Strings

Chapter 24

Chris's POV
I feel the nerves consume me. We stand backstage as I nervously strum my guitar and Jakob and Ethan warm up their voices. Rosie stood with my parents, Ethan's sister a and parents, Jakob's parents and older sister. Rosie talked with my mum as I looked down at my shaking hands. I look over at Rosie, hoping she looks over and notices that I need her right now.

My Mum smiles at her and tells her something I can't hear from where I am sat before Rosie walks towards me.

"Hey, you ok?" Rosie asks, she takes one of my shaking hands and puts it in her own.

"I'm so nervous. This could be our one and only shot." I say. "What if I mess it up?"

Rosie shakes her head.

"Christopher James Lanzon we have had this conversation before. You know how I feel about what ifs." Rose says as she runs her thumb over my hand comfortingly.

"I know but it is so hard to control it." I sigh as I look down.

"Chris..." She says trying to get me to look up. "Baby..." That gets my attention. I look up into her eyes. "I know it's hard and the truth is this is a huge opportunity. I have complete faith in you, Ethan and Jakob. You are all amazing and I know everyone will see what I see too. Music is what you've always wanted to do Chris. You and I always used to sing and you'd always say one day you are going to get the opportunity to be a famous singer, this could be that opportunity. Even if it is not there will be other chances. I know this a dream you will fight for and if you go out there with doubt and worrying about the future you are going to get distracted. Just know that we will all be here. No matter what happens." Rosie says.

I take my guitar off and rest it on the stand supplied to performers. I pull her into a hug.

"I'm so lucky to have you..." I smile.

I truly was. Rosie was my best friend. She keeps me grounded and helps me whenever she can. I know I can rely on her. She is my rock. I've known her my whole life and now I feel as though with each day I see her, I know her better.

"In Stereo?" A stage director questions.

"Yes that's us." Ethan says.

"You're up next, get ready to go on in five minutes. Follow me on my signal." The stage director says.

Ethan, Jakob and I say goodbye to our families and receive good lucks in return. Finally Jakob, Ethan and I say goodbye to Rosie. She hugs all of us and gives me a kiss. She wishes us luck and says a brief version of what she told me. We finally get the signal to follow the stage director. I put my guitar on and walk on stage following Ethan, Jakob was behind me. We hear cheers from the audience as we walk out.

I look at the crowd and it was packed with people of all sizes and backgrounds. I feel the nerves kick in but I hold them back. Ethan and Jakob hold microphones while I stand in front of one. I look down the line of judges, all of them had friendly faces which calmed me immediately. I nearly freak out at the sight of Guy Sebastian.

Ethan introduces us and the crowd cheer as we introduce ourselves. They ask us who is here and we say that all our family were. It was basic questions they ask when you are at singing competitions. We prepared to sing Style and I take in a breath as I think of Rosie's words. Now or never.

I start singing. At first I block out the crowd, focusing on my guitar and voice but soon I can't anymore. The cheers were so loud. I was amazed as I stare out at the crowd, this just reassured me that this is all I want in life. The cheers increase throughout the performance, especially from one of the judges, Dannii Minogue.

As we finish up our rendition of Style I think about my journey and how this is only the beginning. We might not win but I know we will have people who love our music and voices who will hopefully follow our journey and help us reach our goals.

I strum the final sets as Ethan, Jakob and I share a similar look. Amazement. The crowd were on their feet as they clapped for us. We all say thank you and once the crowd dies down the result is shared.

We are through!

My heart leaps. The dream I have had since I was younger was finally becoming something more. We say goodbye and leave to greet our families, we all hug. I turn to Rosie with a huge grin. She is just standing but she looked so beautiful to me.

I pull her into an embrace as I thank her for being my best friend, my girlfriend and one of my biggest supporters. She shrugs it off, mentioning how proud and amazed she was by our performance. She explained that ever since we were kids it was all she wanted for me.

My mum says she wants a picture of all of us. So Ethan, Jakob and I smile with pride as our Mum's snap pictures of us while our Dad's talk about how they are so proud of us. Rosie talks with Ethan's sister Tahlia and Jakob's sister Mikaila. These are the people I need in life I think as I look at my family, Ethan, Jakob and Rosie.

I'm happy.

Simple as.