Extraordinary

Chapter 66: Auditioning

Lola's P.O.V.

The room that I was walking into wasn't what I expected. It's much plainer and very off-white. That's the color all the walls were painted, a few gray streaks here and there and one large poster advertising the next season of the X Factor on the wall. I take a deep breath as I turn to face the judges, only I don't see them. There's a red curtain hooked up on each side of the small room to prevent us from seeing each other. The tightness in my chest started to loosen and I begin to relax. I can do this; it's going to be fine. I sing thirty seconds of a song and I'm done. I didn't expect it to be a blind audition though.

"Miss Mulundi is it?" A deep voice of a man calls behind the curtain.

"Yes sir," I reply back. So far so good.

"Please state your full name, your age, where you're from, and your current occupation," I take a small breath before I answer this one.

"My name is Lola Alicia Mulundi, I'm 21 years old from London and I'm currently an assistant football coach," I'm supposing they just need clarification; they probably have my application right in front of them on a desk.

"Please sing the first verse and chorus of your selected piece," The same voice directs me. The first verse? I haven't rehearsed the first verse as much as I have rehearsed the chorus. That can't be right. I can't do it. I'm not ready.

"Whenever you're ready Miss Mulundi," The same deep voice asks. I can't keep the judges waiting. I let out a deep breath and take in another one as I sing the first verse. Luckily, I've listened to the song long enough to remember all the lyrics forwards and backwards, but this sort of caught me off guard. I felt pretty proud when I made it to the chorus, hitting ever note and dynamic that would hopefully get me to the next stage. When I finished, I let out another shaky sigh as silence began to fill the room. There were a few scratches of a pen on paper before the voice directed me again.

"Thank you Miss Mulundi, please exit through the door on your left, your results will be delivered in the next two weeks by email or call. We appreciate your contribution to the next season of the X Factor,"

"Thank you," I say quietly, leaving through the directed door. I thought this would me right back outside, perhaps down the walk of shame down a white hallway and out another door for which Louis and Chloe will be waiting for me either with glares, small smiles, and open arms. I wasn't really excited to see either of them after our last bit of arguing with each other, especially with Louis. I didn't expect us to be talking the whole way back anyways; I'll take the time to call Pat and mum up to tell them about it.

But instead, I walked into another room that reminded me of a waiting room, except there wasn't a receptionist desk or area, only the chairs that were filled with nervous adults just like me, all about my age. I didn't meet eyes with anyone as I took my seat, tapping my fingernails on the arm chair. No one was talking, everyone was closing their eyes and probably visualizing the experience or looking down at their hands in their laps. I start to fiddle with my wing necklace, trying to think of anything to say to Louis.

Apologize? No, I have nothing to be sorry for, he does. I could end up bursting into tears for all I know, or I could simply walk by the both of them all the way to the car and give them both the silent treatment. This wasn't how I pictured this experience at all; I expected it to be more fun. But the standing and waiting for four hours sort of drained us all of any our energy and perkiness.

"You look familiar," Someone says next to me. I turn over to where the voice came from. It was a girl around my age, sitting right next to me in the same uncomfortable black chair. She was on the heavier side, with dirty blonde hair a little lighter than mine that hung loose on her shoulders. She wore a leather jacket with a green cami underneath that looked way too tight along with skinny jeans and uggs.

"I sort of get that," I smile at her and hold my hand out. "Lola Mulundi," She hesitantly shakes it and gives me a small smile.

"That sounds familiar too, are you returning?" She lowers her voice to keep quiet. I shake my head.

"No, this is my first time doing this," I answer. "Are you?"

"No," She returns. "I'm Sarah by the way,"

"Nice to meet you," I say. "How long have you been waiting here?"

"I came in here a little before you did, apparently we wait about five minutes or so before they start taking people," She explains.

"So...Is this like the second stage or something?"

"Second and final, this is the higher producers and executives of the show who make the real decision to whether or not you get to be on the show," I nod in understanding.

"And then we're done?"

"Yeah, until we hear anything back about it," She answers. I nod again, letting out a small sigh. I just wanted this to be over and done with, and they just now let the first person in. It would take about a minute each, and there were about ten of us here. No one entered after me, so I must be the last for this round of people.

Sarah and I didn't talk anymore after her quick explanations of the show. I had to wonder what she sounded like when she was singing. She must be really good or they put her here for pure entertainment for the show or she was a good singer. One or the other, maybe both. She seemed like an interesting person and didn't seem to question anymore how I looked familiar to her.

It all went by too fast. Sarah was soon heading in and saying goodbye to me as she headed out the door, and I was the only one left in the room. I stood up and walked around, pacing in small circles as I sang the song in my head, humming on occasion. I couldn't sit still anymore. There was a rock in my stomach that made me feel like I was going to puke and all I wanted was to get through this final audition alive.

"Lola Mulundi," My name was called over the speaker and I heard the door unlock again. I didn't hesitate to make my way through and I was greeted with another room that looked exactly like the other one. All in all, I ended up doing the same exact thing all over again, repeat everything of your personal information, sing the first verse and chorus, thanks for coming, and I was again sent out another door.

This was ultimately it. I was greeted with a very long hallway that looked like something that someone would sprint down in an airport, trying to catch their flight. I took my time as I started walking, a million thoughts drifting through my head. Both of my auditions sounded good to me, but how did they sound to the judges? They didn't even know what I looked like; they only know the sound of my voice. So that was all I really could think about, whether or not me and my voice are worthy to be on the show.

********************

Right when I opened the door at the end of the hallway, I was greeted by a cool breeze and a darkening sky. It must've been around the evening time, but I'm not exactly sure. I haven't kept track at the time at all. I walked out onto silver concrete and into a resting area, full of other people greeting their loved ones after auditioning. I could see some were crying, some were excitedly talking, and others just stuck in timeless embraces. I felt like I was in one of those military coming home videos, but this wasn't as serious.

It only took me around five minutes to locate Chloe and Louis, standing behind a silver gate in front of many other people waiting for their friends. Chloe waved excitedly at me while Louis gave me a small and assuring smile.

"Hi! Oh my gosh we've been waiting forever for you," Chloe exclaimed when I walked up to them. I pursed my lips at her.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, it was a pretty long process and all," I say and look over at Louis. He glances down at the ground.

"Well I'm sure you'd love to tell about it, so let's get home, yeah?" She looks at both of us. Louis and I nod as they make their way out of the gated portion and I meet them at the end. I definitely did not want to talk about it. Honestly, I was ready to pass out any minute. But my anger over Louis' thoughts about me auditioning kept me wide awake. I could barely look at him as we walked all the way back to the car.

A.N: I am so sorry for making you guys wait so long for this! I am really trying to get back into my writing spirit, and sometimes it just gets too hard to. But don't worry, I am determined to keep going with this story. -CookieKrumm