My Mentor *Completed*

One. An Interview

(A/N - Here it is!!  Chapter One of my new Narry Fanfic!!  I'll be posting chapter two in a little bit.  I actually only have about three chapters written so after these first two chapters are posted, I probably won't update for a few weeks.  But "It Happened One Night" will still be uploaded daily!  Anyway, enjoy and let me know what you think!!!  xx)

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I flutter my eyes open as my alarm is annoyingly going off.  It is earlier than my usual time of getting up.  Today is a big day.  After months and months of second guessing myself, I finally had the courage to sign up for the X-Factor.  I could have tried out last year, but I was too afraid.  This year I did it, with of course some pushing from my mum.

Ugh, five am.  But we need to get to Croke Park by at least seven to get as close to the start of the line as possible.  I am sure we will still have to wait in line for a good few hours, probably long enough for my nerves to get the better of me and I’ll chicken out.  Good thing I will have my parents and brother with me to hold me in place and keep me sane.

I am singing my audition song in the shower, practicing and practicing.  The song I chose is one of my favorites.  I selected it a few months ago and have been singing it incessantly ever since.  It is originally sung by the musician that I look up to the most, Harry Styles.  He is amazing.  His voice has a slight raspy and rough tone to it and I love it.  I may also have a bit of a crush on the 24 year old singing God. 

As soon as I first heard his debut single and saw his video, when I was 13, something in me clicked and I knew in that moment that I would not look at a girl the way I was looking at Harry.   I came out to my family when I was fifteen and to my friends when I was sixteen.  Luckily, everyone has been very supportive.

“Come on, son.  We have to get going” My dad yells up the stairs.  I give myself a once over in the mirror and grab my snapback before running out the door.

“Shouldn’t you dress nicer, sweetheart?  How about some nice khakis and a button down.” Mum harps when she takes in my appearance.

“That’s not me, mum.  I feel comfortable in this.” I say looking down at my outfit; fitted jeans, a plain blue tee shirt and my white converse.  I give my mum a smile and put my blue snapback, backwards on my head and follow my dad out the door.  She shakes her head and closes the door behind us.

We arrived just before seven and took our place in the already long line and we waited.  And waited.  And waited.  To curb my boredom, I brought along my guitar.  I have been playing since I was 10 and probably love it more than I do singing.  I began strumming the strings and playing some random melody.  That melody turned into ‘I’m Yours’ by Jason Mraz.  I decided to sing the words.  People around me started to join in.  It was actually a lot of fun.  By the time I got to the front of the line, others around me and I have probably sung about five different songs.

I walk into the main area and up to a table where I am to grab my number. 

“Your name?” the girl behind the desk asks.

“Niall Horan” I reply.  She scans her paper and locates me.

“Here is your number.  Please display it visibly on your clothing, somewhere.” She handed me the rectangular x-factor sticker with number 232677 printed on the front.  I walked over into the large waiting area, pulled the back off the sticker and placed my number on the front my shirt.

I am sitting next to my mum, dad and brother, Greg.  Mum has her hand on my back gently rubbing up and down; trying to calm my visible nerves.

“You have nothing to worry about, dear.  You will do great.” She whispers.

“Thanks, mum.” 

After about an hour, I am approached by a camera crew.  A representative of x-factor informed me that she was going around and interviewing random contestants and asked if I would like to do an interview.  I said sure.  We walked over into a separate area of the waiting section and the interview began.

“What’s your name, age and where are you from?”  She asked and I tried my best to not pay attention to the camera and lights pointing at me.

“I’m Niall Horan.  I’m seventeen and I am from a small town called Mullingar.” I replied.

“Why have you chosen to audition for the x-factor?”

“Well I have always loved to sing and I hope to make it in the music industry one day and I know this would be a great platform.”

“Do you have any hobbies?” She asked.

“I play the guitar, a lot and I like to play football.”

“Who are your musical influences?”  Hmmmm…I thought about it for a minute.  I don’t want to blurt out Harry’s name right away, so I think of a few others first.

“I like a lot of different music and musicians, but I have to say I really enjoy Michael Bublé.  I’m a fan of various boy bands.  I also like Justin Beiber and Harry Styles is really great too.”

“You know Harry is a judge this season.” She stated.  “Are you nervous to be singing in front of him?”

“Yes, I know and yeah, I guess I am a little bit nervous.  He is a really talented person and has had a lot of success.  I can only hope that I have that type of success one day as well.”

“So, last question.” She begins.  “You are a very good looking young lad.” She says and I begin to blush.  She smiles.  “I’m sure the ladies will want to know if you are single.”  What do I do?  Should I just come right out and say that I am gay?  I mean I’m not in the closet anymore, why lie.  But would it hurt my chances?  Oh Jesus the dilemma.  What the hell?

“Yes I am single” She smiles but I continue “But I am gay, so I am afraid the ladies don’t really have much of a chance.” I say with a slight smirk.  She smiles in response.  I feel relieved.  

“Well good luck to you, Niall.  It was a pleasure talking to you.”

“Thank you so much.” I stand from the chair and give her a kiss on each cheek and make my way back to my parents.

Another hour later my number is called to move to the back stage area.  There will be about five more acts before my turn comes around.  My family and I follow the assistant and we stand next to a few other contestants and their families.

One down, four more to go.  The next contestant comes off the stage crying.  She obviously didn’t make it.  Three more to go.  Smiles from the next two contestants.  One more to go. 

“Number 232677, Niall Horan.  Please stand here.  You are up next.”

I move to where I am told and wait.  A few minutes later a guy comes down off the stage looking defeated.  I sadly smile at him.  He obviously didn’t make it.  The guy tells me I’m up and good luck.  I thank him and walk up the stairs and on to the stage.