Chasing Stars (Daniel Seavey)

California

Today, the contestants were going to California!!! "Hey Jax! Wake up! We leave at 8!!" Payton shakes Jax from her nap. "10 more minutes?" Jax asks. "Fine you big baby." Payton laughs. Payton looks at her phone and sees she has a text from Daniel. "Late dinner in an hour?" Payton reads and smiles. "Sure!! Pick me up at 6" Payton smiles and sends the text. Payton gets dressed and gets ready before Daniel comes over. "Jax! Wake up!!!" Payton pushes Jax off the bed. "Ow!" Jax hits the ground. "I'm going to dinner with Daniel. We leave at 8." Payton laughs. "It's too late!!!!" Jax complains. "Hey, I don't make the rules." Payton says. Payton hears a knock on the door and she goes over and opens it. "Hey Danny!" Payton smiles. "Hey sunshine!" Daniel kisses Payton on the cheek. "Hey Jax! I'll be back in an hour!" Payton looks at Jax who fell asleep on the floor. "Alright then." Payton laughs. "Well, I'm hungry!" Payton says closing the door. "What do you think they are serving today?" Daniel asks. "I'm not sure, I'm in a pancake mood." Payton laughs. "Well, there's an iHop just across the street. We could go there." Daniel points to the iHop. "Yes I'd love to!" Payton smiles. Daniel takes Payton's hand and they walk to iHop. "So, are you gonna sing with a guitar?" Payton asks. "Nah not this week. I'm using the guitar you have me for special songs." Daniel smiles taking a bit of his food. "Daniel.." Payton looks at Daniel. "I'm serious. It's that special to me." Daniel smiles. "I'm just glad you like it." Payton smiles. "Are you kidding me? I love it!" Daniel says. "Every time I look at it, I think of you. Special." Daniel smiles and leans over to the other side and kissed Payton. "I can't believe this is happening." Payton says. "What?" Daniel asks. "That I'm here living my dreams with the perfect guy." Payton explains. "Hey, I'm not perfect." Daniel laughs. "Danny, I'm just trying to say is that I'm here with a great guy and I'm doing what I love at the same time." Payton smiles. "And I don't see how you find me cute." Payton laughs. "Listening to you lieeeesss!" Daniel rolls his eyes and Payton laughs. "Come on, you're the best thing that has ever happened. I mean, yea we are only 15 but age is just a number." Daniel says. "I really like you and I really love being on this show with you." Daniel smiles. "Even if we are competing against each other?" Payton asks. "No matter what, you'll always be in my mind." Daniel smiles and blushes. "Well uhh I think we should get back." Payton says. "Alright." Daniel says getting up and pay for the food. The couple walk back hand in hand to hotel and meet with the other contestants. They pack their stuff and they all get in a limo to the airport.
"Cali here we come!" Payton captioned a picture with Daniel posted it. They arrived at the airport and got on their 3 or 4 hour flight from Detroit to California. Of course, Payton and Daniel sat next to each other. They watched Empire episodes together and listened to music together. Daniel fell asleep on Payton shoulder so Payton took out her phone and took a picture of him. When they arrived in California, it was 10 pm pacific time so it was late. They landed and got off the plane. They went to their hotel and they were all tired. This time, Payton roomed with Maddie and Adanna.
