An American Idol Fanfic

By Sakura Martinez


Author's Notes:

I wasn't really planning on writing this. Not really. But, I figured it would be a good way to pass time. Not only that but I do love this couple. Like every other McLaina fan out there, I also think that they have chemistry together. Of course, I have to say that I find it hard to write about real people...that's why I decided to go and write this as a bit of an AU. Sure we still have Lauren and Scotty and the rest of the Season 10 people-including the judges, but this story is laced with fiction. What I meant to say is that, although this is based on real life and what really happened, I also added a bit of things that didn't happen, or things that I don't know if it actually happened.

Having said that, I don't know what happens behind the Idol Mansion, the actual auditions or anything. I'm not betting that what I have written is 100 percent accurate. This is a fan fiction. But, if there are any inaccuracy, please tell me. If I wrote something that's wrong, any information that I might have forgotten-please tell me and I'll fix it. I don't have a Beta Reader but I think I may need one for this. So, if you're interested and you're as much of a McLaina fan as I am, then I welcome your help (just PM me and let me know).

This fanfic would, probably, be updated on a weekly basis...unless something comes up that would make me update it sooner, or later.

Well, that's that.

Hope you guys enjoy reading this fanfic.

End of Author's Notes


Disclaimer:

I don't own American Idol, FOX owns that. I don't own Lauren or Scotty, or any other people mentioned in this fanfic-unless they're my OCs. This story is fictional...sort of.


A McLaina Story

Prologue


Singing is my passion. My life.

Even as a kid, I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. I was so sure of myself of that. While most children dreamt of becoming a princess and super models, doctors and engineers, teachers, pilots, and astronauts...my dream was pretty much high up there. I dreamt of being a singer. An artist.

I knew-I felt it in my bones-that I was born to sing and I knew that I can sing.

I've watched the rise of stars on American Idol. From Kelly to Rueben; From Rueben to Fantasia; From Fantasia to my idol, Carrie; From Carrie to Taylor; From Taylor to Jordin; From Jordin to David Cook, Kris, and Lee. I've waited patiently for my turn. For that day when I'm finally old enough to audition. For my own star to shine. And, finally, that time has come.

I closed my eyes and envisioned myself standing in front of the judges. I've always seen myself there, singing my best in front of Randy, Paula, and Simon. But now the judges are different. I had to adjust it. Change Paula to Jennifer Lopez and Simon to Steven Tyler. It's not that hard to do. I always imagined that moment and try to make it as clear as possible. Call it a ritual to calm me for the actual thing.

They ask me how I'm doing, and ask me what my name is.

I tell them my name and tell them that I'm doing great, even though I'm feeling all sorts of emotion-excitement, fear, hope, anxiousness-that it was a miracle my imaginary-self haven't thrown up yet.

Then they ask me to sing, and I sing.

I imagine myself singing like there's no tomorrow. Belting it out like everything depends on it-which is true, everything does depend on it: my future, my dreams, my hopes...everything. And I imagine the judges' smiles, their awe when they hear me sing. Hey, if I'm going to imagine it, might as well go to the extreme. It is my imagination, after all.

And then, they'll say "Yes" and I'll get my hands on that elusive and highly sought after Golden Ticket and-

"Lala, hurry up!" I hear my brother, Tyler, shouting from the other side of the bathroom door, pounding on it. The exasperation oozing from the tone of his voice. "You're not the only one who needs to get ready, you know."

Typical, Tyler. Always wants to rush things. Of course, I can't blame him. We've travelled all the way from Roseville to Nashville and booked a hotel just so I won't be late for the auditions in the Ryman Auditorium. I know a lot of people would be auditioning, and so did my mom and dad, that's why they opted to just stay a hotel while the auditions are going on instead of going back and forth. As it so happens, my mom and dad got a room for themselves and I got stuck with my brother, Tyler. My brother and I are close, but I do hate it when he rushes me when I'm using the bathroom.

"Come on, Lala!" He pounds the door again. "With how much time you're taking in there, I won't be surprised if Holly's already there!"

"Chill out, Tyler!" I called back as I looked at myself in the mirror one more time. One of the things I've learned from watching the show ever since it began is that you must never, under any circumstances, dress way over the top or wear anything skimpy...the judges usually don't take those people seriously. That's why I decided to go with a colorful zebra dress, a black pair of leggings and boots to cap the whole outfit. "Holly's not there yet. I texted her before."

Holly Witherow. She was the one who really made me try out today. She's my cousin, although everyone says we're more like sisters than cousins...even I like to think so. We like to do stuff together, like BFFs. She knows most-if not all-of my secrets and I know hers, and she's always there when I need her. I try to be there when she needs me too. Whenever we're together, you can bet that we are having fun. We're just that close.

But, it's not always fun and games with us. It's hasn't always been easy.

Three years ago Holly was diagnosed with a brain tumor, she needed to undergo chemo and radiation therapy and it was uncertain if she would survive. I was as devastated as everyone, maybe even more devastated than the rest of the family. Holly wasn't just my cousin, my sister, and my best friend. She was also my mentor, my idol-someone I've always looked up to. I knew that I couldn't just not do anything, and so I did what I could. I held a fundraiser for Holly, using the talent that God had given me, and saved all I could to help with medical expenses.

