DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Justin Bieber, Mark Jackson Productions, or 'Worth Something More' by Chantelle Paige! Here's her song that Sydney is recording: http: / / w w w(dot)youtube(dot)c o m / w a t c h ? v = kgA_d3l1Ubo take spaces out UNTIL the = sign after watch?v!
That was three months ago. I rolled my eyes as my alarm clock rang "One Less Lonely Girl" by Justin Bieber on the radio. Of course, the night I remember back to the concert I wake up to his song. It makes perfect sense. I rolled my eyes once more and sat up. Today was a big day. Today I was actually recording one of my original songs. I was so excited! I'd finally been able to convince the music department to let me borrow their recording equipment. Then, I'd put up the a'capella version on MySpace when I'd been contacted by a local production company. They asked if they could mix up a background beat to it, so of course I agreed. But, now they wanted me so they could put their own take on my a'capella version.
I did a quick run through the bathroom and went towards my clothes when my phone rang. I hit Send and put it up to my ear.
"Yeah?"
"Hi, Sydney, this is Mark Jackson, from Mark Jackson Productions. Just giving you a personal reminder that your appointment is today at noon. Can't wait to meet you for real!"
"Thanks, Mark. Can't wait to get into the studio," I replied. I hung up the phone soon after and went back to getting ready. I didn't want to look like I was getting ready for a date, but I didn't want to look like a slob either. I shifted through my clothes when I came across something. It was the mini-skirt I'd worn the night of the concert. I smiled before grabbing it. It seemed to be my lucky piece of clothing anyway.
I grabbed a camisole and American Eagle shirt before slipping them on. I ran out of the house and into the car. I'd gotten my license soon after that concert, so luckily I didn't need to convince Mom to take me to this production company. I could go on my own!
My silver 2005 Acura RSX roared to life as I pulled out of our lane. I raced through the highway to the production agency. It was a personal song for me that we were recording. I couldn't help but hope it turned out to my liking. After all, it was my song we were working with.
Soon I was pulling into the parking lot near their workplace. Right as I got out, I groaned as a ray of sunlight hit my eye. I grabbed my sunglasses and threw them on to walk into the place. I only hoped I didn't look too diva-ish or anything. I sighed greatly at the tented windows in the office place. It was a nice relief.
"Ah, Sydney, you're here on time! So glad you could make it!"
I smiled at Mark. He led me to the recording studio. It was my first time in this kind of place. I couldn't help but love the feel of the place though. Inside there was a glass separating the recording area from the producer's things. This was my dream.
"Breathtaking, isn't it?"
I nodded slowly. I had to remind myself to breath after a moment, though.
Mark chuckled lightly and said, "You can always tell the motivated ones from the rich babies by their first reaction to the studio. The motivated ones feel as if they made it somewhere, while the rich babies think nothing of it."
"Makes sense," I replied lightly. I sat my purse down on a couch in the room. I breathed deeply. Ah, this was the place I could live in.
Moments of silence passed as I looked around before Mark finally asked, "So, you ready to record Worth Something More?" That was the song I'd put up on MySpace. It was a kind of sad song, but it was a song written to an online friend to keep her mind held high during bad times.
I got my notebook from my black purse—though it was probably seen more as a bag from the sheer size of the thing—and went into the room. I wasn't entirely sure how this would work, but I was hoping it would be like recording in my bedroom: short, simple, and sweet.
I heard Mark's voice come into the room. He said, "Okay, Sydney, just begin to sing like you did when you recorded it. I've got some beats mixed up that you will hear while you sing. Then, I'll play it for you once this process is over."
I nodded. I smiled into the glass at him and stood in front of the microphone. I breathed deeply and looked at the first few lines. I had them memorized, but I had to be sure I didn't forget them. That would be a disaster.
"Abused, alone you're feeling so unloved. Can't open up, you keep it all inside. You cut yourself to let your body cry. Why don't you just use those beautiful eyes?
"You are worth something more. You matter, someone's there to love you like you should be loved. Don't need to hurt yourself. You are worth something more.
"Sitting in front of the mirror again. Wishing that you could look more like them. The perfect body comes with endless hurt. Regret fills life don't treat yourself like this.
"You are worth something more. You matter, someone's there to love you like you should be loved. Don't need to hurt yourself. You are worth something more.
"Trying to fill the void you know's inside. Using yourself to keep him by your side. His empty words causing you so much pain. Can't you see you're better off without him?
"You are worth something more. You matter, someone's there to love you like you should be loved. Don't need to hurt yourself. You are worth something more. You matter, someone's there to love you like you should be loved. Don't need to hurt yourself. You are worth something more." When I finished the song, I looked at Mark to see him fiddling with many knobs and things. When he looked up, he smiled at me and motioned for me to come out. I was soon listening to the playback.
I sounded so professional!
He smiled at me and put some more effects into the background music before turning to me.
I loved the ending result!
I jumped at the end of the song and hugged Mark.
"Thank you! It's exactly what I wanted the song to sound like!"
He laughed and patted my back. "You're welcome. Just make sure I get some recognition when you're a famous diva," he replied.
I laughed and nodded. After another minute of hugging, we pulled apart and he handed me the demo cd with the song Worth Something More. I was grinning from ear to ear as I walked back out to my car. This was an amazing day! I just recorded a demo to put on MySpace, it sounded awesome, and it was free to make!
I made it home soon after and ran for my computer. I waited for it to boot up while making myself something to eat. When I came back in, I slid in the demo cd into the computer and logged into MySpace. I was soon uploading the song onto my featured songs. I was pretty sure I was still grinning from ear to ear.
When it was done uploading, I took the cd out and put it into my stereo. Thank God Mom wasn't home yet! I imagined a video to go with the song in a kind of sad video, with a kind of scenario of a girl trying to be the prettiest girl ever, but she already is. It really was a good message for kids to be themselves.
Soon the clock ticked by, and Mom came in from work. She wasn't too happy that I'd gone alone to this production company. But, she got over it when I went to bed before she could yell at me.
Who knew I'd wake up with a completely different life?
