Headlights - New Hope Club Book 1 (Reece Bibby)

Fifteen

"Because lovers love
and then lovers leave
and if you say you love me
where does that leave me?" - Former Vandal, Shelby Merry

Emma's POV

25th August 2014

"I can't believe I'm actually auditioning." Reece said in the car. He was sitting with me and his little sister on the backseat while his mum and dad sat in the front of the car. We've been driving for half an hour now and Reece was a nervous wreck.

We were on our way to Manchester where Reece was going to audition for the XFactor and he insisted on me coming with him and his family for support. I told my parents I had to go to some school play and had dropped Amy off at Jade's place so my best friend could take care of her while I was away for the whole day. I really owed Jade.

"You will be doing just fine." Reece's mum said and smiled at him to reassure him. Reece looked at me, waiting for me to say something. I just changed positions in my seat, feeling really uncomfortable suddenly.

Reece and I were together for approximately a year now and at first it had all worked out which I was really surprised about. But he was getting curious now and wanted to meet my parents which I kind of understood. I mean we were in a relationship for a year now and he's not once seen them. But that was for a reason and there was no way he could get to know them.

I needed to keep him distant and the only way to do this was to drift apart. Over the last few weeks I had become cold and distant and I knew Reece had noticed and it hurt him and hurting him hurt me but I knew I was doing the right thing. I couldn't risk the life I had built up.

"Yeah you will be doing just fine." I repeated Lyndsey's words. Reece looked at me in disappointment because he had expected me to say more, to cheer him up like it was my job as a good girlfriend but I couldn't do that.

He turned his head and looked through the window. The mood in the car had turned from happiness and fun to ice cold. I looked out the window as well and Lexie who sat between the of us crossed her arms in front of her chest because she was annoyed whenever Reece and I argued. And even though we did not really argue, she could sense that something was wrong between the two of us.

We turned to the left and drove onto the parking lot of the studio where the auditions took place.

After we registered and Reece had gotten his number pinned on his shirt we sat in the waiting room, waiting for Reece's name to be called.

There was a huge TV in the middle of the room that showed the people who were in the audition room right now and everybody was staring at it. I knew Reece was glad that he got to audition in a studio and not an arena because he would have been even more nervous about it.

"He is so good." Reece said pointing at the guy on the screen. He was tall, had brown curls and his voice was as smooth as silk. He was indeed really good but I knew Reece was better.

"He is." Jamie, Reece's dad said. "But you are better."

"Everybody is good and special in their own way." Lyndsey said, always seeing the good in people.

"Right but I think he has better chances to win than I have." Reece said resigned.

"Bullshit." I told him and covered Lexie's ears. I knew their parents didn't like it when I swore and Lexie heard it. After all, she was still a kid.

"Reece Bibby?" A tall man with nice clothes came to us and asked for Reece. He looked up and nodded his head. "It's time."

Reece stood up and gave me a panicking glance. "I can't do that."