"This is Last Note Standing", Cora Mills announced, like she did every Tuesday and Wednesday. Belle French let out a small squeal. It was the best part of her week, watching this show. Her momma said it was silly, said that no ten year old should waste her time wishing to be on it when she could be studying for her exams. Belle didn't care.

She settled herself down on the couch in front of the television set, blanket around her shoulders, popcorn in her lap. This particular season had just wrapped up its audition phase and Belle was more than ready to get to know the singers who'd be sticking around for a while. She grabbed the little notebook and pencil she kept on the side table to take notes on the singers.

"Belle, darling, did you finish all your homework and chores?" Her mom's voice floated down from the upstairs.

"Yes, Mum!" Belle hollered back. She'd never jeopardize not being able to watch Standing.

Turning her attention back to the TV, she hummed along with the now familiar theme music. This was only the second season of the show, but Belle, and the rest of America, was hooked. She loved everything about the show, the cross country auditions, the witty judges, the incredible talent, and the world class vocal coaches.

There's just something about music. Music had always been important to Belle. Her earliest memories involved some sort of singing. She could usually get her mum to even chime in on a duet.

People told her she had a good voice for a ten year old but that wasn't good enough for Belle. No, she needed a bigger stamp of approval, a firmer confirmation that she was doing the right thing, dreaming of a life spent in song.

Most ten year olds dreamt of jobs like being a teacher or a scientist. Something that was achievable. Belle just wanted to sing. She also wasn't like most ten year olds.

She turned her attention back to the television eager to get her first glimpse of her favorite vocal coach, Robert Gold.

Each coach got to pick a handful of singers and train them to sing for the judges each week. They didn't have a say in who went home, but the proper training was a huge advantage.

Each judge had had their own distinguished career. Or was still in the midst of it. Emma Swan was one of the best R&B singers on the charts right now. The striking blonde was as crisp and to the point as her famous riffs. David Nolan was a country superstar, though he wasn't really making albums anymore. And then, finally, was Belle's favorite coach. Robert Gold. He was the only coach who had never actually been a singer. He'd played bass for a band about ten years ago but Belle didn't care much about that. He'd made his mark being the most ruthless producer in the industry. He was the most ruthless of the coaches, he had a reputation of being a pit of a grouch, but no one could deny he was the best at picking stars.

And he was kinda cute.

In an older guy kinda way. Belle had looked him up online, he was thirty seven this year. It didn't bother her that he was older. She wanted to impress him with her voice. One day, she'd be one of his students and she'd win.

Cora was cycling through the vocalists that had made it this far in the competition. Every so often, the camera would cut away and let one of the judges make a comment. Of the three judges, Belle only liked one. Regina Garraway was sharp tongued and never had anything good to say. Mary Margaret Nolan, David's wife, was too nice. There was no point in judging anything if you didn't offer something for the artist to work on, and then there was Neal Gold.

Belle knew she was probably a little biased because Neal was Robert's son, but according to the internet they were estranged. Belle liked Neal best because a contestant not only had to work for his praise but his criticism was actually helpful.

A poor girl onscreen was getting blasted by Regina for looking too much like a "tart". Belle didn't know what that had to do with anything. Yes, looks helped in the industry, but it was your voice that mattered most.

The screen panned to the coaches voting on which one of them was going to take responsibility for the slightly incorrectly dressed girl. Belle munched eagerly, she felt like this girl could be worth it. She'd be work but she'd be worth it.

Robert Gold stepped forward to claim the girl. Belle smiled. She'd be right, Robert would help the girl and in a few years time, that girl would be her.