Glowing in the Dark

Could someone get a mic for the pianist please?

“Could someone get a mic for the pianist please?” Simon asked to no one in particular. Soon Ant or Dec – can’t tell them apart – appeared with a mic. I took it slowly not understanding what I needed the mic for. Was there a problem with the piano?

“Hello there, what’s your name?” Alesha asked kindly.

“What me?” I asked in disbelief jumping at the sound of my voice booming through the studio.

“Yes” she chuckled. Great, Alesha must think I was such a goon and the audience was laughing too.

“Emma” I breathed blushing.

“Okay Emma, Cheryl said, we all thought you played beautifully.”

“Oh, thank you” I smiled blushing deeper. I grinned realising this wasn’t my audition but the judges were still telling me I played well. On the other hand it might have been to appear nice after what they said to the choir.

“I don’t believe ‘beautifully’ is strong enough” Simon interrupted. “That was proper playing!”

“It was just Coldplay” I said furrowing my brows not understanding what the fuss was about. I love Coldplay, but it’s pop music so the backing instruments aren’t that hard to play.

“I know, what I mean is that to follow that lot” he said nodding towards the choir without even looking at them. “The tempo kept changing but you followed them, they sang out of tune and you could tell although you didn’t show it at first. Then you caught up when the girl started her solo when she wanted to.  It was impressive.”

“Thanks” I grinned widely, my mouth had been hanging in shock but I too happy to get an appreciation from someone like Simon.

“Do you ever sing?” David asked me.

“Um...in the shower?” I half asked making the room laugh. Great. Very witty Emma. I did sing but not that often and mostly for myself.

“Would you sing for us?” Cheryl asked kindly.

“Oh god, I’m not sure I wanna risk a second humiliation in front of all these people...” I smiled.

“Please” Alesha insisted.

“Come on, you have nothing to lose, the worse that can happen to you is going back with them.” Simon said sensibly. He was right and I knew it, and Evie would kill me if I turned this down.

“Anything you want in particular?” I asked nervous.

“Anything you can sing right now.” Alesha said

“Um... I’m only sleeping by the Beatles, or Stay by Rihanna.

“I want the Beatles!” David laughed along with the crowd.

“Could you play Rihanna?” Cheryl said checking with Simon.

I nodded and turned to the piano. This was all from memory and ear.

“Oh god” I let out before clamping my hand to my mouth. I took a deep breath and started the intro my hands shaking. I didn’t look up from my piano once, too afraid of breaking down if I crossed someone’s gaze. I was surprised no one stopped me and got to the end of the song. I slowed down, and pressed the keys down gently letting the notes slowly die away before turning hesitantly to the audience. The silence was so heavy I felt like crying. Everybody was looking at me, mouths open in shock even Simon seemed to have lost his tongue. Somewhere someone slowly started clapping until the audience was standing up cheering. The judges slowly stood up and I noticed Cheryl wiping a tear away. Ant and Dec ran out with a mic and pulled me towards the front of the stage. The choir had been taken in before my performance. I stood in front of all those people cheering at me and the judges were applauding me with big smiles. My hands were shaking badly and my knees felt weak. I was actually scared at that moment. I was a target for so many people standing there alone.