Loren's POV:
The week flew by fairly quick. By Wednesday everyone in my neighborhood seemed to know that I've made it to the live shows. Wherever I went people I've never met congratulated me, and to be honest it was embarrassing at first, but now I just politely say 'thanks' even though I don't think that I'll ever get used to people recognizing me on the street.
By Friday night almost all my bags were packed and I was ready to go. Luckily all my teachers were supportive and agreed to send me my homework so I wouldn't fail or anything. Perks of getting straight A's. I've been so busy all week that I haven't even had time to process everything that's happened, me auditioning and actually making it to the live shows, and I could feel everything catching up with me now. My palms were getting sweaty and I had to take several deep breaths to calm down my racing heart.
"Don't worry sweetheart, everything's gonna be alright," my mom says from the kitchen where she has just finished drying off the last plate. I'm sitting at the kitchen table trying to finish some of my homework so I don't have to worry about it this weekend. I'm leaving early tomorrow morning, and I just really want to get used to be in the contestants' house before I have to worry about homework.
"I know mom I'm just nervous," I say. I don't even bother trying to hide it from her; I know she knows I'm nervous. She sees everything.
Mom puts down the now wet dish towel and sits down in the chair beside me. "I hope you know that I'm very proud of you no matter what happens. Mel and Adam too," she says with a serious expression on her face. "I know mom. I'm proud of myself too," I say, and it's true. No matter what happens I'm proud of myself for making it this far.
The contestants' house, or should I say apartment, is located in the better part of town. It's a huge, modern building with lots of expensive apartments in it, and of course the whole penthouse is reserved for the nine contestants left in this competition. There's paparazzi all over the front of the building, but luckily they have an underground car park, so you can get in without getting seen, which is good cause I have no experience with paparazzi what so ever, and I have no idea what to do if they started attacking me.
I grab my bags out of the back of my car. There's only two and they're not particularly big, so I have no problem carrying them. The elevator ride to the penthouse is long and awkward. I'm the only one in the elevator and the only thing breaking the silence is the classical music playing from the speakers in the corner.
I feel the elevator slowing down finally coming to a stop. The doors open and I'm looking into a big living room. Well I guess that front doors are so yesterday.
The living room is very modern; everything is white, black or grey. There's nothing here that makes the place personal, but I guess that's because no one lives here and we're just staying here for a short period of time. I can see the kitchen from here, where two chefs are standing, ready to prepare whatever food we want. I could get used to that. There's also a big dining table just beside the kitchen. In one end of the living room there's a huge wall completely covered by windows, where you could see probably all of LA, and by the opposite wall there's a huge staircase which I assume is leading to the bedrooms. I'm completely blown away; I've never seen anything like this before.
"Loren? Loren Tate is that you?"
I look towards the stairs where I hear someone say my name, even though that should be impossible cause I've never met any of the other contestants, apart from those on Eddie's team of course. Cameron is standing on the top of the stairs with a shocked expression, and I'm sure mine looks just the same.
"Wow, I never thought I'd see you again," Cameron says walking hastily down the stairs. I'm not sure if he just insulted me but I just shrug it off, because I didn't think I'd make it this far myself so who am I to judge. "Me neither," I say with a smile. I'm happy to see Cameron, because that means I won't be completely alone in this huge apartment. The only downside is that if Cameron is here it means that Chloe is too.
"Where's Chloe?" I ask voicing my thoughts.
"She's upstairs, unpacking. I swear she's packed her whole closet, and she has a walk-in closet, "he says with a small laugh. "I'm really happy to see you," he continues, "So you're on Eddie's team?"
"Yeah, and I'm guessing you're on Laura's," I say since I remember that he dances and Laura is the only judge whom is a professional dancer.
"Yep, she's great," he says.
I don't know what to say next, and apparently he doesn't either, cause an awkward silence settles over us. None of us really knows what to say and my eyes start wandering the room, trying to find something interesting, while Cameron has taken a sudden interest in his shoes.
"I'm just gonna go find my room," I say deciding to break the silence. I've never been good with awkward silences and I'm always the first one to break it.
