Fallin' for the Fame - Chapter 2

A season for everything.

Previously: A single message from Legend Blake had Samara questioning everything—until her boyfriend’s arms pulled her back to reality.

2

“It always helps to frame your interview with a few questions that will warm up the individual…” My boss, Professor Natalie Cooper, squints at her PowerPoint presentation on Broadcast Journalism strategies as if she might need glasses. Her slide is missing a few words at the end. “The individual, um, being interviewed.” She nods and clears her throat. “Moving on.”

Behind me, papers shuffle and notebooks flip as the tap-tap-taps of laptops echo throughout the lecture hall. The class watches intently from cushioned stadium seats, chins in hand, fingers drumming. Professor Natalie clicks her remote, transitioning to the next slide.

I’ve been a graduate assistant at the University of Washington for the past two years while working on a master’s in communications, and thankfully Professor Natalie has been kind enough to keep me at her side the entire time. There’s no way I’d survive without her.

As an award-winning journalist from London, Professor Natalie rose to fame on the evening news here in the States. Viewers fell in love with her warm smiles and endearing English accent. I, on the other hand, adored her investigative reporting and her ability to hold people’s feet to the fire during an interview. She started teaching at the UW at the prime age of forty, and she’s been with the university for the past eight years. The woman’s brilliant writing and weekly reports inspired me to go after my degree. She almost had me wanting to go into broadcast journalism, but I’ve never been the type to jump in front of a camera.

Humor fills my chest as Legend and I continue our conversation about the perfect fantasy date at the Empire State Building.

---

Sam: Yeah right! I bet that place is SO crowded every day!

Legend: Maybe it would be on that secret floor.

Sam: And how would I get access to that exactly?

---

We’ve been chatting like this for a while now. And though we’ve yet to meet face-to-face since it began, I’d say we’ve become good friends over the years.

I’ve been on every one of his social media accounts since high school. I know his favorite hobbies, favorite food… everything there is to know about him. There’s something about the way his voice wraps around a lyric—smooth, deep, intimate—that makes it impossible not to listen. Paired with those bedroom eyes? I was a goner. But I never worked up the courage to connect with him until a few years ago.

---

I was scrolling through Instagram one day when his latest post pulled up in my feed: a black and white photo of Legend with his eyes cast low, as if he were deep in thought, and maybe a little sad. Beneath, the caption read: I wish I didn’t care so much.

I zoomed in, admiring his athletic build and low-cut waves. He’d recently trimmed his goatee, which only served to define his chiseled jaw that much more. The post was already filled with hundreds of thousands of likes, several fire and heart emojis posted in response.

My thumb hovered over the photo, just a breath away from a double-tap. But this picture was different. Something was off. Legend wasn’t reflecting. His gaze seemed clouded, like something was pulling at him from the inside.

It couldn’t have been easy, putting on a happy face for the cameras all the time. But people would drag me if I posted about it in the comments. And what if my boyfriend saw it or something? Though I doubted Justin would ever follow Legend Blake.

I went to his DMs instead.

It took me ten minutes to get over my nerves, but after reading and rereading my message, I hit send.

Sam: Some days are like that. But it gets better.

With a heavy sigh, I set my phone aside. I had no idea why I was so uptight about it. I highly doubted he would respond.

But he did. He responded right away.

After screaming at the top of my lungs—and reminding myself to breathe—I sat down and read his message.

Legend: How’d you know?

How did I know? What did he mean, how did I know? I was his biggest fan—Of course, I knew!

Sam: Just a hunch. But if you need an ear, I’m here. I swear, I’m not paparazzi!

He responded within seconds.

Legend: lol

I held my breath as a full five minutes passed.

Legend: You from Seattle?

OMG. He was checking out my profile. He’d seen my picture! It was as if I’d slid on a patch of ice, smacked my head on the pavement, and slipped into a coma where Legend Blake actually wanted to talk to me. Me! Samara Allen—of all people!

Sam: Yep. Graduated from Tyler Prep in ’17.

Legend: ‘Ey! I went there too! Would’ve graduated in ’16 but… you see how that went.😜

Oh wow, I thought. He sent an emoji. But I had no clue if he remembered me. I closed my eyes, trying to calm my racing heart. Please God, don’t let me mess this up.

Sam: Destiny awaits, right? 😉

It was a phrase he often used in his interviews. I couldn’t believe I’d just quoted him with a winky-face emoji. Maybe it was too forward. I read the message again and again. What if it was too forward? I counted every minute that passed.

