My Red Thread

Hollywood Week! (II)

Chapter 4: Hollywood Week! Knockout Rounds (Part Two)

I got up at the crack of dawn to go back to the theater. I was dead tired. I hardly slept at all. Riley was worse. She barely was able to keep her eyes open.

Once we got to the theater, the day one contestants who already sang sat in one section, the rest of us sat in another. When we took our seats, Riley rested her head on my shoulder and passed out.

Two hours passed and more contestants sang. Few were making the cut, many were being sent home. Five minutes went by and Riley woke up from her siesta.

"Morning sunshine."

"Bleh, 'morning sunshine' my butt."

I laughed. Riley always found ways to amuse me. A couple minutes later, a producer called out more names.

"Alex Medina."

"Riley de la Rosa."

We went up on stage and filed in a single file line. We walked on stage with our group. I was dead in the middle, with Riley to my right. The suspense of singing was getting to me. Just hurry up and sing so I can get this over with. Riley ended up going right before me.

"What will you be singing?"

"Sing by My Chemical Romance."

"You may begin."

Riley took a breath and sang. Her song choice complimented voice very well. She can sing classical music and make it sound cool.

"Thank you, Riley. you may be go back in line."

My turn. I hope I'm not a screw up.

"And what will you be singing for us?"

"Permanent by David Cook."

"When you're ready."

I started to sing. As my voice flowed with the lyrics, I started to have glimpses of flashbacks. Two young guys in hospital beds, their tan skins covered with red and purple markings, tubes helping them keep the peace. My voice trembled as I reached the final note.

"Thank you."

The judges talked among themselves. They faced us to deliver the verdict.

"Will the following people please step forward:"

"Riley de la Rosa."

"Caleb St. Mark."

"Jason Hayes."

"Alex Medina."

We all stepped forward. My heart and hands decided to do a little dance. I had to put my hands in my pocket to keep them from shaking.

"Front row, congrats you're going to the next round. Back row, sorry to say this is the end of road for you."

Riley ran up to me and hugged me as she squealed. We congratulated the other two guys. But the worse was yet to come.

We sat back down as Ryan came back on stage, "Now here comes the most dreaded time of the competition: group round."

I saw people groaning and hiding their faces in their hands.

"What will happen now is that all of you will get into groups of three or four, pick a song from a list we'll give you, pick a name for your group, choreograph a dance and perform it in front of the judges. You have to have a combination of day one and day two people. You have until tomorrow morning to prepare. Good luck."

Everyone in the theater started to scramble in panic.