AN: Hola wonderful readers! Here is another update for you! I personally think this is my favorite chapter so far! It's a little longer too. Also at the end I did Briana's point of view and that was fun since she hasn't been in the story a lot! I hope you like it!
Claire’s POV
I woke up the next morning headache free. I still had thoughts of the breakup replaying in my mind, but I couldn’t let that hold me back. I had finally decided to do the gigs and my first one was tonight. It was in the same pub where the producer talked to me. At the moment I wasn’t nervous. I had been practicing a lot and I was playing songs I could probably perform in my sleep. I didn’t want to be negative, but I would probably get nervous sometime today. I usually did. Every time I did my mom would try to comfort me by saying it was natural to have nerves and I would get over them. Of course she was always right and my nerves did go away. The only thing was more depended on this show. People would care if I messed up. No. Don’t think about it Claire. I finally got up and took a shower. When I got out I decided to put on sweatpants and a baggy t-shirt. I would change into something else for the show tonight. I blow dried my hair and put it up in a messy bun as a final touch to my amazing outfit. Haha! I went to get my phone off my dresser and saw I had a new text. I debated if I should look at it. If it was Niall then I didn’t want to read it, but if it was someone like Briana I should probably answer. I finally decided I was being stupid and looked at it. It was an unidentified number. It read:
Unidentified to Clairebear: Hey Claire! How are you feeling? I heard about your breakup.
Clairebear to Unidentified: I’m good. Is this Harry?
Unidentified to Clairebear: Yeah, sorry I probably should have said that before.
Clairebear to Harry: That’s ok. So, how are you? Oh, and how did you get my number? I never told you.
Harry to Clairebear: Oh, I got it from Niall. I’m good by the way.
Clairebear to Harry: Niall gave it to you? Weren’t you flirting with me before?
Harry to Clairebear: Ok fine. You caught me. I might have looked at his phone without asking. I just thought you might want a friend.
Clairebear to Harry: Why doesn’t that surprise me? That’s very nice, but if you try anything you will die.
Harry to Clairebear: Whoa! You’re meaner than you seem! So, you won’t tell Niall about this right?
Clairebear to Harry: I should, but I’m still mad him so I won’t.
Harry to Clairebear: Thanks. I have a feeling this the start of a beautiful friendship Claire.
Clairebear to Harry: Same here. Listen, I’ve got to go but I’ll text you later ok?
Harry to Clairebear: Ok. Talk to you later.
I put my phone down. That was an odd conversation, but I already knew what Harry was trying to do and he had no intentions of being just friends. I liked Harry as a friend, but not as a boyfriend. I had just broken up with Niall yesterday! It was a little sad he had tried so soon. If he would have waited a while I might have considered it. But the last thing I needed right now was more drama.
Louis’s POV
Right now all five of us were on the way to Harry’s cabin and I was driving. It was fun being the only one able to drive. You could rub it in everyone’s face. I know, that was a little mean, but true. Usually car rides were fun with all of us, but today it was absolutely miserable. Niall was still moody and didn’t talk to anyone. All he did was listen to music. And Harry was texting someone nonstop. I wondered who it could be since Harry didn’t text that much. Liam was also texting and smiling like an idiot. He was definitely texting Danielle. So it was just me and Zayn who was lost in his own thoughts. I looked to the backseat again and saw Harry had stopped texting. I had to break this silence.
“So Harry, who were you texting?” I asked him moving my eyebrows up and down.
“No one you would know Louis.” Harry said.
“Really? You were smiling so I’m assuming it’s a girl. Am I right?”
Harry just blushed.
“I was right! What’s her name? Was it that girl from the club? Do you loooove her?”
“Whoa Louis! That’s a lot of questions! Her name is..um.. Annabelle. And she’s just a friend.”
“Ok. Whatever you say Harry.” I said. To be honest I was skeptical. I could usually tell when Harry was lying and this was one of those times. I didn’t know what he was hiding, but I wanted to find out.
