20 Seconds [On Hold]

Chapter 4 - Wembley, Here They Come

Chapter 4 - Wembley, Here They Come

Jake's POV

All of the contestants were singing in a room, warming up. I looked around and smiled a little as I saw Caroline and Matt joke around as we did some vocal exercises. I shook my head slightly, going back to pay attention to our instructor at the front.

A little time later, we were set free, and I put my pen back in my pocket. My hand was filled with the words that was basically my life for the next few days, the rehearsal schedule with the two other guys I was put with for the first challenge.

I sat down on one of the large boxes that were scattered around at the back, and we were told we could sit on.

"Sorry." A girl ran past me, laughing, while another girl chased her.

"That's alright." I chuckled as she hid behind me, the other girl running past.

"Whew. Thank you." She smiled, and sat up on the box next to me. "Are you in a group or a single?" She asked.

"Single. You?"

"Single. I'm Chantelle." She offered a hand. I shook it with a smile and introduced myself too. She talked about how exciting it was and happiness basically radiated off of her. It was nice to see someone like her, who was happy and following her dreams.

After she went to rehearse a little, I stayed where I was, listening to the song over and over to see if I could add in anything and change it. Singing along quietly, I noticed a lot of guys doing the same thing, girls and groups as well, and the overs.

"Jake! Man, come on." One of the guys I was put with called and I stood up to go practise with them. This was a little stressful right now... Probably more than the arena audition...

-flashback-

"Hey Jake." I smiled as I walked onto the middle and looked at the judges. I had the ridiculous urge to joke, but I wasn't trying to be a stand up comedian... Maybe that'd be easier...

"Hello."

"Could you introduce yourself?" For the first time, I looked up at the crowd behind and it dawned on me that I was way out of my league...

"I'm Jake Thanes, 18 and I'm from Northampton." I announced to the crowd after swallowing my nerves. Quite literally...

The crowd cheered at all three of those facts, and I smiled a little. As I performed, I tried to tune out the crowd, but it was a little hard, considering there were around 4000 of them... I performed as much as I could to Troublemaker, but I could see my hands shaking from the nerves. I just hoped my voice didn't give anything away...

Judging from the four yeses, I don't think it did...

-flashback over-

"Okay, everyone got that?" Drake, one of the guys I was put together with, looked around to be assured we all knew.

"Yup." I nodded, as did the other guy, Iain.

"Awesome. See you later then." He got up and walked off.

"Wow, jeez." Iain chuckled before picking up his sheet and standing up. "You got anyone to hang out with?" He asked and I shrugged.

"I'll do something. Thank though mate." I stood up and folded my paper in half. "See you around?"

"Sure, good luck mate." He nodded with a small smile, walking off and greeting a girl down the corridor with a hug. I smiled a little at it before walking off and walking right into a group.