Never in my life would I ever have imagined my life to have become what it is now. If you were to go back in time and tell me what I was doing today, I wouldn't have believed you. This is just insane. Who would have thought one video could cause so much success.. 5 boys... 4 best friends... 3 hit albums... 2 platinum records... 1 boy that changed my life. My name is Maddy and I'm fifteen, almost sixteen years old. I run a Youtube channel with my best friend, Leah. We get millions of views, and is actually how I got to where I am now. This is my story....
*Winter of 2012*
It's the Friday before Winter Break, and I decide to spend the morning in my music teacher's classroom. He's almost always there, and he knows how much I love to sing and play the piano, so he allows me to come in and play whenever I want really.
I sit at the beautiful baby grand and begin to play a song. The music flows from my fingertips to the black and white keys as I watch the white snow dance in the wind.
I'm too distracted by the snow that I don't even notice people entering the room. I continue to play until the song is over. Even after the song ends, I'm still mesmerized at the little white flakes. It isn't until I hear the sounds of claps that I snap out of my thoughts.
My cheeks flush a light pink as I realize who was watching me play.
Mr. Big Guns himself. Cameron Mackintosh.
Who's that?
Let me tell you.
He's a one of those big time producers. He did Mary Poppins, Cats, Miss Saigon, Les Miserables, and most famously, Phantom of the Opera.
Standing next to him were two other notable people in the theater community.
Jerry Mitchell, the Tony-award winning choreographer and director, and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
What.
I rest my shaking hands on my lap as my music teacher, Mr. Daniels, introduces me to all of them. Please, like I need introductions?
"I recognize you from Youtube.. You and Leah, the one's who do the covers of songs? Am I right?" Jerry asks.
"Yeah!" We just broke a million views on our We Are Young cover," I say.
"Congratulations!" Jerry exclaims.
"Thanks!"
We talk for a little while before I have to head to class.
I walk back to my Math class, the scene still replaying in my mind.
I finally start to forget about it as soon as Algebra takes over my mind completely.
*skipping to the last class of the day*
Ms. T, my English teacher, allows us to listen to our music while we're working. I plug in my pink earphones to my white iPhone and let the music fill my ears. I tap my pencil to the beat, trying to think of the right words to write.
*ding*
"Ms. T? I need Maddy Marks to the office please," a lady over the intercom says.
I pack up my stuff, slinging my bag over my shoulder, and walk out of the classroom. Hey, you never know what's going to happen at my school. Always ALWAYS keep your stuff with you at all times.
As I walk down the stairs, I can't help but run through different senarios in my head. Could I be in trouble? What have I done? Was this about the one time in the cafeteria when I-
I my mind stops racing as soon as I run into someone.
"Oh, God. I'm so so sorry, I wasn't paying attention," I apologize.
"Hey, Mads, no worries," my best friend, Andrew says. Andrew and I go way back. And by way back I mean 7th grade. I'm in 8th grade now.
Long story short, he was new to the school and I sprained my ankle and he carried me to the nurse. We've been inseparable ever since.
"Where are you going?" he asks, walking with me.
"To the office," I reply. He gasps and places his hand over his mouth.
"Did my little angel finally break the rules?!" he asks excitedly.
"I don't know, I don't think I did anything," I say nervously.
He stops and grabs me by the shoulders.
"Hey, it's going to be okay. Whatever happens, the sun will come out tomorrow, you'll still be Maddy, and I'll still be your best friend. Just keep your head high," he says, poking my nose.
"Thanks, you're the best," I say, walking away.
"YOU BETTER TEXT ME OR I WILL COME FIND YOU AND SLAP YOU," he shouts down the hallway. I roll my eyes and enter the Main Office.
Here goes nothing.
"Maddy, hi. You're actually going to go the Music room. Mr. Daniels has something for you," Ms. Farmer, the secretary, says with a warm smile.
I groan on the inside, but remain respectful on the outside. I smile and thank her before heading across the hallway to the Music Room.
I drop my bag and my jacket off in the little hallway connecting the main hallway to the music room.
I take a deep breath before opening the door.
As I walk in, I see the three familiar faces that I saw before. Cameron, Andrew, and Jerry all sit at a table adjacent to the piano, where Mr. Daniels is seated.
"Hey, Maddy. How are you?" Mr. Daniels asks.
"Ready for break, man," I sigh, walking fully into the classroom.
"Aren't we all? I know I already introduced you to these men, but I'll do it again. Andrew, Cameron, Jerry.. this is Maddy. She runs sound for me, and she likes to organize stuff for me," Mr. Daniels introduces.
We spend a few minutes getting to know each other before Mr. Daniels hands me a bunch of sheets of music.
"You know how to do this stuff, so take a minute and read through this and then I want you to sing it," he says.
I read over the sheet music, glancing at the important parts.
OH, this'll be a no brainer. It's music I've sang before for auditions or just for fun.
Phantom of the Opera, Les Mis, Mulan, Little Mermaid, and a bunch more ballads from other Disney and Broadway productions.
Daniels plays the accompaniment while i sing my heart out.
At the end of the session, all three of the men at the table look as if they've seen a ghost.
"Can I be honest with you? You, right there, have true talent. One that I haven't seen in anyone your age, and I've worked with literally everyone. You are definitely something special," Cameron states, pressing his fingertips together.
"I don't normally do this, but I am absolutely confident I want to do this. One of the cast members of the Les Mis US tour is leaving the company due to injury. I would really love if you could join the cast."
WHAT.
"I-I couldn't do that,"
"Why not?"
"I'm not- I have awful stage freight.. I-I I'm only 14! I can't do that!"
"But you can! This is how stars are born, please. Just give it a chance. If you don't like it, we will replace you," he says, almost pleading.
I think about it for a minute and slowly nod my head.
"Okay, I'll do it..."
Andrew, Jerry, and Cameron all cheer and clap they walk up to hug me.
And thus began my long journey to stardom.
Alright guys! I know you all are probably thinking OMG what the hell does this have to do with 1D? I came here for the guys... okay well bare with me! It's coming, I promise!! You just have to have the background before I can introduce the boys and get this bad boy started! I hope you stick with the story!! I love you all! Read on! <3 xx :)