Harry’s POV
That was a close one. There is no way anyone could know about me and Claire. I knew that Louis could tell I was lying. Ever since I met him he could read me like a children’s book. We just had that weird connection and this was a time I wish there wasn’t one. Just to be safe I changed the password to my phone and Claire’s contact name. I should be safe if Louis snoops now.
Claire’s POV
I looked at the clock. It was 6:00pm. My show was at 8:00pm. I figured I would get ready now. I got up off the couch and turned off TV. I had been watching reruns of the X-Factor. Even though I knew I would see Niall I still liked the show. One boy wouldn’t stop me from watching TV. Yes, TV was a serious thing in this house. I went up to my room and took another shower despite doing nothing all day. After that I decided to make my hair wavy. Then I picked through my closet to find the perfect outfit. I went with dark skinny jeans, a purple cardigan with a floral top underneath. I put on a long silver necklace and tall gray boots to finish the outfit off. I took my guitar and tuned it before putting it in its bag. I ran downstairs where my mom was waiting for me. Usually I would drive myself to shows, but since this was a really important show my mom insisted on coming. The more the merrier she would say. We drove in silence. It wasn’t awkward, we both were just lost in our own thoughts. When we got to the pub I saw it was filled to capacity. No pressure, right? I could see the producer, Mike sitting at a table near the back and someone was sitting with him. Holy crap! That “someone” sitting with him was the one and only Simon Cowell! I had a few minutes before I performed so I went over to the table to introduce myself. Hey! This might be the only chance I get to talk to Simon Cowell.
“Hello Mike. Simon” I said acknowledging both of them.
“Hello Claire. We are looking forward to seeing you perform tonight!” Mike said.
“Thank you Mike.” I said back.
“So Mike,” Simon started, “This is the girl you have been telling me about. So far you have been right. She is beautiful. Now all I need to know is if she can sing.”
“Well I wouldn’t say beautiful, but thank you Simon. And don’t worry. I will not disappoint you. If you excuse me it’s time for me to start.” I said getting up from the table. They nodded. I slowly made my way to the stage and all of my nerves turned into excitement and energy. I tapped the microphone to see if it worked. It did. Slowly everyone became silent and watched me. I got my guitar and sat down on the stool. I grabbed the microphone and held it close to my face as I introduced myself.
“Hello everyone! My name is Claire and I just want to thank you for coming out tonight! Now I’m going to sing a few songs for you. The first one is called Halfway Gone by Lifehouse. I started the song and let it take over me. I didn’t try to do anything fancy to impress the crowd. I just sang. When I finished everyone in the pub clapped and cheered. Except Simon. That wasn’t a good sign. I had to take it up a notch. I was planning on doing another easy song, but I skipped it and went straight to the piano that was set up for me.
“The next song I’m gonna play for you guys is Breakeven by The Script.”
I loved this song on the piano even though the actual song it wasn’t really made for a piano. I when I finished I looked over at Simon again. At least this time he was smiling. I went back to my guitar for my next song which was Life After You by Daughtry. After that I did three more songs. They were The Climb by Miley Cyrus, According To You by Orainthi, and Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars. After I finished all the songs the crowd, to my surprise, gave me a standing ovation and eventually even Simon stood up. I sure hoped that was a good sign. Then the crowd started to chant “Encore, encore!” I didn’t really want to disappoint.
“I guess you guys liked the show then! I’ll sing one more song, but here’s the deal. If you know this song you have to sing along. I’ll walk around with the mic and if I point to you, you have to sing. If you don’t I’ll stop. Got it?” I asked. I wanted to make this interesting. I started to sing Break Your Heart by Taio Cruz. Yes, I was obsessed with this song. Everyone started to cheer and sing along. I walked through the massive crowd of people and everyone I pointed to sang. At the end of the song I got back up on stage.
