Strings (A Reed Deming Fan Fiction)

7

Song: The Only Exception - Paramore

Reed Deming

I was hurt. I was mad. I was frustrated. I stood with my arms crossed, my back turned toward her. "I'm sorry..." she whispered in the most hurt voice I've ever heard. She sounded as if I had taken everything she had. My angry expression softened, but as I turned around to look at her, she was gone and going on stage to audition. I ran over to a screen that showed the television broadcast.

"Hi! What's your name?" Demi greeted. Kayleigh looked happy. I don't know how, because of just now, but she did.  "My name's Kayleigh!" she smiled. She didn't look nervous at all. "How old are you?" Demi asked. "13!" she stated. The crowd cheered. "You're so adorable!" Brittany smiled. "Thank you!" Kayleigh laughed. I smiled as I saw her laugh. I couldn't stay angry at her. She doesn't deserve it. She's too sweet.

"So what are you singing for us today?" Simon asked. "I'll be singing The Only Exception by Paramore." she stated. All the judges looked interested. My eyes widened. I wanted to hear her. "Whenever you're ready, sweetie!" Brittany smiled. Kayleigh took a firm stance on stage and the familiar music began to play.

"When I was younger I saw

My daddy cry, and curse at the wind.

He broke his own heart and I watched

As he tried to reassemble it..."

The whole time she sang, my heart raced. I've never heard anyone sing so beautifully in my life. Her voice was so passionate and soothing, I could've listened to it all day. All my thoughts were focused on how beautiful she was. My heart pounded in my chest as her voice echoed through my head, but my heart dropped when I realized that I hurt her.

She didn't want to tell me about her audition because she was nervous. That was what she was going to tell me the day I told her... I felt horrible. She was scared I was going to get angry, and I did. I did exactly what she was afraid of.

The song ended and the crowd went nuts. The judges were in awe. She smiled in surprise at their reaction. It was obvious that she was amazing. I felt a pang of something in my chest. It made me scared, nervous. I didn't know why, but I think I was jealous. I was scared that she was going to be better than me. I tried to brush the feeling off, but I couldn't. I wanted to be better. I wanted to win this.

"I don't know what to say! You were beautiful, I've never heard anything like that! Incredible job!" Brittany smiled. "Thank you so much!" Kayleigh smiled in return. "You were amazing! I think I'm officially your biggest fan! I loved it!" Demi perked. I smiled at the judges reaction.

"Honestly, you sang it better than Haley Williams did. Amazing job! You definitely have the X Factor." L.A. kindly stated. "Wow! Thank you so much!" Kayleigh giggled.

She looked at Simon and froze, nervous to see his reaction. "I would sign that million dollar record deal under your name in a heart beat. Well done." he admitted. She smiled so bright, it could blind you. She looked to be in a state of pure happiness. I fell in love with it, right then, right there. All of my thoughts flew away, and it was just her. I needed her to be mine.

"It's a yes from me!" Simon stated, actually smiling. "Yes! Absolutely yes!" Brittany smiled sincerely. Kayleigh looked as if she was near to tears. "Thank you!!" she spit out. "Yes! You're so cute!" Demi commented. "Thank you so much!" she laughed her gorgeous laugh. They all turned to L.A. for his answer.

"Yes." he nodded. "You were wonderful."

Kayleigh covered her mouth and tears of joy ran down her cheeks. The crowd was screaming, the judges were smiling, everything was perfect. Exactly how every contestant wanted it to be.

At that moment, I was so happy for her, tears started running down my cheeks. She ran off stage and hugged her family. They were so proud of her. She let go and turned to me. Her smile disappeared and she slowly walked over to me, tears still running down her cheeks. "Reed, why are you crying?" she sniffed.

"You were so amazing up there. I had no idea.." I wiped a tear off my cheek. I hugged her as tight as I could. I never wanted to let her go. "You mean.. you're not mad at me?" she looked up at me with her sparkling hazel eyes. "Not at all, Kayleigh." I looked back down at her and smiled. She hugged my torso as tight as she could. I could smell her familiar scent. Pina Colada. I smiled to myself.

We walked through the building, a little bit ahead of our families. I just thought about how amazing today was. Not only did I get into the X Factor, but also my best friend auditioned and got in. I couldn't explain how happy I was for her. I also realized how much I really needed her. You know when people say "You have to be careful about what you say because sometimes it might not be true?" Well, it is true. I think I'm in love with her, and I need to show her.

Kayleigh Pennel

I auditioned for the X Factor and got 4 yes's. My best friend, and crush, auditioned and got 4 yes's.

It was just too much to handle in one day. Being up on that stage, having no experience in performing in front of hundreds of people, and being told I was amazing and that I would win a Grammy is something I would never even dream of. It's an unexplainable feeling. It gave me hope that I might actually have a chance in this.

I felt horrible at the same time, though. I knew that Reed wants this more than anything, and he really deserves it, but I just butt in and stole his spotlight. This is why I can't compete against my best friend. I love him more than anything. I can't just steal his chances of being a star.

I was snapped out of my thoughts immediately. I felt a hand slip into mine. I looked up at Reed walking next to me, his blue eyes peering into mine. They were reflecting the sunsetted sky before us. A blush crept up on my cheeks. I smiled at him and intwined my fingers in his.

I remembered the night when he kissed me. I remembered how angry, upset, and excited I was all at the same time. I was angry because he knew I would've never known if I had been asleep, which he thought I was. I was excited because it meant he did like me back and his kiss was amazing! I was upset because he'll never know that I liked it and that I was awake.

Unless I told him...

"Reed?" I couldn't stop myself. I wanted to know if he liked it too. I wanted to know if he actually liked me; I had to hear him say it. "Yeah?" he looked at me, his full attention on what I was about to say.

"Do you like me?"