Back to The Beginning

“Girls, your turn,” the producers told us, and we made our way onto the stage, the thirty-two of us all nervous wrecks. Most of us still hadn’t processed that this was real yet - we were the second category to go through eliminations.

“Hi girls,” Tulisa said, offering us a small smile. We returned the sentiment with small, nervous smiles and waves. “We just wanted to thank you all for coming all the way out here and sharing your talents with us. All 32 of you are so amazingly talented, but unfortunately we can only put 16 of you through to the next round.”

Liam picked up his mic and I gulped. “The first girl through to six chair challenge is...Anna Martin!” he announced. Anna started crying, hugged someone, waved to the judges, and then walked off the stage.

That happened fourteen more times, and even though I listened every time, the names started to run together. Anna Martin, Raina Baker, Sophie Tucker, Madison Brewer...the list went on. And my name wasn’t on it.

Finally, there were seventeen of us left on the stage. Seventeen nervous wrecks. Seventeen people playing with their hair or tapping their thighs because of nerves. Seventeen people that just needed to hear their name next.

Simon picked up his mic, and all of our desperate eyes were instantly on him. “This is the last spot. If your name isn’t called, then I’m sorry, but you’re going home,” he told us and we all nodded nervously. “And the last girl through to six chair challenge is...Kayla!”

The floor. Darkness. My face was wet. It sounded like someone was crying. It sounded like I was crying. Then there were arms. Someone’s arms were around me. A girl’s.

“Congratulations Kayla,” she whispered through her own tears and I nodded, getting to my feet and waving to the judges before running offstage and into the arms of Dermot O’Leary, who gave me the typical hug and the cameras got my reaction and stuff. After he released me, I made my way over to the chairs set up for the contestants who made it to anxiously await James and Taylor, who would hopefully join me.

The wait felt like forever. The groups had gone before us, and we were followed by the Over 28s. That left the boys to go last, and watching them trudge up in front of the judges made me really feel for them.

James came back first. I ran over and threw my arms around him and hugged him tightly. “Congrats dude,” I said, smiling. “You made it.”

He simply smiled and wiped his tears, hugging me back. “Grab a seat. I’m gonna wait on Taylor,” I told him, and he went over and sat down while I waited once more.

It wasn’t much longer until he appeared as well, and it was the same drill. There was a good bit of hugging and congratulating each other, and then James came over and there were tears once more as the three of us celebrated.

After the judges had finished and the camera crews had gotten all the footage they wanted, we were led by category to the different rooms where we would meet our mentors. I was hoping for Tulisa. Anyone but my brother, really. I didn’t want my brother to be my mentor. That would be weird.

We waited for a few minutes, all staring at the door, waiting for it to open. After a few seconds, the handle moved, and we all kind of collectively held our breath as we waited to find out who was going to enter.

The first thing I noticed about my mentor was the blackish grey hair. The second thing I noticed was that it was Simon Cowell, and we all broke out screaming in excitement. He smiled politely and once we were quiet he held his hand up.

“Ladies,” he said, “I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that I got you. You’re all amazingly talented and I completely believe that the winner of the X Factor is in this room.” We clapped and cheered again. “I hope you’re all ready to work hard. I want a good fight at six chair challenge!” There was laughter at that, and then he came around and shook all of our hands before leaving.

Someone grabbed a bottle of sparkling something that I’m pretty sure wasn’t alcoholic but I honestly had no clue and popped it open. After all of our glasses were filled, I raised mine. “To making it through Bootcamp!”

Notes