Only Exception

Chapter One: The Audition

“Good luck, y'all!” Schyler called  after us, smiling warmly.  Colton gave me a thumbs up.

“Don't forget what I told you.” he said.  And the door shut. 

We entered a hallway the was strangely dark.  It was also air conditioned, which was really all that mattered to my aching skin.

“What are your names?” the guy asked as we reached a better lit room with a desk and two more name-tagged workers. 

“Margaret Young and Natalie Clarke.” Maggie smiled at the guy.  Her bouncing had stopped.  I realized that I was shaking.  I tried not to think about what was just minutes away.  The people at the desk scribbled some stuff and Chris led us through a door.  And here were the cameras.  A short guy wearing a suit waved at us, smiling warmly.  I felt Maggie tense at my side.

“That's Ryan Seacrest.” she hissed, elbowing me.  I shushed her.  The man laughed.

“Hey girls.” he said, offering his hand.  A starstruck Maggie accepted it. 

The next few minutes were a blur.  Ryan asked us some questions, and then ushered us through the door.  The room we entered was bigger than the last, with a table on the right wall.  Three rather strange people sat lined up at the desk.  These were the people I had to impress.  One was a guy, I think.  His hair was long and wavy and full of feathers.  And he had a big mouth.  Maggie identified him as Steven Tyler.  Next to him was a really pretty woman with long brown hair who Maggie called Jennifer.  The last guy had hipster glasses and looked friendly.  Randy.  Maggie sung first, and they applauded her.  I knew they would.  She had a fantastic voice.  They gave her what they called a 'ticket to Hollywood' and she ran out of the room screaming, me all but forgotten.

“And what's your name, sweetheart?” The words took a moment to click.  I gave a start and then pinched my leg to make myself focus.

“I'm Natalie.” I began to walk towards the center of the room.  There was a loud laugh from the room over that sounded suspiciously like Colton.  I bit my lip.

“You've got some sunburn, Natalie.” Feather-hair was giving me a sideways grin.

Deep breath.  I felt my heart beating wildly in my chest.  “So I've been told.” he laughed.

“What are you gonna sing?” Hipster-glasses asked.  Keeping the show moving.  They were on a clock.  Another loud laugh from next door.

“'Only Exception' by Paramore.” I responded slowly.  Biding my time.  I wondered if it was too late to chicken out.

“Let's hear it.” Jennifer gave me a warm smile.  My stomach was starting to hurt.

Close your eyes.  I pictured the purple walls and white shag rug in my room.  I could practically feel it beneath my feet.  I took a deep breath. “When I was younger I saw my daddy cry and curse at the wind-” It wasn't until I was through the first couple verses that I realized what I was doing and froze.

They were complimenting my voice.  I was afraid my heart was gonna fly away.  Three yes's.  I was going with Maggie.  I was frozen. 

Another person came through and shuffled me out.  Maggie was outside, still jumping around.  When she saw the yellow card I was clutching like a lifeline, she screamed and hugged me.  I hardly even noticed the heat.  To be honest I was fairly certain I was dreaming.

“She sucked me in again!” it was Colton's voice from behind the door, sounding annoyed and amused at the same time.  A blur of red that I'd come to know as Schyler.  And then he was standing there, clutching a golden ticket in disbelief.

“What even just happened.” he moaned, glaring at the ticket in his hands. 

“I thought you weren't auditioning?” I suggested, amused.

“The judges wouldn't let him.” Sky rolled her eyes, honestly looking a little pissed.  But she had a paper as well, and that was what mattered.

“You got through!” He cried suddenly, noticing my card.  And that's when it sunk in.  I was going to Hollywood. 

“I guess I did.” I replied, deep in thought.

“I knew you could!” he smiled.

“I suggest a victory dinner.” Schyler said. “I'm starving.”

“I've gotta get out of these clothes.” I replied honestly, “And I'm in desperate need of a shower.”  Maggie wrinkled her nose and dodged my kick aimed for her leg.

“Hun, you're worse.” I giggled.

“We all need showers.” Colton laughed. “Think you can survive an hour, Sky?” he asked his sister.

She moaned, but nodded.  “Where are ya'll staying?” she asked.  Her country talk was growing on me.

“Hilton on Jefferson.” Maggie replied by default.

“No way.” Colton said in disbelief.

“Way.” I replied, raising my eyebrows. “You guys there, too?”

“Naw, we're at Holiday Inn right next door.” Schyler responded.

“Small world.” I laughed.

“Well lets head back and clean up.  We can meet by that big oak between the hotels at five. Sound good?” Maggie was a planner at heart.  Although you'd never guess it, what with how much of a slob she was.

“What time is it?” I asked, aghast.

“Three thirty.” Colton replied, glancing at his phone. 

We'd been in line since 6am.  I moaned.  I was pretty scared to see how bad my burn actually was.

“Let's just get out of here.” I finally said.  Everyone laughed.