And then he said the one thing I never thought he’d say.

Legend: So tell me about you.

I didn’t hesitate. I mentioned that I was a student at UW, on my way to a degree in communications. A nobody from Seattle… But one of his biggest fans.

He humored me, asking me to tell him something only one of his biggest fans would know. I mentioned how he hated pepperoni on his pizza and had been playing piano since he was five. But he wasn’t impressed. Those things had been covered in several interviews.

I studied his profile photo, thinking… When you’re sad, your mouth turns down just a bit and you get this little crinkle over your brow like it physically pains you to feel anything but joy.

Of course, I couldn’t tell him that. I brought up the Care Bear he slept with until he was twelve.

Two minutes went by.

Legend: Yo! I only mentioned that like 1 time on YouTube!

I laughed.

Sam: Told you. One of your biggest fans.

Legend: Wow. You starting to sound like my #1!

---

And now, I’m one of his closest friends. But I could never tell my boyfriend that.

As usual, there’s a draft in the spacious lecture hall. Even with wall-to-wall carpet, and three hundred bodies in the seats, the space rarely stays at room temperature. I tug on the sleeves of my acid wash denim jacket, awaiting Legend’s response. My vintage bangle bracelets slide and clink as I lean my elbow on the arm of my seat.

“And if the individual being interviewed seems… antsy,” Professor Natalie continues, “you might want to work your way up to the, um… the hot-topic question.” I frown as she paces at the podium. What is going on with her today?

Professor Natalie is usually composed, her tall frame and curvy hips commanding attention with zero effort. Her flawless caramel skin practically glows beneath the lecture hall lights, her jet-black curls spilling down her back in soft waves. But today, there’s something off. The way she taps the remote in her palm, the heavy sigh slipping from her lips. “Next…”

Maybe she needs water or something.

I close my eyes and take a breath, wishing Legend would respond already. He’s probably with his choreographer. He said he had rehearsal.

Professor Natalie switches slides, and a photo of an adorable kitten pulls up on the screen. Students cover their mouths, snickering as she gazes up at the massive screen with scrunched eyebrows. “Now that wasn’t supposed to be there...” she says.

Legend finally returns to my question about the Empire State Building’s secret floor.

Legend: With a celebrity, it’s no problem.

I stare at the screen, long and hard. There’s no way he’s suggesting that the two of us…

“Well, that’s it for today.” Professor Natalie nods, signaling the end of her lecture, and I tuck my phone away. “We’ll review next week.”

An eager student on the front row raises her hand, and Professor Natalie points for her to go ahead.

“What about the quiz we were supposed to have?”

Students groan at the reminder, but Natalie blinks at her like some amnesia patient in a telenovela. It’s as if she’s just learned that her husband was dating her twin sister all along.

She completely forgot. Thankfully, I didn’t.

I wave to the professor, signaling I’ve got it covered. She offers a grateful smile as I grab the copies I made earlier and pass them out.

“Thanks for the rescue,” says Natalie as we head to her office after class.

“That’s what I’m here for.”

Something was definitely off with her today. And I know just the remedy.

We enter the Communications Department, and the aroma of a fresh mocha latte calls my name. “I’m gonna get some coffee. You want the usual?”

Professor Natalie places a hand on my shoulder as we part ways. “You’re a lifesaver.”

I toss her a smile as I head for the coffee station near the front desk.

The banquet table—adorned with a frilly white skirt and a plastic cover to catch spills—looks more like a wedding reception set up than a break area, complete with neatly arranged stirrers and a towering pyramid of sugar packets. The staff around here takes their refreshments seriously. There are four single-serve machines—each one set up for tea, cappuccino, espresso, or coffee—and at least seven different types of creamer. I didn’t discover how much my taste buds had been missing until I started working here. Professor Natalie insisted I take my first sip when I joined the team, and I have never looked back.

I like my coffee with one sugar and a hint of French Vanilla. Just like Justin, the Professor prefers hers black. And Legend? He rarely drinks coffee, but if he does, he likes it loaded up with four sugars—minimum—and as much cream as possible. I’ve told him he may as well have a milkshake. He says that’s exactly the point.

I check my phone while the coffee maker generously pours a fresh, tall cup of Raspberry Chocolate Lava—Medium Roast. I still have no idea how to respond to Legend. And if I don’t soon, I might just miss my chance… again.

My screen lights up with a message. But it’s not from Legend, it’s Justin.

