Untouch me. |Starring Adam Levine|

Part 8.

When we went inside Kate had to go sit in the public area, while I got to my dressing room to get ready for the show. It didn’t take me long to get ready, since I was first up for make-up and I knew exactly what to wear, since Kate had picked my outfit and wouldn’t take no for an answer.

I went to the “common” waiting area and waited for the other members of Team Adam. The first to arrive was Emma, who was a year younger than me, and very nice. She had a beautiful voice and I knew she had a huge chance to go through to the live shows. Not much later the other artists started to walk in and sat down around Emma and me on the L-shaped couch. When we were all settled Adam walked in.

I felt my cheeks turning red and wanted to hide somewhere. Not because I didn’t want to see him, but because my stupid body reacted way too much and he would surely notice. It would be hard not to notice a person looking like a tomato. I nervously played with my blue skate skirt and tried to keep my eyes of him. The problem was that I was way too interested in knowing if he looked at me or smiled at me. Once again I started to feel pathetic.

“Okay team,” Adam started. “I know you’re all going to do great. We practiced together and if you did your homework well, there is no reason for one of you to not go through to the next round. I will have to choose between you guys, and I want you to know that I will pick a person to go through, only based on his or hers singing in this round. There are no personal preferences involved.”

Adam looked at me while saying that last sentence, so there were two options. One: he didn’t want me to think that because of our kiss he would give me a bigger chance on winning this battle. Two: I was too self-involved and make everything about me, even though he was just reassuring everybody that he would choose his team members on their singing qualities.

It was almost time to go on stage and nerves filled my every body part. Adam had paired me up with Lisa. She had long blond hair and a pretty face. She had been very nice to me, and I felt bad for having to compete with her. I did realize though, that if I wanted to move on in this competition, I would have to win.

Lisa had a nice voice, but I felt okay with our pair up. We were evenly matched and it would really come down to the performance.

“That,” I thought. “And to the fact if Adam wants to get rid of you.” I immediately tried to forget the thought before it would get me even more stressed.

“Ly, you’re on.”

My performance went great. I tried to use the whole stage, like Adam and I had practiced. The notes seemed to come easy, as if I was used to singing high notes all the time, and from the tears that had fell on my cheeks after I was done singing, I figured I had really felt what I was singing about. I was absolutely sure  I couldn’t have done more.

Lisa had been sitting on a high chair in the corner of the boxing ring we performed in, and now it was my turn to take her place, while she would sing. She sang “Young and beautiful” by Lana Del Rey, and I thought she did a great job. I had no idea who the coaches would pick, and the stress that had disappeared during my performance, returned when I thought about my chances of being send home.

When Lisa was done performing, Carson came on stage and he took one hand from each of us. I looked up at Adam and he was staring intensely at me. Or us, probably. I crossed my fingers and hoped he had enjoyed my performance.

“Shak,” Carson said. “What did you think of these girls’ performances?” Shakira smiled. She looked great. Her dress was gold and had a deep V-neck, but  she still looked very casual somehow. She never looked over the top.

“I’ll start with Lisa,” she said. “You know I have been a big fan of yours since the auditions, too bad Adam got away with you.” She laughed. “I liked your performance, but I think you should’ve made it a bit more interesting. You just sang the song, and although you did great, I think it needed something more.”

I looked at Lisa, and I saw the disappointment on her face. I felt so bad for her. I focused on myself though, since what was about to be said about me, wouldn’t per se be better.

“Ly, I don’t know what happened to you. Last week you were the underdog, for sure, and this week it seems like you have had the biggest metamorphose. You sing better, you work the stage, I even totally believed what you sang, and it wasn’t theatrical at all…

I would have to give this one to Ly.”

I couldn’t suppress my big grin and thanked her.

“Blake Shelton?” Carson asked.

“Damn, Ly.” he said with a huge grin on his face. “If you had done this last week, there is no way I wouldn’t have picked you.”

I blushed and thanked him also. He said he loved Lisa’s performance also, but he still liked mine better. I couldn’t believe this was happening. I wanted to jump around.

Then it was Ushers’ turn to give his opinion, and he admitted to liking Lisa’s performance better, although he did see my improvements. It, again, all came down to Adam.

“Lisa,” he started while he looked up at her with his Hazel eyes. He looked very serious. “You did a great job, but I do agree with Shakira that you kind of lost your spark. I’ve definitely seen you doing a better job during rehearsals.” Lisa nodded and I saw a tear running down her cheek. “Then, Ly.” Adam said. “You’ve definitely done way better than anyone expected you. There still some work needed, especially when it comes to technique… But overall this was your best performance yet.” He looked at me with a slight smile on his lips. I felt my cheeks turning red and decided to stare at the audience. “Taking the things into account…” Adam continued. “I’ll have to pick Ly.” Carson moved my hand up, to show the world my victory, and then he let go of me. I went over to Adam to give him a hug. He had a big grin on his face and right before I wrapped my arms around him I wished I could kiss him. Of course I didn’t, since it would be about the worst thing I could possibly do, and I settled with just holding him tight for a brief moment. I could smell his cologne and before I could start to enjoy the scent, I had to let go and go backstage. I waved at the other coaches and the audience, and went back to Kate. She was excitingly jumping up and down and clapping her hands. Before she could say anything I hugged her, and said: “I just hugged him!”

Kate let me go and looked at me with her brows raised.

“What?” I asked not understanding what her look meant.

“You are going to the freaking live shows of The Voice, one of the biggest shows on American television, and you are happy because you hugged your coach.” She explained.

I let that sink in for a moment.

Damn it. She was so right.