Walking in the Wind One Direction EDITING

5. You Belong With Me

I let my hair loose, scrape my throat and chug some water before entering the stage. My throat is so dry because of the nerves that this might actually be a disaster.

Just breathe. You've got this. Maybe.

The stage lights blind me as I step forward.

"Hello there. Who are you?" Simon's piercing eyes lock onto mine, and for a moment, I forget how to exist. This man terrifies me.

"H-Hi I'm Amber." My voice shakes.

Well this is going well.

"So Amber, tell me a little bit about yourself." Simon says, his tone neutral but somehow still condescending.

"Uh, yeah, well... fun fact: my little sister—who you just saw perform—actually signed me up for this." I tuck my hair behind my ear, trying to look composed.

"How fun that you're here together! That must be some pressure, though, to follow up after your sister," Nicole chimes in.

I nod. "Yeah, so I didn't actually know I was doing this until she let me know this morning."

The crowd laughs, and I relax slightly.

"So, you're unprepared, is what you're saying?" Simon asks, raising an eyebrow. His question is rhetorical, but I'm quick witted so I answer "Correct. Unprepared and in cold wet tea spilled jeans that is." My voice a little stronger this time.

The crowd laughs again.

"Wait—how did you end up with wet pants?" Nicole asks, giggling.

"Oh well... This fella, Liam, he was here earlier, I accidentally literally bumped into him earlier, and well he was holding a cup of tea."

The crowd gasps.

The crowd collectively gasps in mock horror.

"Oh no!" Nicole says, wide-eyed.

"Clumsy one, that Liam," Simon remarks dryly.

"It was totally my fault," I admit quickly. "I take full responsibility for the tea jeans."

"Should we get this girl some dry jeans?" Nicole emphasizes, still laughing.

"No way! It's lucky tea. These jeans are staying right where they are!"

"Alright," Simon says, impatient. "Let's get on with it. Best of luck."

"Thanks," I mumble, stepping into the spotlight as the track begins to play.

Okay nice and easy... Just breathe. . 

"You're on the phone with your girlfriend she's upset. She's going off about something that you said..."

First line is out, you're good, you got this.

"Cause she doesn't get your humor like I do..."

Okay I'm in my room, I'm in my room. This is just you. No audience, no judges, nothing. Just you.

"I'm in my room it's a typical Tuesday night, I listen to the kind of music she doesn't like. And she'll never know your story like I do..." I start to loosen up, my voice finding its rhythm.

"'Cause she wears short skirts, I wear T-shirts..."

Forget it. This isn't even real. Might as well have fun.

I perform like I'm Taylor herself on the Eras tour, throwing every ounce of confidence into the chorus.

"She's cheer captain and I'm on the bleachers, dreaming 'bout the day when you wake up and find that what you're looking for has been here the whole time!"

I rock the chorus and actually have some fun.

"I'm the one who makes you laugh when you know you're 'bout to cry." In a reflex I clap twice.

Shit do we clap twice? Not in this era I think? I don't think this is a thing yet. Did I just invent the thing? Wait does this time frame mean I get to go to the eras tour again? Shit my day just keeps getting better.

"You belong with me..." I finish the song and take a bow as the crowd cheers.

I glance out at the audience, their standing ovation washing over me.

Must've done something right just now.

"That was great!" Louis says enthusiastically.

Simon leans forward. "I think you've got some learning to do—and of course, some preparing—but there's definitely something to work with."

"Thank you," I say, a smile spreading across my face.

Coming from him, that's basically a standing ovation.

"Nicole, what do you think?" Simon asks.

"For me, it's a definite yes!" Nicole exclaims.

"Louis?"

"Yes."

Simon looks at me, his expression unreadable. "For me, it's a yes—if you promise to come back in dry clothes next time."

The crowd laughs and cheers as I gasp in excitement.

"Thank you! I definitely will!" I shout, unable to stop myself from jumping up and down as I leave the stage.

Backstage, my mom and Jade are waiting with open arms.

"Aren't you glad I made you do this with me?" Jade squeals, pulling me into a hug.

"That was awesome," I reply, spinning her around.

The next contestant brushes past us, heading for their interview, and a stagehand motions for us to leave.

"Time to go, ladies," he says, pointing us toward the exit.

My mom and Jade skip happily ahead, but I pause when I notice a boy sitting nervously on a black trolley.

His hood is pulled low over his face, and he stares at his feet, muttering the words to his song. He looks so nervous, so lost in his own head.

God this guy looks nervous and shy.

Before I pass him I decide to let him know he'll be okay. Sometimes you just need some kind words.

I hesitate, then step toward him. "Hey, good luck out there," I say softly.

He looks up, startled.

It's Zayn.

"Oh." He blinks, clearly surprised someone is talking to him.

How did I not recognize him before? How am I standing in front of Zayn Malik right now. How is this happening?

"Yeah," I stammer. "Don't worry. Just be confident. You're going to do... amazayn."

Oh my God. Did I actually just say that?

A small smile tugs at his lips, and I see a flicker of gratitude in his eyes. "Thanks," he says quietly. "I needed that."

"Glad I could help," I reply, smiling back. "Now take that hood off so they can see that beautiful face of yours."

He obeys, pulling back the hood, and my heart stumbles as I take a step away.

Walking away is the hardest thing to do, but I have to. There's no time to chat and he's gotta prepare himself. He's got to do great otherwise I don't know what will happen. What if I accidentally affect the whole future by distracting Zayn right now.

"Go get 'em, Tiger!" I call over my shoulder before walking through the exit door.

As the door closes behind me, I can't help but grin. If this day is any indication, my life is about to change forever.