Becoming Harry Styles

Notes

One of the stage workers approached me and fixed their ear piece before stating, “You’re on in five minutes, Mr. Styles. Good luck.” Without another word, she was off in a fast paced walk, most likely to get the next contestant after me ready for their on stage audition.

I stood feeling suddenly alone, with only a few camera crew people walking about filming me and everything going on around me. It was an odd feeling having cameras on me, but perhaps what was odder was how okay I was with them while I just stood trying to concentrate. I kept my mind focused, trying to shut everything out. I couldn’t believe that I actually made it this far even. This was it though. Getting past the preliminary rounds was one thing. This was something completely different. My heart pounded hard inside my chest, and I felt like I was going to explode.

I was taken away from my inward focus by the rather large crowd in the audience cheering loudly for the contestant who was currently auditioning. I sighed hard, knowing that the bar was probably set fairly high already. Feelings of anxiousness flooded my body.

I didn’t know how, but I needed to find a way to channel my inner musician, much like the person who was out there was probably doing. I knew I needed to be that person I was when it was just me and Riley having our usual sessions after school. She was the one person that I could look for in perhaps the largest crowd of people, and just seeing her there would make it feel like the smallest room…like I was performing for just one person and nothing else mattered.

I flipped my curly hair to the side. It was an strange habit I had somehow formed both the night of my date with Hayden a few months ago, and today. I tried to shake out the nerves because I knew it was almost time. All I had to do was what Riley had told me earlier in the day, to just let out my inner Harry Styles. He was supposed to be my alternate ego, make me confident. I had to believe that I was a completely different person when I was dressed as him, because if I believed it, so would others. Harry was a person people could relate to and actually liked. I was someone people could be impressed with for my talent...singing, performing.

Another stage worker appeared from behind me and handed me a microphone. “Here you are.” I’ll let you know when you can go on stage.

I nodded my head and thanked the lady, who already had diverted her attention to whoever was speaking with her through her ear piece. I began looking around, trying to distract myself for the last few seconds

I noticed my hand was shaking a little, so I twirled the microphone in my hands a few times. I figured maybe it would get me used to holding it. I swept my hair to the side with my other hand one last time when the busy stage lady announced to me, “Alright, go ahead. Good luck.”

My heart did a small flip in my chest as I let out a large sigh in attempt to relieve any last nerves. I took a step forward and felt the small piece of folded paper Riley had given me a little while earlier. I patted my hand over it, remembering what it was for. I then stepped forward and pushed open the stage door, revealing the bright lights and all the commotion from the audience cheering for me.

It was time.