Hidden Talent

Chapter 31 - Shape of You

"Everyone, take your places," one of the production crew people shouted behind the stage.

The judges: Nick, Julie, Shelby, and Shay, were directed to stand in front of the opening wall where they will be exiting from, to enter the front of the stage.

I was nervous as heck. It especially didn't help that I'm the second to last contestant to perform. Holden was lucky to be the third to go out and perform. He wouldn't have to go through the whole show waiting for his turn to come up. Unlike me.

Cal and Ty were standing right beside me, but only this one time because they're going to introduce each contestant with their coach. But after that, they'll be sitting among the crowd.

I changed into my performance clothes the second we arrived to the auditorium. I had a white tank top on, with a gray sweatshirt and a black jacket on top of that. I put on some black joggers and black Adidas high tops that had gold trimming on them. I left my hair down and wore near to nothing of makeup besides the natural mascara and lip gloss which the makeup artist, Lila, insisted I wear.

The first contestant sang a song by Bruno Mars, the second sung Firework by Katy Perry, and then it was Holden's turn to go up.

"Our next contestant comes from the depths of Santa Barbara, California. Please welcome Holden Devlin and his coach Jordan Zelda," Drake, the host, introduced Holden and Jordan before they went up on stage, the wall opening to let them go on stage.

As Holden walked on stage you could already hear his fans cheering in the audience. Holden waved out to them which just caused them to cheer louder.

"Well, listen to that," Drake continued. "If you can't then I don't blame you. I think I went deaf myself," he laughed. "Give it up to Holden Devlin and the song he will be singing is On Top of the World by Imagine Dragons. Amazing." He clapped along with the audience. The camera quickly switched off of Drake and focus closely onto Holden as he set up and got ready as he fixed his jacket, shifting his feet, getting in to the beat before he sang.

"One more performer, then your up," Cal informed me after what felt like the twentieth contestant went up.

"I'm nervous," I told Cal. "I'm shaking." I showed him my shaking hands, practically shoving them in his face so he could see them. I began to hyperventilate. My breathes became heavy and my vision turned fuzzy.

"I'm not feeling good." I looked up at Cal.

"Ever, breath," he put an arm around me to keep me from falling towards the floor. "Don't faint on me now. You're about to go on."

His words did little to calm me, instead it made me panic more.

"Awe, my peanut," I heard Ty say not so far away.

I turned to look just to see an open bag of peanuts in his hand, as he looked down at one of the peanuts that dropped, accidentally.

There was chaos coming from deeper in the room, far from the stage, towards the exit doors. I could hear the loud chatter of the contestants and the production crew, arguing with someone.

I tipped my head to the side, looking around Cal to see what the commotion was all about.

It all happened so fast. Cal was standing right in front of me before I was pushed away from him and instead against a wall. A group of girls attack Cal, flashing cameras in his face, and asking for his autograph as they all talked at the same time, you couldn't decipher what they were trying to say.

"Ty!" Cal shouted, asking for Ty's help to get away from the crowd of girls surrounding him.

Ty was too busy getting on his knees praying and asking for forgiveness for his dropped peanut, while his full bag of peanuts sat right beside him on the floor.