"Hey, are you okay?" I ask Zayn. He was too nervous to perform the dance number to the judges, and no one could convince him to go on stage.
Looking up at me, he nods but quickly looks away. It is obvious that he's embarrassed and extremely nervous.
"Do you wanna come out and do the dance?" I want him to know that it will be okay. I am one of the backup dancers and every time I have to dance for someone, the nerves come.
"No," he laughs.
"Why not?" I reply.
"I…I'm not very good. I know I will just make a fool of myself so I think it's better if I sit in the back." He is nervously fiddling with his hands, picking the nails.
"I know what it's like to be nervous. I dance in front of people all the time, and I still get really nervous. X Factor is an amazing opportunity, and you are so lucky that you were chosen. I don't think they would have put you on this show if they thought you were no good."
He smiles. "You're one of the backup dances, right?"
I nod.
"Yeah you're really good." He mumbles. It was as if he was confirming that I have nothing to be embarrassed about.
"Yeah there's a reason why I am a BACKUP dancer and not someone head stage. It is because I am like you. I sat in the back, let others take my dream. I let nerves control my life and now I am only half living it the way I want to. Don't let that happen to you." I stand up and begin to walk away, but then I hesitate. "I have a feeling they will wait all day for you. They believe in you. Now all you need is for you to believe in you." I left because I knew there was nothing more I could do. When people are trying to convince you of something, you don't want them constantly reassuring you. You want time to breathe, relax and think. Zayn needed that time.