Eye-Contact (A Ricky Wilson fanfic)

Eye-Contact

I was waiting backstage at The Voice, feeling oddly calm. I'd been so nervous leading up to this day, but now as I was just about to go on stage, I knew that whatever happened, happened. Que Sera, Sera as they say. I wiggled my feet in my boots, a tick I never grew out of as Emma talked to me. She was asking some simple questions for the cameras and I answered on autopilot. This was all so bizarre. Luckily, I had worn something comfortable. I was wearing black skinny jeans that were ripped all over, an oversized black top with bat wings, and my favourite pair of chunky ankle boots that laced up the front with a simple 4" heel. What made me feel the most comfortable was the elder wand necklace I had hanging from my neck, I messed with it and the fictional power it held made me feel more powerful, too.

I'd straightened my blonde hair and put black kohl and eyeliner around my grey eyes. I'd gone with a nude lip that made them look fuller and my contour had miraculously worked this morning, so I felt as confident as I could right now.

The minutes ticked by and soon enough someone from crew came to tell me that I was up soon and had to wait closer to the stage. I hugged my mom and my best friend, Chloe and followed the girl in the black shirt.

"Nervous?" She whispered and I shook my head.

"Not anymore, I feel sort of calm?" She nodded and handed me a microphone.

"When that light up there goes green, you walk on, okay? I'm going to get the next act." She gave me a thumbs up before she left and I took some deep breaths.

I could hear the crowd and the judges talking among themselves. This series, the judges were Will.I.Am, Boy George, Paloma Faith and Ricky Wilson. I was beyond excited to meet them all and that took over from any anxiety as I walked up the stairs to the stage, the light had gone green and it was my time.

I swallowed, gripping the microphone for dear life, those red chairs were daunting and they were only facing away from me, but I knew that what I was most afraid of was not seeing the front of those big chairs. I wanted to see them all light up, but one would be enough for me. I took another calming breath, not hearing anything but the blood rushing in my ears as I nodded to the band.

The first few keys of I Put a Spell On You, the new Annie Lennox version spirited out of the piano and I tapped my foot until it was time for me to come in. I'd decided to play up the creepiness this song could possess, which is why I'd worn black, and I couldn't be my usual self for that. I had to be someone more powerful, a witch and I looked down at my necklace, feeling its power race through me before I snapped my head up to sing.

"I put a spell on you

Because you're mine..."

Boy George instantly hit his button and her chair turned. I was so relieved, I was through!

"You better stop the things you do-oh-oh,

Tell ya, I ain't lyin, I ain't ly-ay-ay-ay-in..."

Will.I.Am turned around, smiling wickedly at me. Two judges had turned for me!

"You know I can't stand it,

You're running around, you know better daddy,

I can't stand it, cause you put me down, oh, oh,

I put a spell on you

Because you're mine, oh, oh..."

There was a small instrumental and I giggled, this was so insane, but I'd broken character for the song. It wasn't for nothing when Paloma hit her button and her chair spun. I had to remember how to breathe as I looked around, focusing on what I could see, rather than what was happening. I could see Ricky's foot hanging off the edge of his chair, he always looked so relaxed on TV, and somehow, that calmed me, knowing there wasn't anything for him to fear, why should I be any different? If this didn't work out, I'd just try for the X Factor. I smiled at my personal joke. Will.I.Am stared at Ricky and made a turning motion with his hand and mouthing the word turn at him. But I couldn't see Ricky's reaction. I put my facade back on as I begun to sing again.