*Here's the playlist for the four songs for the competition! If the link doesn't work, the songs are:
1) It's Ladybug- from MLB
2) Sadness and Sorrow piano version- from Naruto
3) Hiding In Your Hands- from Dear Evan Hansen
4) Period- from FMA:B (cover by Amalee- she's the artist all of Ella's songs come from! She's crazy talented and an amazing singer! She's who Ella's voice both talking and singing is based off of!)
playlist?list=PLanXN2AFSVwPefMJZnyxJFDHv9IAYLMj-
March 3rd.
Ella knew it was coming and she still couldn't hold in all the nerves constricting her chest.
It was finally here: the music competition. Once again, the alarm went off to an already-made bed and a silent room. Ella had been up for over three hours already; music had been played and words softly sung to this point. By seven AM, she was pacing her room with headphones in- words escaping her mouth in hurried breaths. She didn't hear the alarm nor the knocks on her door, so her surprise when a hand rested on her shoulder was expected.
"How long have you been awake?" Nathalie asked, watching Ella pull out her headphones and slow her breathing.
"Uh... I think I gave up on sleep around three thirty this morning." Ella admitted sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck- a habit she picked up from Adrien.
"Nerves?"
"Yeah..."
"There's no need. You know your songs by heart and have become more comfortable performing in front of others. Today will go fine and if you want, you can go back to never performing for people again."
"I like that idea." Ella giggled, making Nathalie smile.
"Go shower and get dressed. I'll wake Adrien since breakfast will be ready soon."
"Yes, momma." The noirette chirped, collecting some clothes and moving to the bathroom. She shut the door and from her messy bun of hair, Kiismet yawned and poked her head out.
"How you function on so little sleep always amazes me." The kwami mumbled, fluttering down to the counter and clothes while Ella turned on the water.
"Years and years of practice, my little feathered friend."
"While I know that's a joke, the reason behind it is not liked."
"I know, Kiisy. But at least most nights I get at least seven hours!"
"True."
"And you get twelve!"
"Hey!"
Ella burst out laughing, shedding her pajamas and hopping into the shower while Kiismet grumbled under her breath.
Breakfast came and went with minimal nerves as Adrien constantly reminded her of how amazing her music was and how she shouldn't be worried whatsoever. The pair lounged around the manor for an hour before Nathalie retrieved them and the pair headed for the Grand Palais hotel. As the car got closer and closer, Ella could feel her chest constricting ever so slightly. Could she really do this? Could she perform in front of strangers? She was so used to Mari and Adrien and her mom- but complete strangers silently judging her the whole time? She didn't even know what the prize for this thing was- they refused to announce it till the event! So was this whole thing even worth it?
"Elle? You okay?" Adrien's voice pulled the teen from her thoughts; Ella realized the car had stopped and was waiting in front of the large building. She didn't answer right away, staring out the window at the growing crowd outside the door. God, if she wasn't sure before- now she was confident she couldn't do this!
A hand gently rested over hers, startling her gaze from the glass to the blond to her left. Adrien didn't say anything, just pulled Ella's hand into his lap and began tracing the lines of her palm.
"You're gonna do great, Elle. This is so brave and I am so proud of you. Just know whatever you decide to do when we exit the car, I will support you through everything. I love you so much, ma lune and know I always will." Adrien's voice was soft, his words keeping Ella's eyes connected with that green she loved so much. She could have flown to the moon on the joy his words were bringing her... but something cold brushing over her left index finger had her eyes moving downward.
Now sitting on her finger, was a little silver ring- it was a simple band with little clear stones adorning the top half.
Ella could have burst into ugly tears.
But she resolved to letting them fall silently down her cheeks as she threw herself into Adrien's arms and squeezed him as tight as she could. There were no words in her mind that could express what she was feeling- all the joy and love and just... utter happiness that someone loved her that much to promise such a thing!
After a few minutes, she pulled away, wiping at her face. Well hell- Hawk Moth could attack with twenty akumas- there was nothing stopping her from singing her heart out now!
Adrien couldn't keep his eyes off Ella as she met with Mrs. Archambault, and went over final items before the competition started in ten minutes. Ella was number 13 out of 25 submitted participants, so she had a good chunk of time to practice and prepare.
The blond leaned against the wall off to the side with Nathalie to his right. Ever since she adopted Ella, the woman had spent more time at her daughter's side and made an effort to do so... it made Adrien a little jealous, that his father wouldn't do the same for him...
Adrien shook his head. Today wasn't about him- this was all about Ella and how brave she was being. He was so proud and happy for her and nothing could stop that. Even Hawk Moth attacking couldn't pull him away from this building! Ladybug would just have to deal on her own today.
"Adrien. We have to go find our seats. Your father needs me back after Ella's first performance so you will have to let me know how she does." Nathalie spoke as the five minute mark announcement was made. The teen nodded and followed her down from the backstage area to the collection of chairs. At the front, the table with the three judges was already occupied by Jagged Stone, Alec Cataldi and Clara Nightingale. Three adults who knew the entertainment world of Paris.
