Stars In My Eyes

Chapter 1

“Okay class, remember that tomorrow your anthology project is due,” stated Mr. Crossby as he stalked around the classroom.

“Mmhh,” was the class’ collective response as they all fervently tried to copy down all of the notes off of the board before the final bell rang. Braelyn, too, was scrawling down the words on her looseleaf page without caring about the legibility of her handwriting. Finally the sound of the school bell echoed through the classroom, dismissing the kids from their classes. 

With a sigh, Braelyn stuffed her binder and notebook into her backpack, and swiftly exited the room pushing her way through the torrent of people outside. Quickly, she spotted her best friend Mackenzie leaning against her locker.

“Hey Kenzie!” exclaimed Braelyn as she approached the locker. Mackenzie looked up from the cellphone she was texting on to flash Braelyn her perfect grin. Braelyn and Mackenzie may have been best friends, but they were polar opposites. Mackenzie was outgoing and social, whereas Braelyn was shy and reserved. Mackenzie was pretty with blonde hair and crystal blue eyes; Braelyn was normal looking with brown hair and brown eyes. Mackenzie was sporty and athletic, but Braelyn preferred to sit alone at her house, writing songs, than run around on a field.

Mackenzie soon finished texting and pushed away from the locker. “You ready?” she asked, arching an eyebrow at Braelyn. “Yeah...I guess. I’m kind of nervous, though.”

They both walked out of the school building, and into the parking lot, in the direction of Mackenzie’s car. 

As they were walking, Mackenzie offered Braelyn a supportive smile. “Come on Lyn, don’t be nervous. You and I know both know what an amazing singer you are, you’ll do fine!”

“If you say so…,” replied Braelyn hesitantly as she stepped into the car, slamming the door behind her. Braelyn was an amazing singer, but sometimes had doubts regarding her abilities. 

“I’ll pick you up at seven, okay?” asked Mackenzie as they neared Braelyn’s house. “Remember to wear that dress I picked out for you, you’re going to look really pretty!”

With a nod, Braelyn stepped out of the car, her stomach already filled with nervous butterflies, anticipating what would be happening at 7:30 that evening.

 

***

It was now seven o’clock, and Braelyn was now pacing the room back and forth. “Are you okay, honey?” asked her mom, coming up to check on Braelyn. 

“Yeah, I’m just fine,” was Braelyn’s short response, before she continued pacing. A minute later she heard a loud honk outside her house, telling her that Mackenzie and now arrived. “And that’s Kenzie. I’ll be home by ten, is that alright?”

“That’s fine. Good luck honey, you’ll do amazing, they’ll all love you,” replied Braelyn’s mom, giving her a short kiss on the head. Braelyn then grabbed her guitar by the neck and proceeded to rush downstairs and out the front door.

Mackenzie was standing outside the car door, wearing skinny jeans tucked up into knee high boots. She gave Braelyn a once-over, making sure that the simple, strapless dress the two had picked out yesterday looked good on Braelyn. Approving of the dress, Mackenzie walked over to her car door and stepped in, just as Braelyn did.

Throughout the entire car ride, Mackenzie tried to make conversation, but Braelyn remained silent, to nervous to talk. “I feel like I’m about to puke,” she said as they pulled up in front of the club, Heaven.

“Well don’t puke on me, I actually like my outfit,” was Mackenzie’s attempt at a humorous line, trying to ease Braelyn’s nerves. Braelyn threw a glare at Mackenzie that read ‘not funny at all’, then pushed open the club door’s, clutching her guitar by it’s neck. The bouncer eyed them suspiciously but let them both in, despite their sixteen year old appearances, because of Braelyn’s guitar.

There was not much lighting in the club, but Braelyn could make out people in their twenties sitting around, drinking, talking, and laughing as a boy performed on stage. When the boy was finished, an person announced, "Our next musical guest will be Braelyn Conners." There was polite clapping from the people listening, and Braelyn took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. 

      "Go, be great," reassured Mackenzie, squeezing Braelyn's shoulder. Nodding, Braelyn slowly walked up onto the stage. The spotlight was heavy on her, and started to make her sweat. "Umm," Braelyn flinched as the microphone squeaked. "Uh, hi. I'm Braelyn and I'll be singing Taylor Swift's song, The Story of Us. "

     Sitting cautiously at the edge of the stool, Braelyn put the guitar strap around her neck. With one deep breath, she started strumming her guitar, and started to sing.

[See Video on Side]

      When Braelyn sang, she always let loose, and felt comfortable. When she stopped singing, the room was so silent you could here a pin drop. Suddenly there was an explosion of applause, as everybody in the club stood up giving her a standing ovation. Braelyn could not help but grin. This is what she wanted to do, this was where she was supposed to be. On stage, singing.

 

 

Soo like it? This chapter is just a look into Braelyn's regular life. Her life before the X-factor starts :) Please comment and vote. Well, really comment...rather have comments than votes.... Sorry, I didn't really go back and check for errors, so sorry if there are some