Victorious [A Louis Tomlinson FanFic]

Chapter 2: Auditions and Small Talk

Chapter Two: Auditions and Small Talk

I skipped out into the middle, squinting with my first couple of steps on the stage. The lights hit me so fast, I was temporarily blinded, but I didn't misstep of stagger. As I walked, I felt like a graceful gazelle, except I refused to be vulnerable to the four lions I was facing now.

"Hi," I chirped into the microphone that was grasped between my clammy hands. Oh god, my voice was too high. All of the British Isles had just heard me squeak. There goes my chance with some hot guys, or-

Simon smiled. "Hi. What's your name?"

"Jessica." I rocked back and forth on my heels. "But I go by Jessie."

The other male judge leaned forward. "Hello, Jessie. Tell us a little bit about yourself."

"Um, well, I play football a bit," I shrugged. Crap. I needed to say something interesting, something that wasn't stupid.

"Sounds interesting," the judge said flatly. "What song are you going to sing?"

"Firework, by Katy Perry," I said proudly.

Simon waved his hand to cue the music. And as the first chord played, I stared into the audience and swallowed my fear. The doubt was still there, but at least I wasn't so terrified.

My feet stayed planted on the X in the middle of the stage as my microphone rose to my lips. I started singing boldly, proudly; but as I continued I made slides to other notes that even made myself cringe. This wasn't the best audition I had done, but far from it.

The dread in my stomach drew into a tight knot as Simon cut me off in the middle of the chorus. The music halted, the crowd cheered, and I bit my tongue, watching the three judges intently.

It was the woman who spoke first. "Jessie, I think you do have a very nice voice. It's not crackly, it's very smooth."

The audience cheered, and I beamed. "Thank you," I giggled, the hysteria seeping into my voice along with the nerves.

"But, be very careful on changing notes." She leaned forward in her seat. "I noticed you were sliding a lot, work on that."

I solemnly nodded. Every piece of advice I got from these judges were worth more than gold.

Before the crowd could react, the male judge, not Simon, leaned into his microphone. "Yes, I must say I agree with Nicole. You have to transition more carefully, it really is bad to hear a squeak and out of tune notes when they aren't supposed to be there."

As the crowd booed - which was quite touching - I bit my lip, an old habit. "Okay," I said, feeling the confidence evaporate.

Simon halted the judge as he continued rambling. "I can't say I agree with you, Louis."

Louis. Common name.

The audience quickly changed sides, and started screaming and clapping again. The relief I felt almost turned my vision completely white.

"I do think that the transitions need to be worked on." Simon stared at me thoughtfully, and his gaze made me shiver. "But, I do like you. So, Nicole what about you?"

Nicole flipped her hair and narrowed her eyes. "Jessie, I'm going to say yes."

I fist pumped, but rocked on my heels as I saw Louis's face. I continued chewing on my lower lip.

"Sorry, Jessie, but I say no." One big red X appeared under his seat, and I felt my heart plummet. The crowd booed again.

Simon was the only one left. He was notorious for being harsh on contestants, so why not the same with me? I didn't dare look at the people hovering at the end of the stage, because that would only make me feel even more anxious, if that was possible.