Scars [An Exclamation Point Fan Fiction]

PART 21

The next day is eliminations. All four acts are lined up on stage with their mentors. Khloe Kardashian and Mario Lopez, the hosts walk out.

"It's time to see which three acts are moving on to next week's finale." Mario says. "In no particular order the first act through is...."

"Chris Reynolds from the Young Adults!" Khloe says. Demi jumps up and down, and hugs Chris. They both walk to the other side of the stage.

"The next act through to next week is...... Jeff Styles from the Over 25's!" Mario says. Jeff hugs his mentor and they join Demi and Chris.

"Ok Danny and Paul, Mandy come over here and join us please." Khloe says. "One of these acts is safe, the other is going home."

"Will it be Mandy Thompson from the Teens, or Danny Edge and Paul Zimmer from Exclamation Point?" Mario says.

"And now the last act going through to next weeks finale, is......"What seems like hours passes before Khloe finally says, "Exclamation Point from the Groups category!" Danny and Paul's moths fall open. They hug Mandy and whisper something into her ear. Before joining the other contestants. Everyone says goodbye to Mandy, and a video of her time on the X Factor plays. Paul meets up with me backstage after.

"Hey I'm sorry I didn't come see you after our performance last night, I was so exhausted." Paul says hugging me.

"Don't be I understand. Plus you look adorable when you're sleeping." I say biting my lip.

"Adorable? Really?" He says laughing.

"Yea, almost baby penguin like." I say laughing.

"Gee thanks." He says sarcastically.

I reach up and kiss him. "I'm kidding. Danny and I talked a little bit while you slept though."

"Yea he told me about you going to court next month."

"Yeah but that's not all." I bite my lip again. I wrap my arms around his neck, and he puts his hands around my back. "He told me about when we first met, afer you fixed my car, how you were so obsessed with me."

He leans his head back. "Dammit Danny." He says.

I giggle and lay my head on his chest. "Don't worry he didn't say anything else."

"Good I didn't want to have to kill him before the show next week."

Paul and I walk back to my room, when we see a letter outside the door. It's addressed to me.

"Who's it from?" Paul asks as I pick it up.

"I don't know. All it says is EDGE.." I start opening it.

I start reading the letter inside.

"Dear Nicole Garner,

You have been selected to participate in an audition to join EDGE Dance Academy in Los Angeles. A video of you dancing for the X Factor, and in your hometown have been sent to us. We think you have tremendous talent, and encourage you to participate. Thousands have applied, we've chosen fifty to audition and at the end of January we will pick five. We hope to see you there. Auditions begin Saturday January 2nd, and there will be an auidtion every Saturday until the 30th. Have a two-two and a half minute piece ready to be performed."

I look up at Paul. "What is it?" He asks.

"I have an audition at a dance school in LA." I say. "Someone sent in videos of me, and they loved it."

Paul smiles at me and spins me around. He puts me down. "That's so awesome! Who do you think sent in the videos?"

"You didn't?" I ask.

"No, and I don't think Danny did."

"I'll find out eventually. Now I just need to plan out a routine." I say smiling.

Paul kisses me. "Don't work too hard." He says. "I'll see you tomorrow. Good night."

I kiss him. "Night." I say smiling at him.

Since Mandy was the last Teen eliminated I don't have a group to dance for. While Paul and Danny rehearse for the busy week, I find a place in the studio to come up with a routine. I pick the song Say Something by Austin Mahone. On Tuesday Paul comes and finds me in the middle of dancing. I try a leap, and I end up falling to my knees. I lay with my head on the floor in my hands for a second, before I slam my hand on the floor and yell, "Damn it!" I look up and see Paul standing in the doorway with his arms crossed. He walks towards me.

"What are you doing here?" I ask breathlessly.

"I came to see if you wanted to go eat with Danny and I. It's almost eight o'clock."

"Seriously.. I've been here since two."

"How's it going?" He asks putting an arm around my shoulder.

"I think you just saw how it's going." I say harshly. Paul pulls his arm back. "Paul, I'm sorry." I cover my face with my hands. "I didn't mean to snap at you. I'm just stressed by this stupid routine, and the court date's coming up. You're probably stressed too, and didn't deserve that. I'm just so overwh-" I'm cut off by Paul's lips pressing against mine. I drop my jacket and put my arms around him, kissing back.

Paul pulls away and puts his hands on my cheeks. "Better?" He asks.

I smile. "Much better. I really am sorry tho-" Paul puts his hand on my mouth.

"Stop apologizing or I'll tape your mouth shut." He says.

I nod my head and smile. I lick his hand to make him move it.

"You're gross." He says moving his hand. He looks at me. "I'm going to get you for that!"

"Don't even." I say backing away. I turn to run, and he chases after me around the room. He catches me and tries to tickle me. I slide out of his arms and lay on the floor laughing. Paul lays down on top of me, holding my hands above my head. He gets really close and kisses my lips. Then quickly licks my face.

"EEEW!!" I squeal. "You're so gross!"

"So you'll let me kiss you, but not lick you?" He asks.

"Yes!" I say.

"You're weird." He says, before kissing me again. He lets go of my hands and puts his hands on my waist. I run my fingers through his hair.

"Are we interuping something?" A voice says. Paul rolls off of me, and I see Danny and Chris standing in the doorway. I blush and start to stand up.

"No that's ok, go back to what you're doing." Chris says winking at Paul, who's turned as red as I am.

After I take a quick shower the four of go eat Chinese food. The guys sign a few autographs. A couple girls come up to us as we're leaving and get Paul and Danny's autograph. They whisper something to each other, then look at me.

"You're Nikki right?" The one with red hair says.

"Yeah I am." I say.

She takes the straw out of her drink and looks at me. "Go die." She says as she throws the cup at my face. The cup hits me right in the face. I stumble backward, but Chris catches me. The drink splashes down the front of my dress, and smears my make up. The two girls laugh, as tears stream down my face. I take off my heels andrun out of the restaurant. I run to a nearby empty park, and throw my heels down. I wipe the mess off my face, as I sit down and sob. I look into my bag, and see my spare razor I kept just incase. I'm about to cut, when Paul runs up to me.

"Nikki stop!" He yells.