Her.

Chapter Twenty One.

Esme's POV;

As I walked I got the hallway of the studios I used to love to be around I couldn't help but look over the artwork on the walls, seeing Perri's face, the smile, the cheesy smile he always had on his face. My heart couldn't help but flutter, it was a rare occasion to fall for someone you hardly knew, but I knew the Perri in the studio on a morning, or when he worked late. I knew his drink order and how he liked his morning snacks, I knew how he would pull his hair out of his bun most mornings and redo it three times before going on air, how he would smile at his phone when people tuned into the show from 6am, how he was the most humble person I knew, he was forever grateful that dancing had changed his life, and he was a good person. But then would a good person kiss me and then still be with his girlfriend? My heart was officially torn, as much as I wanted to run out of this hallway and hide from everything, hide from everyone, hide from him. I knew I couldn't, I knew I had to do this today.

"You look stunning" Emily murmurs from behind me, as I pull my eyes away from Perri's chestnut ones hanging on the wall. "Thank you" I whisper, as Emily pulls me in for a hug. "I didn't think you would come" she whispers, as I sigh to myself, I didn't think it come either, or be here longer than five minutes. "Are you ready?" She whispers, as I pull away from the hug and look into her eyes, nodding my head slowly.

I pull the beautiful white mask that I had from my purse, and place it over my face, covering the top half of my face, my light eyes shining through the mask, seeing Emily's face open into a wide smile. "Do you know you look like a princess?" She giggled as I smile, and hold my hand out for her to take. "Shall we do this?" I whisper, as my eyes land on the double doors, the double doors full of people awaiting to see if girl behind the microphone turned up tonight, behind the doors stood a potential Perri and his beautiful girlfriend, the butterflies in my stomach making me feel sick. This was the moment, the moment I'd dreaded but wanted my whole life. "You've got this" Emily whispers, as we start walking and approach the door, the floor vibrating from the sound of the music playing inside.

Third persons POV:

As Esme walks into the giant hall, everyone gathered around dancing and talking, the music pounding against the walls. Cameras and microphones speaking to people in the rooms that scattered off the hall, interviews taking place everywhere but Esme could still feel her heart pumping out of her chest, and in her opinion it was a lot louder than the music vibrating the hall.

Meanwhile, Jordan and Perri were laughing in front of a camera, their smiles lightening up the room the camera crew laughing with them about Perris afro being tucked away in a tight bun, he preferred it that way, but he also liked to hide away behind his afro, and right now as much as he was laughing and felt comfortable with his best friend by his side, he wanted to hide behind his hair, his heart pounding with anticipation, would Esme show? Or would she ignore him for the rest of his life now.

As the two adults stood a hallway apart, their hearts that were racing began to slow slowly, almost as if they knew they were both there, that they were both okay.

"Are you excited Kiss Fm ball?" A voice shouted as the music quietened. "In five minutes you have the person you've been waiting so long for! Stay vibing" the voice continued, as Jamie approached Esme, a smile on his face from ear to ear. "We can do this" he smiles, as Esme nods her head slowly, following her brother to the quiet room backstage, as Perri walks out of the interview, Jordan hot on his heels, Perri's eyes scanning the crowd for the person he longed to see. "Babe, I wondered where you had got to" Olivias voice rang around and around his head, Perri ignoring everyone and anything just to see the person he wanted to.

Emily and Perri's eyes land on each other from across the room, as Perri darts to Emily. "Is she here?" Perri questions, his eyes still scanning around the room.

"The moment you've all waited for" the voice yells again. "Girl with a microphone!"

The lights on the make do stage dim, the lightening around the room joining in, as small fairly lights light up a piano on the stage.

Esme takes a place in front of the microphone, sitting nervously on the seat next to the piano as her fingers land on the keys quietly, the rest of the room falling silent as Perri's eyes land on her, a smile taking over his place as Jordan places his hand on his shoulder, as the keys start moving and Esmes voice fills the room.

"Here's the one thing, that I want you to know, you got some place to go. Life's a test yeah, but we go toe to toe, you don't give up no, you grow"

As Esme sings the whole room stare at her in awe, Perri standing there proudly, watching the girl he had grown to have feelings for silently. "She's amazing" Jordan whispers, as Perri nods his head, not taking his eyes from the girl in front of him. "Urgh, she's so overrated" Olivia whines from beside Perri, who snaps his head around looking at his girlfriend. "You're overrated" Perri huffs.

"And you use the pain, because it makes you, you" Esme sings, her eyes slowly scanning the crowd and landing slowly on Perri and Jordan.

"What do you mean I'm overrated? I made you" Olivia huffs, her hands on her hips as Perri rolls his eyes. "No Olivia, I made you and this" he mutters, moving his hand between himself and her, "is over" Perri states, as he walks to the other side of Jordan, his eyes landing on Esme again.

"Get up, get out, relight that spark, you know the rest by heart" Esme smiles as she sings, her eyes landing on Perri who's smiling back at her.

And maybe, just maybe, everything felt like it was happening for a reason.
But all good things come to an end, don't they?