Only Exception

Chapter Five: Sudden Death

I looked up at the doors that were just to our right.  Colton was already on his feet, offering me a hand.  I took it and he pulled me up.  Phillip followed as we heaved the doors open, the first to enter.

The room was huge.  The back (where we were) was dark, but at least 20 feet ahead we hit an outer glow, which got brighter the closer we were to the stage, which was lit by five huge stage lights.  There were thousands of cushy red theater chairs, and in the front of the stage was a table where the three judges were seated, looking small.  They were turned in their chairs to see us, and waved as we began to pile in.  

“This is some intense theater.” Phillip mumbled as we trundled towards the front.

“Your tellin' me.” Colton laughed.  I was following him, so I hoped he knew where he was going.

“Should we have waited for Schyler and Mags?” I asked, suddenly remembering our friends.

“Nah.” Colton laughed, “Knowing Sky they already have some sort of group.”

We reached probably like the third row from the front, and Colton turned into it, Phillip and I at his heels.  He went all the way down to the end, then plopped down.  I sat in the seat next to him, and Phillip took the seat on my other side.

Everyone was still piling through the huge doors, and I had a feeling it was gonna be a while. 

“I wonder how long this takes.” Phillip voiced my thoughts, leaning back farther in his seat.

“There are so many people this year.” Colton mumbled, half to himself.

I had to agree.  Of course, I hadn't seen the past seasons.  But the number of people filling the theater was crazy. 

“How many people get eliminated today?” I wondered out loud, still in awe by the size of the group.

“A lot.” Phillip suggested, unhelpfully.  I turned to Colton, who just shrugged.  Great.

Once everyone was seated, the judge named Steven (who was starting to grow on me) gave us the cowardly lions speech as a pep talk, which made everyone laugh nervously.  Then they started calling names.  Completely at random, it seemed.  I felt my throat tightening as group after group was called, none including me.

The first group was amazing.  As was the second.  For the most part the judges seemed to cut at least half of each group.

Half.

I sat back further in my seat, trying to remain somewhat calm.

Then Maggie was up.  I crossed my fingers as she sang Adele's 'One and Only'.  Her voice sounded perfect.  The rest of her group sang.  The judges had Maggie and three others step forward.  They told her that she'd passed, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

At least an hour later, and Phillip and Colton were called up in the same group.  I watched intently as they both sung, both sounding remarkable.  Their whole group passed.  When they came back over to me I congratulated them.  Colton bowed playfully.

“You're gonna be soon.” he said under his breath as he sat down.

Two more groups went, and only three from each passed.  And then they were calling my name.  Schyler was in my group, too.

I slowly rose to my feet, trying to focus on anything but the stage. 

“Hey...” I stopped and looked to Colton.  My head was spinning. “Look for me, Nat.  You're gonna do fine.” I nodded but I wasn't quite so sure.  Phillip wished me luck as I passed him and started walking towards the stage.  I stumbled up the steps and took my place after Sky.  She smiled warmly at me as I settled next to her.  I tried to return it, but I think it came out more as a grimace.