My Red Thread

Hi Mom, I'm on TV

Chapter 8: Hi Mom, I'm on TV

I was beginning to settle into a routine of being on stage, meeting with Randy and the vocal coach, and being in the studio. I was loving every minute of it.

Randy said I needed a to define myself more with one genre.

"I want to be a pop rock artist," I told him. "I want my music to inspire others."

The top 24 be came the top 11. One more week and everyone left secured their place on the Idol Tour. You hand no idea how badly I wanted a spot on that tour.

I had performed Nicki Minaj's Super Bass the day before. I'm a diehard barb, so all you trolls can crawl back under your bridges.

During the results show, Ryan pulled me on stage. He had me face the big screen. A video of Nicki came on the screen. She just loved my version of her song. I was grinning from ear to ear at that point. I couldn't believe she saw me sing.

I felt someone tap my shoulder, "Excuse me, darling."

Oh my gosh.

"You're...you're..."

"The one and only Nicki Minaj."

There she was, standing right before me. Nicki Minaj, in the flesh. I could just die right now.

"Your version of the song was fabulous. I couldn't had sung it better myself. You're just gonna go far in this competition dear."

She gave me a hug. I almost fainted.

To make my day even better, I made to the top 10, so I made it to the Idol Tour

**************

The show moved us to a house. Well, more like mansion. The place was huge. We scooped out the place. Everyone had a divide and conquer mindset-claiming rooms and beds with each other.

"Come on Riley, you'll room with me." Noelle said as she lead Riley to a nearby room.

I walked across the hall, only to find Ethan unpacking his stuff.

"Hey man," I said as peeped in the room. "Mind if I crash with you?"

"It's all yours."

I kept looking around the house. It had everything; a pool, massive living room with a flat screen, anything you could imagine. I noticed it a balcony that came off the living room. From what I could see, it had a couple of patio chairs, in full view of the sun setting against the California skyline.

I got closer to look outside, but I noticed a figure standing there. Riley. I carefully inched forward to try and hear what she was saying.

"Hi Joel, it's Riley. But of course you know that. I'm sorry I haven't talked to you in a while. I've been caught up with some things. I'm singing on tv, I've been making friends. No one has been teasing me for my stutter. Everyone here has been so kind to me. I wish you were here to see me."

"Spying are we now?"

I nearly jumped right out of my skin. I looked over, and it was him: the guy from top 24 week. The guy from...

"I'm not sure if you remember me, from the hospital." The guy said. "I was there when, you know."

"Yes I remember. That night still creeps up on me, and it happened two years ago." I looked down on the ground.

"I'm sorry, I should of mentioned this earlier: my name's TJ."

"I'm Alex."

"I was merely shadowing a doctor during my senior year." TJ said. "Your friend over there was hysterical. She just did not take the news well. I couldn't take it. I realized that the medical field wasn't for me. I decided to go with psychology and be a counselor."

"Are you in college now?"

"I was, I'm taking a break now and pursing music. I turned 20 a few months ago."

I noticed he talked with an Australian accent. It was kinda hot. He looked over at me and caught me staring at him. My face was burning. I was never good at playing it cool.

TJ laughed and said, "Hey, no worries. It will be our little secret." He winked as he walked back to the bedrooms.

After performing live that night, we all went out for dinner. We bonded over nachos and other Mexican food at a local restaurant. I'm not a fan of Mexican food, but this place was surprisingly good.

Ethan and Riley always seem to gravitate toward each other. Whenever Ethan would brush his hand against Riley's, Riley would get all giggly. There was something going on, and I'm not sure how I felt about it.

I decided to go with the direct route and ask Ethan.

"What? Pffft, Why? Did she say something about me? Did she tell you anything?"

That answered my question.