than she’d expected, with a flight of stairs leading up to the entrance. There was no ramp, no elevator in sight.

Jennifer met her at the door, her smile faltering when she saw Layla’s wheelchair. “Oh… I’m so sorry,” she said, glancing nervously at the stairs. “I didn’t realize…”

Layla’s throat tightened. She had always feared this, but facing it now was a different kind of pain. Jennifer tried to offer polite apologies, but it was clear the job would be impossible for someone in Layla’s position. The rejection, though gentle, stung deeply.

With a forced smile, Layla thanked her and turned away, the weight of disappointment pressing down on her. As she wheeled back to the nearest bus station, her mind raced. She felt like the universe was mocking her, dangling her dreams just out of reach.

But then she remembered the concert. She still had something to look forward to, something that might lift her spirits. She focused on that, letting it push away the frustration of the interview.

When she finally arrived back at the venue, the mood had shifted. The once-bustling line was gone, and the doors were closed. Panic surged through Layla as she realized what had happened—they had already let everyone in.

“No, no, no!” she whispered, wheeling up to the entrance. She spotted an employee and waved her over. “Please, can you let me in? I just… I just got here.”

The employee shook her head, her expression sympathetic but firm. “I’m sorry, but we’re at full capacity. I can’t let anyone else in.”

Layla’s frustration boiled over. “Please,” she begged, her voice cracking. “I’m in a wheelchair, I couldn’t get here in time because of that. I just need this—just this once.”

The employee hesitated, clearly torn. Layla’s desperation was palpable, and the woman finally sighed. “Okay, but do you have your ticket?”

Relief washed over Layla, and she quickly reached into her purse, but her hand came up empty. Frowning, she emptied the contents of her bag onto her lap, searching frantically. But the ticket wasn’t there. Her heart dropped as she realized it must have fallen out when she was getting off the bus.

“No…” she breathed, tears pricking her eyes. “It’s gone.”

The employee gave her a sympathetic look. “I’m really sorry.”

Layla felt a wave of despair wash over her. She had been so close, and now it was all slipping away. Without another word, she turned and wheeled herself away from the entrance, not sure where she was even going. Her mind was a blur of frustration, disappointment, and exhaustion.

She found herself in a nearby park, the sounds of the concert faintly drifting through the air. She could hear the crowd cheering, the distant thrum of the music she loved so much. But instead of feeling bitter, a strange calm settled over her. She wasn’t inside, she wasn’t where she wanted to be, but she was still here, still trying.

Layla parked her chair under a tree, looking up at the stars that were just beginning to appear. She closed her eyes, letting the music fill the quiet spaces within her, and for the first time that night, she allowed herself to just be.