Scars [An Exclamation Point Fan Fiction]

PART 24

Paul and Danny are still in rehearsals after my lunch with the guys, so I go back to the studio and practice. I've done the routine a hundred times, trying to prefect it. I've finished another run of it when Paul walks in.

"Hey, it's almost show time." He says.

"Crap. What time is it?" I ask grabbing my stuff.

"Almost 5:30." He says. He takes my bag and puts an arm around my shoulder, as we walk to my room. "How's your routine coming? It looks better than the other night."

"It's good. I've finished it. I'm just running through it a lot to make sure it's perfect."

Paul kisses the top of my head. "You're going to do great." We get to my door.

"You can come in if you want. I'm just going to shower really quickly. Let me just make sure Lyndsay isn't doing anything." I walk into the room and see Lyndsay on the bed doing her make up. "Hey is it ok if Paul hangs out in here while I get ready?"

She smiles. "Yeah sure send him in I'm actually about to leave. My boyfriend Mike came in so I'm going to meet up with him before show."

I grab Paul's hand and pull him inside. "I'll be fast." I say. Lyndsay walks out the door as I jump in the shower. After I'm done I put on a tank top and some shorts and dry my hair. I put it up in a bun and walk out to the room. Paul is sitting on my bed. He looks over at me and smiles.

"What?" I say smiling back at him.

"You look really pretty without make up on." He says.

I walk over and sit on the bed next to him. "Are you nervous about tonight?" I ask laying my head on his shoulder.

He sighs and lays his head ontop of mine. "A little."

I check my phone. It's already 6:45. "Crap we gotta go. We have fifteen minutes until show starts." Paul and I run out of my room to the studio. He gets ready for the contestants performance and I wait backstage. I look at my face in the mirror, the bruise from the cup is almost gone. I hear Chris singing. Then I hear Paul's voice. As Danny starts singing Paul comes over and kisses my cheek. I blush as the cameramen catches it on live tv. The contestants make their way to the stage. A minute later I get a text from Brady.

"I saw that ;)" I laugh he must be watching the show somehow. The song ends, and everyone comes backstage, while last seasons winner sings her newest single. After a commercial, the Top 16 perform a mash up of songs together. Another break is taken, Paul and I stand together until he's called back on stage to perform a Christmas song. He and Danny sing Silent Night. After their song Mario and Khloe stand with them on stage and play the video of everyone they know supporting them, and telling them they love them. Paul and Danny come backstage as Jeff and Chris perform their songs, and see the videos. Finally it's time to see who came in third place. All three acts are on stage with their mentors.

"The act that came in third place is..." Mario says.

"Chris Retnolds from the Young Adults." Khloe says.

Chris hugs Demi and joins Mario and Khloe. A video of his time on the X Factor plays. After the video is over there's a commercial break. Paul and Danny get ready to sing with Jeff. After they get back, Jeff and the boys sing Some Nights by Fun. After the song Mario and Khloe are going to announce the winner of the X Factor. First a video plays of both of their times their. Danny and Paul's plays first. You see me, in almost every shot. I blush as it shows Paul and I hugging after one of their performances. Finally Jeff's video plays. The video ends.

"Now it's time to announce who you have chosen as the winner of the X Factor." Khloe says.

"Will it be Danny and Paul, from the group Exclamation Point? Or Jeff Styles from the Over 25's?" Mario says.

"And the winner is....." Khloe says.

"EXCLAMATION POINT!" Mario says. The boys jump up and down and hug Simon. They congratulate Jeff, before they have to sing again. When You Look Me In The Eyes starts playing. Paul and Danny sing through their tears of joy. At the end of the song everyone from the Top 16 runs out to hug the boys. Mandy takes my hand and drags me out on stage. Paul sees me come out on stage and hugs me. He holds onto me as they continue singing. After the show's over a bunch of us go out for a celebratory dinner. We go to a dance club. Paul and I go dance when a slow song is played. Paul pulls me close to him, and we sway in circles. I look him in the eyes and put one hand on his neck.

"I'm so proud of you guys." I say smiling at him. "I knew you could do it."

Paul smiles at me, and kisses me. "Now it's your turn to prove I'm right, and get into that dance school."

I smile again. "Oh I plan on it." I lay my head on his chest. We get interrupted a few times by some fans wanting pictures and autographs. I get a couple of dirty looks, but no one says anything to me. After a while everyone leaves. I say goodnight to Paul and go to my room to start packing.