The last note trailed out of my mouth with confidence. I put the mike down. This was it. I glanced over as Ryan placed his hand on my shoulder, and smiled slightly at him. He started blabbing about numbers to call and wishing me good luck, but I couldn't listen to him for some reason, maybe my brain wasn't working properly. That wouldn't be too unusual for me.

I flipped my hair over my shoulder. It was such a bad habit. I had always hated seeing celebrities flipping their hair over their shoulder whenever I watched television. Now I was one of them; those hair-flipping, money- hoarding, blonde-bleached haired idols. If I'm going to get this title, I'll be the biggest idol of them all. Ha, that rhymed. My life consisted of random thoughts and mediocrity. But that changed in what seemed like in instant, when in reality it had been around six months.

Finally the show was over and I went backstage with Aaron to change back into our normal, everyday clothes. Aaron was awesome, I loved the guy. I really couldn't be sad if he won American Idol. Well. I could be... I chuckled to myself. My mouth opened to form a yawn, due to not getting much sleep in the past 48 hours. My nerves were a wreck, and it was taking a toll on me mentally and physically. I brought a hand to the back of my neck, rubbing it. I didn't even listen to the people who were helping me get undressed. Soon we were all ready, and I hopped into the limo for the short journey back to the hotel.

Last week I got to go home. I finally realized how homesick I was. Why in the world does American Idol do this to people? Do they try to completely break us?

"I think they're just trying to make you stronger."

I jumped slightly. Oops, I said that out loud, hadn't I? What a Laurified thing to do. I couldn't find anything to say, so, naturally, the words, or word, to come out of my mouth was:

"Er, huh??"

"They're trying to build your endurance. To help you out in the future." Now I took the time to look the man over. Who is this kid, and why is he in my limo? He had sunglasses on, and a smirk appeared on his face when he saw me studying him. He wasn't very attractive.

"I'm one of your bodyguards,"he pointed out. "I've been here for like, 3 weeks."

I cringed. I must really be out of it these days. And so I was looking for words again. Why wasn't my brain processing anything today?! He saw my predicament.

"Hey, it's okay. I understand. You're a long way from home."

"Yeah,"I said in a cracked voice. Home. I spent nineteen years wanting to get away from my small hometown in West Virginia, and here I was, about to cry over not being there. My grandpa had died during the second week at Hollywood, and I almost broke to pieces. Grandpa was my hero, and I had loved him so much. He took a place of a father in my life after my father had died, and he was my rock.

Mr. Sunglasses didn't talk anymore. The limo came to a halt, and I stepped out of it, flipping my hair again. I gritted my teeth. I had to stop doing that. It was so fake to me. I drifted up the three steps to the door in a daze- and, unsurprisingly, tripped on the last one. But no worries, Mr. Sunglasses was there to catch me as I saw the concrete about to collide with my face. Two hands gripped around my waist and pulled me upright. He smiled and didn't say anything. He looked like an idiot.

Of course, Aaron and the paparazzi were right behind me. I'm sure one of the hundred photographers had gotten a perfect picture up my skirt. What a night. And Aaron was laughing at me. Thanks for the ego boost, Smith. He put an arm around my shoulder.

"Lighten up, Laura. We'll get through this together,"he said, enlightening me that there was a scowl on my face. I gave him a weak smile. Then yawned again once we made our way into the hotel doors.

"I'm so tired. Sorry for being a grump the past week, A-rod."

"No problem, believe me when I say, I know exactly how you feel,"he mimicked a yawn. It took all I had not to stick my tongue out at him. Idiot. The only reason you're still on the show is because of all your twelve-year-old fans. So I just wrinkled my nose up in disgust. Very attractive, in my reasoning. An attraction to get away from me right this moment. He backed off, eventually. It took forever to get Aaron to leave you alone. He could be such a menace. But in a good way. I loved my A-rod.

Next thing I knew, I was sitting cross-legged on my bed, in some old boxers and a t-shirt. No need to dress up to go to sleep, I mean, come on. I needed to feel more at home, so I switched over to the Disney Channel. Oh, how I still loved this channel. Not really sure why; then the answer flashed across me on the screen. Ah, Connect Three. I remembered how I couldn't wait last year for their 3-D Movie to come out. I couldn't believe it had only been a year ago. It seemed like a lifetime. Ciara, McKenzie, and I had loved them.

My best friends were a lot younger than me. Ciara was fifteen now, and McKenzie was sixteen. I punched myself mentally for not calling them enough. Which caused me to look over at the clock. It was twelve, meaning it would be nine there. I picked up the phone to dial.

"Hello?"It was McKenzie.

"Mc-Kay!"I exclaimed in excitement. Stupid. I imagined her rubbing her ear.

"Oh my gosh! Si-si, it's Laura!" I chuckled. I knew that Ciara would be over at McKenzie's house tonight.

"Si-si says hi, and she'll talk to me when I'm done; she's voting on her cell for you now. Oh my goodness, you are so going to win! Now, you haven't forgotten our plan, have you?"

"Huh?" Wow. I must sound stoned.

"Oh, come on! You're supposed to meet Nate Boggs after you win, then like marry him or whatever, and set up dates for me and Si-si with Jason and Shane."

"Oh. Yeah. I forgot?"I giggled.

"Mmhhmm, no don't forget, ok? Ciara's gonna talk to you now, and I'm going to take over the voting." I heard the sound of the phone being passed.

"Hello?"

"Hello, love! I've missed you so much, and it's only been a week!"

"I know!"

"Too bad you guys couldn't come."

"Yeah, but you know, school."

"The first thing I'm doing is coming home...well, maybe not the first thing, but, still..."

"Tell Aaron I said hi,"she said in a cute voice. I made a gagging sound. Why did everyone think Aaron was such a stud muffin?

"Hey, he's hot,"she protested.

"Whatever. Well, I need to go, I'm about to fall asleep on the phone."

"Okay, I'll get back to voting on my cell and let you crash."

"I love you. Tell Mc-Kay I love her too. And your mom. And her mom. And Shayla, Zeke, Colton-"

"Okay, I get the point. I will."

"Bye,"I yawned, hanging up the phone. And sat back, watching the T.V.

Wow. The 3-D Movie was on tonight. I had this on DVD, but I watched with red, scratchy eyes, anyway. I mean, why was the whole band focused around Shane Grey? I found it sad. Poor Nate and Jason. Ha. I was out of it. But Nate was still pretty cute. I finally flipped the screen off, and laid back, going straight to sleep and dreaming of...Connect Three?? Awkward.