We will meet again

Chapter 11

The next morning I went looking for the vocal coach. I knew the contestants had a lot of vocal training but there was also Simon who told me that I needed to practice with them enough as well. I hoped the vocal guy was a friendly one who would understand me.

On my way downstairs I ran into a blond girl. “Where’s your vocal coach? Is he around?” I asked, completely out of breath.

“Down the hall, third room on the left.” She said and walked past me before I could thank her.

I knocked on the door once, and then opened it. “We’re busy here.” A guy with an American accent said. Finally someone who speaks English, I thought. As funny as it may sound in my mind I was a tourist here in the UK.

“I’m just looking for the vocal coach.” I said with a cheeky smile, opening the door a bit more. I was about to ruin our work relation before it even started.

“You found him. Now come back later.” I noticed the blond haired/Irish accent guy was also in the room.

“Ok, I’ll be back in ten minutes.” I said confidently. After all I needed to get some work done too.

I closed the door quietly and headed back to my room when I heard loud squeals coming from the kitchen. I debated for a moment to turn around and see what was going on in there but decided against it. I wasn’t their friend, I had to be professional. I needed to call Brian.

I was about to hang up when he finally answered. “Aly,” he said, completely out of breath. “I wanted to call you later. How’s the X Factor house?”

“Okay,” I said, no sign of excitement in my voice. “I don’t want to bother you, I can call later if you want me to.” I quickly added.

“Don’t be silly Aly. You’re never bothering me. Tell me, how was your first day?”

I sat there on my bed, telling him how we all had dinner before we went practicing and how some skipped the class because they thought they didn’t need it. He chuckled.

“Oh, they’re gonna need classes pretty soon.” He said in-between laughs.

“Quite frankly, I don’t mind. The rehearsal room is tiny. There’s no way it would fit 15 people.” I said, kind of disappointed.

“Aly you will have to find a way. I’m not gonna interfere unless you ask me to.”

Oh boy, I was really on my own.

There was a knock on the door. I got up and opened it. “Brian I’ll call you later. The vocal guy is here.” I said looking into a pair of big eyes, the color of dark chocolate. They grew even bigger when he heard me speak.  I hung up and dropped my phone on the bed.

“I don’t think we’ve been introduced to each other. I’m Aly, hi.”

“The vocal guy,” he said pointing to himself. “Nice to meet you.”

He shook my hand. I felt the need to apologize.

“I’m sorry. I don’t wanna come across as rude. I just feel like no one’s taking me seriously here. Just trying to get my job done, you know.” I finished, vaguely smiling.

“No worries. I know how you feel. I’m Savan by the way.”

I laughed. “You know I will still call you vocal guy, right?”

“Whatever,“ he said and flipped his imaginary hair back. “I believe we have some sorting out to do?”

After half an hour we were through negotiating. I made sure to have at least 2 hours time to practice with the contestants. Every day. I hoped it was enough.