A Choice To make

Sunday evening, Jaxon's phone buzzed on his bedside table, breaking the silence. He picked it up to see Max's name flashing on the screen.

"Hey, what's up?" Jaxon asked, answering the call.

Victor just called me," Max said, his voice sounding serious. "He wants us to meet tomorrow to discuss the deal he mentioned when we were at the studio."

Jaxon's mind immediately started racing. He had been thinking about the potential deal nonstop since their meeting with Victor.

"What time is the meeting?" Jaxon asked, trying to sound calm.

"It's at 10 am," Max replied. "But don't worry, I've got this one covered. You just focus on school tomorrow."

Jaxon nodded, even though Max couldn't see him. "Alright, sounds good. Keep me posted on how it goes."

"Will do," Max said. "Talk to you later."

The two friends hung up, and Jaxon couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nerves about what the meeting might bring.

Jaxon tried to focus on his schoolwork, but his mind kept wandering back to the meeting. What was Victor's team going to offer? Was it going to be a record deal? A tour?

As he sat in class, Jaxon found himself doodling lyrics in the margin of his notebook. He was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn't even notice when his friend Justin tried to get his attention.

"Hey, Jax, what's up?" Justin whispered, nudging Jaxon's arm.

Jaxon was startled, looking around to make sure the teacher wasn't watching. "Not much, just thinking about this meeting Max is at," he replied quietly.

Justin raised an eyebrow. "The one with Victor's team? Do you think it's going to be a big deal?"

Jaxon shrugged. "I don't know, but I hope so."

The two friends chatted quietly for a few more minutes before the teacher reminded them to pay attention.

As the day went on, Jaxon found it harder and harder to focus. He couldn't wait to hear from Max and find out what had happened at the meeting

The final bell rang, and Jaxon gathered his belongings, eager to head home and hear from Max. He walked out of the school building, scanning the parking lot for Max's car.

As he walked home, Jaxon's mind was filled with possibilities. What if Victor and his team offered them a record deal? What if they got to tour with a big-name band?

When he arrived home, Jaxon dropped his backpack on the floor and pulled out his phone. Still no text from Max.

He decided to grab a snack and wait patiently. But as the minutes ticked by, Jaxon's patience began to wear thin.

Just as he was starting to get anxious, Jaxon's phone buzzed. It was Max.

"Hey, what's up?" Jaxon answered, trying to sound casual.

Victor and his team have made us an offer," Max said, his voice sounding serious. Their agency name is Vibe Music Agency.

Samantha is the leader of their agency he added. She is the one I met for the discussion, Victor is just their agent.

Jaxon's heart skipped a beat. "What kind of offer?"

Max paused, building suspense. "He wants to sign us to his label."

Jaxon's eyes widened in shock. Was this happening?

Jaxon's excitement was short-lived, as Max's next words brought him back down to earth.

"There's a catch, though," Max said, his tone cautious. The agency wants us to change our sound to fit his label's style."

Jaxon's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

Max hesitated. "He wants us to go for a more commercial sound. You know, something that will appeal to a wider audience."

Jaxon felt a surge of unease. He had always been proud of their unique sound, and the thought of changing it to fit someone else's vision didn't sit well with him.

"I don't know, Max," Jaxon said, his voice laced with doubt. "I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that."

Max sighed. "I know, me neither. But we need to think about our careers, Jax. This could be a big opportunity for us."

Jaxon couldn't shake off the feeling of unease as he thought about changing their sound. He had always been proud of their unique style, and the thought of conforming to someone else's vision didn't sit well with him.

As he walked around his room, trying to clear his head, Jaxon's eyes landed on his guitar. He picked it up, strumming a few chords as he tried to process his thoughts.

He thought about all the times he and Max had played together, creating music that was true to themselves. He thought about the fans who had connected with their music, and the sense of community they had built.

