Chasing The Sun (The Wanted/One Direction)

"You'll be alright love," Max consoled me with a kiss on my forehead.

I looked up at him looking just as anxious as I felt at that moment. He gave me a reassuring smile that drove all the anxiety right out of the pit in my stomache. It's been there for the past two hours that I've been waiting for my audition number to be called. Amazingly, Max was able to drive that feeling away with just one of his honest smiles.

"I just know that you'll smash it!" I grinned up at him and pat the top of his bald head twice before speaking.

"Thanks Maxie! I'm just glad that you and your bald head is here with me!" I teased while the smile never left my face, because honestly it's true. In fact, having my best friend here with me made me feel okay.

"Hey! It's a 'skin head'! Besides, this bald head of mine gets me and the lads the ladies, millions of them in fact!" he boasted puffing out his chest a bit for emphasis. I rolled my eyes at his childishness. For a 23 year old man who also happens to be in a famous band, you'de think he'd act more mature.

So I bet you're wondering quite a few things at the moment. Well, let me explain.

My name is Ariana 'Anna' Stephens, I am 18 years old, and today I am auditioning for the 2012 UK X-Factor. I was born in Camden Town, North London and lived there until I was 5. Due to issues between my parents and the next door neighbors we moved to Manchester where me and Max met. We moved in and his family happened to be our next door neighbors. And yes, my friend Max is the Max George from the British/Irish boyband 'The Wanted'.

The relationship between me and Max is quite simple really. We grew up together and have been friends since I was 6. Well when I was 6, he was 11 so maybe in my mind we were friends. But he treated me nicely and as we aged, we started to get along quite well. We also dated a bit as well when I was 16. It only lasted a few months and we fell out. He was busy in the studio recording and traveling whereas I just hardly got to see him, but our time together made me happy.

"Whatever," I replied and stared straight into the audience. Right now I was backstage waiting for my name to be called. I hadn't paid much attention the the auditioner before me but I'm gueiing she didn't make it by the way she ran out in tears. I took in a deep breath while I heard Louis Walsh call for the next auditionee.

I fixed up my posture and walked towards the center of the stage with a newfound confidence. I made a swift turn to face the judges and kept a small smile. My smile widened when I saw that Harry Styles was a guest judge. To say the least, I was flipping out inside. The audience clapping just at my entrance boosted my confidence up a bit. Gary was the first to speak.

"What is your name?' he asked me.

"Hello, my name is Ariana" I replied in the same calm manner as him.

"How old are you?" Harry asks.

"I am 18 years old," I grin as the audience starts to cheer again.

"Ariana, what do you hope to achieve in five years time?" he asked. I swear, the look he is giving me makes me feel a bit intimidated. It's like he's saying 'If you don't give me a decent answer then I will hate you forever." Thanks Gary.

"In five years I time, I want to have sold millions of records and inspire millions of fans with my music. I want people to hear my music and I want them to love it and be inspired by it." I reply honestly.When he smiles at me and nods in approval, I know that my answer was a good one.

"What song are you going to sing for us?" Tulisa speaks up this time, a smile playing on her lips.

"I'm going to sing 'Mama Knows Best' by Jessie J." I reply to her, yet again feeling nervous jitters in the pit of my stomache. I glance at Max and he mouths a 'good luck'.