We Were Meant To Fly

Ch. 12- Emerging Stars

I leaned back against Nathan's chest and giggled softly. For the past two weeks, Jay and Izzie were inseparable. They were adorable together. We came home from school together and went straight to the boys. The end of the year, which was rapidly approaching, could not come fast enough. We had a long weekend, but I was not looking forward to it. It was the weekend at boot camp. I was going to be stuck in a hotel and singing for a spot in the finals. In one week, the audition episodes would air. Only the boys and my mom knew I had auditioned. Izzie was going to be with us at a little screening party consisting of the boys, Nareesha, Michelle, and I. Izzie just thought we were hanging out. I had been informed last week that I would be on the airing show. Now that was only a fact my mother knew.

It was amazing how amazing my life was. Less than a year ago I was just Emma. Living in Texas, I was just plain and simple. Now, I had a famous boyfriend, I was going to be on national TV, and had an amazing best friend. Wow. My dreams were becoming a reality and my head was barely floating above water. My self-doubt began to well up again, but I wasn't going to let it over take me. I was stronger than I had been just a few weeks ago. Love was a powerful thing. It lifted you up to an astonishing height and could make you feel whole, even if you had been broken. Love is patient, kind, protecting, gentle, and it lasts forever.

When we got together to watch the X-Factor, Izzie wasn't sure she wanted to watch it at all, "I don't know. It's always sort of bored me. Just a bunch of boring people who plead for attention on TV, I don't think I can take it." I looked at Nathan who was holding back a laugh. Then it started. We convinced her to watch it with us and she finally settled down after the introduction.

About halfway through the show the host began, "Our next hopeful is only eighteen years old. She's recently moved to London," at that I saw myself walk onto the stage. I saw Izzie's jaw drop.

"Hello, what's your name?" One of the judges asked.

"Emma," I said sounding somewhat confident.

"Okay, Emma, go ahead," I began to sing. It actually sounded ok. There was then about three seconds of silence.

"Very, very good Emma," the same judge that had spoken before said, "I believe you should continue onto the next round. How about the rest of you guys," he said motioning to the rest of the panel. They all shook their head yes, watching me with intent. I walked off. Then, I saw what I had missed while I flipped out offstage.

"She was very good."

"Lots of potential."

"Maybe I'll get girls..."

"She has more talent in one finger than a lot of the people we've watched today." Did famous people really just have that conversation about ME?

"And so another spot is filled for boot camp," the announcer said, "we'll be back after these messages!"

"Emma you little," the room was filled with obscenities, everyone looked shocked, "why didn't you tell me?"

"I wanted to surprise you," I started.

"Em," she said looking straight at me, "you can sing. I am shell shocked. You're supposed to be the quiet, smart, sensible girl of our friend group. YOU AUDITIONED FOR THE X FACTOR. That's not sensible or quiet, but judging by what they," she said motioning to the judges who were frozen on our paused TV screen, "said, they agree that you're AMAZING." She grinned and I hugged her.

"Uh, Em, hate to ruin the moment, but why didn't you tell us they said that?"

"I didn't know they said it," then it hit and I started squealing and jumping around. I was shocked. I was ecstatic. I had just appeared on national TV!