Tiny Voices (A Calum Hood fanfic)

chapter seventeen

--Brooke's POV--

"Ready in 5," said the attendant person with me backstage. She put her hand on my shoulder as a gesture of good-luck, I guessed. I nodded slightly in appreciation.

This was the first live show that I'd done. Well, the first show that would be broadcast live on TV and I was beyond nervous. I knew the song inside out since I had been practising endlessly over the past week (so I've been reminded countless times by Chloe's whining that I "never shut up when other people are working"). But I just felt empty. I felt like it wasn't really me who was doing this; who was just about to step onstage and sing to like 2,000 people.

Chloe was caught up in her university work along with her dedication to her sport, I hadn't really seen her a lot. I missed her.

I also hadn't talked to Calum since last night. I hadn't really tried, I guess, but I just felt like it was his turn to contact me. It felt like it was always me who was doing it. I'm not a clingy person at all, but Calum was acting strange and I didn't want to approach him about it. He was leaving for two months after all.

Honestly, it felt like nothing was going right and The Voice was the last thing I had control of and I really didn't want to screw it up. I mean, of all the things to be in control of, I have to pick a TV singing competit-

"3, 2, 1," said the attendant, interrupting my thoughts. When I didn't move, she gave me a slight nudge towards the stage doors.

There were cheers of encouragement in every direction and I was nearly blinded by the stage lights when I walked onto the stage. I looked out (once I could see) and saw Danny sitting in his chair. He gave me a subtle thumbs up, so that only I could see it.

I protectively gripped my guitar to my body and positioned myself to where I was supposed to be once I began playing the song. The backing track to the song began, and I began to strum my guitar and sing Lady Antebellum's Need You Now.

It felt so surreal, looking out to all these people clapping along to the song and singing the words, if they knew them. My voice sounded strong, mostly because I believed the song and related very strongly to it. Especially now.

I sang the final lyrics and strummed the final note, and was met with loud applause. I knew that I had to go over to the white X on the floor and listen to the judges' responses, but all I wanted to do was just leave the stage.

I wanted to go home to Calum and sit curled up into his warm and safe embrace and I wanted everything to be okay again. I may be over dramatic but I just needed him. I needed us. I needed everything to be the way it was, like, two weeks ago.

I could hear the judges talking, but I couldn't make out any words. I looked at their faces to decide what emotion to register on my face. I kept a small, quietly confident smile on my face. I did hear Danny say he was proud of me though, which nearly made me burst into tears. I thanked everyone and walked off stage when I was told to do so.

I checked my phone, wishing with all my might that Calum had text me to wish me luck, or to say how good I was. He did text me, but it said;

"Call me when you get offstage xx"

I closed my eyes tight and willed myself to not think of the worst thing that could happen. I composed myself as best I could and made my way to my dressing room. I opened the door and inside stood Calum. He was wearing black skinny jeans, a plain white t-shirt and the leather jacket he bought that time we went shopping together.

He spun round and looked at me. "Hey," he said, smiling slightly.

And that feeling hit me. That feeling that I had just before our first kiss; that I knew something was going to happen, good or bad I didn't know, but something substantial. Unlike before, I could just tell that the reason Calum was here wasn't a happy one.

🌺

kdlwjowksjelk?!!?! whaT

hahah okay im just gonna go idek what to say after that such cliffhanger wow byE