Maddie's dream

CHAPTER 1

I walk out onto the stage at Madison Square Garden, my guitar around my neck. The audience is full- each little phone light makes the arena look like a night sky full of stars. The spotlight swings down to illuminate me and the crowd cheers. They're chanting my name-

"MADDIE, MADDIE, MADDIE, MADDIE,"

"-MADDIE!"

I wake up startled. My mom is standing in my doorway.

"It's time to get up. Dad is making pancakes," she says.

I get up and don't bother changing out of my pajamas because after all, it is Saturday. I brush my teeth and throw my hair into a messy bun. I head downstairs to the kitchen.

"Breakfast is ready, darling," says my dad.

I smile and take my plate. Normally I would probably just sleep through breakfast, but it's a big deal that my dad is home. He has been in the army since I was little and is back for a week on break.

"So, do I get to see you perform today?" he asks.

I stop scarfing down my pancakes for a second to answer.

"Kinda," I laugh. "It's just an open mic so it isn't really that big of a deal..." I trail off.

"Hey," he says. "I'm sure it will be great. You're a beautiful singer, and it's not like you have to sell out Madison Square Garden or anything to prove it. Don't put yourself down."

Truth is, I'm really nervous for the open mic. I've been taking music lessons- singing, guitar, and piano- since I was 5, and I started writing my own music a couple of years after that. Whenever my dad comes home I feel like I have to impress him because I don't want him to think that all of the money we're putting into lessons is being wasted.

"I'm gonna go get ready," I say, thanking him for the pancakes.

Upstairs, I sift through my closet. It's just a small open mic at the music school I take lessons at, and usually there aren't many people there. Because my dad is going, I decide to dress up a little bit. I pick out my favorite maroon dress and black tights, and then pack up my guitar.

I sit in the backseat of the car, and look out the window as I nervously pick at my fingernails. My mom is driving. Even though it's usually just the two of us around, our relationship has always been strained. There isn't really a particular reason that we aren't close. I just have never been one of those girls who calls their mom a "best friend."

We pull up to the building and I get out of the car. I feel my dad put his hand on my shoulder.

"You're gonna do great. Don't be nervous," he says reassuringly.

I look up at him. He always knows what to say.

"Thanks," I reply softly.

For someone who wants to be a famous musician someday, I sure can be shy. We head in and I write my name down on the sign up sheet. Like I thought, there are only a couple of other people there. We arrived only a couple minutes before it started, so I was last on the list.

I honestly spaced out through the other performances because I was so caught up in my nerves. Would I forget the lyrics? Would I forget the chords? Would I just panic entirely and not even be able to get up on the stage?

"It's okay," I tell myself. "You can do this."

The emcee reads off my name and I stand up with my guitar and take the microphone.

"Um, hi," I say. "I'm Maddie and I'm going to be singing an original song."

I strum the first chord and start singing. I feel like I'm transported to a whole new world when I'm playing a song, especially when it's one of my own. All of my nerves melt away, and all I feel is the music.

The song ends and I finally look up at the audience. I can see that my parents look proud and my dad is even crying. Most of the other people had left, with the exception of a couple in the back row who also clapped for me.

I hop off the stage and go back to my parents.

"Honey, that was amazing," says my Dad. "You are so talented and you make me so proud to be your father."

He hugs me and as I pull away I see the couple from the back approaching us. I smile at them and just assume they are walking towards the door. Instead of leaving, though, they come right up to me.

"Hi," one of them says. "My name is Jeff and this is my partner Alicia."

"Hi, my name is Maddie," I introduce myself, a bit hesitant.

"We thought you were amazing. Your song writing is really sophisticated for someone your age. What... you must be like 18?" Alicia asks.

"Yeah, I'm 18," I say. "But thank you so much, that really means a lot especially coming from strangers."

"Of course," says Jeff. "We're actually talent scouts and we go to open mics and small events to look for local budding artists that might work as opening acts for bigger performers."

"Would you want to work with us?" asks Alicia. "We have one artist that we think you'd be perfect to open for."

I look over at my parents. They both are looking at her in disbelief, and my dad has a small smile on his face.

"I mean... I'd have to ask," I say in the direction of my mom and dad.

My dad looks at my mom.

"I think it sounds like a really good opportunity to consider," he says. My mom seems to agree with him, which somewhat surprises me.

"Who is the artist you have in mind?" I ask, directing my attention back towards Jeff and Alicia.

"I'm not sure if you've heard of him," Jeff trails off.

"Shawn Mendes," Alicia says. "His name is Shawn Mendes."