wonderlani

Chapter 32

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I woke up to a hand rubbing down my arm; their fingers curled at my elbow as they tugged back. I groaned and turned on my back, peeping out from under my lids. The person took a step back and smiled down at me, sitting on the edge of the bed.

I blinked once to clear my vision to reveal it was... Nicole. Geez. I sighed as I pushed myself up on my elbows, staring at her with soft eyes. Nicole smiled with her hands rested on her lap. I fully sat up with my legs crossed, words still not exchanged... But there didn't need to be any exchange. I knew why she was here; it was our group. When is it not our freaking group?

"Harriet-"

I shook my head, "Nicole, just... Please skip to the end of this conversation. I'm sure the girls are out having breakfast or trying to prevent Louisa from killing Katie again, or that Nattie doesn't awkwardly stare at Niall as someone else steals out song ideas, or Lizzie and Zara not jumping down a ditch and getting their thousand-dollar outfits messed up-"

Nicole held up her hand,, and I stopped, clearing my throat, "Though all of those are issues worth addressing, we do need to discuss the main issue at hand. Our song," Nicole snapped at me, and I closed my mouth.

"Sorry, I meant, like, yes exactly!" Nicole nodded her head, "Your Song by Elton John! He's the theme for the night, and it's perfect for the five of you. Plus, I don't believe anyone else is singing that at the moment, so," Nicole smirked, "I'll mark it down."

"Thanks, Nicole," I sighed, resting my hands over my stomach, "And about the girls, I didn't mean to take my aggression out on you. I just been stressed with-"

"Five random girls you're forced to compete with to accomplish your dream of being the next big thing... Basically a group project with more risk," I nodded at Nicole's assessment.

"I just wish they were more stable in personality, you know? Why is it that one second they-"
"Louisa," Nicole countered. I groaned, "She's a masterpiece in her own mind, but I think she's trying to put up front for everyone-"

"It's not a front. I think it's the opposite; she's built this character, a god, and she uses it to protect the inner her," I asserted, walking past Nicole and into the shared closet. I heard a soft giggle as I felt a present stand next to my side. Nicole's hand rested gently on my shoulder as I sorted through my sweats.

"What do you think this inner her is," Nicole questioned as she took her hand off my shoulder. I swallowed as my eyes landed on a navy pullover; she gave me-take it, I have a million of these. I shook my head and blinked back a few tears as I sighed to myself.

"I dunno," I combed my curls behind my ears and took a step back, snatching the pullover off the hanger, "But I hope to find out soon,"

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The five of us stood on the stage, looking over the empty seats. The lights warmed my face, the palms of my hands sweating so hard the mic starts to drop. I can feel my heart pounding out my chest and acid in my throat.

I don't know where the nerves are coming into play. I just hate the preparation of concerts or performances. I ask myself too many questions like did I sing that good, and I can improve this part should I, and-

"Rockstar!" I snapped my head up from my thoughts and looked between all the eyes. I shook my head and stood upright. Louisa's light greys turned to a glassy navy as she turned back around to face the empty seats, "Let's take it from-"