Let The Songbirds Sing
I walked off the plane in London, flanked by an entourage of security personnel. I was both nervous and excited. I couldn't believe that I'd auditioned to be the opening act for FKA Twig's world tour, and I'd been chosen. I took a deep breath as I was ushered through the airport. Paparazzi followed, and I hid my face from the flashes of their cameras. They shouted questions at me, and there was nothing I wanted to say to them.
"Miss Thompson! Have you ever meet Twigs?"
"Alex! One moment for a picture please?"
"Hey! Are you good enough to be opening for FKA Twigs?"
It was the first time I'd been subjected to the harshness of the celebrity life, and I hadn't sung a note in public yet. Growing up in country Australia made it difficult to reach this level without being immensely talented. Melbourne was as far as I had gotten, auditioning for those TV singing shows, and making it as far as boot camp. But it seemed that Twigs had seen something in me, some kind of potential that the judges on those shows hadn't. I didn't go without support; my Dad, John, and step Mum, Carly, as well as my older brother, Trey, all supported me, and they all had faith in me. My real mother had died of lung cancer when I was a teenager, so it felt like it was my duty to succeed, to make her proud.
I was pushed into a black van and the paparazzi were left behind. The driver smiled at me through the rear-view mirror.
"So you're the up and coming superstar Twigs has been gushing about?" He asked. She had? Jesus, I didn't think I was anything but ordinary.
"Well I… I guess…" I said. My Australian accent caught the attention of the man in the passenger seat, and he turned and grinned.
"Hello Alex, I'm Timothy. I'm your manager and personal assistant. I'm going to be here with you every step of the way." I couldn't help smile back at him.
"Nice to meet you Timothy, thank you… I have no idea what I'm doing…" I confessed and he chuckled.
"Alex, you're only 24 and new to all this… No one blames you at all…"
"So um… Where are we going?" I asked innocently.
"We're going to take you to meet Tahliah and Robert of course…" the driver said and I sucked in a deep breath. Robert Pattinson. Tahliah's fiancée… The Twilight Robert Pattinson. I'd had a crush on him since I laid eyes on the first movie. His green eyes burn into you as you… Whoops, distracted. I blinked as I came back to reality.
"R-Robert is going to be there as well?" I stuttered softly and Tim smiled softly at me.
"Of course, he's just as excited to meet you… He watched your audition and thinks you have great potential." I blink at him. What? Rob thinks I have potential? Can't be that bad then… I shifted in my seat as I looked out the window. We're driven over Westminster Bridge, the river Thames flowing gallantly beneath. Big Ben loomed ahead, being taller than expected.
"Don't be nervous Alex, I've worked with Tahliah before and she's a free soul, very enthusiastic…"
"I just don't want to let her down… What if it was a fluke and I'm not all that good?" I ask, not meeting Tim's eye.
"Oh pish posh… You're an amazing singer Alex… Don't let anyone tell you any different." Tim said and I smiles softly.
"Thank you Tim… Are you paid to say that?" Tim laughed.
"I'm paid to make you a star, but that comes along with it…" I smiled as the car pulled up in front of a hotel. I took a deep breath as the driver left his seat and came around to open my door. I smiled at him as Tim met me and followed me into the hotel. The hotel was so elegant, it's colour scheme being white and gold, with pillars connecting the floor to the ceiling, and a waterfall falling on the far wall, protected by a pane of glass. I was left near the couch as Tim went to gather the information needed from the front desk, and the nerves began to sink in. I could feel the sweat falling from my hairline and the driver chuckled as he came up behind me.
"Don't stress Al… They're normal people like you and me…"
"You know, I never caught your name…" I said quickly, changing the subject.
"The name's Charlie… Your trusty chauffeur…" I looked at him and smiled as much as I could manage. "Nice to meet you Charlie…" Just as he was about to answer, Tim summoned us and Charlie waved as I left him in the lobby. Tim stood beside me in the elevator and sensed my tension. "Alex, you're stressing over nothing." "It's not nothing Tim! They're famous!" I squeaked as we reached the right floor. I followed Tim to the right room and my heart stopped as he knocked on the door.