The Spotlight

Chapter 7

I clutch my bag tightly as I step onto the bus again, my knuckles turning white from the grip. The familiar scent of leather seats and stale air hits me, mingling with the anxiousness radiating from the other contestants. My heart pounds in my chest, a steady rhythm that matches the thrum of the engine as it roars to life.

As I make my way down the aisle, my legs feel like jelly, and I worry for a moment that I might stumble. But then I hear a familiar voice call out, "Riley! Over here!"

I look up to see David waving at me from a seat near the back. His warm smile is like a lifeline, and I feel some of the tension in my shoulders ease as I make my way towards him.

"Hey," I say, sliding into the seat next to him. "Thanks for saving me a spot."

David's eyes crinkle at the corners as he grins. "Anything for my favorite competitor."

I manage a weak smile in return, grateful for his attempt at lightening the mood. As the bus lurches forward, beginning its way again to Fountain Studio, David turns to me with a concerned look.

"So, how'd you sleep last night? You look a bit... frazzled."

I let out a shaky laugh, running a hand through my hair. "Is it that obvious? I barely slept a wink. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the judges telling me I was tone-deaf and should stick to karaoke."

David chuckles, shaking his head. "I think we all had some version of that nightmare. But come on, Riley. You know you're incredible. The judges wouldn't have put you through if they believed that."

His words are kind, but they do little to quell the doubt gnawing at my insides. I glance out the window, watching as the city streets blur past us. "I know, I know. It's just... this is all so surreal, you know? A few weeks ago, I was just a girl working and singing in a pub, and now..."

"Now you're on your way to becoming the next big thing," David finishes for me, his tone confident.

I turn back to him, raising an eyebrow. "You sound pretty sure about that."

He shrugs, a mischievous glint in his eye. "What can I say? I've got a good feeling about you, Scott. Plus, I figure if I'm nice to you now, you might remember me when you're famous and need an opening act."

I can't help but laugh at that; some of the tension is finally starting to ease from my body. "Oh, is that how it is? Using me for my future connections?"

"Absolutely," David says with a solemn nod, though his eyes are dancing with amusement. "I'm playing the long game here."

I shoot back playfully, "I could say the same for you," fully aware that David's got both the pop idol looks and the pipes to match. If I am destined to lose this competition, I would rather it be to David than anyone else.

As we fall into an easy banter, I feel my anxiety begin to recede, if only slightly. David has a way of making everything seem less daunting, his easygoing nature acting as a balm to my frayed nerves.

The conversation flows naturally between us, and I finally find myself relaxing into the seat, my death grip on my bag loosening as the minutes tick by.

"So," David says after a lull in the conversation, "remind me again how you decided to audition for X Factor?"

"My best friend, Emily. She signed me up without telling me." I state.

David's eyebrows shoot up. "Seriously? That's some friend you've got there."

I nod, a fond smile tugging at my lips as I think of Emily. "Yeah, she's... she's pretty amazing. I was in a bit of a rough spot, you know? I got out of a bad relationship and was feeling pretty down on myself. Emily decided I needed a kick in the pants, I guess."