“Thank you everyone! You have been a great audience!” I yelled. With that I got off the stage and went directly toward my mom. I hugged her. I was so happy! That was the best show ever!
“Honey, you did so well! I’m so proud of you!” My mom said. Just then I felt a tap on my back. I turned around to see Mike and Simon.
“Claire, my we talk to you outside please?” Simon asked. I nodded and followed them outside.
“I usually don’t say this to people Claire, but you were absolutely incredible!” Simon said.
“Yes you were Claire! Me and Simon have talked about it and we would like to sign you to the label right now. Everything about you is perfect. Your looks, your stage presence, your interactions, and most importantly your voice!” Mike said.
“Wow! Thank you both so much! I would love to sign with you! Of course I have to have my mom’s permission first though.” I said. I was literally so happy I was jumping up and down.
“Of course Claire. All of us can go to my office right now and sign the paper work if you like.” Mike said.
“Yes I would love to do that! Let me go get my mom.” I said running back into the pub. My mom gave me permission instantly and we rode in a limo back to Mike’s office where we signed a lot of paper work. Right now all four of us were making small talk while sitting on the couch’s in Mike posh office.
“Now Claire, you’re very talented, but this business is hard. I would like to start promoting you as soon as possible. As you probably know the live X-Factor shows are starting next week. I have talk to the producers of the show and have arranged you to perform on the results show. Are you comfortable with that? We won’t have time to write an original song so you will perform a cover like tonight.” Simon said.
I sat there thinking. I was performing on the same show as my exboyfriend! I was not ok with that! Talk about an awkward experience. But I couldn’t tell Simon that. He would drop me. I decided to lie.
“Yeah Simon, that sounds good.” I said trying to sound happy.
“Great Claire! You and your mom will be flown out first class to the studio on Saturday for rehearsals with the contestants.”
“That’s great, but my mom has to work. Right mom?” I said and my mom nodded.
“That’s ok. Claire can go by herself and no one will have to worry. She will be in good hands at the studio. I will personally check on her everyday to make sure she is doing fine.” Simon said. My mom looked skeptically at first, but agreed to it. I leaned over on the couch and hugged her. I was going toLondon! And perform on a live show! I was so excited I didn’t even care about Niall or the rest of the boys. This was the beginning of something great!
Harry’s POV
It was 1am and all five of us boys we sitting around a fire in the backyard of the cabin talking. I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and took it out. Who would text me at 1am? I looked at the caller ID and saw it was Claire.
Claire to Harry: Super exciting news!! Simon Cowell just signed me to a record label!!!
Harry to Claire: WHAT?? That’s amazing! I’m proud of my little wallflower!
Claire to Harry: Thanks! And what’s better yet is that I get to perform on the live results show next week! I finally get to meet you in person!
Harry to Claire: I’m excited all ready! Should I tell the boys?
Claire to Harry: Yah, just don’t tell Niall. I’d rather surprise him. ;)
Harry to Claire: Ok. I won’t tell Niall. I’m excited now, but don’t you think you should get some sleep?
Claire to Harry: Speak for yourself. Both of us are up, but I probably should. Goodnight
Harry to Claire: Goodnight
This was absolutely amazing. I would have the perfect opportunity to meet Claire and maybe even make her feel the same way as I did. I would tell the boys in the morning before Niall got up. He always slept in late. But for now I was off to bed.
Briana’s POV
I just got the text from Claire and I was so happy for her! I always knew she was talented. And even better yet Claire asked me to come to the studio with her! I was super excited! The only bad thing was Niall and Claire had broken up. It was beyond sad because they were totally meant to be. I guess I would just have to play matchmaker again.
AN: So how did you like it? Do you like where the story is going? Do you smell some drama? DO you have any perdictions? I would love to know! Please vote, comment or even fan me!!
Thanks!
Xx Lily
P.S. I got Ed Sheeran's album yesterday! It's so amazing! I so happy it finally came out in the US!