Holly, thank God, survived and she urged me to audition for American Idol...not that I needed much urging. Like I've said, I've always dreamt of singing on Idol.

I sighed, looking at my reflection again. This was all I could do. There were so many rules for the audition of American Idol. One of them was the dress code-we weren't allowed to style ourselves with signature outfits. Not that I would do that on my first audition-an audition that the whole of America-no, the whole world-will be able to watch. Well, if I make it through or if I make a total fool of myself.

No. I won't make a fool of myself.

I took one last look at the mirror before I twisted the doorknob and opened the door just in time to stop Tyler from attacking it...again.

"Finally!" He said as he pushed me out of the bathroom and locked himself in. "What is up with girls and bathrooms! Ugh!"

I laughed, not really bothering with the fact that my older brother just pushed me out of the bathroom and almost rumpled my outfit. I turned and walked back to the sofa wondering how long it would be before we head on over to the auditorium, how long before Holly gets here, how long before I audition.

I may not admit it out loud but I am nervous. Ever since I was six-years-old, this has been what I wanted to do. To audition in American Idol, get myself a Golden Ticket to Hollywood, and then to the live shows, and-hopefully-become the next American Idol. It may be a long-shot, but it's a shot worth taking.

Taking my iPod out of my bag, I put the earphones on and listened to the song that would be my audition piece.


"Wow, honey, look at all these people." My mom, Kristy, breathed out as we stood in line, waiting for them to let us in the auditorium.

"Yeah..." I couldn't helped gawking. Sure there have been several occasions-events-that I have been a part of where a lot of people were in one place at the same time but...none of them were like this. I can't explain it but...there's something different in the air-excitement? Maybe.

I took a look around as we walked towards the long-really, really, long-line of people, waiting to get their numbers. I couldn't help but wonder how many people were there. Five thousand? Ten? Fifteen? I don't know but it feels like everyone from Nashville and its surrounding cities were there.

And these people-most of them-are my competitors...my rivals. They're hoping to get their dreams to become reality.

I didn't know I've been lost in thought for so long until Tyler put his arms around my shoulder and moved me forward.

"Geez, Lala, don't let your mind go wandering like that. At least wait until we're seated." He chuckled as he guided me forward.

"I wasn't daydreaming." I argued. "I was just-" Just what? I can't go and tell him that I was feeling scared because once I let that out, I would really be feeling it-the pressure, the anxiety-and that would not be good. So, instead of telling Tyler what was really on my mind, I mentally shook my head and instead said, "I was just thinking about how many are trying out for this year's show."

"They're auditioning in full-force now since Simon's not in the judging panel. God knows how many people don't want him to tell them how much they suck...in national television." Tyler shrugged.

My mom has a different theory, though. "I don't think that's the only reason. If you look at it, there are a lot of fifteen-year-olds, like you, Lauren."

Yeah. I did notice that. "I guess we all have the same idea and we all can't wait for another year to audition."

"Are you sure you don't want to wait until next year, Lala?" My dad, J.J, asked me.

I looked at him, one of my eyebrows raised.

"Dad, do you have to ask that question?" Tyler laughed. "You can't stop Lala from auditioning this year even if you tied her up, locked her in the cellar, threw away the keys, and poured cement on all the exits. She's going to hitchhike her way if she has to...that's if Holly doesn't help her out, and you know that she would help her out. Right, Lala?"

"I'm not that excited, Tyler." I rolled my eyes. Only that, they knew that we-Holly and me-would probably do that. Then to dad, I said, "Dad, you know I can't wait for next year. It's like what you've told me: if it's something I want, if it's something you dream about, you should pursue it."

"Touché." My dad said, smiling. Then he asked, "Speaking of Holly, where is she?"

"She's with Kim." my mom replied. Kim's the name of my Aunt, who also happens to be my mom's sister. "They're already inside."

Tyler looked at me and mouthed 'I told you so'. I shrugged. It was good that Holly was already inside, I didn't want her to strain herself. I'm sure she's just as nervous about all this as I am.

This isn't just for my dream...It's for Holly, too.


"Hi, there." The woman by the reception table said as she handed me the audition form. "Please fill this up."

I took the form and thanked her before grabbing a pen and sitting on one of the stools there. It was quite a long and detailed form asking us all these things that you'd never thought they would have asked to know about us. Stuff like favorite stuff-ranging from food, music, movies, to things that make you unique and/or quirky, to things regarding your family and upbringing. They have that large section asking us to tell them a bit about ourselves, family background, school, love life, and stuff like that.

I stared at the form. The tip of the ballpoint pen hovering on the small boxes where they were asking us to fill in our names.

I took a deep breath before I wrote the name that people will, hopefully, know me by: Lauren Alaina.


To be continued...


Post Author's Notes:

Ugh...I don't like how the FFN's editor messes up my document's format...now it looks weird here. I'm annoyed...!

Anyways...

What do you guys think? Comments? Criticisms? Don't forget to click that Review button!

Until the next chapter!

Dream on; Fly on!

End of Post Author's Notes