Strings (A Reed Deming Fan Fiction)

9

Song: Pumped Up Kicks- Foster the People

Kayleigh Pennel

"Ok contestants! It's time to perform your duet for the judges! I'll call each pair up to perform one by one! First up is Paige Thomas and CeCe Frey!" the announcer called. I looked over at Bea. She ran her fingers through her hair and sighed.

"Are you nervous?" I asked. "Yeah..." she breathed. "Don't be. You're amazing. You'll definitely get through." I assured her. "Thank you so much, Kayleigh. You're one of the nicest people I've ever met." she smiled. "Same to you, Bea. What's your number? We should hang out sometime!" I pulled out my phone and we swapped to put our contacts in.

I glanced over at Reed. Him and Brandon were talking and laughing. I smiled at how he tilted his head back like he always does when he laughs really hard. He crinkled his nose adorably as he giggled at what Brandon was telling him. My cheeks started to flush as I stared at him.

"So you like Reed, huh?" Bea's voice interrupted my thoughts. "W-What? Oh, no no no. We're just, umm.. friends." I snapped back. "Are you sure? 'Cause I don't think friends hold hands and blush whenever they see each other." she smirked. I'm pretty sure my face turned into a bright red tomato as I looked down at my fingers in my lap.

"I know how you feel, Kay. I was in that position once. It took me a really long time to find the balls to ask him, but when I did, I didn't regret anything. He liked me back and then we started dating." she told me. I smiled at her story. "Aww that's cute. How long have you guys been dating?" I asked. "Oh no. He dumped me about a month ago cause his family moved to New York." she stated. "Oh.." I trailed off awkwardly.

"But you have to tell Reed. All you gotta do is tell him you need to talk and take him to a quiet place. Just say 'Look Reed. I know we're best friends but I really like you and I would like to know if you'd wanna go out with me.' It's that simple." she explained.

Bea was right. I need to tell him how I feel or else he'll never know. I need to get over being scared and just tell him. "Thanks, Bea. You're an amazing friend." I hugged her. "No problem!" she replied.

"Beatrice Miller and Kayleigh Pennel!" the announcer called. We looked at each other and walked over to the stage. "Aww!" Brittany smiled as we walked on. "Hi!" I smiled wide for the judges. "Hello! How are you guys doing today?" Brittany asked. "Good!" we both stated at the same time.

"Are you ready?" L.A. asked. Bea and I nodded. "Alright. Good luck!" he replied. My heart started to pound in my chest as the music started.

"Robert's got a quick hand.

He'll look around the room, he won't tell you is plan.

He's got a rolled cigarette

Hanging out his mouth, he's a cowboy kid.

Yeah, he found a six shooter gun."

Bea was rocking the stage. She performed like she owned it and she was amazing. I got really nervous watching her. She was so good, I was scared that I won't make it.

"All the other kids with the pumped up kicks,

You'd better run, better run,

Outrun my gun!" I started singing the chorus. I realized I was singing very passionately and the judges faces immediately turned amused and surprised. I heard Brittany and L.A. saying things to each other. "She's amazing." "She is!"

I drowned out everything else and just sang. That's all I focused on. I didn't feel nervous at all. Actually, I felt proud of my voice. I never really did, but sometimes I had these moments where I was and these were one of those moments.

I finished and stood back over by Bea. "Thank you, girls." Simon said into his microphone. "Thank you." we both said and walked offstage. We both hugged each other. "Oh my god, Bea! You did amazing!" I cheered. "So did you!" she cheered back.

Reed Deming

"Reed Deming and Brandon Hassan!" the announcer called. Brandon and I nervously stood up and walked over to the side of the stage. I saw Demi smile as we walked on. I smiled back at her. "Hey guys!" she perked. "Hi." Brandon and I greeted at the same time. "You ready?" she asked. We both nodded. The music started playing and we got ready.

The whole time we sang, I focused on nothing else. Everything just drowned out and it was only me and Brandon on stage. I couldn't help but to think of Kayleigh as I sang. Every time I think about her while I'm singing, it always helps me sing more passionately. I just want to be with her. I need to tell her.

"I'm gonna give all my secrets away..." I finished softly. I opened my eyes and the judges were smiling and nodding. "Thank you." Brittany thanked softly. Brandon and I walked off stage.

"You did really good!" Brandon smiled. "Thanks! You too!" I returned. My eyes drifted over to Kayleigh who was talking to Beatrice. They were smiling and laughing as they talked. Seeing her made my heart flutter. Her eyes caught mine and she smiled and waved at me. I did the same in return. "Go talk to her." Brandon nudged my arm.

"Hey guys." I greeted as I walked up to them. "Hey Reed! Have you met Beatrice yet?" Kayleigh asked. "Not officially." I replied. "Oh. Well Bea, this is Reed. Reed, this is Bea." she introduced. I awkwardly stuck my hand out in front of her. She laughed and brought me into a hug. I was surprised at first but then I laughed and hugged her back.

"I heard you and Brandon and you guys did really good! Didn't they, Kayleigh?" Bea smirked at her. "Uh, yeah! You guys did great!" she complimented nervously. "Thanks!" I smiled at them. Brandon walked over and we all started talking and laughing. We talked and talked for about the next 2 hours. Time went by extremely fast.

* * * * *

They started to call the names up. "Will Diamond White, Reed Deming, Arin Ray, Sister C, Kayleigh Pennel, Beatrice Miller, Tate Stevens, Jillian Jensen, Willie Jones, Paige Thomas, CeCe Jones, Jennel Garcia, and Emblem Three please come to the stage!" a crew member announced. All of the people who's names were called stood up nervously and walked onto the stage.

I stood next to Kayleigh and held her hand. "Don't be nervous, it's ok." I whispered and traced circles in her hand with my thumb. She squeezed it back and smiled. "So each of you performed a duet with the person you were paired with. Most were very good and there were struggles with choosing who was to be invited to the judges houses, but some weren't good at all and we knew they weren't going." Simon announced. Everyone looked around at each other nervously.

"But we had no struggles with this group on stage. You are all invited to the judges houses." he smiled. I started jumping up and down in excitement and brought Kayleigh into a hug. "We did it!" she cheered. "Congratulations. You may exit the stage." Simon stated as we all went off the stage. We ran around hugging and congratulating each other.

Judges houses, here we come!

i'm so sorry this took so long to write! I get a lot of writer's block while writing the x factor parts haha! but anyways...

the day before I went to California, I realized that reed wasn't even there anymore. so I didn't get to meet him :( and then the day I left California, he said on twitter he was going back. so this obviously proves that he hates me.

but i'm going to my one direction concert this Friday! AAHHH! i'm so excited!!

RIDICULOUS EP!! i'm so proud of reed and how well he's doing with his career! I can't choose a favorite song off of the EP, but comment yours!

I hope you liked this chapter and i'll try to update quicker! please share my story because i'm at 1.8K reads right now and my goal is 2K!! please please pleeeease share and vote and comment and all that stuff! thank you all so much for reading my story! I love you all!

mwah! ~ Kayleigh