PRODIGY

Auditions

Her hair whipped her face and stung her eyes but she didn't care. She gave her all, every movement felt strong and powerful and she was on top of the world. She was the best dancer here. The music blasted loud and clear, the beat took control of her limbs, the rhythm swept her off her feet. She felt alive.

***

He wasn't the best dancer. He wasn't the best singer. But he was talented. He was confident. He had chosen a girl-group song which was strange but he owned it. Every move he made was perfect. His body was flexible, his movements fluid, not choppy like it should have been, but he was talented. He felt fired up, feisty, furious. He was a complete diva but who cared? He was amazing, and they couldn't take their eyes off him.

***

A honey-sweet voice, an awkward-quirky charm. There was something about him that got their attention. He wasn't as good-looking as they'd hoped him to be...but his voice. His voice captured them, the melody lifting them off their feet, the lyrics holding them enchanted, the song was trapping them, drawing them in. He had skill. He was a natural performer. He had a big goofy smile which only made him more adorable. There was an air of leadership about him, something there. Something... Magical. He was perfect.

***

He didn't even know the scouts were there. He was just another kid, performing at the annual school talent show. Pouring his soul out into every syllable of every lyric, wanting to be noticed, wanting his talent to shine. He was small, but his voice carried him, made him so much higher up. His voice dripped with talent, his body moving with the music he was making. He loved the attention of the audience, craved it in fact. And it was clear he practised all the time. He hit every note. Perfectly. It didn't matter how high it was, he could do it. He was a natural.

***

He was beautiful. Shy, cute, but fierce. When he danced, all eyes were on him. And when he broke out with his rap number, everyone was shocked. Who knew such a shy boy could get so confident. He was a mystery. Tall, dark haired, dark eyed, shy but confident. Unfathomable. He could do anything. Whatever he did, he did it well. That's what they wanted. All they wanted. He was already theirs but...he would make a fine fifth member... And he would be the face of the group. It was decided. He was in.

***

"I got in!"

Five children had cried out, almost in unison, although they didn't quite realise. All younger than 16. All almost too young. They had their lives planned put ahead of them. They were walking into something amazing, something special. They were inspirational. They were perfect. They were...

"PRODIGY. "