Hey guys! So, I was very happy with your first impressions :) I'm also happy that you liked Tanya. I believe that it says a lot about the way we treat other women and how we think of our gender when we tend to write so often these empty, shallow and mean girls that try to steal our men away or something. I hope to never write those characters, honestly, or treat other girls under that lens. That being said, I really enjoyed writing this chapter! I will be receiving song suggestions throughout the fic for the characters. They will all have their own styles and I hope to put them together, mix things up and everything. If you want to hear one of the characters sing or battle to a specific song just comment and I'll be sure to try and include it. I would really like this to come from our collective ideas. See you at the bottom!

When I heard the beginning notes of Come Together by The Beatles being played by an amazing electric bass and drums I finally relaxed, remembering why I fuckin love my job so much.

The blind auditions

EPOV

We were already down 25 people and had just about the other half to go. There had been some pretty good artists between the first bunch, but I hadn't been able to get anyone on my team yet. I'd been very interested on a boy called Seth. He was young, around 16 years old if I remember correctly, and surprised us all by singing a powerful rendition of Complicated by Avril Lavigne, which no one was expecting. I really fought for it. Not only was he really amazing and unique but he was also a little bit shy when we were asking questions, making his performance even more outstanding. He ended up choosing my sister as his coach though, and she didn't shy away of letting me know about it. Not even a little bit.

Whatever, I thought while rolling my eyes. She had already filled her team. Amateur.

Now we were returning from a mid-day break and beginning the second half. I had two spots to fill and needed to be quick about it. Jasper had three spots left on his team when we started and had snatched himself a nice pop singer called James today, with a very strong stage presence because of his background touring with a group. Hale had two spots remaining, having won over Jasper with her pitch to a very sweet country singer called Emily. By this point we all were getting a little bit nervous and tired. Hopefully something refreshing was going to come out.

When the lights went down and the strong beats of Perm by Bruno Mars started we all settled down. I really enjoy funky music but you can't truly pull it off only with your voice. You need the swag for it. You can fake it, sure, but it won't sound as hypnotic as it should, so it's a really tight rope to walk on. Specially this song.

"Hey, hey, hey! Come on, The Voice, come on!" a male voice started cheering the crowd energetically, and the audience started going crazy. I looked at my right and all of the other coaches had a huge smile on their faces. I sure hope this was going to be good.

"Now I know you didn't get your hair done so you could just sit down and just sit still!" he followed, starting with the actual lyrics but still cheering the crowd. "We tryna have a good time tonight, let's go over here!"

"It's my birthday tonight! Well, no it's not" he sang the first verse putting his own twist and, like a wave, first Jasper, then Hale and lastly me pushed our buttons, turning around to see this giant goof having the time of his life on stage.

"OH, HELL NO!" yelled Tanya pushing her button repeatedly too. "You're not leaving me here!".

"But I still look good though" he sang. "High comb hot!"
"I bet you want an autograph for you and your friends
Gotta do it in the penthouse, that's where I keep my pen" he followed.

The guy was the huge and muscular type. Around 6 ft. 6 or something with curly short hair and dimples. Women were loving this. I was loving this. He continued singing without faltering even though he was dancing very heavily, moving across all of the stage and doing some weird footwork.

What you can't dance, ain't got rhythm?
What you got a man? I don't see you with him
Put your phone down, let's get it
Forget your Instagram and your Twitter
Got me like woah, wait a minute
You need to take a minute
Loosen them shoulders up
Pour it up, let's work

Suddenly he walked down the stage and directly to us, taking Rosalie's hand and bringing her to the stage. She was shocked but went happily and we were all laughing our asses off when he started singing the next lines.

Throw some perm on your attitude
Girl, you gotta relax (ooh)
Let me show you what you got to do
You gotta lay it back
Matter of fact, band, show her how to lay it back!

He sang pointing to Rose and started dancing around her. Singing the rest of the song while Rose moved her hips and fooled around. Jasper was smirking, and I stood quickly over the couch to dance as well.

Come on baby, I love you
(No you don't)
You never know, I might though
Can't say I won't, ah!
There's that smile I'm looking for
Was that so hard?
If you ever need to smile again girl, take my card

The boy then kissed Rose hand, leading her back to her seat while starting to wind down the song.

Hey, now you got it baby!
You tryna have some fun tonight, you just gotta follow these simple instructions, you ready?

You need to activate your sexy
Silky, smooth and snap (silky, smooth and snap)
Now lean with it, throw a lil' sheen in it
Then pat, pat, pat 'til it's flat
I'll sing it again
Throw some perm on your attitude
Girl, you gotta relax (Ooh)
Ooh, let me show you what you got to do
You gotta lay it back
Matter of fact, band, show her how to lay it back!
Show her how to lay it back
Show her how to lay it back, now
Ow, show her how to lay it back right now
Alright!

By the end of the song the boy had proved that he wasn't just a good showman, but that he could also sing. He reached every high note though he could train on improving the ease and control of his range. Even despite that, the crowd was ecstatic and we all gave him and standing ovation which he was eating up with a huge smile. When silence settled again, Tanya took the lead of the pitching right away,

"I'm SO angry right now, you can't even imagine!" she whined. "Honey, you're delicious! and I really want you in my team but I'm at full capacity at the moment. However…" she said with a smirk right to Rosalie "I know someone who would definitely like to coach you".

Rosalie threw a smirk right back to her, turning towards the boy who seemed like an energized bunny. "What's your name?"

"I'm Emmett McCarty and I'm from Atlanta, Georgia".

