Chapter 9
As we stood back on stage for the last time of the day, I started to really notice how many boys were sent home earlier. Well at least I wasn’t one of them. For now.
“Congratulations for going through to yet another stage of the competition. For the last day of boot camp you will each be given a list of 40 songs to pick a song to perform tomorrow.” Simon says.
“This is your last chance, so don’t ruin it.” Louis chimes in.
“Are you going back to the hotel?” I ask Louis as we walk off stage.
“Yeah. I think I’m going to sneak back up to the top floor. You’re staying here?”
“Most probably.” I take my earphones out of my pocket. “See you later then?” I ask.
“Yes.” He squeezes my shoulder and follows some others towards the exit.
This list is absolutely horrific. The song choices are really difficult and I haven’t even heard of them of these. I scan through the list again—‘Champagne Supernova’? Hell no—until I finally find a seemingly okay one. The lyrics of ‘Stop Crying Your Heart Out’ seem the easiest so I go with it. Sitting in the spot—my spot—feels weird. Did I sit here rehearsing the last song just yesterday? It feels like ages ago. I guess that’s what nerves do to you.
When I get back to the hotel Louis is sitting on the couch with his earphones in. he seems to be really concentrated so I decide not to bother him and walk into the bedroom instead.
“I didn’t know you’re here” Louis’ voice startles me and I drop the shirt back into my bag.
I turn to him with my hand on my chest and when he sees my expression his face breaks into a wide grin.
“You scared me!” I exclaim when he doesn’t say anything.
“So you get scared really easily. Hmmm I’m going to scare you more often then, just so I can see that look on your face again.” He laughs.
“Oh yeah?” I challenge and catch him off guard by jumping on him. He just about manages to wrap his arms around me before falling backwards on the carpet and taking me with him. When he tries to get from under me I sit up and straddle him, pinning his wrists above his head. He looks at me with wide eyes and he actually looks terrified. Good.
“Say that I’m the most awesomest person in the world and… and… you are nothing compared to my… uh… glory” I say. Okay that came out lamer than I thought.
He just stares at me with a cocked eyebrow. “Really?”
I dig my knees into his sides harder and he yelps.
“Fine! You’re the most awesomest person in the world and I’m nothing compared to your glory” he rolls his eyes. “Oh, and your grammar sucks.”
I grin and get off of him but he grabs my leg and I fall back.
But before I can get to him he runs out of the room after yelling. “Not!”
That boy, I swear to God.
Louis and I are sat on the top floor with our feet in the pool water. We don’t talk, instead just let the comfortable silence surround us. After a moment, he looks at me.
“Do you know how relieved I was when I heard your name being called today?”
I don’t know what to say so I just stare at him.
“I can’t go through this competition without you, and just having you as a friend helps me a lot. You know how to calm me down when I’m freaking out and I know that this sounds incredibly selfish but I need you to be my support system.” He takes a deep breath and looks away. “I just had to let it out” he says in a smaller voice while looking at the clear blue pool water.
“I need you too, Louis. I also wouldn’t have been able to go through the past couple of days without someone to spend time with and to keep my mind off everything. I’m glad that we’re friends.” I try to assure him. I guess I understand because I would’ve been a wreck if I had to go through this alone. Sure, I’ve gotten to know most of the other contestants, but I’m really grateful for a closer friendship with Louis.
He lets out a deep sigh of relief and turns to face me. “Okay” He smiles “I thought you were going to accuse me of being some kind of dependent freak for a minute there.” He laughs but I can still notice the nervousness there.
“Aww is Lou bear a wittle nervous” I mock him with a childish voice while I lean closer to put my head on his shoulder.
He laughs. “Maybe”
“Tomorrow’s going to be fine, you know” I state after a while of silence.
“I know” he replies but I can hear the uncertainty.
“Just think that then we’d be off to the judges’ houses. I wonder where we’d be going.”
“I’m sure it’s some big luxurious money-filled mansion.” Louis says and starts playing with my fingers.
“But if you think about it, one day we might be living in a big luxurious money-filled mansion.”
“Let’s go through boot camp first, yeah?” he offers with a smile. He sounds exhausted so I suggest going back to the room.
After brushing my teeth I go into the living room to find it empty. Louis’ lying on his bed in his pajamas on top of the duvet.
“Aren’t you going to get under the covers?” I laugh while adjusting my pillow.
“Too… tired…” he states with his eyes still closed.
I sigh and cross the room to his bed. I pull the covers over him and he smiles appreciatively. He must be really tired.
“Good night Louis” I whisper.
“Mmmm”
I switch off the light with another laugh.
(twitter: @larrytats)
