Open Your Eyes
Hi! This is a Harry Styles x OC fic. Enjoy I don't own Harry or the three songs that are included.
'Walking 'round the room singing Stormy Weather
At 57 Mount Pleasant Street
Now it's the same room but everything's different
You can fight the sleep but not the dream'
(Weather With You, Crowded House)
I was up too early, that's for sure. Rolling over sleepily, I turned off my alarm. It was about four in the morning and so many feelings were rushing through me: excitement, regret, nervous, anticipation.
I knew I had to be really quiet, or else this could go wrong. Really wrong.
Sneaking like the epic ninja I am, I walked downstairs. Mum, although she was the queen of early risers, wasn't up yet. I wolfed down some Cornflakes and grabbed my bag, which I had packed the night before with chocolate, a book and my iPod and Blackberry.
I had already decided and put out what I was going to wear – a white vest, a grey cardigan and blue skinny jeans. I left my auburn waves as they were. I had already planned my backstory: me and Robyn, my best friend, had gone into Manchester for a birthday shopping trip, as Robyn's birthday was (very conveniently) tomorrow.
Checking I looked OK and had everything – I didn't, I'd forgotten my purse – I went outside. The wind whipped at my face, sending my already slightly mess hair into fits. I sighed, straitening my waves and walking to the all too familiar bus stop.
The bus didn't take long to catch, as they ran through our hometown at short intervals. I plugged in my iPod, listening to my audition song.
The bus took about an hour to get to Manchester, it was 5 .30 am according to my watch, so I had loads of time to pootle and stuff.
I went to the nearest Starbucks, which luckily had WiFi. My phone connected onto Facebook. Loads of people were saying stuff like 'Weekend!' or 'Going Shopping' but I wasn't surprised to see one that was slightly out of the ordinary. 'Going to the X Factor audition now EEK! Xxx' I rolled my eyes. This was the girl who everyone liked. She was majorly talented and in the money. I'm half surprised she hadn't been signed before the X Factor. It was Katie Granger.
She was basically the reason why no one else EVER got a look-in, no matter what we did. When we did Aladdin in Year 6, she got Jasmine. When we did Grease, she got Sally. Only recently we did West Side Story and she got Maria. It left me and all the other less popular people hating her, but half wishing we were her.
If Katie was auditioning, I had more chance of being struck by lightning in the next two seconds. I put my head in my hands, listening to my audition song again, trying to take the sick feeling out of my whole body. I couldn't do this.
An hour and ten chapters of my book later, I got up from my table to head to the Arena and start queuing. I was still nowhere near the front. I groaned. Today was going to be a long day.
I got out my iPod and, since it still had loads of charge, listened to my music again. It was something to keep me amused at the very least.
After about a long 30 minutes of queuing, I felt someone tap my back I turned around, excepting it to be an official or something of the sort. I definitely wasn't expecting what it was that I saw. It was, in fact, the rather handsome Harry Styles, Mr. Popular, Ladies Man.
Ok, 'rather handsome' is like saying that the Queen is 'quite posh' or that Albert Einstein is 'reasonably clever'.
They are massive understatements, because Harry Styles is a bit of a sex god. And I may sort of maybe a little bit like him.
'Alexis!' I scoffed silently; surprised the boy behind me even knew my name. Well, he was in my form and I've kind of known him for, like, ten years.
'Harry, right?' I replied. I was attempting to show him I couldn't care less about the fact he was very, very hot. He looked slightly peeved that I showed no recollection of him. I mean, he notices me now because we're in the same queue.
'Yeah… so… you like singing?' I rolled my eyes.
'Bit of an understatement, really. But you know, I'm always a bit overshadowed by-' I began.
'Katie,' Harry finished, grimacing. 'Yeah. So, give us a burst of song then!' He said, grinning encouragingly. I shook my head firmly.
'No way,'
'Come on!'
'No, seriously. I'm feeling far too nervous!' I insisted. Harry smiled.
'OK,' I looked at him. Did he really just give up?
'Don't look at me like that, Alexis. By the way – do you have a nickname?' He asked, curious.
'Lex, I suppose. Or hey, how about Sixela? Get a trend going?'
'Sixela?' He chuckled.
I stuck my tongue out. 'Don't laugh, it's my name backwards! I get to call you Hazzy,' He sighed.
'As long I can call you Sixela!' I rolled my eyes.
'Deal,' We shook hands. Harry turned back round; I'm supposing to him Mum and began to chat. I leaned against the railings, feeling really nervous. I'm not shy around people, so this was new. What if everyone hated me? What if I get booed off the stage but they still show my dreadful audition to the public?
