South Coast ((Isaac Waddington Fanfic))

Chapter Two

I don't wait for anything else, I just nod to the left slowly and approach the mic. I try not to get too close though, so my shaky breathing cannot be heard.

Without anything else, I let my voice work it's way through the notes. It slides over them like velvet and curves around them as if I'm wrapping a present.

My heart rate increases as I feel myself getting even more nervous throughout. My palms sweat and my shaking is not only visible from my body but also my voice. I close my eyes and continue even though I've accepted that I'm making a fool of myself.

As I reach the end of the song, I step away from the mic slightly so I'm not heard as much. The volume of the room is making my hair stand on end which results into a thick layer of goosebumps and coldness. I shiver slightly as I hold the last note, quivering instead of using vibrato- like I practised.

The music stops and everything begins to go static. A high pitched sound is heard from the sound system causing me to pull a sour face.

I look up and the spotlight catches my eyes, blurring my vision for a couple of seconds.

Bile begins to rise at the back of my throat and I know that I'm going to projectile vomit everywhere very soon.

As the high pitched note begins to fade out, I can almost hear cheering and clapping. I take another risk and glance up again, but this time, the house lights are on and not just a spotlight. I get a full vision of the audience, some on their feet and the others sitting.

A lump grows in my throat and as much as I try to swallow, I can't. These people are clapping me...

I let out a breath and close my eyes as I laugh quietly to myself.

Wow.

My body continues to shiver and my heart doesn't slow down but somehow pumps faster. Adrenaline, I guess.

I shake my head, smiling, and bring my eyes to the judges who are on their feet clapping.

My hands run through my hair and I can't believe that this is actually happening. I pinch my arm a couple of times to make sure and every time, nothing changes... I don't even feel the pinch, I feel too numb.

The audience dies down and I stand still silently.

"Fern, that was just beautiful. You have a talent that is pure gold, you are really spectacular..." A woman's voice speaks.

I listen to the other comments but only with my ears, not with my mind. I don't take in anything they've said and I don't think I can. I can't concentrate on anything at the moment. The only thing I can think about is how I can't lose balance and topple to the floor or how I'm supposed to walk out of here without my knees wobbling so much I can't walk at all.

My mind races through the many scenarios of what is going to happen next, what I'm going to do when I get home. Things that aren't important, things that shouldn't be thought of right now.

I blink and stare back at the judges with my full attention, I think.

"That's four yeses!"

For a brief second I stand in disbelief? I dim my eyes and stare at the clapping audience and the four celebrities.

"Thank you." I say, very monotone, before exiting off the stage.

When I'm backstage, I'm handed a bottle of water and an energy bar by a emergency doctor person. She smiles at me and tells me that I'm in 'shock' and that it will soon wear off. She continues by telling me to have some sugar for the boost because otherwise I'll feel dreadful.

My attention has wandered off to somewhere else. I just keep replaying the lights and the total black when I couldn't see for what felt like minutes. I hear the high screeching sound and then the applause. I hear everything but the boy who's right in front of me.

I look up, switching my mind off momentarily.

"Hey." He says.

I smile and look to the corner where there is a empty plug socket with the switch still on.

"You were really good, yanoe, I got some competition..." He slightly laughs.

"Huh?" I quickly draw my attention back to him.

"I'm just kidding with you... Anyway, I'm off, got some celebrations to do!"

"Yeah... er, good luck?..." I say quietly.

"What? I've already done ma thang?" He responds in a confused tone.

"Oh... yeah sorry. I'm not with it..." I whisper.

"I can tell," he laughs, "so all of us will be bunking at the house thing because we got through so I was thinking that now we know each other, we can stick together?"

"What... what about the group you were with?"

"I wasn't with them, they were just... yanoe, there." He smiles, again.

"Okay." I shrug, slightly smiling.

I don't realize how uninterested I sound until it comes out my mouth and I can't help but feel sorry and angry with myself. My brain doesn't seem to understand what's happening and to be honest, none of me does. Everything feels too surreal.

"I'm Isaac by the way."

"Fern."

"I like that name, very... cute." And then he goes.

Just like that.