Hey guys! So, here it is, the first of many eliminations. I always hate these! It's been a really difficult decision to decide who should go home, everyone who talked to me gave very convincing arguments for their favourites. There is no clear person. I'm just going with my gut instinct, but I love all these characters. I'll put up a new pole up after posting this chapter, so check that out to.
By the way, I'm writing every LCP chapter in POV's to really capture the emotion, but the next chapter will obviously be back to 3rd person. I will be posting a call back list after this, so prepare!
Ace's POV
I take a deep breath and step out onto the stage, immediately blinded by the spotlight. I try to not let it faze me, to ignore it, but it's a struggle.I just look out to the four people sitting in their seats, looking directly at me, staring through me. I show a slight smile and advance towards the mic stand which is stationed in centre stage. I stop and place the microphone in the stand. To be honest, I'm not nervous. I know that's a bad sign, I just kind of feel... ready. It sounds kind of big-headed, but I feel like I'm going to do well and give it my all. And if it all crashes and burns, it'll be okay, because I've tried and that's all that matters.
"Hey everyone, Mr Murphy, my name is Jason Westvill and I'll be singing Man who can't be Moved, by my all-time favourite band, the Script, I hope you like it." I look to the side of the stage where I entered from as a stage hand comes on, carrying my guitar. I nod politely to him and swing the strap over my shoulder, already feeling even more comfortable.
This is what I love to do, there's no room to screw it up.
"Going back to the corner where I first saw you
Gonna camp in my sleeping bag I'm not gonna move
Got some words on cardboard, got your picture in my hand
Saying, "If you see this girl can you tell her where I am?
'Cause if one day you wake up and find that you're missing me So I'm not moving, I'm not moving People talk about the guy that's waiting on a girl 'Cause if one day you wake up and fiiinnnddd you're misssssing me,
And your heart starts to wonder where on this earth I could be
Thinking maybe you'll come back here to the place that we'd meet
And you'll see me waiting for you on the corner of the street
There are no holes in his shoes but a big hole in his world
And think where on this Earth I could be-ee
Maybe you'll come back to Wherrree we used to meet
And see me waiting for you..."
I trail off, doing one final strum of my guitar.
"So I went back to the corner where I first saw you, and I
Camped in my sleeping bag, still haven't mo-oved."
I finish A Cappella, looking out to the mentors. From where I stand, I see Zach's hands scrunched up to his chest, while Nikki and Robert wipe their eyes. Ryan sits looking at me, his face expressionless, and I can't help but worry about what's coming next.
"Well, where to begin?"
I leave the stage, a smile spread across my face. As I meander through the various bits of equiptment down the narrow corridors, I pass the three dressing rooms we all have. I peer through the window to see Max sitting quietly in the corner, holding his MP3 in his hand, eyes staring at his feet as his head bops slightly to the music. Just as I'm about the leave, the dressing room to my left opens and Chesney appears in a beautiful peter pan collared navy dress. I smile warmly at her, and she returns it, trying to hide the fear in her eyes.
"Hey, you'll do great. Good luck!" I say, hugging her tightly and giving her a peck on the forehead. She nods and begins to pad down the corridor, and I turn to do the same.
"Hey, Ace?" She blurted, and I spin round. "Thanks,"
Chesney's POV
With Ace's words still fresh in my mind, I strut out onto the stage with a new found confidence that Zach immediately picks up on. Sure, I'm still nervous, but I'm now ready to show my true colours, the ones which aren't masked by doubt and uncertainty. I wouldn't be here if I wasn't special. I may not be perfect, but I'm me, and for now, that's all I can be and by trying to hide in the shadows won't do me any favours. I hold the microphone in my hand and raise it to my mouth, smiling really genuinely, as if for the first time.
"Hello, I'm Chesney Holloway and this song will explain everything," I say simply, and feel completely infinite.