*****
The next day was when the contestants check out the stage and rehearse and also that the judges and Ryan have a little surprise for the contestants. Payton woke up and saw Daniel next to her. (Don't worry they didn't do anything 😂) "Danny?" Payton looks up. "Hey sleeping beauty." Daniel smiles looking down at Payton. "What are you doing here?" Payton laughs. "Just wanted to be next to you when you wake up." Daniel smiles. "Ewwww. No! I look horrible!" Payton hides her face with a pillow. "No! I wanna see your beautiful face." Daniel moves the pillow. "You look fine." Daniel smiles. "I think this your first time seeing me without any makeup." Payton sits up. "And that's what makes you more beautiful. Showing your imperfections is what's make me fall in love with you over again." Daniel smiles. "Well aren't you cheesy!" Payton laughs and sits up. "I'm telling the truth." Daniel smiles. Payton smiles and and leans over and kisses Daniel. "Speaking of cheese, I got you a grilled cheese sandwich." Daniel points to the table next to the window. "Yay! My favorite!" Payton claps and sits down. "So what do you think the surprise is gonna be?" Daniel asks sitting next to Payton. "I have nooo idea but I'm excited." Payton smiles taking a bite out of her food. The rest of the morning, Payton and Daniel sit down next to the window and talk. "Breakfast date 🐱" Daniel posted a picture of Payton looking out the window. "Oh my gosh, did you see the video Lovey posted??" Payton asks. "Oh yea! It was cute." Daniel smiles. "But that reaction though." Payton laughs and Daniel smiles. "When's the concert again?" Payton asks looking at her tickets. "Next Friday I believe" Daniel answers. "Yep! Can't wait." Payton smiles. "Oh Pay! I forgot to ask, where were you the other night on Motown week?" Daniel asks. "Oh yea. Ok, don't mad me though." Payton looks at Daniel. "I would never be mad at you." Daniel takes Payton's hand. "Ok well..I snuck out to say bye to Trevor." Payton says. "And why would I be mad at that?!" Daniel laughs. "Well, it's just the feeling of sneaking out to see another boy...it felt wrong." Payton says. "Trevor is your best friend. I trust Trevor. I'm not mad about that. I understand." Daniel smiles. "Thanks Danny." Payton smiles. "K, well I should get ready. I'll meet you downstairs." Payton says standing up. "Alright, later love." Daniel stands up and hugs Payton. Daniel leaves and Payton gets ready and meets up with everyone and they head to the stage. "Wow..this is so cool!" JAX says an awe looking at the stage. Can't wait to perform on this baby!" Qaasim says jumping up on stage. "Hey everyone!!!" Ryan and the judges run out on stage. "Hey!!!" Everyone says walking towards Ryan. "Ok guys, we some exciting news." Ryan smiles. "So who watches Empire?" Daniel, Payton and almost half of everyone else raises their hand. "Great because....Jussie and Yazz will be performing next week on Wednesday and you guys get to meet them." Keith says smiling. Everyone looks at Daniel and Payton because they know that they are the biggest Empire fans out of all the contestants. Payton jumps up and down and hugs Daniel and they were so excited "So the other news..." Harry starts to say. "For party week next week, us judges were talking about how America will vote this week for a boy and a girl to perform together." Harry says. "How does that sound?" Harry asks. Payton and Daniel laughs because harry knows that everyone would vote for them together. "That sounds great!" Alexis says raising her eyebrows at the couple. "Great! We'll get rehearsing today and tomorrow, then Monday is performing night." Ryan says leaving the stage along with the judges. "Danny.....we are gonna meet Yazz and Jussie!!!!!" Payton smiles jumping up and down. "I know!!! It's awesome! Let's just hope we can make it through this week." Daniel tells Payton and hugs her. The rest of the weekend, everyone rehearses their songs with Scott.
********
It was Monday and everyone was performing their songs. "Hey Payton!" Jax walks in the dressing room. "Oh..hey!" Payton turns to Jax. "Hey I forgot to ask, where were you on the night of Motown week before we went on?" Jax asks. "Oh, I snuck out to say bye to Trevor." Payton answers. "Wow rebel!" Jax laughs. "Yea...he's my best friend and I don't know, I'll miss him." Payton says. "And Daniels not mad?" Jax asks. "Nope! He completely understands." Payton smiles. "Cool! We'll show starts in 10 minutes, I'll see ya later." Jax stands up. "K good luck!" Payton smiles. Payton finishes getting ready and meets up with Daniel at the seats. "Hey danny!" Payton smiles and hugs Daniel. "Hey! I saved ya a spot." Daniel says sitting down. A little before the show, everyone just hung out and talked and then the show started.