Jaxon's fingers moved deftly over the strings as he began to play a new melody. It was raw and emotional, a reflection of his inner turmoil.

As he played, Jaxon felt a sense of clarity wash over him. He knew what he had to do.

Jaxon felt a sense of conviction wash over him. He wasn't going to change his unique style, no matter what Victor and his team offered.

"I'm not doing it, Max," Jaxon said, his voice firm. "I'm not changing our sound to fit someone else's vision."

Max nodded thoughtfully. "I understand where you're coming from, Jax. But let's not dismiss the opportunity entirely. What if we could negotiate a different kind of deal?"

Jaxon raised an eyebrow. "What did you have in mind?"

Max leaned forward. "What if we asked the agency if they could offer us a tour instead? We could use the exposure to get our music out to more people."

Jaxon's eyes widened as he considered the possibility. A tour could be a game-changer for them.

"That's not a bad idea, Max," Jaxon said, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Let's go talk to the agency and see what they say."

Max grinned. "I'll set up the meeting. Let's go make it happen."

Max dialed Victor's number, and after a brief conversation, they agreed to meet over the weekend.

"Victor's free on Saturday afternoon," Max said, hanging up the phone. "He's willing to meet with us then."

Jaxon nodded, relieved. "That works perfectly. I don't want to skip school to meet with them."

Max smiled. "I knew you'd say that. You're always so responsible, Jax."

Jaxon chuckled. "Hey, someone's got to keep us on track."

The two friends spent the rest of the week focusing on school and their music, anticipation building for their meeting with the agency on Saturday.

As the weekend approached Jaxon's excitement grew what would the agency say?

Saturday afternoon arrived, and Jaxon and Max headed to the agency office where they met Samantha, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves.

As they walked in, Samantha greeted them with a warm smile. "Hey, guys! Thanks for coming in."

Jaxon and Max took seats across from Samantha.

Max took a deep breath and began to explain. Samantha, we appreciate the offer, but after careful consideration, we've decided to decline."

Samantha's expression turned curious. "May I ask why?"

Max hesitated before speaking. "To be honest, when we weighed the pros and cons, the negative aspects outweighed the positive."

Samantha leaned forward, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I see. Can you tell me more about your concerns?"

Jaxon spoke up, his voice firm. "We're worried about losing creative control and compromising our artistic vision."

Samantha nodded thoughtfully. "I understand where you're coming from. But let me assure you, we're willing to work with you to ensure your vision is preserved."

Max shook his head. "We appreciate that, Samantha, but we've made up our minds. We can't accept the offer."

Samantha smiled. "Good. My advice is to keep being true to yourselves and your music. Don't compromise your art for anyone or anything. And always keep your fans in mind."

Max nodded thoughtfully. "Thanks, Samantha. That means a lot coming from you."

Max spoke up, a hint of excitement in his voice. "Samantha, can I ask you something?"

Samantha raised an eyebrow. "Of course, Max. What is it?"

Max leaned forward, a hopeful expression on his face. "We were thinking, if you're not willing to compromise on the record deal, would you be willing to consider a tour instead?"

Samantha's expression turned skeptical

. "A tour? I don't know, guys. That's a big undertaking."

But Max was undeterred. "Hear us out, Samantha. We've been doing some research, and we think we could make it work. We could play smaller venues, build up a following..."

Samantha held up a hand, a hint of a smile on her face. "Okay, okay. I'm listening."

Max pulled out his phone and started playing a video of their previous performance. Samantha watched, her expression changing from skeptical to impressed.

"Wow, you guys are talented," Samantha said when the video finished. "I can see why you're so passionate about your music."

Jaxon and Max exchanged a hopeful glance. "So, what do you say, Samantha?" Max asked. "Will you consider sponsoring our tour?"

Samantha nodded, a slow smile spreading across her face. "You know what, guys? I think I can do that." They thanked her for agreeing to the offer.

The meeting closed and Samantha shook their hands and said you will hear from us.