called to resolve.

They had been there for three days, and as usual, Jack Sauce was flirting at a table while Billy ate with the elite members of the Air Force. The unfolding story was that of a guy who always ended up with the girl. They weren't slow; they spoke in low voices, whispered, laughed, and lived in their world, much to the annoyance of six people, especially Billy, Andrew, Gray, David, Jack, and Thomas, who complained like nervous women. It was amusing to witness how the mood of the room had shifted after three days.

-He's always like this. Treats me badly and then trades me for any woman, - Billy remarked in complete disgust. The five soldiers didn't know it, but it was a constant exaggeration from Billy every time someone ignored him. For those who knew him, it was always funny.

- Calm down, buddy. It's just unpleasant when the girl leaves, - said Andrew, the most cheerful of the five and usually in the best mood. The military guys were somewhat serious.

-It tends to be that way, - Billy replied, stretching his muscles as Gray reminded him of the sadness in his life. Without seeing beyond, Billy could sense in the young pilot the loneliness of a life commonly buried and hidden away by either hate or sorrow.

- It's a little suggestive… We thought the life of musicians was entirely different, more intense, and far removed from the ordinary, - commented David.

-Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't. It depends on how deep you are into it. You have to get drunk on gin and tonic; those people are crazy, and the parties are out of control. But the rest, it's just work, work, and more work. It all spirals into a feeling of madness, - Billy commented, tasting the pudding. - That's not the important part, though. You should know, that the life of a pilot also sounds intense. There are some movies that you simply can't forget. -

-Well, I guess they romanticize the profession, don't they? Hollywood, the press, and people's chatter make it seem entirely different from what we think at first glance, - Jack commented.

-Though the pension system is good, - David added with a sigh, making the pilots laugh.

- Getting sick is perhaps the most refreshing time, especially when you don't have to pay for the medical treatments... and of course, your wife's,- David continued to joke.

- And what about the G-force? When you take the plane in your hands and feel pressure that's different from what you imagine. It's like a punch of force. You feel it twisting your insides, but then it's the blue sky ahead of you, time unfolding in front of you like an aurora, - Andrew responded.

-It's like standing on stage, an adrenaline rush that shakes your whole body, a surge that makes you want to look at the crowd with wide-open eyes while they scream, - Billy countered.

They finished their breakfast. For the first time, Billy was too tired to exercise, and luckily for him, they had rest until noon, after which they'd continue with more parachute training. So, for the first time in four days, Billy grabbed his phone.

He had a message from Leighton Menester and a few missed calls from her. He sent a long reply about how exhausting his week had been. At that time, the maximum number of characters allowed in a message was 2,000, and for reasons Billy didn't quite understand, he hoped the phone service would improve soon.

She was a very sweet woman, always so willing that Billy narrowed his eyes as he thought of the young woman he had embraced in her apartment. She had landed a small role in CSI. She had some talent and would most likely succeed in the acting world, just as in her past life, even if she didn't want to become a superstar.

Two long messages, along with other replies to Gwen Stefani and Avril... and from there, he kept answering his messages. Unfortunately, the first only responded with monosyllables. Time and distance were like daggers, cutting deeper, but she was the one who had recommended that Billy leave her life completely—at least until they could reunite.

…

Avril (Pinky): I have a new song. I think I could use a soloist to help out.

Billy: We can do it whenever you want, darling... But I'm holed up. Come to Great Britain for my birthday, bring that cute behind, and let's go party now that I'm eighteen.

The message was automatic.

Avril: June 10th. I'll be there, I'll talk to your agent.

Billy: I miss you. Come sooner.

Avril: Liar. Even if I wanted to, I can't... I've got some commitments.

...

Avril had many things to do, but the smile she earned from the message was enough to make her happy. The poor young woman did the opposite of what all the other women had told her—pull away. Like a moth to a flame, she drew closer to him, even though it would bother those involved.

Billy checked his other contacts, and there was one that caught his interest: Amanda Seyfried. She was elusive, and she believed Billy wasn't someone to be taken seriously. Though it might seem naïve, Amanda had a deep desire, different from what people usually expected from an actress in a romantic relationship. They only had sporadic conversations. A message with the note "Come to my birthday," was sent, and with that, he moved on.

Another message from Avril arrived—Emma (buzzkill).

Billy: Of course they know! The best singer in history!

Emma: Boooo... I bought your album to listen to all your songs, don't be surprised when I have feedback on your records.

...

Billy: I hope you've had enough time to become my biggest fan. Send me your review and your eagerness to see me... You need to hide your infatuation better, darling. What we have can't happen.

The reply came instantly.

Emma: What are you talking about? Stop saying things that are total lies... I'd never be in love with a jerk like you.

Billy: Sure, whatever you say. Denying things is never a good strategy.

Emma: You're still as pretentious as ever. By the way, your music is... acceptable. Better than I expected.

Billy: Wow, still affirming... Denying something doesn't make it untrue. Maybe if you're more honest, I can give you an autograph.

...

Billy turned off his phone without paying more attention and stretched his muscles. Even the showers in this place were depressing, cold as ice cubes. It was the lifestyle that disgusted him.

Meanwhile, Emma could only stare at the conversation with an almost obsessive interest, reading each word carefully. The words were silly, full of playful banter.

She couldn't help but let a laugh escape, trying to hide her intentions. She was in dance practice, sneaking glances at her phone. For some reason, she kept her conversations with Billy entirely secret. Even though her parents remained silent about her behavior, she held everything close. The fact that she kept checking her phone was a sign.

Emma: Who wants your autograph, anyway? That's just dumb.

Emma: What are you up to? The press says you've moved from England, but they don't show any signs of you in the U.S. either.

***

Billy, after three days, was refreshing his spirit. He needed to prepare for his interview for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. For that reason and many others, he felt completely ready to take on the film. He was practicing relentlessly, and as he looked at himself in the mirror, he knew this would be one of his best auditions yet.

-Ta-ta-ta...- he hummed along to Dance Justice as he took a long shower. The song, a wild blend of rock and electronic, was one of the new tracks on his upcoming album. It was something different from what he was used to delivering. His team, pressured by Billy's talent, tried their best to keep up. Even Jack Sauce, in his spare time, couldn't stop listening to rock music. His little music room was filled with a library of thousands of records.

..