Our Journey (Still debating on this title...)

The Beginning

Wednesday- April 13, 2011 –Home

I’ve never grew up the way normal kids and teenagers grew up. My names Alexis Hale but some people call me Alex, or Lexi, whatever floats their boat. I’m from a small town in Tennessee. Yes, Tennessee as in the rectangular yeehaw state in America.

 Ever since I was a kid I’ve always had a gift. A gift of music, writing, and anything else that has to do with being an artist. But that’s not what I want; it’s not what I ever wanted. Usually when kids grow up they talk about how they want to be pop stars, actors, anything that gets them famous. Not with me though, I’ve always wanted to help with making stars. I’ve always wanted to look up at a celebrity and say, “Yeah, I helped create them.”

At the young age of seventeen I had already accomplished what most 30 year olds wish they could’ve done. When I was only fifteen I wrote songs with Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers, and Carrie Underwood. I even got the chance to go on tour with The Jonas Brothers for a few weeks but needed to come back so I could finish homeschooling, be with family, and to try to be somewhat normal again. But things changed on one early April morning.

“Baby, baby wake up.” I could hear my mom saying but I was pretty sure it was a dream so I rolled over and moaned a little. “Alexis Marie Hale! Now!” She almost screamed in my ear.

“What?” I groan.

“It’s Simon Cowell.” She says, and my eyes dart open. This is a joke right? I had known Simon from when I worked with Carrie, but that seemed like ages ago.

Surely this was just a dream, he didn’t remember me. Besides I had only written one song with her two years ago. I stare at my mom; she’s just hovering over me with one hand holding the phone and the other covering the bottom so he can’t hear what we’re saying. I glance over at the clock. 5:00 a.m.

“You’re joking right?” I narrow my eyes on her.

“See for yourself.” She hands me the phone and takes a seat beside me on my bed. I try to rub the sleepiness out of my eyes.

“Hello?” I mumble.

“Ahh yes, Alexis. It’s Simon, remember me? Well I bet you do,” he laughs a bit.“I’ve got a job for you-“

Friday- April 15, 2011 -London

Here I stand, In London looking up at the big sign that reads “Syco Records”. I try to take a step but my legs are frozen.

For one because I had no idea the weather in London was this cold so I packed spring clothes and two because I’m not so sure I can do this. It had been so sudden; out of nowhere on a normal Wednesday morning Simon Cowell calls me to tell me he needs me. Simon Cowell. Needs me. This is still all so surreal; he said he didn’t want to discuss anything over the phone and that he wanted to speak to me in person.

Finally, I build up the courage to walk into the intimidating building. I make sure my medium length black hair is in order, not a hair out of place. I maneuver the bottom of my white dress so that it’s at my knees and doesn’t look too skimpy, straighten my navy blazer, then pull out my compact to check my eye make-up. I look at myself in the mirror for a minute or so. All blue eyed and innocent looking, “I can do this.” I whisper to myself. I take a deep breath and head for the door.

As soon as I walk in I’m greeted by many men in suits until I reach the front desk. A girl, that looks way too young to be working in a big office like this, and about my size, 5’2, with blonde hair tide back into a high bun smiles at me.

“May I help you?” She says in her sweet British accent.

“Um, I’m here to see Simon Cowell.” I stutter a bit. She looks at me with her eyes wide for a second and then realizes she’s staring.