My heart beat so hard I thought it was going to shoot out of my chest as I took my first step onto the stage. My blood raced through my veins in a rush as I laid eyes on them and I became nervous. The four judges Simon Cowell, Kelly Rowland, Paulina Rubio, and Demi Lovato sat at their little table looking through papers and watching me walk into place.
I stood in the middle of the stage awkwardly, I was completely nervous. "Hello," Simon began, "What's your name?"
"Alexandra Grant," I replied.
"And where are you from Alexandra?"
"Houston, Texas."
"How young are you?" Kelly asked me.
"I am twenty years old, and I currently work as a waitress in a cocktail bar," I answered.
"What are you going to sing for us?" asked Kelly looking up from the paper in front of her and smiling at me.
My eyes wandered over to Demi for a split second and then back to Kelly. I didn't want to seem stupid or childish, maybe I should do something a cappella. No. I prepared for this and worked my ass off. It's not even the original pop music; it's a piano recording that I played myself. "Can it be a surprise?" I asked letting out a nervous giggle and a smile.
"Sure," Demi laughed with a huge blush on her face. Why was she blushing? I was the one who was madly in love with her, not the other way around. The music started, my fancy intro and all the judges looked intrigued.
I started singing, and I have to say myself that it wasn't a strong start at all. I was scared and I didn't know what to do. My eyes fell on Simon who was smirking in a bad sort of way, like he was trying to stop himself from laughing almost, so I diverted my eyes to Demi. She looked at me with caring and loving eyes, an expression on her face that said, "You can do this," so I took a deep breath and sang the chorus.
Demi gave me a satisfied smile as I began the second verse of her song, and I started to feel way more confident. I practically had a Mitche Torres moment, ironic if you think about it. The song was over and I had sung the words "This is me" for the last time.
Again, I stood there awkwardly waiting for the judges to say something. No one said anything at first, so I decided to say something instead. "Simon?" I asked getting his attention.
"I didn't like it," he said. My heart sank and I thought I was going to stop breathing. "It was pitchy in places and you had a weak start…but that can be fixed. I didn't like it, I loved it. The way you lost yourself in the song was phenomenal, you are a true artist."
By this time a couple of tears had slipped down my face, I hadn't even realized that I was crying though. "Girl! Where did that voice come from?" Kelly asked excitedly. "You walked out here and you were all shy 'Hi my name is Alexandra' and then you were like 'This is real this is me!'," she said in a funny, mocking way. "You were amazing! Paulina?"
"I loved how you put your heart and soul into the song. Yes darling this is exactly where you're supposed to be," she said with a smile.
"Thank you," I said.
"Demi? You look excited to say something," Paulina said passing a turn to talk to Demi.
Demi, who was bouncing up in down in her seat like a little kid, replied with, "Yes! I do!" She pushed back her chair and ran up to me. Demi gave me a hug and whispered into my ear. "Sweetheart you were amazing," she said almost in tears. "Don't be so nervous next time, I'm so proud of you."
Demi ran back to her seat. "Sorry you guys," she said with a laugh, "I couldn't resist it. Alexandra, you were amazing up there. I noticed that it was a bit of a shaky and weak start, but that's just lack of confidence. We can help you with that. I really liked what you did with the song. Was that you playing the piano?"
"Yes," I replied.
"Oh my gosh!" she said excitedly, "That was insanely awesome! You are a true artist."
"Alright let's vote," Simon said. "Kelly?"
"Hell yes," she replied. "Paulina?"
"Heck yes! Simon?"
"Alexandra, easiest yes I've given all day," he said with a smile. "Demi?" he asked looking at her.
"Absolutely yes," she said with a smile.
"Well there you go darling, you've got four yeses," Simon told me.
"Thank you so much! I won't let you guys down!" I said. As I was walking off I looked once more at the judges. Simon winked at me, Kelly waved, Paulina waved, and Demi did something unbelievable in my book. Demi flashed me a smile and blew me a kiss. I discreetly pretended to catch so that no one would see.
I stepped off the stage having no one there to greet me. After I handed the microphone to the stage hand I walked off and went to my car. I slammed the door and buckled my seatbelt. I sat there for a moment in the silence. I sighed, I couldn't believe what had just happened. My life was starting to turn around.
I put my key in the ignition and turned it starting the engine. Time to attempt to go through this Austin traffic and get back to the hotel. I turned on the radio, "Roar" by Katy Perry was playing. I started singing along and dancing in the car.
I got back to the hotel and went to my room. I was tired, today had been stressful. Kicking off my shoes I climbed into bed not caring about still being in my skinny jeans and closed my eyes. Demi's touch and whispered voice still lingered on my body and in my thoughts. Sweet dreams followed.