SIX - One Direction

1

The night in Bradford was quiet, and Alex was staring out her bedroom window, wondering how she had ended up here. Tomorrow was her audition for The X Factor, and she still couldn't believe she'd found the courage to sign up.

She'd spent the past few years singing in her room and sometimes at family gatherings, but she always avoided singing in front of strangers. Her mother, Cristina, always reminded her that she had talent and couldn't stay hidden at home forever. Alex would usually smile and brush it off, but something had shifted in her these past few months. Maybe it was that strange feeling of wanting to do something more, something that felt entirely hers.

"Are you nervous already, love?" The voice of her older brother, Jordan, pulled her out of her thoughts. He was leaning against her doorframe, arms crossed, with that cheeky look he always wore when he took the mick.

"Of course not, why would I be?" Alex replied, trying to sound casual, even though she felt her hands start to sweat just thinking about it.

Jordan walked in and plonked himself on the edge of her bed, with that way of his that always managed to lift her spirits and make her laugh, even in the most serious moments.

"If you're really not nervous, then you won't mind if I record you tomorrow, right? I'll have the best proof to show the world what you can do." Jordan winked, but Alex rolled her eyes, lobbing a pillow at him, which he caught with ease.

"Don't even think about it, mate," she said, feeling her stomach churn. The truth was, she'd never sung in front of strangers, and the thought of being recorded only made it worse. "I just... I just want to see what happens."

Jordan stopped joking for a moment and looked at her more seriously.

"You're made for this, Alex. We all know it. Mum, Dad... and me too. You just need to believe in yourself."

Alex smiled, and for the first time in weeks, her fear started to fade, if only a little. Her parents had always been her biggest supporters, especially her mother, she had taught Alex that singing wasn't just about using your voice—it was about feeling every word.

As she lay down that night, Alex decided that she would give it her all at the audition, no matter the outcome. She didn't want to let her family down, but most of all, she didn't want to let herself down.

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