Illusion - Luke Hemmings fanfiction

Chapter three

*Luke's P.O.V*
"Don't stare." Michael laughs as he lightly pushes my shoulder. I ignore him and continue to watch as Brooklyn takes her place centre stage with the rest of the girls behind her slightly. Each step she takes is slow and elegant but her delicate hands shake as she positions the microphone in front of her ruby red lips. Her soft blue eyes look glossy in the light and as her queue comes up no words leave her mouth. My heart pounds on her behalf as I wait for her to start singing. When the cords relapse and she gets another go at reaching her queue soft notes escape her mouth and every word that she sings seem like she means them. Passion leaks from her soft lips as she pours her heart out. The harmonies between the girls entice the whole room as they listen to every note that leaves each of the girls mouths. Hypnotised doesn't begin to describe the atmosphere in here.

When the song ends the whole room gets on their feet and applaud, whistle, cheer as loudly as they can...including me. It was amazing and honestly it makes me even more scared than I already was to go up and perform. I notice a small tear escape from Brooklyn's eye before she walks off of stage and the next act come on. I have no idea why she'd be upset..I mean her performance was magical. Even though she missed her first queue it was hardly noticeable because it looked like the girls made the introduction to the song longer. I run around to the other side to see if Brook is okay. As soon as I see her I wrap my arms around her trembling, small body. I whisper in her ear asking if she's okay and it's at this point that she breaks away.

"Bella I need to tell you something." She announces as she turns to face her best friend. Bella looks at her confused before Brook takes in a deep breath.

"Our parents know we're here." Brooklyn gets out quickly. It takes me a few seconds to take in the fact that they've not only managed to get here with out their parents consent but also how much trouble they're going to be in.

"Next up...5 Seconds of Summer!" The announcer calls and it's then that I realise that I'm not even with my band. I walk on to the stage and I must look such an idiot because I'm the only one coming on from this side. I haven't had time to be nervous because all day Brooklyn has been playing on my mind. But now it hits me. Ashton starts playing the box to the beat of I Miss You by Blink182 and it's then that I snap back into reality and begin to strum my acoustic guitar to the beat.

*Brooklyn's P.O.V*
The soft sound of Calum's voice takes away my worries, as music normally does, and straight away I'm hooked. I make my way towards the gap in the curtain and I sit myself down as I watch the talent ooze out of '5sos'. My stress lifts off of my shoulders as I listen to the steady beat of the music. This is the real reason I want to go into the music industry; not for the fame or fortune but the fact that I could help be someone's escape.

"That was...erm...amazing." I stammer as the boys get off of stage. Ashton blushes and giggles slightly and the other boys grin. In unison both Calum and Luke say thank you and uncontrollably smile. The boys were last as we were to perform in alphabetical order and numbers were placed at the end. This then means it isn't long until we have to go back on stage. The buzz I got as I got off stage numbed the fear of how much trouble I'm going to be in when I get home. It's amazing how much music can do.

It's not long before me and the girls are back on stage, singing our hearts out. Our voices each complement and balance with each other and we have never performed so well together. We put our all into a short 3 and a half minutes but it was the best feeling I've ever had. When we come off stage we get loads of compliments and for the first time I believe me and the girls actually have a chance of making it to the finals.

Until, 5 seconds of summer perform. Their talent is undeniable and they have the entire audience on their feet clapping and cheering as they leave.

"You guys were so fucking good!" I say, stunned as they come back over to us.

"It's time to announce the winners! If all performances can make their way on to the stage now to present this years victors." A voice booms from the speakers as we all share a confused expression. There were meant to be 3 groups left to perform again tomorrow rather than it all being decided today. Becky mouths 'what the hell' to me as we make our way onto the stage along side the boys. My heart begins to race as they call out each number from 20 to 3 and the band that came in each place. My hand searches to find Bella and Lauryn's hands as I latch my fingers with theirs. A band consisting of one girl with bright blue hair, a drummer who has beautiful drawing inscribed up his muscular arms and a guitarist with long, curly, blonde hair down to his broad shoulders come third and I smile over to them. But I can't help the butterflies fluttering around my stomach as my mind focusses on the fact that the competition is now between us and 5sos to win first place. I know in my mind that the boys have won but there's still a part of my heart that sparkles with hope that we drew or possibly even beat them to win the contract. As the quick speed of the drum roll begins I feel light headed with nervousness.

"Our winner this year is...5 seconds of summer!" A woman announces which makes my heart drop to the floor. Michael smiles over to me as he mouth 'well done' for us coming second and Ashton gives me a massive hug straight away because I was standing by him. He whispers that he thought we were better than him but I know the boys were going to beat us anyway. Calum, after cheering a lot and hugging his band, comes over and congratulates us on coming second but Luke disappeared completely. I'm proud of us coming second, even if it was a disappointment that we didn't win, but I thought Luke was a friend and would say something considering his band mates did and I'm the closest to him.

"I'm going to go back to the hotel and pack. Bella we need to get home ASAP anyway so it's kind of lucky we can get home a day early." I say as I give everyone a hug goodbye. I congratulate the boys on their success and the bright smiles couldn't be wiped off of their faces, but Luke was still no where to be seen.

*Luke's P.O.V*
The line at this stupid gas station is so long. The ruby red roses that are mixed with an array of other beautiful flowers in my hand are starting to annoy me as the freezing water they were sitting in drips down my arm. I've never put my heart out on the line and actually asked a girl out before and although now might not be the right time it might be my only chance. Images of Brooklyn on stage with her bright eyes glimmering in the light and sweet harmonic notes escaping her plump red limps are imprinted on my mind as I impatiently wait to buy these overpriced flowers. The boys are going to be wondering where I am. I don't know if they're going to hand us our award now or later and when we are meant to be signing contracts so for all I know I could be missing it; but she's worth it.

When I get to the front on the queue I hand the old man a $20 note, the flowers were $18, and he slowly begins to look for my change. I glance at the clock and I've been gone for over ten minutes.

"Don't worry about the change!" I tell him as I run out of the shop.

When I get back to the gig I search the entire hall looking for her, ignoring the fact that I've left my band to collect the award without me. She's no where to be seen. Calum tells me that she and Bella have gone back to the hotel because they need to get home soon. If I don't get to her now I may never see her again.