Keep On Dreaming.

Wild Horses Couldn't Drag Me Away From You

I grabbed my Martin Acoustic, and the stool that was right next to it. I dragged the stool up to the mic, as someone, a stagehand maybe, lowered the stand so I could sit down and still be able to sing into it. 

before I started the song, I felt compelled to speak.

"Um.. Before I start my final song, I feel the need to thank all of you for this wonderful opportunity. Thank you so much, you're all amazing. Thank you judges, and Lauren and Scotty for pulling me through all the way to the finals, and to all the fans who voted me through. Thank you. Now, this next song, is one that a very special man in the crowd, tonight, taught me when I was very very young, and just learning to play guitar. I'm blessed and honored to perform this infront of my father here with me tonight, as well as the arists themselves, Mick Jagger, and Keith Richards. This is Wild Horses, by the Rolling Stones."

I smiled at my father, and then at the two Idols sitting before me, and began to strum the light chords on my acoustic. I closed my eyes, feeling the music move through me, and began to sing

"Childhood living is easy to do

The things you wanted, I bought them for you

Graceless lady, you know who I am

You know I can't let you slide through my hands

Wild horses couldn't drag me away

Wild, wild horses couldn't drag me away.

Now I've watched you suffer a dull aching pain

Now you decided to show me the same

No sweeping exits or off stage lines

Could make you feel bitter or treat you unkind

Wild horses couldn't drag me away

Wild, wild horses couldn't drag me away."

I paused, strumming out the chords a little harder, remembering the part that Aaron and I practiced in the studio. I mustered up the rasp in my voice, and laid it down in the next verse

"I know I dreamed you a sin and a lie

I have my freedom, but I don't have much time

Faith has been broken, tears have been cried

Let's do some living, after we die."

I snuck in a small solo on the acoustic, which sounded different but it worked

"Wild horses couldn't drag me away

Wild, wild horses we'll ride them someday.

Wild horses couldn't drag me away

Wild, wild horses we'll ride them someday."

I slowly strummed out the last few bars of the song, letting the music fade into the quiet stadium. 

For a moment, after I finished, it was silent. Then seconds later, the audience errupted, louder and stronger than I've ever heard them before. I grinned so wide, and held it for so long, that my cheeks started to hurt. 

I looked over at my Father, who had tears in his eyes. He blew me a kiss, and I sent one back to him. Then I looked over at Mick Jagger and Keither Richards. They both slowly stood to their feet and slapped, grinning wildly.

I finally looked over at Steven and the judges, who were all standing up, clapping, and nodding their heads. 

Finally, when they all settled down, the judges began to speak. 

"Mia do you know what you just did?" Steven began. "You captivated an audience of over 7,000 people so much, that they were silent. That's not an easy thing to do. You actually, for a few minutes, stole the hearts of everyone in this room, and I'm sure of everyone watching you on tv at home... I know you stole mine." He grinned, and people sighed and 'awe'd' from around the crowd. 

"He's right, mama. That was amazing." Jennifer cut in. "It brought tears to my eyes. I was crying. That was so beautiful, and I really just adored it. I loved all of your performances. The first song you did, uh... Satisfaction? It was so good! I know you've made Keith, and Mick proud." They both stood up from their seats and applauded and nodded in my direction, which made me blush. "And then the John Mayer song? That was just as good as he did it. And we all loved, and know how much Steven loved, your little performance of 'Pour Some Sugar On Me' it was so fun, and so sexy, and I just give you so much credit for being able to pull off everything you did, and to go from having so much fun and doing such legendary rock and roll songs, to becoming serious and sitting down, with just an acoustic and doing a stripped down version of a classic? That takes incredible talent. Phenominal. I loved it." Jennifer stood up once again, and applauded me. 

"Dawg, I agree with everything Steven, and Jennifer said. It was fun, it was sexy, it was serene and serious, and it was beautiful. I adored it." Randy smiled

I grinned and walked over to the couch where Lauren and Scotty were sitting, on the left edge of the stage, and hugged them, and then I hopped off the stage and into the crowd to hug my parents and Mick, and Keith.

"That was great, sweetie." My mother hugged me tightly

"That was better than the original, love." Keith grinned and chuckled

"Ohh, don't say that. It was nowhere near as good." I blushed and he kissed me on the forehead. 

"Well... I better get going, it was great seeing you guys!" I smiled, and hopped back up onto the stage next to Lauren and Scotty. I turned to them and began giggling about the whole situation and I was just trying to let my nerves out.

"And now, while we tally up the votes to see who will be the next American Idol, we have a special guest here tonight to perform... Ladies and Gentlemen, please help me welcome....."