Harry turned to face me again. 'You OK?' I sighed.
'No, not really,' He patted my back.
'It's gonna be fine. Have you ever performed in front of anyone?'
'No,' I said, biting my lip.
'I'll be right behind you, OK?' He smiled encouragingly. 'Hey, look over their!' I looked to were Harry was pointing and burst out laughing. A man was wearing a multi coloured onesie and practicing yoga.
'Don't see that everyday, do you?' I said, grinning, my anxiety momentarily forgotten.
'NEXT!' The person at the desk shouted. I took a deep breath and stepped forward.
'Name?'
'Alexis Jupiter,' I glared as the person tried clearly not to snort.
'Here's your number, wear it visibly!' I nodded, putting it on my stomach. 'Through there now!' I took another deep breath and walked to wear the man pointed. Suddenly, Dermot O'Leary popped in front of me.
'Hello! What's your name?'
'Alexis Jupiter. I know, weird name!' I said, smiling.
'How old are you and where are you from?' Dermot asked, smiling back.
'I'm 16 and I'm from Stafford,' I replied.
'Great. And why are you here today?'
'Well, to sing and hopefully progress from there!' I said.
Dermot thanked me, walking away and interviewing Harry, I believe. I carried on walking into backstage, where there were loads of black speakers. Dermot entered again, explaining what I had to do. I nodded, and he hugged me. You know, cos' he's like a professional hugger.
'OK, 3, 2, 1, you're on!' The man by the wings said. I walked on, my hands trembling. I grinned at the audience and widened my eyes. It was huge!
'Hello, pet. What's your name?' Cheryl asked me, showing off her white, even teeth.
'I'm Alexis Jupiter,' I laughed at the audience's reaction to my name before saying, 'Hey, it works for Bruno Mars and Freddie Mercury!' Which made them and the judges laugh.
'OK, how old are you and where are you from?' Cheryl said, still smiling.
'I'm 16 and I'm from Stafford,' There were a few whoops which made me smile.
'And what will you be singing today?' Cheryl asked.
'I'm going to sing I've Got You by McFly,' I replied confidently. Or semi confidently.
'Off you go then!' Simon said, leaning back. I waited for the music and began to sing.
'The world would be a lonely place
Without the one that puts a smile on your face
So hold me 'til the sun burns out
I won't be lonely when I'm down
'Cause I've got you to make me feel stronger
When the days are rough and an hour seems much longer.
I never doubted you at all
The stars collide, will you stand by and watch them fall? (by and watch them fall)
So hold me 'til the sky is clear
And whisper words of love right into my ear
'Cause I've got you to make me feel stronger
When the days are rough and an hour seems much longer
Yeah when I got you
Oh to make me feel better
When the nights are long they'll be easier together
Looking in your eyes
Hoping they won't cry
And even if they do
I'll be in bed so close to you
So hold you through the night
And you'll be unaware
But if you need me I'll be there
Yeah I got you
Oh to make me feel stronger
When the days are rough and an hour seems much longer
Yeah when I got you to make me feel better
When the nights are long they'll be easier together
Oh and I got you'
I let a deep out, looking at the reaction. The audience clapped, and Cheryl stood up. I waited, thrilled. Wow – I'd done it!
Louis spoke to me. 'That was very good, and I'm pretty certain the audience liked it. I'm looking forward to seeing you again, hopefully. The only thing is I felt you were a bit reserved,'
All the rest of the judges said similar things, and I took them all.
'Right, we're going to vote now. Louis?' Simon said.
'It's really hard, but it's just a yes,' I smiled.
'Cheryl?'
'I liked you Alexis; it's a yes!' I grinned, doing an awkward jig.
'Natalia?'
'I don't know, I liked you. But there's something missing,' I held my breath. 'But it's a yes,' I jumped up, thrilled! I was through! But I still needed Simon's answer.
'Alexis, you're young, you still need some work, you aren't brilliant, but I like you and I'm going to say yes,' I squealed, hopping up again.
'Thank you so so so so so much!' I called excitedly. I ran off, not quite believing it. Backstage, Harry was there getting ready.
'Good news?' He asked. I nodded, excited.
'Good luck!' I called, walking away. It was surreal. I had just performed in front of thousands of people. And my crush, not that I showed I thought of him like that, finally noticed me.
'Oh, Everybody's Starry Eyed
And Everybody Knows'
(Starry Eyed, Ellie Goulding)