It’s an old GIF of Issa Rae in Insecure, wide-eyed and nervously finger-gunning in the mirror. The caption reads: "Everything’s fine. Totally fine."

He follows with a text:

Justin: Your Monday energy had me like… 😂 But I still love you.

A reluctant smile pulls at my lips as he sends another:

Justin: Being real, I hope you’re feeling better. Try to not stress about tonight. It might go better than you think.

He’s such a sweetheart. Which only makes this entire situation worse.

Instead of responding, I heart the message and tuck my phone away.

Because all I can think about is this… “thing” with Legend.

And how my boyfriend deserves so much better.

Professor Natalie is at her L-shaped desk studying her phone, a grin tugging at her lips as I rejoin her. She thanks me as I pass over her cup.

I’ve come to enjoy these private meetings between us over the years. Her office is on the busier side of the communications department, near the end of the hall. Instructors are always coming and going, sharing donuts and lame jokes. I admire their ability to be so relaxed despite all the nervous undergrads popping up, moping and whining about their assignments. It’s rare to see Professor Natalie with a frown on her face. Even when I’d drop by, full of anxiety and questions, she’d take the time to listen to my concerns, never hesitating to share a selection from one of her several “bookcases of wisdom” lining the back wall. She keeps a degree on display at the top of each one, inspiring apprehensive students like me to never give up.

My phone buzzes as I take a seat across from her.

Great. He waits until I can’t get to my phone to say something else.

I’m itching to check the message, but business comes first.

Crossing my legs, I take my first sip of the morning. My entire body relaxes as the sweet caffeine rushes through my veins, making me feel complete. “Is everything okay?”

Professor Natalie feverishly types on her phone, her little grin growing into a full-blown bride-on-her-wedding-day smile. “Mmhmm.”

Well, this is a world of difference from the scatterbrained professor I witnessed just moments ago. She’s yet to even sip her coffee.

She sets her phone aside and breathes a happy sigh. She notices me staring and her eyebrows rise. “Hmm?”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“Oh.” She nods, reaching for her cup. “So, Samara, I’ve been meaning to ask about your future plans. You’re graduating next month, correct?”

“Yes. Two more weeks to complete my thesis, then finals, and that master’s degree is mine.” The two of us tap our disposable coffee cups in celebration.

“Have you applied for any jobs or internships?”

“Not yet.” I take a slow sip, the warmth doing little to ease the tightness in my chest. “But I’ve been thinking it might be a good idea for me to sharpen a few more skills before putting myself out there. Maybe enroll in a few enrichment courses over the summer, that sort of thing.”

Professor Natalie bobs her head.

“Actually,” I sit up straight, tugging on my denim mini skirt. “I’m considering pursuing a Ph.D. In the meantime, if you’re interested, maybe I can work with you again this summer.” I’ve already applied for the position.

Professor Natalie stares at me. “A Ph.D.? You want to teach Communications?”

I shrug. “Maybe.”

Okay, so I’m still not one hundred percent sure about what I want to do for a living, but I enjoy working for Professor Natalie. She was the first instructor who truly expressed interest in my efforts in Journalism. She taught me how to make an article shine and really dig for the “story behind the story”. I remember the way she walked me through delivering a proposal for a feature. I’ve always been overwhelmed at the thought of presenting in front of people—I wasn’t exactly looking forward to delivering my idea before a class of three hundred. The professor didn’t give me a hard time about it. She invited me to her office every day for a week to prepare me for the assignment. By the time it was my turn to give a presentation, I knew every word by heart. It was the most confident I felt in all my undergrad years, and it was all thanks to her. It would be a shame to part ways when we’ve grown so close.

Professor Natalie’s smile doesn’t quite reach her eyes. She leans back in her swiveling leather chair, fingers laced tightly around her cup.

“Well, I have some news… I won’t be teaching over the summer—or any future semesters at UW.”

My nervous system grinds to a halt. The words echo, but don’t land.

“I’m sorry, what?”

She exhales through her nose, glancing toward the window like she wants to be anywhere else. “I’m, uh… resigning.”

I set my coffee on the desk. “Resigning? But, why?” I whisper. I glance over my shoulder to ensure no one’s passing in the hall.

Professor Natalie waves her hand. “No, no, nothing scandalous! It’s Paul. You—you remember Paul?”

“Ex-boyfriend Paul? The one you reconnected with on Facebook last year?” The two broke up years ago when she moved to the States.

