The Extraordinary Life of Jane Biddle

Chapter 5

I didn't always hate attention. Only when I was little I craved it. The only times I've ever wanted it was from my Dad. I still remember putting on shows for my parents after they came home from work. Wearing one of my mom's dresses that sunk to the floor, and her heels that would tap every time I would dance. I remember holding a plastic microphone and singing not for me but for my them. One day Dad came home and went straight to bed. Mom went after him.But even though it was late, I still waited for them. Sitting on the living room couch holding my microphone. I didn't sing that night, all I could hear was glass shattering and whimpering coming from upstairs. Then my Dad left that night not saying a word. Not saying goodbye. That's the thing about wanting attention. Once you have it, it can easily be taken away.

"Jane!"

"Huh?" I stuttered turning towards Dakota.

She coughs then points to a overly dressed man wearing a purple striped pants suit and matching coat. He looked like he was a replica of Caesar Flickerman from The Hunger Games. He edged closer to me, microphones in both hands.

"Here's our first contestant, whats your name cutie?" He spoke smiling ear to ear then tossing a microphone to me. This took me off guard resulting in a missed catch and a shrieking sound running throughout the spacious venue. Everyone cupped their ears, even the body guards holding back the mob couldn't take it any more and broke formation.Giving the mob a chance to close in on the person they were protecting. Except it wasn't just one person it was three guys actually, all cupping their ears. All from that magazine Dakota showed me. I quickly snapped out of it and grabbed the source of the horrific sound.

"Jane! Um my name's Jane Biddle." I spoke out loud.

"Biddle? Do you happen to be Christina Biddle's daughter? Oh I used to have the biggest crush on her! Oh my I'm just running my mouth. Let's get onto the performance!"

This is the first time in my life that I've wanted someone to keep talking about my mother.

" So what will you be singing for us today?" He said edging closer to me.

The beaming lights were already getting to me. I covered my face and found Dakota in the crowd. She was waving her hands and motioning for me to breathe in and out. Okay I can do this.

"Uh I'll be singing....um I'll be singing.."

"Did you forget what song you were going to sing?" He laughed causing the audience to join.
My face tinged with pink as I started to heat up.

"I'll be singing Gravity by Sara Bareilles!" I spoke as loud as I could. Everyone quickly snapped there heads and all eyes were on me. You could practically hear a needle drop.

"Well well, take it away" He walks off stage and gives me a thumbs up.

Now my heart was beating faster than ever. I couldn't bare look at their faces. So i closed my eyes and tried to picture myself alone.My steady breathing was all that I could hear. Then a familiar tapping of a piano filled the venue. Before I knew it my lips began to separate and I started to sing.

"Something always brings me back to you. It never takes to long....no matter what I say or do. I still feel you hear till the moment I'm gone." I peek through one eye and see faces in the audience with their gazes still glued on me. I close my eye, take a deep breathe and continue.

" You hold me without touch. You keep me without chains. I never wanted anything so much, then to drown in your love...and not feel your rain."

I take a deep breathe and gather up the nerve to open both eyes. I find Dakota in the audience with no expression on her face. she wasn't the only one.

"Set me free. Leave me be. I don't wanna fall another moment into your gravity. Hear I am, and I stand so tall. Just the way I'm suppose to be. But your onto me and all over me."

I forgot about the audience. About how much I wanted to get off stage. My thoughts brought me back to that living room couch and my plastic microphone. A sudden burst of chanting pulled me out of my thoughts. I didn't notice that I'd already stopped singing and it was over. A hand grabbed my shoulder, it was the Pants suit guy. He had a surprised expression but quickly recovered and smiled at me.

"Well well, that's Jane Biddle for ya everyone!"

He walked me off stage and went back on to announce the next contestant. I didn't notice that the mob of fans had already went back on line, and the security guards had taken their precious cargo up to the second floor of the venue. I looked up to find a pair of blue eyes peering back at me. Then quickly look back down, and ran to the nearest bathroom. I closed the door behind me and lean against the wall, sinking down to the floor until I lay my forehead onto my knees and cupped my hands around my neck. Trying to breathe in and out.

" I can't believe I just did that."

I felt a sea of anxiety deep down and I could feel my nerves still tingling. My finger tips pale as ice, they still felt numb. I try to get up and keep my balance at the same time. Swaying towards the sink, grabbing the rim with one hand and turning the faucet with the other. I cup both hands together trying to scoop up as much water as possible. Then throwing the cold water onto my face. I take a deep breathe and look at the mirror staring at my own reflection. Melting away all the makeup. Streaks of mascara run down my cheeks as if I've been crying for hours. Jeez I look horrible.

"Pfft Ha!" A burst of laughter escaped my lips and before I knew it I couldn't stop.

"Omigosh...I can't believe I just did that!" jumping around the bathroom I felt like a kid again.

"That was awesome-" A loud pounding followed by a husky voice caught my attention.

"Hey! Is anyone in here?"

Is that a guy? why is he outside of the girls bathroom? Looking around I notice urinals lined up next to each other and a stick figure planted onto the door, underneath in bold print stated Male Restroom. A click of the door knob turning echoed throughout the restroom sent me rushing to one of the stalls.

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Thank you again for thoses that took the time to read my book, well chapters (-.-). I really liked this song and Sara bareilles is one of my favorite singers, so thats why I chose thia song. I hope you liked this chapter! I really tried my best with this one. The next chapter will be coming soon.
-Daiana