Back to The Beginning

Twelfth. Twelfth out of sixteen. That was my place in the lineup, and right now number nine was onstage. She was good. Everyone was good. That’s why all six chairs were full.

Number nine finished, not earning a seat. Number ten went the same way, number eleven too. Shaking with nerves, I faked a smile and stepped onstage, walking up to the mic.

“Hi Kayla,” Liam said, offering me a reassuring smile.

“Hi,” I responded with a small wave.

“Nervous?” he asked, and I nodded slightly, causing him to smile. “Take a few solid deep breaths. What song will you be singing for us today?”

I smiled, doing as he said and feeling a bit better. “Black Magic by Little Mix,” I answered.

He was obviously completely not thrilled with my choice, but he managed to keep it hidden fairly well. “Whenever you’re ready.”

I smiled and nodded as the track began to play. Completely falling into the music, I ended up unclipping the mic from the stand and just having fun, almost feeling like I was singing in the shower. All too soon, the track ended, and I made my way back to the X on stage, running a hand through my hair and smiling wide.

Louis spoke up. “Well I certainly couldn’t tell you were nervous!” he exclaimed, and everyone laughed, me included. “That just looked so totally natural and you sounded absolutely amazing. Simon, if she doesn’t get a chair we’ll be...exchanging words later.” He nodded and set his pen that he’d been fiddling with down, signaling to Liam that he was done.

“Well, um...okay. Yeah. Great job, really. Kinda hard for me to believe that was you...damn. Yeah. Yeah. Um…,” my brother gestured to Tulisa to go ahead and everyone laughed again. I’d be teasing him about this later - me, his little sister, leaving him speechless.

“I thought that was absolutely wonderful,” she said, and I smiled. “Your voice is just incredible! And that looked so natural - I could completely see you onstage, performing like that to any song. This is where you belong! Simon, give this girl a chair!”

I inclined my head to her in thanks as Simon looked back over at me from the girls already in chairs. “Well, you’re making my job hard again,” he said, sighing. “You’re just so incredibly talented that now I have to decide to send someone home.” I gasped, covering my mouth with my free hand as tears of joy began to slip out. “And...Chair 1 is yours, Kayla.”

I made my way over to the chair, hugging the eliminated girl and taking my seat, tears still streaming down my face. As the rest of the girls came out and sang and were slowly but surely eliminated, I began to realize just how fierce the competition was. Everyone was so so so so talented here. If I wanted to win, I would really have to step it up.

After we were done, we were released back to our hotel rooms while the judges were given two hours to prepare for the next round. Before I could leave the stage, Liam stood and made his way over to me. “Kayla!” he called.

I turned around, smiling. “Yeah?”

He jogged over to me and wrapped me in a huge hug. “I love you so much,” he said, kissing my forehead, and I giggled.

“I love you too Li,” I said.

He pulled away and brushed some of the hair out of my face. “You look so grown up. Not like my baby sister...like another performer,” he said, almost sadly. “I’m excited for you. You’re talented, you have the passion to do this. But promise me something, okay?”

I nodded instantly. “Anything.”

He looked me dead in the eye. “Promise me you won’t forget why you auditioned. This love of music. Promise me you’ll never lose it. Keep your eyes on it or this world will overwhelm you,” he told me.

I matched his gaze, gulping a little. “I promise,” I said, nodding, and he smiled once more and hugged me tight.

“Go get some rest and eat some chocolate. Maybe call Drystan,” he told me. “I’ll come see you later.”

I kissed his cheek quickly. “See you later big bro.” I ran out of the arena and to the waiting car, which drove me back to the hotel all the contestants were staying at. Running up to my room, I called Drystan. However, he didn’t answer, which was unlike him. He always answered my calls, even if he was busy. Thinking that maybe he just couldn’t get to my phone in time, I called him again, and once again, I got no answer.

After calling him a third, fourth, and fifth time and getting no answer, I decided to text him.

Kayla: Drystan?

Kayla: are you there?

Kayla: I’m getting your read receipts I know you’re there

Kayla: Drystan Andrew Rogers, stop ignoring me!

Kayla: fine. I’ll see you next time I’m in Wolverhampton.

Drystan: woah what do you mean next time you’re in Wolverhampton?

Kayla: I would’ve told you, but too late. go back to whatever you were doing.

Drystan: baby I’m sorry

Kayla: just go, drystan.

Drystan: lessia, please. i love you.

Kayla: i love you too and i’ll call you sometime soon. just leave me alone right now.

Drystan: <3

Notes