"Welcome to American Idol!!" Ryan says. "Tonight, we find out the top 12 and they will be performing for your votes tonight. Also Jussie Smollett and Yazz The Greatest from Empire will be performing live next week on our 2 hour special ." Ryan announces. "And now would you judges like to another special announcement?" Ryan points over to the judges in front of him. "Of course Ryan!" Harry starts to say. "Now, not only you will be voting tonight for who makes it through next week, but you will also vote one of our boy contestants and one of our girl contestants to sing together." Harry smiles. "That's right so, you vote and next week the two would be revealed." Keith adds in. "Thank you! That's right so vote tonight and we'll see who sings." Ryan says. "Now, tonight these wonderful contestants will see who will make it to the top 12." Ryan says and starts calling the contestants they make it through.
"Now the next person that will be in the top 12 is......." Ryan says with a paused "Payton Vaughns." Ryan announces. Everyone cheers and claps and Payton sits there in shock. She stands up, hugs Daniel and goes up on stage.
The music starts and Payton starts singing The Weight. She finishes and everyone cheers. "Payton Vaughns!" Keith says. "Hi!" Payton laughs. "That was an amazing performance and that song was very emotional and I loved how you expressed that! It was fantastic!" Keith smiles. "Thank you!" Payton says smiling. "You do have a powerful voice and your guitar playing was very nice but I felt like, it was to distracting." JLo says. "Yea." Payton nods. "So if you focus a little bit more on your voice and not the guitar, you will do even more great." JLo smiles. "Thank you." Payton says and looks and Harry's and laughs. "Hello!" Harry smiles and Payton laughs. "I think your performance was good, it's just, again, the guitar. You're a great guitar player but your voice is kinda hiding behind the sound of that. You know what I mean?" Harry asks. "Yea." Payton says. "But overall, you did great!" Harry smiles. "Thank you!" Payton smiles and Ryan comes out. "Congratulations Payton, you can head backstage with the others." Ryan motions her. "Thank you!!!!" Payton smiles and the crowd cheers. "You can vote for Payton by texting, calling and on the American idol page. And don't forget to vote for her if you want her to perform with one of our boy contestants." Ryan says. "Moving on to see who get through is......" Ryan's starts to say. "Daniel Seavey." Ryan announces. Everyone claps and cheers and Daniel walks up to the stage. The music starts and starts to sing Straight Up. He messed up a little bit but he continued like a pro. He finishes and everyone claps. "So Daniel...." Harry starts to say. "The first couple of times that we saw you, uh you were very very impressive but I'm gonna be honest with you, you're young, you inexperienced and I think compared to what we saw before, the performance is hasn't been strong of late and as cute as you are, you're inexperienced is really showing man." Harry explains. "I think, I just think..." Keith starts to say. "I just think it would be better if you find an emotional song, you'll kill it." Keith says and JLo agrees. "Thank you." Daniel smiles. Ryan goes out on stage and Daniel goes backstage. "Yay Danny! You made it!!!" Payton hugs Daniel. "That was bad." Daniel says. "Shut up! You were amazing!" Payton tells him. "I messed up!" Daniel says. "Hey, it's okay. It happens. You were just nervous." Payton comforts Daniel. "Thanks Pay." Daniel smiles and kisses her on the cheek. The rest of the top 12 were announced. Adam, Alexis, Mark and Loren. Everyone went backstage and met up with the contestant leaving. "Not another best friend leaving?!?!" Payton whines to Adam. "I'm sorry Payton. Trust me, there will be more of me." Adam hugs Payton. "I'm gonna miss you Adam!" Payton smiles. "I will too! You have a party to get to." Adam says. "It won't be the same without you." Payton smiles. "It's alright." Adam smiles. "I got to get going. I'll talk to you later." Adam hugs Payton one last time. "Bye Adam!" Payton waves. Adam waves back and smiles. "Payton met up with Jax and Maddie and they walked to the "American Idol Carpet." And took pictures and interviews. "Hey Payton!" Daniel calls for Payton attention. "Hey Danny!" Payton turns around and hugs him. "Hey, do you wanna go takes some pics?" Daniel asks pointing to the photographers in front of the carpet. "Sure! Why not?" Payton smiles. She takes Daniel's hand and they walk to the carpet and automatically get the photographers attention. "PAYTON! DANIEL! OVER HERE!?" The photographers yell over and over. Daniel and Payton smiles snd pose together. Daniel kisses Payton on the cheek for a picture. They all finish the party and head back to the hotel.