"You kept all the things I threw away
A leaf I picked a birthday card I made
Holding on to memories of you and me
We didn't last a year
We're just a box of souvenirs
Maybe I pulled the panic cord
Maybe you were happy, I was bored
Maybe I wanted you to change
Maybe I'm the one to blame
Maybe you were just too nice to me
Maybe it took me way too long to leave
Maybe once we felt the same
Maybe I'm the one to blame
Maybe I'm the one to blame
Do re mi fa so la ti do
That's the way the story goes oh
Do re mi fa so la ti do
That's the way the story goes oh
Maybe I pulled the panic cord
Maybe you were happy, I was bored
Maybe I wanted you to change
Maybe I'm the one to blame
Maybe I'm the one to blame"
I finish and return to the middle of the stage, stepping in front of the microphone and watching Ryan intently, trying to keep my composure.
"So, Chesney, that was a lovely performance, you really did that song justice,"
"Thank you Mr Murphy, that's very flattering," I reply politely, waiting for the inevitable 'But'. Ryan looks down at the piece of paper in his hand before returning his gaze to me.
"But this new found confidence the other mentors say you suddenly have, why has this suddenly come out now? And where was it in the week?"
Of course, the inevitable but. I hate being right sometimes.
I try and consider the best thing to say, stammering quietly aloud.
"I struggled to adapt at first, I always freeze up and find it hard when I first meet people. I guess I've just got some confidence from the amazing friends I'm starting to aquire through this experience and they're really helping me break out of my shell." I explain, my gaze trained on Ryan the whole time, trying to make him understand.
"Well, I like you. I think you're someone that lots of girls would relate to. Just put yourself out there and be brave, or otherwise my hands are tied. Thanks," Ryan replies, a sour edge to his voice. I leave the stage, feeling like this is a whole new chapter of my life. I just hope it won't end too soon.
Max's POV
I feel my hands shaking, but try to push through. The mentors watch me, eyes like hawks, watching my every move.
This is my last chance, I need to give it my all.
Gonna build a rocket
Anytime you want it
Paint it pretty colors
Gonna light it up and take us to the moon
That's what I'm gonna do
That's what I'm gonna
From the top of the empire
To a state unknown
If I say that I'm leaving
Just got to hang on
'Cause we're just stars
Tryn'a get back to where we're from
One by one, we're gonna leave this planet
So don't look back
'Cause you know that it's all just time,
When you've got nothing on your mind,
You've made it
Somewhere in the future
Talk about forever
Take yourself a picture
Waiting in the rain for a postcard from the sun
The one that never comes
The one that never shows
The one that never-
Is building something
From the top of the empire,
To a state unknown
If I tell you I'm leaving
Just got to hang on
'Cause we're just stars
Tryn'a get back to where we're from
One by one, we're gonna leave this planet
So don't look back
'Cause you know that it's all just time
When you've got nothing on your mind
You've made it
I finish, and breathe in the applause that surrounds me.
I forgot how nice it is to just perform, I can't help but think, the edges of my lips turned up. Ryan whispers something to Zach and turns back to me.
"Wow, your voice is literally breathtaking. You have a great style, and presence, and I can't fault what we witnessed tonight. But glee isn't just about a good voice. Although you fit the 'underdog' click, my problem for me is that, when I watched back the footage, you were so shy. You hid your talent, your voice, away. You weren't part of the group, you lacked in every other aspect, apart from your voice. Care to elaborate?" I watch as Zach's eyes narrow in Ryan's direction, and Ryan looks at me expectantly, while I try to think of something valid to say.
"I think I just..." I pause, my confidence fading rapidly. "I just don't really fit in, the guys are too badass and the girls- with the exception of Penny- don't understand me and probably think I'm weird."
"But isn't that what glee's about? Embracing other ideas? Do you think the other contenders don't fit the bill? Is that what you're saying?"
"No-I- I never said that." I try to keep a lid on my frustration, wanting to scream at him. "I just feel very... outcast." Robert nods, understanding. I wish Ryan could understand. I wish someone else in this miserable world would understand. But wishing won't get you anywhere, will it? It's just a fantasy, and I can already tell that Ryan liking me and getting me on glee was just another dream that won't come true.
