Love at the X Factor (on hold) :(

Chapter 1

"Mom, can I talk to you?" I said, a hint of fear rang clear in my voice as I was unsure how to ease my idea into the conversation and make it clear how much I wanted to do this. My mom was always for what I wanted to do, but my stepdad was always more "realistic". And knowing him, he would probably diss my whole plan.

"Of course, Bella! Me and John are in the kitchen." I groaned internally as I stomped into the kitchen and sat myself at the bar as my mom tended to dinner while John flipped through a sports magazine.

"Whatcha need, kiddo?" John paused his reading to rustle my hair. I smiled slightly, even though I was nowhere near "kiddo" status. I was going to be 17 in less than a month and he continued to treat me as a ten year old. Eh, everyone needs a little bit of child treatment right?

"I wanted to ask you guys if I could audition for X Factor." My mom's head rocketed up, her hazel eyes shining. John, on the other hand, looked rather unamused.

"That would be great!" My mom cooed, rushing to wash the chicken grease off her hands so she could hug me. I smiled and turned to John.

"Now, that isn't very realistic. You becoming famous off of that." He gave me a pointed look as I fought the urge to roll my eyes. "I mean, you're very talented, but what are the odds of anything happening with this?" I just stared at him.

"Oh hush, John. Look in her big brown eyes and tell me you can't see that confidence and spirit?" My mom said, making me blush. "She has a shot, now let her take it." John sighed loudly and turned to look at me. I pouted my lip and batted my eyelashes. He chuckled.

"Fine, fine. You can audition." Those words sent me into a jumping fit.

"Thank you!" I yelled, hugging him and my mom both.

"No problem." He smiled at me.

"The auditions are in March and the closest one to us is in Los Angeles." I said, tearing the sheet I printed off out of my pocket. My mom gave me a look and laughed. I smirked.

"That's one month away." My mom said as she and John read over the flyer. "You better get to practicing."

"I'll do that now." I grinned, turning to run upstairs to my room as the doorbell rang.

"You might wanna answer that. It's a present for you." John yelled, making me stop in my tracks.

"A present?" I muttered to myself as I opened the door to a familiar blue eyed, dark haired boy. "Blake!" I shrieked as I hugged my big stepbrother.

"Hey, Bells." His chest shook under me as he laughed.

"I thought you were still in Texas." I said, making a reference to the fact that after our family made the big move to Arizona, he stayed behind in Texas to live with his girlfriend. Insert eye roll here. Sure, he was nearly 20 and could make his own decisions, but couldn't he choose a girlfriend who isn't a major bitch?

"Me and Shay broke up." He said solemnly, as I let him go. I did a happy dance in my brain, but frowned on the outside.

"Sorry, bro."

"Don't even. I know you hated her." He laughed as he ditched his bag in the guest room.

"Wait, I wanna tell you something!" I grabbed his arm and dragged him up to my room.

"I mean, I didn't wanna see Dad or Angie or anything." He laughed. It felt weird hearing him saying my mom's name. Probably as weird as it was for him when I said John.

"Oh, just come on!" I pushed him into my room.

"I thought you got over that boyband last year." Blake said, making eye contact with one of my One Direction posters. I blushed.