Part Seven
"We all saw her perform her version of the classic ballad 'Have You Ever'. Now it's time to welcome back to the stage, singing Jo O'Meara's first solo single 'What Hurts the Most', here is Snow Stanley!"
Snow walked in wearing a set of plaid pajamas and matching slippers. She had her make up done so it looked natural. Her hair had the slightly tousled look. Behind her the video screen showed flash backs of her with some guy. The pictures were being shown with a variety of transitions. The backing music had begun since Snow had stepped on stage, and then she began to sing.
"I can take the rain
On the roof of this empty house
That don't bother me
I can take a few tears now and then
And just let 'em out"
The crowd could see the emotion that was there in the song as it progressed. She looked as though this was something that had once happened to her. The song went by without any one in the audience making a sound.
"Still harder
Gettin' up, gettin' dressed
Dealin' with this regret
But I know if I could do it over
I would trade, give away
All the words that I say
In my heart that I left unspoken"
Travis was deeply moved by this song. He thought that some of it pertained to his relationship with Parker, and how all of a sudden it was coming to an end.
"What hurts the most
Was being so close
And having so much to say
And watching you walk away
And never knowing
What could've been
And not seeing that loving you
Is what I was trying to do"
The song came to a pleasant end, and as the lights came on the audience saw Snow wipe her eyes. They cheered for her as she walked towards the judges.
She went and faced the judges once more. "That was sung with a lot of emotion. If you keep that up and don't get nervous, you may be able to win." Said Hannah. "That was very good, but I question if you truly feel that way about the meaning of the song." Jacob said. The crowd booed him some more.
Snow walked off the stage with her head held high. Defiant of what Jacob had said to her.
"Well ladies and gentleman, no not you Jacob, (The crowd laughed at this) our next competitor is one with a lot of talent, she amazed you with her last love song, well her she is again with Rachel Stevens' 'Heaven Has to Wait', give a round of applause to Rachel Merreton."
The crowd whistled and cheered as Rachel walked onto the dark stage, the music started with a beautiful melody. Behind her on the video screen it showed the sun setting and the clouds and other various outdoor sceneries. She was dressed in a light pink slip and a black robe over it. She had pink slippers on too. As she started to sing the first verse rose petals showered on her and the video screen displayed a clock materializing and then disappearing into another scene.
"I can't explain what I don't understand
Time slipping trough my hands
As the seconds turn to yesterdays
I think that in my world it's so serene
I'm driven by a dream
One night when were alone again"
The crowd cheered for her, the rose petals suddenly began mixing with white petals and other colours are added as the song progresses.
"Sing you a love song that makes your body weak
I can promise all of my tomorrows, my love for you today
I'll give you everything, but heaven has to wait
Oh yeah, Baby
Oooh
I already know that you're the one
The earth around my sun
But still there's things I need to hide"
To the audience it would seem that she is putting her heart into the song. As Ray looked at the judges table he saw Jacob smile.
"Now's not the right time, here in the dark
Finding my secrets, heaven has to wait
Heaven has to wait
I just wanna lay down beside you…"
The song slowly came to an end. Rachel shook her head to get rid of the flower petals and then preceded to the judges table.
"Well Rachel, that is definitely an improvement. A lot of emotion there, next time keep your voice from breaking." Hannah told Rachel, it was the crowds turn to boo Hannah. "I definitely think that there has been a big improvement from your last song. Yet you still need to work on choosing the right song." Was Jacob's comment.
"Our next performance is from the one and only man that is in this competition. He's impressed the judges so far, but can he do it again. Singing Simon Webbe's 'Lay Your Hands' please welcome back Darien Webster."
This time Michael can hear the girls screaming.
As the lights went off the video screen is showing a general screen saver type of thing. It shows an ambience of waves in different colours.
Darien entered on to the stage and all the girls started cheering again. The music started off with a hamster singing the first few lines. Then Darien starts.
"Sometimes life can be a burden
Tryna stay one step ahead
I feel the world upon my shoulder each time
I'm standing out on the edge
And my hopes have all deserted me
Like they washed away in the sand
And it's hurting my pride
Tryna survive
But I know I stand a chance"
The audience was taken in by his smooth voice. He walked around the stage, as the screen behind him showed different ambiences and designs.
"You're by my side, to turn the tide,
Until the suffering fades.
When life is getting me down,
Getting me down, I'm close to defeat,
Come and lay your hands on me"
More cheers were heard amidst the crowd. Darien smiles and everyone saw his blue eyes twinkle in the spotlight that followed him around the stage. The song drew to an end.
"Give me love and affection,
Keep telling me, show me the way.
(Oh, if you see me falling down)
Lift me up from the shadows
Will you take me away to a better place?
(And when I'm in my darkest hour)
You're by my side, to turn the tide,
Until the suffering fades.
When life is getting me down,
Getting me down, I'm close to defeat,
Come and lay your hands on me.
