Talent

Ch. 11

{Chapter Eleven: Falling Up}

"Well, we're gonna have to work with the criticisms you received. So, we'll need to find a song that you can connect with, emotionally." Kristana said, pacing the recording studio floor.

"I'm thinking something about feeling amazing, because that really fits me right now." After my talk with Jordan, my confidence was much higher, and I was eager to prove myself, to show Danny that I could convey my emotions through song. I knew, finally, that I had what it took.

So, Kristana and I talked in and out, up and down, and several times around before settling on a song. It was actually great, and I felt like I'd get to really let everybody know how I was feeling.

"Too late for second guessing, too late to go back to sleep. It's time I trust my instincts, close my eyes and leap!" I sang, pushing out the notes and holding them back in the right places. Kristana had tears in her eyes as she burbled on about how proud she was of how far I'd come. Then, of course, she adjusted my posture. But that was all she corrected that day.

••••••••••

"You ready?" Jay asked, smiling and looking kinda nervous. It was performing day again, finally.

Backstage was busy, full of anxious energy, as everyone ran around making final preparations for their acts. I was a bit scared, but mostly excited.

"Of course! Are you?" I poked him in the arm, grinning brightly.

"Definitely, I'm pumped! I can't wait to go out there." He answered, shifting from foot to foot anxiously.

"I'm excited too, I get to sing a fantastic song!" I said, twirling on my foot. I was wearing grey leggings, black knit boots, a tight, black, quarter-sleeved sweater that hugged my form perfectly, and a black bow was tied like a headband in my flaming hair.

"What song are you singing?" Jay was wearing dark blue skinnys, orange Supras, a long-sleeved orange Henley-hoodie-thing, and had his hair swooping across his face like usual. He looked good, I'll admit.

"Wouldn't you love to know?" I replied mischievously, skipping over to the final make-up table. He'd just have to wait and see.

••••••••••

"This is gonna be gooooood!" Jordan whispered, rubbing her palms together. We sat in the front row of the audience. Singers would be going almost last as a category, so I'd wait till it was closer to the end before going backstage again. Dancers were up first, and I was excited to see what songs Jay and Nate picked. I was worried for them, weirdly, and I felt like a nervous power was running through my veins. Not that my worry was needed, though, because they were plenty talented.

"I know, right? I wonder what song Slut is doing..." I muttered. Jordan and I both used Slut as our code name for Andie now, because we didn't want anyone to overhear us trash talking her.

About ten minutes later, Nate was walking onstage to perform. The song 'Don't Wake Me Up' came on and he started dancing. He moved like a fluid robot of some kind, sent back to now from the future. He was amazing.

A few acts after Nate, Andie shuffled out. She was wearing black yoga booty shorts, a flow-y green top, green ballet flats, and had a green hippie-bohemian headband on her head. 'N*ggas in Paris' came on and she went into her routine. The only way I can describe the kind of dance she did is slutty-ballerina-hiphop. It was fast, smooth, and perfect. Every turn graceful yet seductive. I was angry at her greatness.

Finally, Jay headed towards center stage. The music started slowly, then launched all the way in. It was 'Let Me Love You'. Jay danced as great as Nate, better even, and with emotion. When he finished with a backflip I was with the rest of the audience; on my feet giving an energetic standing ovation. He bowed and ran offstage.

A few minutes later he came down to the audience and I ran over to hug him. Only, Andie beat me there. She tossed her hair and giggled as they embraced. I could picture Andie smirking smugly at me in my mind. I still went over and congratulated him, but he didn't notice that I didn't offer a hug. He was too busy with Andie.

I sat through the show, feeling kind of bitter, waiting for my category. When they called the singers backstage, I slipped away without a word. Waiting in line to go on, I shook off my feelings of neglectedness, and reminded myself that I was here for the music. In Jordan's words, I was a 'star'.

"Hallie Nichols, centerstage!" The crew manager announced, waving me out into the lights.

"Something has changed within me, something is not the same..." I began, feeling the music surge through me. I moved with the music, gaining power as all my confidence returned.

"...No wizard that there is or was is ever gonna bring me doowwnn! Oh whoa wooaahh!" I finished, throwing my fist in the air as the final note rang out. The audience thundered, roared, practically deafened me with it's cheering. I felt like the world was in my hands. It was wonderful.

"Well, that was fantastic. I'm so incredibly proud of the progress you made, and your performance was utterly moving. Bravo!" Katie said, clapping and wiping at her eyes.

"Astounding, really, I could feel your energy. You conveyed such power and emotion through this song, I'm amazed. Honestly, I was expecting a bit of a flop tonight, because you seemed a bit too perfect. I stand corrected, this was flawless. Congrats! You proved wrong a professional at age fourteen!" Phil evaluated, leaving me a bit breathless.

"I'm going to have to disagree with 'flawless' and 'perfect', but you are incredibly talented. I enjoyed tonight's performance. Keep up the good work." Danny said, giving me a polite smile. I waved to the audience and scurried offstage.

Waiting backstage for me was Jordan, Nate, Jay, Andie, Nick, and Mike, though Mike looked like as soon as he could he was leaving. I ran over.

"Oh, Hallie! That was sooo pretty! I'm so proud of you! What did I tell you? You're a star!" Jordan hugged me, carefully wiping tears from her eyes so as not to smudge her eyeliner. I squeezed her tight.

"I wouldn't be here if you hadn't tricked me into trying out. Kind of. Thanks for always being there." I whispered in her ear while we hugged. When she pulled away she had a smile on her face that told me I'd just made her day.

"That was epic, Hallie! Great job!" Nate burst out, fist bumping me and giving a wink. I wiggled my eyebrows in response, which caused him to laugh.

"Fantastic, Hallie, you are fantastic." Jay stated, enveloping me in his arms. He was warm.

"Nice work." Andie said shortly, picking at her nails.

"Spectacular, really, I almost cried." Nick teased, pretending to wipe away tears. Jordan punched him in the arm.

"Kidding! Good stuff, though, kid." He added. I rolled my eyes, but smiled.

"Hey, that was great and all, but I gotta dash. See ya." Mike cleared his throat and walked off. I saw Jordan stick her tongue out at his back from the corner of my eye. I stifled a laugh.

"Thanks, everyone! I saw all of your performances, except Nick's, and they were SICK! Really, you guys were so awesome." I said in return to all the kind words.

"Have you not gone yet?" I asked Nick, confused at how I hadn't seen him yet.

"No, I'm literally the last act. Crazy, right?" He replied, raising a brow.

"They save the best for last, obviously." Jordan said quietly, near his ear. I heard, though, and when she saw me looking at her she winked. I giggled.

"Party in my room, later!" Nate yelled, and we all cracked up. I didn't have a clue what tomorrow would hold, and I didn't care. I felt alive.