Ready to go back to 2010 with me?
Amber wakes up in her childhood bedroom with a massive headache. She looks at the date and it says; April 11 2010. This can't be right, because only yesterday it was October 16 2024. But it is right, it is real. So...
The next morning, waking up in my childhood bedroom still felt strange. But at the same time, I was relieved to be here—in this reality and not the one I came from.
After breakfast, Jade and I got ready. I let my long black hair fall loose over my shoulders and added a turtleneck to hide the faint bruises on my neck. My mother and stepfather drove us to the drop-off point, where Liam was already waiting.
"Liam!" I exclaim, leaping out of the car to hug him. My stepfather opens the trunk and starts unloading our luggage.
"Excited to see me?" Liam teases, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh, you know it. I missed you sooo much," I reply with a playful smirk.
"Your parents already left?" my mother asks as she hands me my suitcase.
"Yeah, we said our goodbyes earlier," Liam says, scratching the back of his head.
"Oh, so you were just standing out here waiting for us?" Jade asks, rolling her suitcase over.
"Now who was missing who?" I quip. Liam smirks, and I stick my tongue out at him.
"Well, ladies and gentlemen, have yourselves some fun," my mother says, her voice tinges with emotion.
"Oh, we definitely will," I say, hugging her goodbye as Jade hugged our stepfather.
"Don't do anything stupid. And work hard," he says.
"Will do," Jade replies. We switched places to hug the other parent.
They linger awkwardly by the car.
"Bye, my little girls," my mother says, her eyes misting.
"Bye, Mom!" Jade and I say in chorus.
"Bye!" Liam adds.
She gets in the car, and they drive off. I knew she'd probably burst into tears as soon as they turned the corner.
"That woman," Jade mutters, shaking her head.
"I know," I say with a shrug.
"She just loves you guys," Liam chims in.
I turn to face Wembley Stadium behind us. "Shall we?"
"Yes," they both reply.
We enter the stadium and check in with the staff. The stage was set up and gathered there were about a hundred people.
"You think this is everyone we're competing against?" Jade asks, scanning the room.
"Probably," Liam says, sitting on his suitcase.
I stand on my toes, trying to spot anyone familiar.
"Who are you looking for?" Liam asks.
"Probably Louis, the guy she met yesterday," Jade says before I could answer.
Louis, Zayn, Harry, Niall –any of them really. But they don't know that.
"Oh, she met another contestant yesterday?" Liam asks.
"Yeah, he stayed for dinner last night. Nice guy, actually. Kind of looks like you," Jade says with a laugh.
I finally spot Niall, a guitar slung over his back, gesturing animatedly while talking to someone.
What a funny little guy he is. Must be so excited to be here. I'll see if I can talk to him later.
"He was at your house? Really?" Liam asks, his voice tinged with surprise.
Zayn is standing with his back against a wall. Not really talking to anyone.
Oh there's Zayn. He's probably just waiting for this thing to start.
Jade laughs, ruffling Liam's hair. "For a second, I thought she brought you home. You two have the same hairstyle."
I give up searching for Louis and sit down on my suitcase. "Don't see him yet, guys."
"He's here somewhere," Jade says with a shrug.
Liam stays quiet, his expression pensive. I was about to ask if something was wrong when the tap of a microphone cut through the noise, drawing our attention to the jury table.
"First of all, welcome," Simon says.
The sound of suitcase wheels rolling across the stage interrupts him as Louis hurries in.
Oh he's late I guess that's why I couldn't find him.
"Now that we're complete, let me explain how this year will work," Simon continues.
"This year is a little different from the last," adds Louis, one of the judges. "We've got fifty guys and fifty girls here. The categories 'Over 25' and 'Groups' will show up later and will be kept separate from you. This is because, aside from solos, you'll be performing duets."
Simon picks up the explanation. "We curated the group this way to encourage you to learn from one another. Boys and girls will mix during some sessions. Every day will bring a new challenge. Today, you'll perform a solo song we've chosen for you. At the same time, you'll need to start preparing for your first duet."
"And just to make things interesting..." Louis adds, then waits for Simon to finish the sentence.
"We're cutting the group in half by the end of today." As the words leave Simons lips the crowd gasps.
We're never making that cut. I mean the boys definitely are today because they'll be picked for one direction at the end of this. But me and Jade? No chance.
Simon continues, "You'll be staying in the hotel next door, booked exclusively for you. But don't expect to spend much time there. Bigger group lessons and performances will take place here on the Wembley stage. Smaller sessions will happen backstage or in the arena's rings."
Louis gestures toward the desk. "You can pick up your schedules, maps, and room assignments there. Any questions?"
Nobody speaks up. The crowd starts forming a line by the desk.
"Okay, well, good luck, everyone," Simon says before the judges exit the stage.
As Louis passes us on his way to the line, I tug on his sleeve. "Hey, why were you late?"
He turns to me with a sheepish smile. "The metro was packed."
"You came by public transport? You should've said something yesterday," I say, frowning.
"Yeah, we would've given you a ride," Jade chimes in.
"I didn't want to be a burden," Louis mutters, shuffling his feet.
Peculiar guy that Louis. Giving him a ride is the least we could've done.
"You're never a burden," I say, brushing his arm lightly.
Liam clears his throat, and I squeeze my eyes shut realizing he's also here.
Oh dear universe. I hope this is okay what I'm about to do next. Please please please don't let it affect the future of one direction.
"Louis, this is Liam. Liam, Louis."
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