"She was the queen.."

Chapter 3

Nika - After signing a contract with the organizers of the contest, I officially became a part of the competition. It was hard to believe, but for once, I was being brave. I've always played it safe in life, but this time, things were different. I felt ready, even though I may not be on the same level as my mom, I knew I had the determination and ambition to improve myself every day. I wasn't just doing this for my mom, but also for myself. I wanted to prove that I was worth it.

Celine - Hey, are you alright?

Nika - Oh, sorry. Yes, I was just lost in thought. This might be one of the best decisions I've ever made. (Celine and Dad had come with me to the auditions for support, so I wouldn't be alone.)

Celine - We're proud of you, and everything will work out.

Nika - What if I fail, though?

Dad - Don't think like that, just go out there and show them what you've got.

Nika - (I hadn't rehearsed at all, but they didn't know that. I felt unprepared and didn't even know what song I would perform. I felt like a fool. I was doomed!)

The stress was mounting as Tatiana walked out of the audition with a smirk, but her expression changed when she saw Nika.

Tatiana - What are you doing here?

Nika - I'm here to audition, idiot. Are you intimidated?

Tatiana - Me, intimidated? That's amusing. I just wanted to wish you good luck. The judges seem impressed by my skills, so they have high expectations now.

Nika - (Her words only added to my stress, but I tried to hide it.) Thank you, but I'll be just fine.

Tatiana - Just make sure they choose you for your talent, not your last name. It would be sad if they only wanted you as someone's shadow.

Tatiana's words hit a nerve, causing Nika's confidence to waver, but Celine stepped in.

Celine - You're too confident for someone whose mom relied on ghostwriters for her career. There's nothing to be proud of. Now, walk away.

Tatiana left without a word, leaving Nika feeling shaken.

Celine - Don't listen to her.

A bodyguard holding a document in his hand walked out of the door.

"Candidate number 24?"

Nika - It's me.

"Follow me."

Nika entered the room and the bodyguard closed the door. The room was the size of a high school gym, with a stage in the middle and three jurors seated in front of it. She stepped onto the stage.

Juror 1 - Hello, are you Nika Maraj?

Nika - Yes, that's me.

Juror 1 - Perfect, each of us will ask you one question.

Nika - Of course. (I'm scared.)

Juror 1 - Question one, what motivated you to come here?

Nika - Um.. My father encouraged me to give it a try. He said that I have potential.

Juror 2 - Question, since when have you been listening to rap music?

Nika - I'm.. uh.. actually.. I don't.. uh.

The jurors exchanged puzzled looks.

Juror 2 - You don't listen to rap music?

Nika - Y.. yes! I do, it's just not the only genre I listen to.

The jurors appeared unconvinced.

Juror 3 - Last question, do you write your own raps?

Nika - (Shit, I've never written a verse in my life. I have to lie.) Yes, I do.

Juror 1 - Perfect, can you please take the mic and perform a rap verse you wrote.

At that moment, Nika's legs started shaking. She didn't know what to do since she had never written anything.

Nika - Um, I.. I didn't know I had to perform one of my verses, so I prepared a song. Can I do this one instead?

The jurors once again exchanged looks, feeling awkward.

Juror 1 - I guess...?

Nika closed her eyes to think of a song, then opened her eyes and started rapping. She chose to rap "How Low" by Ludacris, a song she had heard her dad play for years, so she knew the words. She did fairly well, stopping occasionally because she had forgotten some lyrics, but overall it was decent. When she finished, the jurors nodded their heads.

Juror - Alright, thank you. We'll call you tomorrow.

The bodyguard escorted her to the door and closed it behind her. All the stress Nika had been feeling disappeared.

Celine - How was it?

Nika - I messed up.

Her dad opened his arms and Nika hugged him.

Nika - (Worst experience of my life...)