diffidentmusicality

[diffidentmusicality]

Being guarded was something that Rachel learnt to do from a very young age. Alana Scott only cared about one thing when it came to her daughter, Rachel, and that was how the two would appear on camera. Alana was a recording artist, musician and performer. She was big in the music industry and the only time that she showed she cared for Rachel was when it suited her. The camera were what mattered to Alana and so when Rachel discovered who her biological father was at the age of 11, she reached out and knew she had to get away from her mother.

Justin Manning was her biological father and after tests to confirm that he was, Rachel moved in with him and his wife, Carlie. She grew up in a very musical house, with Carlie teaching her classical music on the piano and her father listening to country music on repeat, but Rachel couldn't commit herself to music. After everything her mother had put her through, committing and dedicating herself to music was tough on the blonde. That was until something truly tragic happened when Rachel was just 14 years old.

Alana Scott was doing a show with a meet and greet and a crazed fan turned up at the event. During the meet and greet, they discharged a firearm which ended Alana's life. Losing her mother was tough, despite her complicated relationship. Rachel hoped to one day repair it but now she would never get that chance to. Rachel struggled with losing her mother and when Justin noticed that 2 years down the line, Rachel wasn't getting any better, he decided to give her something special. Alana's first guitar. It was left to Justin in her will, under the promise that he would give it to Rachel when he felt she needed it most and as it turned out, it was perfect timing.

Rachel began practicing guitar and by the time she was 18, she was writing her own songs in her bedroom and played her first gig in a local bar. At that gig, Ryan Conner spoke to her after. He was a musician himself and the two exchanged numbers after he drove her home. From there, they started a relationship together. They were together for 2 years before they started performing together, too. They went on to gain a big fanbase and win a local talent show but that win turned Ryan into a monster.

He abused Rachel emotionally and mentally until she believed she was worth nothing. Their relationship crumbled to pieces and after a scam that shocked the world, the duo broke up and Rachel failed to make payments on her flat. She became homeless for some time but when she was 27, she met someone called Shelby and she changed her life for the better.

The two had been together for 3 years now and living together for 1. It was the best time in Rachel's life and whilst she was developing some confidence, she still couldn't allow anyone to hear her sing. She was still too traumatised from the whole ordeal with her ex and had never told Shelby why she was so afraid because even the thought of telling Shelby scared her.

Today was like every other day. Rachel was off from work so she made herself busy around the house whilst listening to Shelby's radio show. However, the last segment of the show where they play a new artist was coming up which meant that Rachel had to leave. She climbed into her car and turned the radio back on in the car, starting the engine and getting on her way to meet her girlfriend from her work.

As she was driving along, the segment of the show came on and the second that Rachel heard her name, she became almost still with fear and perhaps a little rage. Shelby had been recording her in secret for over a year... How? Why? Rachel was hurt and she quickly turned the volume off so that she wouldn't have to hear the lyrics to a very personal song that she had written about her ex. She hadn't even sang face to face with Shelby so why would she do this to her?! Rachel sat in the car, parked outside the building where Shelby was wrapping up her day, her mind racing with a millions thoughts and hurt feelings. She had to confront her girlfriend about this and planned to the second that Shelby came out of that building... She was hurting and it was important that she discussed that with Shelby.

You’re so talented; Trust me to have your best interest.

Shelby grew up with parents who thought she needed an actual office job tome ends meet. That is not what she wanted. She was more of a free spirit and loved music and anything that had to do with music. Not that her parents were really into that, but they knew she wasn���t going to do anything she didn’t want to do. They realize when she was very young, she walked to the beat of her own drum and that meant living life the same way. She came out at an early age and her parents were supportive, but it was something they didn’t talk about. Maybe that was another reason why Shelby was all about doing something on her own and not really letting her parents steer her in a direction she didn’t want to be in. 

She got a job offer after she went to college for a place at a radio station in Seattle. She didn’t even hesitate. She took the offer and she was in Seattle that month. She got a rundown of what she was going to do and what her show was, and she loved it. She was all about bringing new talent to light, and in with the hits that were on the radio, she was all about playing new songs. So, she knew this was a good thing for her. But she was just happy to be having a job. Seattle wasn’t always beach weather, but when it was, she made it a point to just take in the sun. That is when she met @diffidentmusicality, the woman who had her guitar on the beach and she was playing a song and singing low. Shelby thought she sounded amazing, knowing most can’t sing with just a guitar and she wanted to buy her a coffee and she complimented her. But what she didn’t expect was Rachel to walk way and not look back. She rejected her on the coffee as well. 

So Shelby, let it happen, but she couldn’t stop thinking about her. The voice she had, it had to be heard. But she knew most people didn’t want to be exposed and just played to release stress. But she took a chance and went back to the beach, where the mysterious woman was. Just her luck she was there again and this time, she sat down beside her and they started taking. Shelby invited her to coffee again and she told no. Shelby was curious why she kept saying now, but then Rachel handed her her number and that meant she had to impress her and take her to dinner. Not that Shelby had an issue with that, there was a place she has been wanting to go but never alone. From that day on, they had a deep connection and they officially called each others girlfriends after a couple of months of seeing one another. 

But the one thing that Shelby has noticed is that Rachel was still shy about her singing in front of people and not wanting others to know she can. That shocked Shelby, but Rachel would go into a bedroom, and she would close the door and sing songs on her guitar thinking no one could hear her, but little did Rachel know, Shelby heard everything and that is when she had an idea. She started an instagram page and she posted videos of Rachel singing, but no one knew who it was and they were always behind the door. They just heard the voice and the guitar. To say it went off and gathered a lot of following, it was shocking how much people took to it. That is when she had an idea and wanted to get Rachel heard by more people. 

That morning, Shelby got up before Rachel for once and she was getting ready when her girlfriend finally got up. They had a whole routine before Shelby went to work and it was the little things that she loved. They made time for one another still and it was just something that Shelby never had with someone before. She was driven to work by Rachel and saying bye. She had to get ready to on the air and be prepared for what Rachel might think with what she did. She is only doing this because she feels her girlfriend is talented and everyone needs to know about her. Everyone needs to hear the voice she hears and embrace that people will love it and people will fall in love with the voice like she had. 

Her show was going on without a hitch and it was the moment she has been waiting for. She cleared her throat just before she was back on the air. “Okay, Seattle, this is the segment where we play a new artist, that many might not know, and others may have heard. But today I think you guys are going to love this artist. So about a year ago, I started an instagram page of someone I live with. You may have seen it, the account is called Familiar Secret. Well the artist you are about to hear is Rachel Manning and this is her song Broken Heart.”

Without wasting anymore time, Shelby hit play and she went off the air and the song plated, and everyone loved it. She could tell by the calls that were coming in, but she didn’t know how this would affect the two of them, but she has been encouraging her for three years and she wanted to just help her with that little push. She just hoped Rachel would understand and not be too mad at her. But only time would tell. But right now, she was proud of the song and knew everyone in Seattle would love it as well.

[diffidentmusicality]

CHARACTER INFORMATION FOR : Rachel Elizabeth Manning.