Losing Hope

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I wander out of my bedroom wearing a pair of dark jeans, a grey patterned top and a leather jacket, my boots tapping against the tiles. My hair is pulled back in a messy ponytail, held up by a clip. I grip my clutch in both hands as I walk swiftly into the kitchen.

My tinted lips pull up into a small smile when Jennie lays eyes on me. But that smile soon disappears when she opens her mouth to speak.

"You look like a slut in that jacket," she sneers, screwing up her face as though a terrible smell had found its way into her nose.

I sigh quietly and look down at my boots, suddenly wishing I was anywhere but here.

Why did my Dad have to marry this... Devil.

Speaking of him, he stalks into the room and takes one look at me before letting out a single laugh. "You really think you're leaving the house in that?" He asks rhetorically.

I shrug in response, not wanting to start an argument.

"Whatever, get in the fucking car," he snaps, storming out of the room again and back towards his bedroom.

I sigh sadly, feeling defeated, as I wander outside into the darkness and climb into the backseat of the car, regretting ever signing up for this stupid concert.

"I don't know why you bother doing these stupid things. You can't sing anyway," Jennie mutters as she climbs into the passenger seat.

Dad climbs into the driver's set, starts the car and soon, we're speeding down the wet streets towards the school.

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I hurry up the stairs outside the school in the rain, dashing madly towards the Performance Centre, where a few other people were heading.

I scan the room and my eyes firstly land upon Ellie, who's standing awkwardly with her mum. I practically jump on her, hugging her tightly.

"Hey! You look great!" She exclaims excitedly, looking me up and down.

I blush slightly. "Thanks," I murmur.

I follow her and her mum over to their seats and talk to them for a bit, before Lucy-Rose and her mum (my adopted mother) wander inside and I run over to them, hugging them both tightly.

"Bet your Dad was pleased with that outfit," Lucy-Rose teases as she hugs me back.

I laugh, remembering the comments I got earlier. I shake those thoughts away and focus on the present. She smiles broadly at me before I lead her over the the stairs where I was previously sitting.

Soon, John, Darcy, Percy, and a few other friends arrive and I hurry to greet them all, hugging them all in turn before wandering over to my spot again, John following in suit.

The lights dim and a performance begins, the crowd falls silent as we all watch and listen. When the performance ends, everyone breaks into applause. A few more performances pass before my music teacher announces my first performance.

I lock eyes with Vanessa, the girl I'm singing with and we make our way to the stage. My teacher hands me a microphone, and that's when I realise how badly I'm shaking. I laugh quietly and look at Ness, and she laughs also.

"You ready?" She whispers.

I shrug. "If I have to be," I murmur in response.

And with that, she nods her head at the teacher, who strums the first chords of our chosen song. I take a shaky breath and let it out slowly, moving the microphone closer to my mouth to start singing.

"Picture perfect memories, scattered all around the floor. Reaching for the phone 'cause I can't fight it anymore... And I wonder if I ever cross your mind... For me, it happens all the time..."

Vanessa joins me for the chorus and then sings her verse, before we sing the chorus together again before finishing.

The crowd applauded loudly and a few woots erupt from John (I think). Shakily, I hand the microphone back to the teacher and hurry off the stage.

I'm stopped on my way back to my spot as Ellie wraps her arms around me.

"Holy god! That was amazing!" She exclaims, giving me a surprised smile. I smile in return and stumble clumsily to my spot.

"That was beautiful," John whispers as I flop down behind him. Lucy-Rose pulls me tightly to her and squeezes my shoulders affectionately.

"You did great!" She cries happily, smiling broadly at me when she pulls away.

"Thanks, I mumble quietly, trying to stop myself shaking.

"Hey, you alright?" John asks, cornerback laced through his words. I nod, leaning against the wall behind me and closing my eyes and trying to settle my breathing.

"Calm down, you were awesome," he says as he hugs me, rubbing my arm comfortingly.

I smile to myself and slowly, I calm myself down enough to enjoy the rest of the concert.

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My phone vibrates in my clutch and I fumble blindly around for the zipper, unzipping it and taking out my phone. A message from my father flashes on the screen. With a sigh, I unlock my phone and read it.

Outside. Hurry up.

A frown tugs my lips downwards and I lock my phone again, shoving it angrily into my clutch again and zipping it up.

"You alright?" John asks, looking at me with a curious expression.

"Dad's here," I mutter.

"Already?!" He asks, shocked.

I nod my head and hurry to hug Ellie and Darcy goodbye, before wandering back to John and hugging him as well.

"You were beautiful tonight," he murmurs in my ear before we pull away and he gives me a little shove in the direction of the door. "You better go before you get into trouble..."

I sigh heavily and wander to the door, turning to look back one last time before slipping out into the cold rain.

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A/N: hiya guys.

So, last week was my performance, and I wrote this update the night of it when I got home and I was supposed to be asleep. It went well (sorta). I sucked though.

The song in the media section is the song that "Vanessa" and I performed by the way.

But anyway. How was this chapter?

Hope you guys are enjoying this story.

Stay amazing
~ Leesha