"Sure, you do that. I'll just be down here," Cameron says, maybe a little too eagerly. I'm just gonna pretend that that didn't offend me just a little. He probably isn't good with awkward silences either.
I grab my bags and start walking up the stairs. On top of the stairs there's a long hallway with doors on each side of it. I start walking down the hallway looking at the nametag on each door. Suddenly the door on my right opens and I collide with the person walking out of it, sending my tumbling back a bit but luckily I don't fall.
"What the hell do you think you're do-" a high pithed voice says before cutting itself off. Oh no. "Oh, it's you," the voice says now full of disgust. I look up from the floor to find Chloe looking me up and down making me feel self-conscious. Her undoubtedly colored, blonde hair is pin straight and her makeup is heavy. She's wearing a very short, tight crop-top, a pair of tight jeans and of course heels. She snickers at me, probably because I'm wearing a black top, some very baggy and comfy sweatpants and my trustworthy, old converse.
"You know, I'm very surprised that you're here," She says. "Their standards must be very low this year."
"It's nice to see you too Chloe," I say. I'm not gonna start arguing with her, it helps no one. I just really wanna get to my room so that I can get some rest. I know it's only noon but I'm gonna try to get as much rest as possible, cause were starting tomorrow and I know I won't get much rest these next days or even weeks. 'Kill them with love' my mom always said, and that's what I'm gonna do.
"I like your jeans Chloe, where did you get them?" I ask her.
"Doesn't matter, they're too expensive for you and you wouldn't get those fat thighs down in them anyway," she says. I don't correct her even though she's probably right. Not because my thighs are exceptionally fat, but because those jeans looks like they were made to fit a stick.
"It was nice talking to you Chloe, let's do it again sometime," I say walking past her down the hall. She doesn't say anything, just turns around and start walking towards the stairs. Living with her is definitely not something I'm looking forward to.
You know what Chloe, let's not do it again sometime.
I found my room and immediately started unpacking. It isn't insanely big like the rest of the apartment but it's definitely isn't small either. Like the rest of the apartment it's modern and without anything personal. Luckily I brought some pictures with me, so maybe that can make the room feel a little more personal. There's a huge queen sized bed, a dresser, some tables and chairs and just like in the living room there's one wall completely covered by windows, even though I don't think that it's practical when I have to change. It's a good thing there's curtains.
While I'm digging through one of my bags trying to find my computer there's a knock on the door. "Come in," I yell while I continue digging through my bag. I hear the door open and the close again meaning that there's someone in my room. I let out a deep breath, giving up on finding my computer, and turn to the person. To say I had a shock would be an understatement.
"Jake, what are you doing here?" I blurt out.
"I came to talk to you," he says casually. He looks quite calm right now, but I know that all that can change with a blink of an eye.
"About what?" I ask even though I have a pretty good idea.
"I came here to talk about Eddie." Ah, I knew it.
"Look, if you're gonna tell me to stay away from him then it's gonna be really hard seeing as he's my mentor," I say. "I know that," Jake says. "But he has to get his priorities straight and focus on his work, and he can't do that if you're always distracting him. So you have to stop whatever it is you're doing."
"I don't even know what I'm doing," I say, my voice rising a little. So he just came in here accusing me of doing something he doesn't know what is, something I don't even know what is. Yeah, that seems fair.
I expect Jake to raise his voice too, but he's surprisingly calm. "You just have to stay away from him when you're not forced to be with him, okay?" he asks, but I wasn't really a question more of a demand. He doesn't even give me time to answer before he's out the door.
What the heck!? Do people just enjoy being rude to me today?
What do you think? Just a filler chapter but I promise once the live shows really start there will be a lot of drama. R&R… please?
I know that some of you think that it takes me a lot of time updating, but as I've said I have a lot on my plate. I've played soccer practically every day this week and my homework is killing me. I really don't have that much time to write. I thought that since it's Saturday and it's raining, like usual, then I would spend all day writing – which I have. So I hope it's worth it since I have a sh*tload of homework tomorrow haha.
Anyways, thanks for reading and for not giving up on me and my story. Please just be patient and show your love!