Luckily Clara already knew Ella's voice so that would be good on her end, but Adrien knew Ella wouldn't wanna win through one judge being biased. And Adrien knew Clara wouldn't let working with Ella previously influence her opinion of the other contestants.
Sitting in his seat while Nathalie tapped away on her ever present tablet, Adrien pulled out his phone and opened his messages: a few from Nino, one from Alya and... one from Marinette?
Confused, the blond clicked on the message and took in the message.
'Ella didn't answer me, so I figured you could relay my message! Wish her good luck from me and the girls- we'll try and be there as soon as we can!'
Adrien smiled and typed back a thank you. He hit send and tucked his phone away as the lights dimmed and a woman Adrien didn't recognize moved to the middle of the stage.
"Welcome all, to the 7th annual Paris Student Music Competition! My name is Evelyn Rousseau and today, we have twenty five talented students competing for a record deal with Mr. Jagged Stone's studio! So let's wish all our contestants luck and begin with our first round!"
The audience cheered and applauded; Adrien was in shocked awe. Ella could win a record deal? Would she even accept that opportunity?
"Our first group chose the same song as their 'popular song' option, so our judges will hear these four students sing sections of the song to give ample time for judging. So please welcome our first set of students: number 13 Ella, number 4 Vivianne, number 21 Arielle, and number 19 Maribel!"
Adrien and Nathalie both stood, applauding and cheering as Ella moved onto the stage with the other girls.
This was it!
Ella sucked in a breath.
God she was nervous!
As she stood in the first spot (she asked to sing the first section- it being the words she actually wrote for the song anyways- though no one needed to know that besides Adrien, her friends and Clara), she twisted the ring around her finger with her mic hand. The metal was cool against her warm skin and reminded the teen of Adrien's words in the car... how proud Adrien was of her for doing this and how much he has proven that he loves her with this ring.
Grey eyes moved from the wooden stage beneath her shoes to find those beautiful green ones already staring back at her, and that soft smile reserved only for her on that handsome face... Ella felt her heart speed up and adrenaline course through her veins. Was this what it was like to be confident? She had never felt like this as Ella- only as Raven.
I could get used to this, Ella thought as the music began and she raised her mic to her mouth.
"I live a life, that's full of fun..."
The verses flew by, Ella's gaze not leaving Adrien's the whole time. Her section ended and she tapped out the beat as the other girls sang until the final chorus, when all four of them sang together.
The audience cheered and clapped as the music ended, and the judges thanked the girls before making their notes. The quartet moved off stage to their respective teachers for praise and critiques. Ella moved to the corner Mrs. Archambault claimed to help keep the noirette calm, and was greeted by a huge smile.
"That was wonderful, Ella! I'm so proud of you!" The older woman gently rested a hand on Ella's shoulder, allowing the blunette to choose the amount of contact. Ella smiled wide at her teacher, thanking her before she pulled out her phone and texted her boyfriend. He responded immediately, praising her and congratulating her. He also let her know Nathalie had to leave but he was going to keep her up to date with the rest of the day. Ella frowned sadly at that but understood her mother had more important obligations and was happy she could attend the first round. So the noirette sent her mother a quick thank you text before returning her attention to her boyfriend's text thread.
"Second round participants are numbers: 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25. Thank you to all others for competing!" Evelyn announced and Adrien couldn't contain his excitement. Ella made it to the second round! He knew it would happen! Sending a quick text to Nathalie, Adrien maneuvered around the crowd to the stage where Ella was already waiting. The teen quickly scooped his girlfriend into his arms, spinning her round and round before stopping and planting a kiss on her lips. Adrien nearly swooned as Ella matched his intensity, keeping the contact for a few second more before pulling back.
"I'm so proud of you, ma lune! I knew you'd make it!"
"If that's my congrats for getting to the second round, I can't wait to see what would be for if I won the whole thing~" Ella teased, blushing beet red before burying her face into his shoulder. Adrien matched the blush but smiled and kept his arms tight around her. Around them, the voices and the music faded to white noise as the pair just enjoyed each other's company and their matching heartbeats, until a shout of Ella's name had the pair turning. Adrien was glad to see Ella's group of girls from school running up to them as the speaker went off signaling ten minutes till the next round.
The second round went well- the open area silent as she played the piano piece she had written after her mother's suicide. The song was short at just a little over two minutes, but emotional and special- telling a story of sadness and sorrow of a young girl who lost her mother in a harsh world. Ella couldn't help the few tears that fell as she played, and it warmed her heart to see not a dry eye in the audience.
Though, with that special composition, she made it to the third round.
Adrien had cried as well, thinking of his own mother and would not release Ella for almost till it was time to begin. It took Alya and Marinette to get him to let her go, and Ella just gently wiped away his tears with a smile and a kiss.
"Numbers 2, 5, 8, 11, 13, 17, 21, 24! You've made it to the third round!"
For the third round, Ella perched herself on a little bar top stool with her ukulele in her hands. While the song wasn't as well known as the official soundtrack, it had been released on the deluxe edition with other cut songs, so it had counted when she submitted her list.
Strumming the opening lines, the background CD began, and Ella opened her mouth.
"When it's just you and some song..."
"Numbers 2, 13, 21! You are our final three! Please prepare your original songs! We will begin in five minutes!"
