Awaken

The year was 2020 in a world nearly identical to Earth. The same technological advancements, the same everything—COVID-19 had struck here too, just as it had on earth. But the entertainment industry saw subtle changes.

In Lancaster, LA, Ethan Jones, the son of teacher Emily Jones and auditor Adam Jones, led a pretty normal life. A loving family, supportive friends, and a kid surrounded by joy and happiness, Ethan was born in 1998. At 22, just after his birthday on January 5th, he was living his best life, sorting out his future after dropping out of college—a decision that greatly disappointed his father, who had hoped Ethan would become a lawyer. Ironically, Adam wanted him to become a lawyer because he had always admired the wealth his law friends enjoyed. Despite this, he still supported his son in finding his own path.

By December 2020, the COVID pandemic had ravaged the country, with millions dead. Yet, the Jones family remained upbeat and supportive. The family's spirit hadn't been dimmed.

"Ethan, come get your lunch. Mom's finished cooking!" came the voice of his younger sister, Precious. She was a senior in high school, head cheerleader, and the most popular girl in school—according to her, at least.

"I'm coming!" Ethan called back, reluctantly pulling himself from his bedroom where he had been binge-watching The Blacklist season 7. Despite the pandemic, the show had continued its run, and Ethan was hooked. "I'm telling you, Precious, you need to watch The Blacklist. It's insanely good. Raymond Reddington has to be the smartest character ever."

"Yeah, watch a show where an old white man is secretly running the world... yeah, no," Precious retorted, rolling her eyes.

Ethan smirked. "Well, I didn't expect you to have taste when your favorite show is a K-drama."

His sister stormed into his room, throwing her phone at him. Fortunately, his bedspread saved him, but unfortunately, her phone was also lucky.

"Hey, you better put some respect on Crash Landing on You. It's the greatest piece of fiction to ever come out!" she fired back.

"Yeah, yeah," Ethan muttered, too scared to argue further.

After narrowly surviving his sister's wrath, Ethan went downstairs. He entered the kitchen and saw his father—who was balding with a white-blond buzz cut—watching the news. His mother, Emily, was at the dining table, her sunny green eyes and golden locks making her look angelic. "Ethan, dear, come eat before it gets cold. We all know you don't like cold food."

"Okay, Mom, I'm coming." He smiled at her before sitting down.

The Jones family sat together for a homemade meal of meatloaf. As they began eating, his father, Adam, said, "Ethan, say grace."

Ethan bowed his head and said, "Oh Lord, bless this meal and thank you for keeping us safe during these trying times. Amen."

"Amen," his family responded.

"So, anything new?" his mother asked.

"Mom, we literally can't step outside. Nothing new is happening," Precious grumbled.

"I was talking to your brother, dear. Maybe he has figured out what he wants to do after the virus ends," Emily replied.

"Well..." Ethan hesitated. "I'm thinking of maybe getting into Twitch, TikTok, or YouTube. I want to try singing my songs. It's now or never."

"Wow, that's great, dear! Your voice is beautiful. I've been trying to get you to pursue this since you left the church choir!" Emily cheered.

"Ew, is Ethan really going to start singing? I guess he's never leaving the house now," Precious teased.

"Hey!" Ethan shot back, but his sister's laughter filled the room.

Before his mother could retort, Adam stood up. "Ethan, let's talk in the office," he said in a commanding tone.

"Ooooo, you're in trouble," Precious teased.

"Ethan, son, are you serious about this?" his father asked once they were alone.

"Yes, Dad. I've been writing songs, and I really think I can make it in the music industry," Ethan replied.

Adam hesitated. "I've always supported you, son, but the music business... well, it's messy. I don't know much about it, but from what I've seen in the news, it's not easy."

"Dad, I know who my parents are. I know the values you and Mom have instilled in me. I'm not going to lose myself in this. I can handle it," Ethan said, his tone firm.

Adam said nothing more. Instead, he simply stood and hugged his son. "I love you, son," he whispered.

Later, in his room, Ethan sat at his desk, writing lyrics for a song called "Shape of You." What he hadn't told his parents—or his bratty sister—was that since the beginning of the year, he had been getting lyrics and beats from where he couldn't fully explain. Once he finished, he switched to YouTube and created a channel.

"Hello, everyone. Sorry, this might look sloppy, but this is my first time here. My name is Ethan, and I'd like to sing my song. It's called 'Shape of You.'"

' The club isn't the best place to find a lover

So the bar is where I go

Me and my friends at the table doing shots

Drinking fast and then we talk slow

Come over and start up a conversation with just me

And trust me I'll give it a chance now

Take my hand, stop, put Van the Man on the jukebox

And then we start to dance, and now I'm singing likeGirl, you know I want your love

Your love was handmade for somebody like me

Come on now, follow my lead

I may be crazy, don't mind me

Say, boy, let's not talk too much

Grab on my waist and put that body on me

Come on now, follow my lead

Come, come on now, follow my leadI'm in love with the shape of you

We push and pull like a magnet do

Although my heart is falling too

I'm in love with your body

And last night you were in my room

And now my bedsheets smell like you

Every day discovering something brand new

I'm in love with your body

(Oh-I-oh-I-oh-I-oh-I)

I'm in love with your body

(Oh-I-oh-I-oh-I-oh-I)

I'm in love with your body

(Oh-I-oh-I-oh-I-oh-I)

I'm in love with your body

Every day discovering something brand new

I'm in love with the shape of youOne week in we let the story begin

We're going out on our first date

You and me are thrifty, so go all you can eat

Fill up your bag and I fill up a plate

We talk for hours and hours about the sweet and the sour

And how your family is doing okay

And leave and get in a taxi, then kiss in the backseat

Tell the driver make the radio play, and I'm singing likeGirl, you know I want your love

Your love was handmade for somebody like me

Come on now, follow my lead

I may be crazy, don't mind me

Say, boy, let's not talk too much

Grab on my waist and put that body on me

Come on now, follow my lead

Come, come on now, follow my leadI'm in love with the shape of you

We push and pull like a magnet do

Although my heart is falling too

I'm in love with your body

And last night you were in my room

And now my bedsheets smell like you

Every day discovering something brand new

I'm in love with your body

(Oh-I-oh-I-oh-I-oh-I)

I'm in love with your body

(Oh-I-oh-I-oh-I-oh-I)

I'm in love with your body

(Oh-I-oh-I-oh-I-oh-I)

I'm in love with your body

Every day discovering something brand new

I'm in love with the shape of youCome on, be my baby, come on

Come on, be my baby, come on

Come on, be my baby, come on

Come on, be my baby, come on

Come on, be my baby, come on

Come on, be my baby, come on

Come on, be my baby, come on

Come on, be my baby, come onI'm in love with the shape of you

We push and pull like a magnet do

Although my heart is falling too

I'm in love with your body

And last night you were in my room

And now my bedsheets smell like you

Every day discovering something brand new

I'm in love with your body

Come on, be my baby, come on

Come on (I'm in love with your body), be my baby, come on

Come on, be my baby, come on

Come on (I'm in love with your body), be my baby, come on

Come on, be my baby, come on

Come on (I'm in love with your body), be my baby, come on

Every day discovering something brand new

I'm in love with the shape of you'