Hotel {L.S.}

Chapter 6

I looked at the stage, taking in a deep breath. It wasn't going to be that bad, I kept reminding myself. This is what you want to do, just go do it.

Louis rubbed my shoulders for a few seconds before letting his hands drop to my arms. "You got this."

I closed my eyes and nodded and almost felt like we had been doing this forever. It almost felt like Louis and I had done this countless times even though it was the first. I haven't even known him a day, yet it felt like we have known each other for years.

I went on stage and closed my eyes for a few seconds just to ground myself. It was surprisingly quiet for the amount of people who were in the crowd as I pulled the microphone from its stand.

Seconds later the song started, and that's all I let myself focus on. Singing the words correctly and hitching the pitches I needed to hit. Barely into the first verse I let everything else go, singing the way I always pictures myself doing when I was alone in my room.

Getting nervous about performing had always been an issue. I loved to do it, but had a hard time getting past the fact people would be watching me. So, Grindley signed me up for any and all events he could have without telling me for as long as he possibly could. Usually it was too late for me to pull out of them, but gave me enough time to be able to get a song or two down.

I knew from the start of my sophomore year that this event wouldn't be optional my junior or senior year. I had been getting ready for this since then, but I doubted myself because of my parents. They made me question much more than I ever should have had to when it came to being on stage because they never wanted me on stage.

Now was the one time I wasn't worried about what they thought. I would keep my phone off and ignore them because I needed to be confident and one blow would be all that it took to have me come crashing back down.

I finished the song and took deep breaths as the crowd cheered. I smiled to myself while looking down, then to the judges table. They all looked impressed, which I tried to not let it get to me, but it did just a little bit.

"What's your name again?" One of the judges asked.

"Harry Styles," I said into the microphone, trying to stop the ever growing smile on my face. I really just did that on television.

"Well Harry," the same judge continued, "You just set a pretty high bar for the other contestants to meet."

I smiled even more and bit my lip. Before I could say anything, another judge continued. "You did amazingly well. You're a junior, correct?"

I nodded. "Yeah." I looked back and forth between them all, not believing that I did that well.

"You have an amazing voice, especially for being as young as you are. How long have you been singing?"

"I started about two years ago with taking it seriously, but I've been singing since I was a kid."

"You've done well. I can't wait to see you perform again," the last judge said. From what I knew he barely talked, let alone talk during the first round.

"Thank you," I said before walking off stage.

Louis pulled me to his chest the second I was off stage. "You did amazing. I'm so proud of you."

I hugged him tighter, taking a deep breath. "They loved it," I whispered.

"They loved you, Harry."

Mr. Grindley came over to me. "You did so well," he praised and I smiled. "You're going to surprise everyone here, Harry." He patted my shoulder before leaving, then Luke came over to.