//------------------------------//
// 1: Spice Up Your Life 
// Story: Counting Stars 
// by LunaEclipsed15 
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Rara got the message on her fourteenth birthday, a month after she had posted a video of herself singing a song she wrote to HayTube. A week after the video went viral.

Rara was sitting at her kitchen table, sitting across from Applejack with her phone in her hands. For her birthday, Applejack was sleeping over. As the two ate a breakfast of pancakes and bacon, her parents just in the other room, Rara received a Ponygram private message from an account she had never heard of.

“From: svengallopmanagment.
Hi Coloratura! I’ve seen your video online and would like to take you on as a client. I can make you a star. I know you have potential. Message me back if you’re interested.”

Rara squealed, dropping her phone onto the table. Applejack looked up, raising an eyebrow.

“What’s got ya squealin’, sugarcube?” She took another bite of her pancakes, looking from Rara to her phone laying screen up on the table.

“A manager contacted me! They want to take me on as a client!” Rara bounced up and down in her seat, her breakfast forgotten. Applejack smiled along with her.

“See? Ah knew ya could do it!” Applejack jumped out of her chair and ran around the table to hug her best friend. Rara was tearing up, she was so happy.

“I’m gonna make it big! I’ll be a star!” Rara cried, looking up at Applejack. They grabbed each other’s hands, Applejack pulling Rara out of her chair. The two girls jumped up and down, overwhelmed with joy.

“Ya sure are!” Applejack hugged her best friend, proud of her.

Rara grabbed her phone, running into the living room.

“Mom! Dad! A manager contacted me!” her voice was muffled through the walls, but she still sounded just as excited. Applejack was beyond happy for her friend.

The next morning, Rara’s parents took her to meet up with the manager who wanted to hire her on, Svengallop. She didn’t get to see much of him, but once she had signed the papers, he came out to evaluate her.

“I see potential, Coloratura. Maybe some highlights, trim your bangs, a signature accessory, and we can turn you into the biggest popstar Amareica has ever seen!”

Rara was slightly put off by hearing this guy wanted to change her appearance, but she couldn’t be happier! She was going to be a star! It was all she ever dreamed of. As they left the city side of Canterlot that day, Rara fell asleep in the backseat of her parents car, listening to the singer on the radio and imagining herself there instead.