She nods. “We’re still… reconnecting.”

No. She can’t mean… I stare at the professor, willing her to admit she’s joking.

She taps her thumbs at the lip of her coffee cup. “We’ve decided to give it another go. So I’m returning to the UK. There’s a BBC station near my old house with the perfect producer role opening up. I’m already as good as… hired.” She reaches across the desk. “Samara, are you okay?”

There’s a soft buzz in my ears. My chest heaves up and down as the room shifts on a tilt. “Mmhmm. That’s wonderful. I am so, so happy for you.”

This is awful! It’s no wonder she’s been so distracted. The only thing on her mind is… shagging her old flame or whatever. How could she do this to me? I could use a paper bag right now.

Professor Natalie steps around to my side of the desk and rubs my back. “It’s okay. Now, just breathe… Breathe, Samara.”

It’s been a while since I’ve had an episode like this. The last time was a year ago when Justin sent a text saying he was in a car accident. He didn’t respond to a single call or text for over an hour. It turned out to be a fender bender, and he was wrapped up in conversations with insurance people and the other driver. I nearly passed out during the wait. Thankfully, Professor Natalie was there to pull me back from the edge.

Just like she taught me before, I close my eyes, inhaling through my nose, exhaling long and hard. “I’m good. Really.”

“Are you sure?”

I nod. I just don’t know what I’ll do without her, or how I’ll manage to find another job, for that matter. Resumés, interviews, and all those new people… I cringe at the thought of shaking complete strangers’ hands.

Professor Natalie looks me in the eye. “Samara, it’s been wonderful working with you these past two years. I might’ve lost my head otherwise! But there comes a time when we all have to move on. You know, a season for everything and all that.”

She’s right. I know she’s right. I just don’t understand why everything has to change now.

Professor Natalie pats my hand. “You’re a very smart girl. And though it might seem like an uphill climb right now, you can do this without me. I’m 100 percent certain that you’ll figure things out.”

I’m still trying to regain my composure when I leave the professor’s office. She wants me to check her PowerPoint slides, so hopefully, she won’t embarrass herself next week. I’m headed to the library where I can work on my laptop in peace.

Throngs of students with heavy backpacks shuffle by on my left and right, vibing to music or chatting on their phones. Others sit on the manicured grass, catching up with friends, the branches of newly budded cherry blossoms arching over brick-paved walkways.

I inhale the sweet scent of spring in bloom, the cool breeze wafting over my face, calming my fears.

I struggled with the idea of moving to campus when Justin and I were freshmen. But once I got here, I fell in love with the massive libraries and gothic architecture, the majestic fountain spouting at the center of campus each summer. By the time we graduated, I couldn’t imagine leaving. Now we live just ten minutes away.

I check my message from Legend as I walk.

Legend: Wish I could get out of here right now!

Sam: Rough day?

I know I’ve got plenty to share. But I’m sure his situation’s more pressing.

Legend: Understatement. Practice. Lunch Meeting. Dress Rehearsal. The show doesn’t start until 8 PM.

Sam: 😊 I know.

I keep track of every show he does, though it’s been forever since I made it to one. I’d never ask Justin to take me—he’d see through me in a heartbeat. But honestly… I’d give anything to see Legend in person again.

Legend: Just a little down, right now. Ya know?

It isn’t rare for Legend to have his moments. But I know exactly what’s got him down. I’d be a fool to bring it up at this point.

Sam: Just keep your head up, ok?

Legend: I know, I know. One step at a time.

There’s only one reminder that never fails to cheer him up.

Sam: I’m always here if you need me.

I can picture the handsome grin on his charming face.

Legend: I know that too.

The dancing wind tickles my cheeks, and visions of his alluring gaze float off in the breeze.

If only…

I clutch the collar of my jacket with a sigh and head on my way. Guess I’ll be updating my resumé this weekend.

Copyright © 2025 Kimberly R. Vargas. All rights reserved.

This is a work of fiction. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission from the author.

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Author’s Note:

Hey y’all! 💕

Thanks so much for checking out this chapter of Fallin' for the Fame! I hope you’re loving Sam’s journey as much as I’ve loved writing it.

New chapters drop every Wednesday, so be sure to stay tuned! And if you're enjoying the drama, romance, and all the twists in between, don’t keep it to yourself—hit that subscribe button and share with a friend who loves a good love story.

I’ll see you next Wednesday!

Kimberly R. Vargas
Romance Author | Storyteller of Healing & Love.

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