"Emmett McCarty from Atlanta, Georgia. What is it that you do?" followed Hale.

"Well, I'm a personal trainer but I do volunteer with a small theatre company on the stage crew. Sometimes I even audition and play smaller roles. I really like performing so that's why I came here".

"Well I should certainly tell you that you have no business playing small roles anywhere, Emmett" intervened Jasper confidently. "If nothing else, you're definitely a performer and I really think we could work together on getting you even further should you pick me as your coach".

"But if you pick ME as your coach" I cut Jasper right away, "you would get real experience as a big performer" I replied playfully. "Not to say that Jasper isn't big and all but, man, we are talking rock star level here. Combining all of the things you already have, your style, your dance moves, your voice, and improving them to be able to command the stage and the crowd. That's what me and my band do for a living. You've got all the raw material to be the next Bruno Mars or something even better, and I could accompany you through that process if you choose me. Pleeeease choose me?" I begged at the end for comedic effect, making everyone laugh.

"He is lying to you, Emmett" cut in Rosalie with a smile. "Level with me honey, do you want to be the next Bruno Mars?".

"Eh…" Emmett hesitated.

"Let me be honest here for a second… the answer from you should be a HELL NO, immediately. You don't want to be the next Bruno Mars nor the next Edward Masen. You want to be Emmett McCarty" Rose ranted passionately. "I know what is like to be a huge performer like Ed here, but I also know what it takes to be a solo artist and make it something big and unique. You're already both of those things, but you could also gain a lot from training your voice to be able to expand but also contain your energy. That's what it takes to become a real artist and I know you already have it in yourself, not here on the Edward Masen formula for success".

"Hey!" I jumped in acting offended. "The Masen formula for success has led me pretty far the last ten seasons, let me tell you. Four winners! Four!".

"But now that we got the better Masen on the show you're old school pal" replied Hale laughing. "So, you should definitely pick me, Emmett".

"And what am I here? Chopped liver?" hurried Jasper. "Emmett, honestly, you should go with what your instincts are telling you, that will always guide you far in this industry… even farther if they're choosing me though".

"So, what's gonna be Emmett. Who do you choose?" asked Tanya, while an expectant silence settled on the audience.

"Oh, man… I always hate when people say this part is hard but, man, it's really hard. I like all of you guys, you're all great…mmm. Oh, shit man. Shit, sorry, I shouldn't curse. Oh, god" he exclaimed while covering his eyes. We were all laughing hysterically by now waiting for him to choose someone. "Ok. I think I'm ready. No, I know I'm ready… I'm… yeah, I'm definitely team Rosalie" announced Emmett and Hale stood up quickly to go and give him a huge hug on the stage. At the same time Tanya was shouting "go get him, girl!" and we were all clapping loudly for them. They talked a little bit but the mic couldn't pick up on what Emmet was saying and she walked him down the stage, returning to her sit afterwards.

"Well, that was fun" said a cheerful Rose. "Sorry, Masen".

"Yeah, sure. Sorry, Masen. Whatever" I replied glumly. "Don't worry though, the next star will be mine".

"I'll leave you my leftovers to pick from, no problem".

We chatted for a little bit while they finished interviewing Emmett and his family or whoever was accompanying him today. After they were over we only had to wait for about ten minutes for the lights to turn down again and the electric buzz of a new artist coming up the stage to expand throughout the audience.

Suddenly, the beat of a slow drum being played, and the sensual notes of an electrical guitar resounded through the place. The sound was heavy, matching the pulse of everyone that was listening in a way so different than the one Emmett had just tried, but similarly effective. When a smoky voice sang the first verse of the song I felt every hair on my body stand on end, itching trough my arms and the back of my neck and making me close my eyes involuntarily.

I wasn't jealous before we met
Now every woman I see is a potential threat

"Oh, she's good" said Rose quietly.

"What song is it?" asked Tanya in the same voice.

"Something from Abba, believe it or not" she replied.

And I'm possessive, it isn't nice
You've heard me saying that smoking was my only vice

Her voice was quite at the beginning, matching the slow pace of a crescendo that promised something strong and powerful. As her voice started to rise I felt my knee bouncing, anxiously hurrying the beat of the drum that was marking the pace of her song. I still hadn't open my eyes, but I didn't need to. This girl, whoever she was, was more than good. You could feel it deep in your skin, even in your bones.

But now it isn't true
Now everything is new
And all I've learned has overturned
I beg of you

Rose was the first to push her button. I opened my eyes just to see her turn and appreciate the peaceful smile that lit her face. I expected the girl to push it with the chorus and start showing off her range or how powerful she could sound immediately, but I was wrong. Instead, she slowed down. She became so quite while still in perfect control of her voice. The song turned intimate right away, expressing such a soul it was incredible.

Don't go wasting your emotion
Lay all your love on me

And then it came. Her voice all out singing passionately, begging for a love that we could all desire as much as her.

I love it, said Tanya to me, mouthing the words in silence.

Both Jasper and her turned their sits immediately, with a huge support from the crowd that was cheering loudly.

Don't go sharing your devotion
Lay all your love on me

When her song ended I hurried to push my button as well. I was so moved that I had honestly forgotten about it. In just a few lines that girl had destroyed everyone else that had auditioned this season, at least for me. I really wanted her in my team. I needed her in my team. I was hooked.

And that's when I saw her.

So, what do you think of this so far?

This last song is called Lay or your love on me and it was some kind of tribute to Cody Frost's audition in The Voice UK. Youtube, people. Look it up.

Love,

C.