wonderlani

Chapter 34

"And now coming to the stage, wonderlani!" The host announced over the mic after our video package played. Always the bridesmaids and never the bride; my mom used to say that to my dad all the time before her sets. I never understood until I saw a carbon copy of 1D's video package but in the black face... Our faces. I shook my head out as Nattie's electric guitar filled the arena. The door opened in front of us as we strolled out onto the bright neon rainbow stage in front of thousands of people. I took a breath, closed my eyes, and focused. 

As the performance continued, it started to get a bit hotter on stage than expected. We went out in all black to contrast the bright colors of the stage. 

But Zara was behind me the whole time, tapping my side to make sure I was still present and mumbling, "You good?" I nodded. As Louisa ran to the other side of the stage, she screamed praises into the mic as the crowd erupted beneath our feet. 

The 'Free' was held out for one more whole note than in the original; Louisa jumped down from the stage as we followed in suit. Nattie met Louisa's eyes as she signed to relax and breathe. She's got this. 

I wouldn't want to tell you how amazing her guitar skills. So I won't. Her fingers shredded across the cords like nothing I've ever seen. People stood up from their seats to get a glimpse at the rocking solo being recreated, almost exactly as originally produced. 

Diamonds of the Irish flag flashed in the spotlight as she made her way over to the podium we had set up to connect to the judges' table. She stopped in front of everyone, her guitar leaving for a breath before landing back in place for the next cord adjustment. 

Nattie's shoes glided across the stage as she finalized her spot in the center. The four raced back on stage in time for the solo to end. This had to put us at number one. It just had to. 

🦃🦃🦃

"I told you all specifically not to do the rock piece first, and not only do you do the piece first, but you didn't perform in the outfits I assigned to you. I thought we had a deal, you'd do as I said from here on out, or you're gone," Simon roared backstage. Louisa crossed her arms and leaned back into the wall as he continued his rant. We all stood to the side, looking through our attires for the next song. Zara cleared her throat as Simon stomped away. Louisa pushed herself off of the wall, hands deep in her pockets as she sighed,

"Change of plans; I can't lead you all out there, Zara. You're gonna have to be the lead on this one," Louisa deadpanned to us. Nattie shot her head up, and Lizzie followed suit. I looked down at the outfits, and my stomach flipped as I pulled out another dress. I hate dresses. 

"What did Simon say to you," Zara's voice deepened as her eyes scanned the area for others. Louisa blinked and turned away from us, "That didn't answer my question, Thorn! What did Simon say to you? Why can't you lead us," Zara's breath now a desperate plead. Louisa's shoulders shrugged as she faced us again.

"Just remember this is strike one, sorry Zee," Louisa sniffled before walking down the hallway. Zara threw her arms in the air as the loudspeaker played through the building.