A/N: Disclaimer- This story is 100% fictitious. These are all my own, original ideas. Some of the characters and places in this story are not real. I am not affiliated with One Direction in any shape or form.
Nervous. Excited. Scared out of my mind. All words that could easily describe what I was feeling.
Joey Smith, the host of the X-Factor, ushered me to the stage.
"Good luck, Elliot!" He flashed me a smile, but I could tell it was forced.
"It's Emmeline."
"Elliot, Emmeline, same difference. Now go!" He lightly shoved me, and I stumbled onstage. Jesus, what an arse.
Bright lights nearly blinded me as I made my way to the big red "X" that marked center stage. I was in the X-Factor arena, auditioning for my chance to become something more than just a 17 year old girl with a voice and a guitar. The realization that I would actually be singing in front of three celebrity judges hadn't hit me until this morning. I hadn't eaten anything in fear that I would lose it onstage.
After my eyes adjusted to the lights, the first face I saw was Simon's. His expression was unreadable, but he definitely did not seem to be excited. Like anyone else who auditioned, I was most worried about him. Simon was infamous for his snarky remarks and harsh critiquing skills. To his left sat Olly Murs, and to his left was Katy Perry. She smiled warmly, as if she was trying to reassure me.
Simon spoke. "What's your name?"
Mustering up as much confidence as I could, I said, "Emmeline. Emmeline Marcus."
He nodded, still expressionless.
"How old are you, Emmeline?"
"Seventeen. I'm a student at Brooke's" As I spoke, I looked out at the audience. Very few people occupied the chairs, probably around sixty or so. The day was coming to an end, and the majority of the people most likely left to avoid traffic. The judges seemed tired, like they'd had their fair share of auditions for the day. This did not help with the nerves.
Katy spoke next. "Good. What will you be singing for us today?" She said warily.
"I'll do 'Chasing Cars' by Snow Patrol." Simon nodded at me, signaling for me to go.
I pulled the strap of my guitar over my head. After strumming out a few test chords, I began to play the opening of the song. Pushing all of my nerves and anxiety to the side, I focused on nothing but my music.
"We'll do it all, everything
On our own,"
As I sang, Olly and Simon continued to show no emotion, but Katy perked up a little, listening closely.
"We don't need, anything
Or anyone
If I lay here, if I just lay here
Would you lie with me
And just forget the world?
I don't quite know
How to say
How I f-"
I stopped when Simon's hand filled the empty space above him.
"That's good for now. Olly?"
Olly stared bored at me, chin propped up by his fist, elbow resting on the table.
"You've got some potential, dear. A lovely voice, but you could use some lessons." I nodded, clutching the microphone to my chest and remaining silent.
"I think she sounded beautiful!" Katy tossed a purple lock behind her shoulder.
"Emmeline, your voice is so refreshing, so youthful. I think you covered the song perfectly."
I smiled widely and brought the mic to my lips.
"Thank you so much!"
Now, it was Simon's turn. I braced myself for his judgement.
"You're not bad, but," My heart nearly stopped.
"You're still young. You have little experience. You do have some talent, but not enough to be able to say that you have the X factor. I'm sorry, it's a no for me."
My heart sank, but I still had hope. To my utter dismay, Olly shook his head.
"Sorry love, its a no for me as well."
Katy gaped at them both. "You guys, really?!" She turned to me, a sorry expression on her face.
"Emmeline, sweetie, I know it doesn't make a difference now, but I give you a big, fat yes. Please continue singing and keep trying, okay?"
I nodded, blinking away the tears that threatened to spill. I would not cry in front of them, I would not cry in front of them. I chanted it over and over, like it was my mantra.
"Thank you for your consideration," And with that, I quickly walked off stage, handing my mic to one of the techs.
That was when the tears stared to fall. I thought I'd actually had a chance to make it through. A couple of the biggest musical icons in the UK had just turned me down. Sure, Katy Perry thought I was good, but that didn't get me anywhere. I felt so ashamed. I should never have tried out, I thought. It would have saved me some time and embarassment.
Suddenly, as I was leaving the stage area, I bumped into something solid. Looking up, I found myself staring into a pair of crystal-blue eyes.
Niall's POV
The taxi stopped in front of the X Factor Arena. I pulled out a $50 from my wallet and handed it to the driver.
"Keep the change," I told him, and jumped out of the little cab. Luckily, the queue was short enough so that all of the people auditioning were waiting inside, and didn't see me arrive. I slipped inside, past the auditioners, without anyone noticing.
Joey Smith, the X Factor host, called me yesterday asking if I wanted to make a quick surprise appearance on the show. I'd agreed.
When I came to the doors labeled 'Stage Entrance,' I heard the most beautiful singing. It was a girl's voice, and she was singing... Was that 'Chasing Cars?' I smiled as I remembered when the boys and I performed that song back when we were contestants on the X Factor, unaware that we could become so big. I stood outside the doors until the girl was done singing, not wanting to interrupt her audition.
Then, the faint hum of voices. They were judging her. I hoped they were giving her good feedback, she really did sound amazing. I knew how harsh Simon could be. At my own audition, he told me that I'd come with the wrong song, and I wasn't as good as I thought I was. But I'd made it through, and look where I am now.
Moments later, the stage doors flew open and a petite blond girl came striding out, guitar in hand. She bumped into me, and when she looked up I saw the tears streaming down her face. She must have been the girl I heard singing. Then the realization sunk in. She hadn't made it through.
"Are you okay, babe?" I stared into her hazel eyes.
She sniffed, shaking her head. "No, not really. I didn't get through, in case you couldn't tell. But you look like you've got much more important things to do than to listen to me complain." She pushed by me and started walking away, but I grabbed her arm.
"I heard you singing, and I thought you sounded phenomenal. Simon and the other judges must be completely bonkers."
A slight smile played across her lips, but disappeared quickly.
"Thanks, but I really should be going." And with that, she walked toward the exit of the arena.
Sighing, I walked into backstage and was greeted by an overly-peppy Joey Smith.
"Niall Horan! Good to see you! Just go right in, I'm sure you know your way. They don't suspect a thing!" I nodded and made my way to the stage.
"Niall!" I heard Katy squeal.
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Hi guys! I have a little bit of an issue right now :( I have a cover page made for this story, and whenever I try to upload it, it won't show up. Do any of you guys know how to fix my problem?
Also, check out my other story, "The Summer of Styles."
I will be uploading more tomorrow!