prologue: Billy Carson.
February 10, 2000.
The flutter of a butterfly's wings is so dangerous that a single beat can trigger significant catastrophes miles away from its location. Now, when it flaps its wings in the roots of time, what could have been a story is simply forgotten. The hidden dangers behind the flight of a butterfly can set off numerous unpredictable events in nature. When our subject, Billy Carsen, decided to be born ten years later due to a slight change in events, life was disrupted by a series of associations that were not initially considered.
The marriage between Thomas Carsen and Agustina López happened by chance, a decade of passionate love between a grumpy-looking Texas lawyer and the warm, vibrant Argentine who traveled for a forgotten American dream buried in unpaid bills. This union eventually led to beautiful memories and the birth of a son. Although different and similar in this life, destiny still wouldn't let Billy Carson enjoy both of his parents.
In this life, he wouldn't have the guidance of a strict man, even for preparing breakfast. Instead, he would have a lively, joyful, loving, and permissive mother. This attitude brought a series of differences to the planner Billy, one more inclined to go with the flow, changing his mind from time to time, loving what he despised the next day.
Thomas Carsen died in a traffic accident in 1990, and the constant shifts in life emerged. The once happy little family had to adapt to a widow who lost her husband, with recently acquired citizenship through marriage and only basic English to get by. With all the naivety of a woman, having relied on her husband, she ventured into the world to provide for the remaining family. The legal issues with the Carsen family resulted in serious problems, and the life insurance left by her husband was divided into three parts. The money from the medical insurance after the accident and before the death was entirely spent on various expenses. Among the possessions was a small house in San Jose, which entered a legal process initiated by the Carsen family.
The money for Carson's house was initially paid by Thomas's parents, and Thomas's mother demanded the house's money, which was auctioned to fulfill the payment.
Our distressed Argentine mother moved to Los Angeles in search of job opportunities after hearing about the better-paying full-time positions in upscale bars and restaurants in the city. Some young artists came and went, working part-time in roles like waiters, parking attendants, and various trades. Working in a bar could provide enough money to solve their financial problems. They sold the house, leaving them with a third of the money, a small truck, everything essential for them, photos, memories of moments of happiness packed away under dust.
In two months, she rented a small apartment in San Fernando Valley close to her job in Santa Monica; there was only an hour's difference. She lived just above a sports store in a 50-square-meter apartment, and the $700 monthly rent was enough to cover bills and save some dollars as a financial cushion to buy a small apartment. Billy grew up in a safe neighborhood, or better than many others. His mother worked from Monday to Wednesday at the sports store and from Thursday to Saturday in Santa Monica, a popular bar in the community. Tips were good, and the financial situation improved as the years passed.
The small building where they once lived was eventually demolished, and they lived in various houses for a while, but the rising prices caused financial imbalance. They moved to a building in North Hollywood, a two-bedroom apartment much narrower, where university students were more prevalent. Nights were filled with loud rock music that disturbed the apparent tranquility a resident would need.
Principio del formulario
The artistic city differed entirely from the San Fernando Valley, with a slightly larger building, but $100 more expensive— an acceptable price. Their constant jobs in bars gave them experience, and life stabilized and even improved again.
It was a glorious time in Los Angeles, and my thoughts turned to purchasing a small place to live. When the economic life problems were resolved, personal problems began to arise. Young Billy, at the age of 12, entered his rebellious phase. School fights, conflicts with teachers, poor grades—everything went from bad to worse. The constant failures started to alter Billy's thoughts. He went out at night when his mother worked, skipped school, skateboarded through the city, and failed his first grade. At thirteen, he got caught spray-painting walls, the police confronted him, and his mother, in total nervousness, was called to the police station.
In a moment of anger, his mother sent him to "Twin Towers Correctional Facility" after investigating why he wasn't in school. Billy skipped classes for five months. This scene caused deep resentment in Billy, who, at the age of thirteen, was sent to a correctional facility. This Billy didn't follow the white and simple appearance of his father; he had a Latin and mischievous look, mixed with Texan.
Our transmigrated protagonist woke up from a hazy dream on February 10, 2000, in a bed at the correctional facility, alongside 10 other kids sharing a room, aged between 13 and 15. Most present were criminals and gang members.
Although Billy was a troublemaker, he didn't compare to the youth sharing beds beside him. The chaos and Billy's feelings led to a certain tacit understanding of his unstable situation. Years of memories adjusted in his thoughts, and a call from the system, imagining being an artist and drawing according to his interests, but a surprising music system explained many situations that his life couldn't comprehend.
-To hell with the whole world, - murmured Billy Carsen, realizing the apparent situation.
Under the dark auspices of the night, he wasn't the young boy who woke up watching Steven Spielberg's E.T. movie with his lawyer father. He was a young man with anger issues, numerous family problems, and a tired waitress mother carrying a heavy load on her shoulders. An absent father who couldn't understand the reasons behind his unfortunate predicaments.
A music system, - he thought in his mind.
Of all the activities he could have been part of, singing never crossed Billy Carson's mind.
His singing level was that of a prodigy. Well, his talent for singing was that of a prodigy—meaning, with ten minutes of singing a day, he could improve his singing, quite short to practice his talent. That is, no matter what he does, he is destined to be a music star, as the counting system can demonstrate.
In two years, I might be considered one of the best singers, and in five, I can be the best singer. In ten, I could be considered a legend, even unleash a one-in-a-million artistic talent, - thought Billy Carson to himself.
The early morning was cold, thoughts keeping sleep at bay, and insomnia gave him dark circles the next day. This body doesn't bear the wear and tear of years of poor sleep. Young Billy remembered his mother's sadness when she left him at the correctional facility. He would be released in early June and would repeat eighth grade. In each possible scenario he considered, he found no solutions; all that was left was to wait to get out of this place.
Songs played one after another, like vivid memories. In some, he almost wanted to shout with joy, and in others, to cry. His mind was in turmoil.
...