Ghost Of You *SLOW UPDATES*

Chapter 26

"Shayla! Shayla! Look at what I read in the magazine this morning at the hair salon!" Carly screams as she runs into my practice room come Monday. I turn in my chair and face her as she hurries over and shoves a magazine into my hands.

5SOS boy bander Luke Hemmings has SPLIT from girlfriend Arzaylea after confusing scandal!

I re-read the headline once again before turning to the directed page and scanning it briefly, only reading a few lines about the theories behind their breakup before I'm interrupted by Carly once again. "They were dating for a few years when he got together with you!" She explains hurriedly whilst I shrug my shoulders and say, "And that matters to me because? Whatever they had, clearly had nothing to do with my relationship with Luke."

She seems to hesitate a moment before saying hurriedly, "Good point. Just thought you would like to know that my theory behind the break up is that Arzaylea was cheating on Luke for ages, as mentioned in the article, and Luke thought that he could get back at her by getting closer to you. The old best friend that helped them rise to success. Or, he was just cheating on Arzaylea but... You know what, I'm just going to leave that alone because you are hurting and we shouldn't be talking about him."

I think over what she's said before shrugging my shoulders dismissively and turning back to the mixing station as the layers for my backing tracks finally fall into place completely. Carly looks over my shoulder and says, "You've finally decided on what songs to do then?"

I mumble an 'mhm' before closing the laptop and turning to face Carly as she presses a hand to my shoulder and says, "I think you need to girl up and get this performance done. Sooo... Tell me what songs you've chosen so I can help pick out a new costume for you."

I chuckle at her and say, "I'm going to open with Babylon. Followed by When You Walk Away and then Lovely which was the partner song. Then, I want to do one of my favourite old songs that the boys used for their first album, The Only Reason, followed by the good ol' song Youngblood. Happy now?"

She squeaks excitedly before a look of confusion washes over her face and she says, "I've never heard four of those songs." "That's because three of them are new and one of them is like... Ancient but in desperate need of revival." I explain as I turn back to the mixer desk and begin to play the demo tracks for her, singing the main vocals into the microphone I had set up.

I pay no heed to the knocking at the door and continue to practice whilst Carly goes and answers it on my behalf. Her muted conversation is in the forefront of my mind as I hear the door slam closed and an agitated Carly coming back to my side.

"It was Calum." She says by way of explanation. I stop the track and immediately jump out of my chair, dashing to the door to find Ashton still standing there, his head tilted to the side slightly as though he was waiting for me to come.

"What was that for?" He asks sharply. I shrug my shoulders and with a blank gaze, I ask, "What are you doing here Hood?" "We're still your mentors so the boys sent me to check in on you and make sure you've got your performance ready. You must present your costume or costumes, to Mr Giles by 7 tonight and give him your backing track." He explains as he crosses his arms across his chest defensively and he looks away from me.

I nod my head and say, "I'll get on to it. Don't forget the competition meeting at 7:30 in the auditorium. Giles said all mentors and students need to be there."

He now nods calmly and looks down at the ground as he says, "Luke found your Led Zeppelin shirt in his room. Did you want it back?" "No thanks. Keep it. I'm sure one of you guys could wear it." I respond quietly before moving backward slightly and saying, "Was that all Calum?"

He looks like he's about to say something but he just shakes his head and settles with, "I'm sorry Shayla. I never meant for things to go this far with your song. We only recorded it as a joke." "And that's completely fine is it Cal?" I sneer before shaking my head, "Thanks for your apology but you can leave now."

He sighs in defeat and begins to walk down the hallway towards the auditorium before I huff tiredly and retreat into my room, shutting the door behind me.

"You handled that well." Carly chimes cheerily as I look towards her reclined figure on my old couch. I scrub my face with my hand before muttering, "Could've gone better."

She shrugs her shoulders and rises from the couch before gripping my arms tightly and staring me in the eyes, a cheeky glimmer in her own. "I have a costume for you and you have to wear it."

"You came up with a full costume in that time?" I inquire with a smirk as she rests her head against my own and says, "Of course I did you child. Now let's go get it from my place and bring it back so you can try it on and give it to Giles."

I chuckle at her and pull away as she leads me out of the practice room and towards her car in the parking lot.

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"This is what you're wearing?" Giles asks as I walk into his office later that evening. I nod in reply and pass over the thigh-high, black boots and the leotard that was bedecked in black and dark silver gems. It looked like a two piece set but had sheer parts on the sleeves, torso and back that had conveniently placed strips of black material or diamonds.

Giles looked at the outfit skeptically before shaking his head and muttering, "What am I going to do with you Holmes?"

I smile slightly and also hand over the backing track disk with backup USB which he places in a large tub labelled with my name. "Did you have any jewellery or anything you needed for the costume as well?"

I shake my head and explain that I don't have any of it yet to which he just nods and tells me to bring it with me on the night. I just nod and follow after him as we walk out into the auditorium for the meeting, the other competitors already there with their mentors.

I hesitate slightly when Michael, Ashton and Calum look my way but when Luke's gaze meets my own, I feel my heart crumble all over again. Shakily, I proceed up the stairs and on to the stage as I stand next to the band, ignoring them completely.

I hear a shudder of sighs and scuffle of feet against the floor but listen intently as Giles begins to explain how the final performance will run... And where it will be.

"We will be flying all of you to New York City where you will play to a multi-national audience to see whether or not your music appeals to a range of different cultures and people." He explains with a grin as he then proceeds to hand us all tickets to the flight and a whole package of info about what to do when you get there.

"It will also be a test as to see whether you are tour ready and can manage on your own," He continues as he proceeds to walk back to the centre of the stage and talk to the group again. "Don't be late for your flight as that is your only one and we will not be buying another ticket. You miss that flight and you're out. Got it?"

Everyone nods, their heads bobbing in understanding as Giles then waves his hand dismissively through the air and tells everyone to go home which I do so eagerly. Ignoring the stares that trail after me and the muttered words that follow.

"Go speak to her."

"I can't Mike."

"What if she read the news about you and Arzaylea?"

"She probably did Calum but that doesn't matter now, does it?"

"You're too late aren't you Luke?"

"I think so Ash."