Come and lay your hands on me"
Darien heard a roar of applause as he walked towards the judges. Confidence was what he was able to show them. "Well I must commend you that was very well done. I didn't think the background would have worked, but you pulled it off." Hannah said smiling up at him. "I think that that was showing finesse by performing like that, it was amusing and very well done." Said Jacob, who was also smiling.
"Our next performance is by the Alex, she amazed the judges last time, and we're hoping her charm works again. Singing Rachel Stevens' cover of Alexis Strums' 'Nothing Good About This Goodbye' give it up for Alex McEvans!"
Alex comes on stage with three other girls. She's dressed in a black tank top, black flare pants and black open toes heels. She also has a silver scarf tied around her waist. The other three girls are dressed in the same kind of clothes but are in blue with gold scarves.
The video screen came alive with a different kind of design; it was showing the sound waves moving as the music started. The music consisted of electronic beats and then the audience understood they were going to get to watch a dance routine, one of the first in two years.
Alex started singing. Her voice was surprisingly not drowned by the music.
"Snap decisions cause you so much pain
Then you come 'round again and there's nothing left at all
Perfect vision, now I'm running blind
Too scared of what I'll find when you call
Only now I've let go
Honey, I just don't know
Sit right here and watch the sky above for a sign
Tell me will you miss me, when I'm in your history
Baby, there ain't nothing good about this goodbye"
The dancers and Alex have perfect synchronization with each other. She has captured the audience's attention. They watch the intricate her do some pretty intricate routines. Ray and Robbie watched her and were impressed by what they saw.
"Snap decisions cause you so much pain,
Then you come round again and there's nothing left at all,
Selfish, but I think it's for the best
I'll miss you for the rest of my life"
Travis who was watching from behind the stage, was also impressed by the creativity Alex had to perform like this, he watched her as the song came to an end. He knew she was exhilarated. The crowd had already started cheering.
"Only now I've let go
Honey, I just don't know
Sit right here and watch the sky above for a sign
Tell me will you miss me, when I'm in your history
Baby, there ain't nothing good about this goodbye
(do do do, do do do, do do do, do do, do)
Watch the sky above for a sign"
Alex was exhilarated, she was proud nothing went wrong. She walked to the judges with a pretty big smile on her face. The crowd was still cheering. It took a few minutes to get a little bit of quiet just so the judges could speak.
"Wow that was very different. I love how you are willing to take risks when you perform. You know how to surprise everyone. I like that you don't like to copy what everyone else has done and you break out of the box! Well done!" exclaimed Hannah.
"Bravo Alex! That really was a one of a kind performance. Between you and Darien, it is really hard to choose." Said Jacob, who was again smiling.
As Alex walked behind the stage, she met Travis. "You really are very hard to figure out. No one knows what your going to hit them with next." He told her. "I'll take that as a compliment, but it's not that hard to figure me out." She says. They laughed as she left to get ready for the next round.
"Singing Kelly Clarkson's 'Because of You', our last performance for this second round will be by the one and only Miss Lily Randall!"
Lily came onto the stage to where there was a stool. Dressed in a white summer dress and white sandals, she sat on the stool. She started to sing with the music. Her hair open, fell on her shoulders. Behind her the video screen showed of a child watching her mother cry as her father leaves. The video progressed to show what happened to the child as she grew older.
"Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side
So I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust
Not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid"
The child was shown as she avoided people in school and never made any real friends. On the stage Lily was amazing the crowd with her voice.
"I cannot cry
Because I know that's weakness in your eyes
I'm forced to fake, a smile, a laugh
Every day of my life
My heart can't possibly break
When it wasn't even whole to start with
Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk"
Travis from behind the stage was paying attention to the crowd when he spotted Parker. She was about five rows away from Ray and Robbie, sitting with another guy from school. He was kissing her. Travis quickly went back to his work, and started thinking of ways to work out this new problem. He remembered he never told Parker he was working behind the stage. She probably thought he didn't come because she said she couldn't make it. After this thought he thought of other reasons why she came with the other guy to the competition.
"Because of you
I tried my hardest just to forget everything
Because of you
I don't know how to let anyone else in
Because of you
I'm ashamed of my life because it's empty
Because of you
I am afraid
Because of you
Because of you"
Lily bowed at the audience after finishing up her song. She waved at her friends among the crowd. Then she quickly walked up to the judges to here their remarks.
"Well Lily, that definitely put you in the top three. You showed us that Lily can choose the right song and sing it excellently." Hannah told Lily. "Well Miss Lily that was a very good improvement. You definitely have the vocals; you could potentially win the title of idol for another year." Jacob's comment was nearly drowned in the cheers from the crowd.
Ass Lily walked behind the stage she noticed Travis working on something. "What are you doing there?" she asked him. "Hmm, that was a really good performance; I'm setting up for round three. Go change your on in a bit." He told her, he still wasn't looking at her. She didn't find anything wrong with him so she left to change.
I can't believe Parker would do this to me was all Travis could think. Immersed in this realization he kept working with the other members working on the electrical and technological equipment. He knew if he lost himself in work now he would be able to think of a better solution later. This way he wouldn't say anything to hurt anyone. Even though he was the one who was hurt.
