Rise To Stardom

Epilogue

Epilogue

You've made it this far.

Even if you lose, you're going to be okay.

I kept repeating those sentences like a mantra in my head until I believed it. Silence permeated the air. So much so that you could hear a pin drop. The more the judges didn't say anything, the more painful the twinge in the stomach became.

It was down to just Adelyn and I, three months and one performance a week later. I was gripping her hand so tight that I was probably cutting off her blood circulation, but that was okay because she was cutting off mine.

My eyes were clenched shut as I tried to gain control of my breathing. I didn't have to look in his direction to see that Carson was as equally anxious in the sidelines. I finally managed to exhale smoothly when Brian started to speak.

"The one who will be going home with a million dollars is..." He took a dramatic pause for the sake of the show. I felt bad that they were most likely going to cut to commercial when this aired tonight, leaving the viewers at home watching in suspense. "Emory King! Congratulations!"

I froze. Everything went in slow motion while the audience stood up and erupted into deafening screams. My hands flew up to cover my mouth and tears were already stinging the corner of my eyes.

Aubrey, who was sitting in the front row, was screaming the loudest, indicating that this wasn't only in my head. Mom was jumping up and down as she screamed that that was her girl. Despite what this meant, Adelyn pulled me into a warm embrace and congratulated me in my ear.

That was when I snapped out of my trance and mouthed to her that I was sorry. As happy as I was that I won, she was insanely talented. She deserved the prize just as much as I did. Carson ran over to me to squeeze me in his arms and lift me up, showering my face with kisses.

"Thank you so much," I spoke into my microphone, but my voice wavered. Backstage, I wrapped my arms around Carson's waist, tears still streaming down my cheeks. "I still can't believe this is happening."

"It's happening, baby. This is real."

I lifted my head off his chest and my gaze automatically found his lips. With his fingers under my chin, he kissed me and my rapid-beating heart settled at the gesture.

Tonight, instead of going to the club, we planned on celebrating at the rock and roll-themed restaurant that dad and I always went to just in case I won. In the meantime, Carson and I wanted to have some time to ourselves.

New York City has approximately twenty four thousand restaurants, ranging from American to Chinese to Italian. I would’ve loved to go to any one of those, but he insisted on staying in his penthouse where we could dress comfortably and order in.

I was currently sprawled out on the couch, clad in my boyfriend’s hoodie that smelled like him, while he was in the kitchen popping a bottle of champagne. An order of Chinese food was on its way, but in the meantime, a selection of movies was waiting for us. Carson handed me a glass of champagne before claiming the spot on the other side of the couch, lifting my legs so that they were perched on his lap.

“Cheers to you, Ems. And to the beginning of your journey to become someone big in the music industry.” He held up his glass to clink with mine with a confident grin touching his lips.

“Cheers.” Our glasses clinked. The corners of my lips turned skyward as I took a sip. I winced as the taste of the bubbly beverage touched my tongue. Champagne. Not my favorite. Duly noted.

“Which movie catches your interest?” His search for the perfect date night movie started with Netflix. Various genres were provided, but a lighthearted chick flick was exactly what I was in the mood for. “Any specific genre? Comedy? Action? Adventure? Maybe even horror.” He chuckled to himself. “Any movie that has you clinging to me for comfort is my favorite movie.”