My Red Thread

Hollywood Week! (III)

Chapter 5: Hollywood Week! Groups Rounds (Part Three)

I think this is where I started growing gray hair.

It was survival of the fitting there. All I remember was Riley clinging to me; considering she has social anxiety. I don't blame her. I would too in that chaos.

We needed at least one more person from day one. People were getting snatched up left and right. I couldn't tell who was from day one or day two.

"Hey Alex!"

I turned around and see Noelle standing next to a guy, waving me over.

"Glad to see to you made it to group round!" Noelle greeted.

"I can say the same for you." I greeted back.

"This is Ethan Wison," She continued. "He was one of the guys who went through with me."

"Hi, Alex, and this is my friend Riley." I looked over at Riley. She was trying to hide behind me.

"H-hey."

"Oh my gosh, she's so cute! Right, Ethan?"

Ethan's eyes widen, his face turning red as he manage to spat out, "What? Oh right, yeah. Cute..." He started looking away, touching his cheeks.

Riley matched Ethan's face, "Right, uh, thank you. I, uh, get that a lot."

"So anyway," I said, changing the subject. "Now that we got our group set up, we should go choose a song and practice."

"Right! We have no time to waste!" Noelle said as she sprinted towards the stage.

I looked at her in bewilderment and said "Noelle's very..."

"Loud?"

"Peppy?"

"I was going to out-going, but that works too." I finished.

"I bet you she didn't sleep last night," Ethan said. "She'll crash soon."

Oddly enough, she didn't crash.

*********

We gathered on the edge of the stage, reading song choices. It wasn't too hard agreeing on a song we all liked.

"What about Everybody Talks by Neon Trees?" I suggested.

"Love that song!"

"I'm down."

"I'm game."

"Song choice: check. Now for the important part; practicing."

Riley jumped off the stage, "Well we need to decide who singing what part. I suggest we listen to the song first, then going on from there."

"We're not going to accomplish anything by just sitting here. Let's go to the hall!" Noelle said, grabbing Riley by the hand. Riley yelped. She turned back at me, mouthing the words, "Help me!"

"I feel bad for your friend," Ethan said. "She's the polar opposite from Noelle."

**********

We practiced for countless hours. Aside from now, that night felt like the longest night in my life. We got the song and basic dance steps down. It came together pretty nicely. At 2:30 we decided to call it a night. We told each other to meet up at same place we rehearsed at 7:30 to practice before going on.

I got up first to get ready. I looked in the mirror-did I want to put on my contacts, or wear my glasses? Glasses. It took effort (that I didn't have at the time) to put them on. Thankfully Riley was half ready when I went to wake her up; getting her up in morning is real struggle.

We met Noelle and Ethan back at our rehearsal area. They didn't look any better than we did.

Noelle leaned in closer to my face. She looked at me quizzically, "I thought you had blue eyes. Now they're brown."

"I have color contacts."

We ran through the song a couple of more times, just to be sure we were in sync. Some of the workers were instructing to go back in the theater.

"We haven't thought of a group name." Riley whispered to me.

She was right. That completely slipped my mind. I leaned over to Ethan and Noelle, "We need to think of a name for our group."

"How about 'Cherry Blossoms'?" Noelle said. The three of stared at her blankly.

"While that isn't a bad idea. May I suggest that we call ourselves 'Unorthodox Detox'?" Ethan suggested.

"Choice name."

"I like it."

"Eh, fine. I still like 'Cherry Blossoms' better."

"Then it's settled: 'Unorthodox Detox' it is."

We waited as groups sang. You can tell some had building tensions. Some were even calling group members out. Few were actually put together. A couple of people would pass through, rarely any groups as a whole moved on.

Our group was told to perform next. We hopped on stage as we told Ryan our group name.

"Unorthodox Detox...interesting name."

We gathered together as one group was getting their results.

"Okay guys, here's our chance to shine as a whole. Whatever happens, we're in this together." I said.

"I don't know if I can do it this..." Ethan said.

Riley placed her hand on his arm, "You can do this Ethan. I heard you sing, you'll be fine."

Ethan looked at Riley's hand, blushed, and nodded. Riley pulled her hand away as her cheeks started to take color.

We were called on stage. Noelle introduced us and our song choice. We took our places and began to belt out our song. Noelle's and Riley's voices harmonized and complimented each other. Ethan's mellow, yet strong tone emphasized my deep vocal cords. When we were came together on the chorus, we just blended easily. Once we were done, people in the audience applauded loudly.

"Your voices really came well together. I love the twist y'all put on that song. You made it your own." Jennifer said.

The judges discussed and looked back at us. Keith started, "So we came to a conclusion, and it is that..."

We all leaned in closer in suspense, grasping each other's hands.

"Y'all going through to the next round!"

Riley and Noelle's high pitched screech almost ruined my ear drums. I gave Ethan a bro hug. Riley and Noelle almost tackled me with their hugs.

Ryan came back on stage, "Ladies and gentlemen, congrats to all of those who made it through. It is now time to move on with next part of Hollywood week, singles round. You have a chance to sing any song with the band, or with your own instruments. You all will perform one at a time, then leave. The judges will call you back in groups and they will give you your fate. Good luck."