The final three contestants were hard to pick, but Adrien couldn't help the whoop of joy when Ella was announced as a finalist. It was time for the original song section, and Adrien had only heard the bare minimum of the song Ella had written from scratch. He was bouncing in his seat, as he watched Ella pace with Mrs. Archambault standing off to her left; the older woman just watched the teen with a tender smile, letting her get her nerves out. But Adrien couldn't just watch this. Darting up, he ran over and stopped Ella mid-turn. She startled for a second, but Adrien didn't let her react. He pulled her flush against his chest, pressing his lips to hers. The kiss was quick and sweet, as the blond pulled away and pressed his forehead against the warm skin.
"You can do this, Ella... I know you can. The outcome doesn't matter. All you've done today as made me so proud and happy for you. You have come so far, and I love watching you shine up there. Sing your song, and show the world you're more than what you see yourself as: a disgraced girl who still suffers in her father's shadow. You are Ella Sancoeur and you are the best there is. And I love you, my beautiful angel."
Ella was silent for a moment, her breath soft against his cheeks. But she pulled away enough to press a little peck to his nose, whispering 'thank you' just as the speaker announced the first performer: number 13.
Adrien didn't want to but he pulled away and went back to his seat, his eyes never leaving the stage as Ella walked up the steps and to the mic stand. She took a breath, before thanking the judges for the opportunity and signaling for the music to start.
"At last we're here at the halfway point
In the heart of our endless journey
Alas, while everything still is calm
Take a deep breath
We both had just begun to grasp it but it slipped out of our hands
And we will learn from those fragile mistakes
'Til nothing stands in our way
An unbreakable bond will forever link our hearts
There's no spell - no hell that will undo us
We have made it here at last
In this never-ending dance
And we'll live through this period of time
It's love that rushes within my veins
It keeps me warm on my darkest days
Just like this one, single memory
May it not fade
I will promise you that I'll do everything I can
And I will take you along
And this song (overflows)
Like a wish (nearing close)
Everything in life sings along
Don't you dare look away from this one reality
Find the courage to stand up and fight
Turn your anger into strength
Melting sadness in its wake
'Til you find your fate, waiting here always
So look ahead and carry on
It's a glittering new world
I am shaken to my core by the cries that call my name
They're the ones that I will never betray
We have made it here at last
May this future never end
And we'll live through this period of time
At our fingertips, the truth will align"
The open air was silent just a moment before it erupted in cheers.
The other two performances were lost on Ella, as she sat backstage trying to keep her breathing steady.
She had done it.
She had sang in front of strangers, multiple times and lord god, she couldn't be prouder of herself! Kiismet was pressed against Ella's neck, whisper squealing about how amazing the teen was.
"Thanks Kiisy... I don't even care about this anymore- I'm just so happy I was able to do it!"
"I told you you could! Haven't I told you to never doubt me?!"
Ella giggled at her kwami's words before her ears picked up on the amplified announcement.
"Ladies and gentleman- our judges have made their decision! The winner today, and the recipient of the record deal with Mr. Jagged Stone... is number 21: Arielle! Congratulations!"
Ella sighed, still happy with all she had done.
"You okay, beany?"
"Yeah... I'm great, Kiisy. Even if I didn't win- if I did, I'm happy with what happened today."
Deciding to just take a few minutes for herself and her kwami, Ella sat backstage for a bit longer as the Grand Palais emptied out; she only moved towards the door when Adrien began blowing up her phone with calls and texts.
"Elle! There you are!"
Her blond boyfriend was on her faster than a leaf in a storm, arms wrapped around her while Marinette and Alya followed.
"You good, girl?" Alya asked, smirking at the sight. Ella nodded, patting Adrien's head as his grip tightened.
"Personally, I think you should have won. But I guess Jagged wanted a more 'rock' sounding sound." Marinette sighed, shrugging her shoulders.
"I don't mind that I didn't win. I was amazed I made it as far as I did and I'm happy with what I accomplished."
"The words of a true performer." The teens jumped as the new voice joined them, all four turning to see the announcer Evelyn approach.
"Miss Sancoeur-"
"Please, call me Ella."
"Ella. I was very impressed with your singing today, and especially that song at the end. Your writing and voice are truly one of a kind and shouldn't be wasted. I own my own studio: Studio de Galaxie and would love to help you share your voice with the world." Evelyn spoke with a gentle smile, shocking all four teens. Almost instantly, Marinette and Alya were squealing while Adrien beamed ear to ear. Ella, though, was still in shock.
"You don't have to answer me now. Please, take your time to think about it and call me when you have an answer." Evelyn handed Adrien the card when Ella didn't react and walked away.
It took another minute before Ella's brain finished rebooting and she gaped like a fish at the business card in Adrien's hand. She didn't say anything else as Adrien led the way to the car, waving goodbye to Marinette and Alya once he settled the noirette in the backseat. Adrien figured it was gonna take a while for the girl to figure out what just happened and even more time for her to make a decision, but no matter what, Adrien would support her and be happy for her no matter what.
After all, he had made a promise.
And he intended to keep it.
That ring proved it.
