Thinking Out Loud // Ed Sheeran

Chapter 1.

Chapter 1. - The start.
Meredith's POV

As the song 'All of Me' by John Legend blasts through the speakers I move to the music making whatever I feel like up on spot. This is how I warm up most days, but today's different. Today I'm dancing in front of about 1,500 people for my competition. This is a big deal for me. I'm hoping that if I do well and don't have any mess-ups, I might get a college scholarship. However, as I know, scholarships don't come that easy.

As I dance I hear the door of the practice room I'm in creak open. "Sorry to interrupt you, Miss Jane, you're on in five minuets." The backstage manager says nicely, popping her head in through the opening she made in the door.

"Thank you." I nod to her before running over to where the small table stands and pausing the song. As she exits, I grab my water bottle and take a few small sips. If I take large sips I will get cramps, I can't take any chances here.

I walk down the dark halls until I'm behind the large black curtains. Not only do I want a scholarship, but I also want to win the competition. I take long deep breaths to calm my shaking nerves. Some song I've never heard before is playing as I walk to the end of the curtain so I can see on the stage and prepare for my entrance.

This is far from my first competition, in fact I've been dancing for as long as I can remember, but I still get nervous before every time I go out onto that stage.

Before I know it, the song ends and the announcer walk on stage saying words that I don't hear at first until he says my name. "And here's Meredith Jane, dancing to Half a Heart by One Direction. I look up and run out on stage just as the announcer walk off stage on the other side.

I get into position and the lights go up enlighten the room with colors. I wait for the music to begin and right as it does my body moves to the music remembering the dance as best I can.

I focus so much on the dance that I don't even see the large audience.

The dance begins slow and sort of boring, but when the first chorus kicks in the dance picks up and I'm leaping and twirling around the stage.

I remember my first dance teacher always told me that each song tells a story, so each dance should do the same. Not only do I have to make a story with my movements, but I also have to make the right facial expressions. every little detail goes into recognition when it comes to dance.

As the song goes on I get less and less nervous and scared. Without thinking my body moves for me. Finally, by the end of the song I smile to myself and wait for the lights to fade out while I hold my pose. I was the last act of the night which I guess was good for me so I had time to get ready and relax a little.

Just as the lights fade I run off stage. "You did great." The stage manager whispers to me.

"Thank you." I smile back at her. I wait about ten minuets before the announcer walks back out on stage with his microphone in hand.

"The judges votes are in. We would like to see all dancers back on stage please." I walk back on stage with slight confidence and stand next to the long row of competitors. "In first place is..." He pauses to add suspense. All the competitors, including myself hold each others hands for good luck and to calm each others nerves even though I only know a few of these girls.

"Meredith Jane." He says my name making my mouth fly open in surprise. Before I can even process what was happening all the competitors were surrounding me in a huge hug. I've never been to a competition with such nice people. At all the other ones they would shake your hand and congratulate you, but here they hug you.

After the second and third place winners are announced we walk back off stage and go to our practice rooms we were assigned. I want to go home and sleep so I don't really feel like changing out of my outfit.

It's a tight black one piece with a V-neck that has a long see through flowy skirt attached to it. I walk in the room and grab my back and pull out my IPhone 6. As I dial in my mothers phone number there's a knock at my door. Before I even get to the door, my mom answers.

"How did you do?" She asks as I open the door.

"First place." I say exdedly. I put my index finger up to tell the lady I've never seen before that I can talk in a minute.

"That's amazing honey! I knew you could do it. I'm so sorry I couldn't be there for you darling." She says with sympathy.

"It's fine mom. You didn't have enough time to, I know how your work can be." I laugh. She works for a magazine company and sense she's CEO she has basically no time off of work and I don't usually tell my father about my dance competitions because I don't really get along with him. My he and my mother are divorced.

"Anyways, I have to go mom. I'll call you later."

"I love you Mere." She says.

"I love you too mom." I say before hanging up and turning back to the lady with a smile. "Sorry for the wait." I apologize.

"No problem. I'm Amy Challon." She says sticking out her hand for me to shake. I shake her hand with ease.

"I'm Meredith Jane. Nice to meet you." This might be someone offering a scholarship. Act natural! "What may I help you with?" Maybe if I use really good manners I'll have a better chance at this.

"I have a proposal for you." She says waiting for a signal to continue. I nod my head. "I'm a manager for a man you might have heard of before."

"Who might that be?" I ask. So this isn't a scholarship, but it has to be something sense it's a 'proposal'.

"Ed Sheeran. Have you heard of him?" She asks making me almost vomit from exitement.

"You're his manager. Tell him of me. I could die peacefully knowing that he's heard of me." I say trying not to explode with tears of joy and extment. "Wait a minute. Why would you be talking to me then?" I ask.

"Have you heard of his song 'Thinking Out Loud'?" She asks.

"Have I heard of it? Girl, I listen to it when I sleep." I think by now you can tell I'm a HUGE Ed Sheeran fan. His music is so amazing and every song speaks to me in a different way no matter what it's about.

"Good. Well he's making a music video for it. We need a dancer and you seemed perfect for the job." She smiles at me.

"Would you still have asked me if I didn't win?" This could be the deal breaker for me even though I love him. If they say they picked me because I won, I'll say no. If they say they picked me because of how I dance then it's an obvious yes.

"We've seen many of your dances from past competitions on YouTube. they were amazing, but I needed to see you dance up close and in person." she says making my smile grow lrger than it ever has before.

"So what do you say?" She asks.