wonderlani

Chapter 27

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"You five, awesome. You, five, suck." Simon's words rang through my ears. I slowly tucked myself back into a tiny ball on his couch in the office. Louisa sat back with her arms behind Lizzie and Zara; who crossed their arms and ankles. Nattie's eyes widen to look over at all of us. 

"Excuse me?"

"You're excused Lucida," Simon deadpanned, "Now I don't know exactly how you convinced Sinitta to keep you but according to our ratings-"

"We're the main attraction versus ya boys, you're jealous, and now you're tryin' to intimated us so the viewership can go more toward them. If anything you should sit down with that Haddle guy when we get back to the states Simon,"

"Mr. Cowell,"

"Whatever" Louisa huffed and stood on her feet. She walked over and leaned down in front over his desk, "We are not the problem. You're the problem and I refuse to let you intimidate us just so you're little Ken dolls can get all the famous and glory," She slammed her hand down on the desk, "X-Factor is supposed to be about judging and crafting the talent of others. This isn't some fucking reality show where you lie, steal, and cheat your way to get what you want!"

Simon sat back in his chair, hands crossed in front of his face. The girls stood up together, and the boys just sat back further on the couch, "Everyone take a walk. Go on, make haste," 

Louisa stood back up slowly about to turn around, "Not. You. Lucida," And her greys met my greens; there was a flash of fear and then a flash of hope, followed by a warm smile.

"Simon my bi sexy idiot! If you wanted me, why didn't you say so?" Her tiny giggle filled the air as Lizzie dragged my arm out of the door, closing it behind us. We walked a couple of feet away, watching the boys converse with Nattie and Zara in the tall entranceway at the end of the hall. Lizzie turned to me, her greens filled with the same fear as Louisa's, only Lizzie's fear came from a place of... How do I say? Her own issues.

"Is Simon right? Are we... Are we really that boring? Harri, what if people don't like us? Then we get eliminated! We have to get people to like us!"

I sighed, my eyes fell on the still crowd in front of us, "... then we have to be like them,"

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"California Gurls?" Louisa's face twisted in confusion as she read over the week's first challenge. We've been assigned our house, our room is not a cold basement, but it still a bit too small for Zara's leather pants collection and Lizzie's sneakers from "Keyna" or whatever country her dad visited when was with the Packers... Which Harry hasn't stopped talking about since we got back. 

"It's a song by Katy Perry; you know the one about sex?" Zara reassured as she took a seat next to Louisa on the bed. Louisa looked at the white wall in front of us.

"Madison, all her songs are about sex," Zara's face lit up as Louisa looked back at the paper, "Why would he give us a song like this? It's extremely oversexualized and very, if I may say... Shit." She tossed the paper on the ground and walked off to the bathroom. I tiptoed over and held the sheet carefully. I read over the prompt,

"Number One Singles. Chosen by Simon Cowell; California Gurls, a piece based on female empowerment and feel-good rhythms is sure to light up the crowds. Meet with Savan today for further discussion on the piece. Good luck girls."