*Pandora’s POV*

I was so nervous. I managed to get signed up for the auditions yesterday, now I was waiting for my name to be called any moment now. Well, technically, I was going last, since you know, being the last to sign up and everything. Honestly, watching people coming and going was starting to get to my nerves.

“Panda, calm down. It’ll go over great.” Niall’s voice went through the phone.

Niall called me about a half hour ago, his spidey senses acting up, sensing my stress. “Niall, I don’t know. What if I don’t make it through?” I said through the phone.

“You will make it.” He said for the millionth time, voice never getting annoyed each time, thankfully. “You are a great singer. Once they hear you sing, it will put everyone else there down in shame.”

“But still…” I cried.

“Listen, Panda, the thing about an audition, you shouldn’t keep thinking you won’t make it through. What you should worry about is the first impression. In this case, you’ll be singing, but you won’t be leaving an impression with just your voice, you are singing an original song you wrote. I’ve heard it. It’s perfect. So, more cheese, less sauce.”

I blinked. “Huh? Where in the hell did that come from?”

I heard a small chuckle. “What I’m trying to say is, don’t worry about whether or not you’ll make it through. Just make sure that the strings one your guitar are tuned and you’ll be good to go.”
A small smile spreads on my lips. “Thanks, Niall. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Ay, everybody needs a little Irish in their life.”

I was laughing now. “Last contestant please!”

“Oh! That’s me.” I breathed. “Niall, I gotta go.”

“Alright! Give them hell, girl!”

We hung up. I grabbed my guitar, taking a deep breath before running over to meet the lady at the door. “You ready? You’re the last to go.”

I nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

-

Three hours later and I was waiting on that phone call. Out of two hundred contestants that tried out today, only five would be making it through. From there, the five would have a recording session for an original song. Each song would be introduced on the radio. That wasn’t all though, these same five people would be performing live in an upcoming festival happening next week.

Make it or break it. I knew exactly how this was going to work. Just like Niall said, you had to make an impression. Popularity didn’t just come fast, well, sure it could, but it wasn’t easy keeping it there. I had to keep making an impression. I had to keep my reputation up high.
My eyes shot open hearing my phone ringing. I scrambled for it, finally getting to it. “Hello?” I answered, feeling a little breathless.

“Yes, Pandora, this is Robert. We’ve spoken before.”

“Yes, yes, we have.” I replied, hiding my excitement.

“Unfortunately, you did not make it through the audition.” Immediately, my face fell. “But… there is something else I’d like to share with you.”

“Yes?” I asked, still disappointed.

“A friend of mine from a different company saw your audition tape. Though Columbia Records is a part of the Sony Music Entertainment Inc., my friend, Lucien Grainge, is CEO of Universal Music Group, one of the top leading musical industries in the USA. He has taken a liking to you and wants to meet you personally.”

“What… I… I don’t understand.”

“It seems to him, you have potential. It seems you have something his company seems to be lacking. You are musically talented, Pandora. I noticed that the moment I heard you see in that store. If I were you, I’d take up this offer. It’s a once in a lifetime chance.”
I felt myself nod quickly, my excitement starting to build up again. “Yes, yes, a million times yes! I want this.”

“I’ll talk to him and set up an appointment where you can meet with him. Before I go, I just want to let you in on a little secret…”

“What is it?” I asked, curious.

“The judges for this audition… they actually liked your performance the best, even your original song. If they were to have chosen you, you’ve would’ve won, but they thought of that as unfair. I wasn’t a judge, but hey, at least that tells me something. But this is great either way, you will have your chance in fame with Universal Music Group. They will give you the dream you’ve always wanted.”

“Thank you, Robert.” I was on the brink of tears now. Not from what he said, but from happiness of knowing how close my dream was in coming true. “Thank you.”

“I’ll give you a call as soon as I get everything settled and readied for you.” He said after a small moment, hanging up the phone.

I was practically breathing my thank you’s now, even after hanging up the phone. I was practically crying now. I felt my phone start to buzz in my pocket. It was a text message from an unfamiliar number.

Hey, Panda. It’s Hazel. I know we made a deal that we would try and keep the whole talking to each other down to a minimum. Thank you for the video you sent, and I want you to know that you have my full support on pursuing your dreams. I’m glad you have something you want to do. Hopefully, I’ll be able to come up with something soon. I miss you like crazy, and I want to talk to you again, but I’ll wait. You have my number, so if you need me, you got my number now! Love you, chicky.

It had to be Liam that got her the phone. I wouldn’t be surprised. Those two were close, yeah, and honestly, the boys and I have said this before: those two were meant to be together. I don’t think there would be a better guy for Hazel out there than Liam himself.

I sighed, kind of envious of her. Those two connected with each other very well, how wonderful would it be to have a boy like Liam to put so much thought into you and your happiness?
It would be pretty bittersweet.