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LIZZIE, THE DIVA

CHAPTER 9: THE PERFORMANCE


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"Miss McGuire, you're up next. Just like we rehearsed, okay?" A man holding a clipboard in his hand told Lizzie. "Good luck."

Lizzie thanked the man and said a little prayer. She could see the audience from where she was standing, but the audience couldn't see her. She was set to perform after the girl singing at the stage, who was almost finished. What's her name, anyway? Lizzie searched her mind, but her thoughts were soon interrupted, when heard the host speak.

And now, please welcome our last contestant. She's fourteen and claims to be loud and proud to be one. Give it up for LIZZIE MCGUIRE!

Oh, that's my cue. Lizzie thought. Oh well, good luck to me.

Lizzie sashayed to the stage to the X spot which marked where she was going to stand. A microphone was in front of her, it had been agreed upon before that she would be singing only standing.

Lizzie looked at the audience and saw her parents and Matt at the front row seats, where the parents of the contestants were placed. She tried to look for her friends, but couldn't find them.

"So Ms. McGuire," the host, a balding man who looked like he was in his late 40's, said to Lizzie. "Are you nervous at all?" One of the rules of the contest was to have the contestant be interviewed before she performed.

With a smile on her face, Lizzie faced the man and gave a confident answer. "No, not all. I've been working really hard, and I've enjoyed every moment I have had here."


The crowd cheered and Lizzie looked at the audience. She then saw a banner that read, "Lizzie McGuire, HillRidge Middle School's Sunshine Girl" and she looked at who was holding it. Why, none other than Ethan Craft and Gordo! She surveyed that crowd and saw Mr. Dig, Mrs. Steibel, Coach Kelly, Miranda, Larry Tudgeman, Veruca, Parker McKenzie, Danny Kessler, Angel Leiberman, Brooke Baker, why even Kate, Claire Miller, and their posse! She suddenly realized, the entire eighth grade was probably there! She gave them a little wave and then returned her attention to the host.

"That's good to know, Ms. McGuire. Good luck. And now, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, our last and definitely not the least finalist, Ms. Lizzie McGuire!"

The starting bars of "Hero" echoed into the background. Lizzie acted nonchalant until her opening line. She then opened her mouth and began to sing. Her voice was crystal clear and the high notes she practiced became even higher. Lizzie never really believed the saying you can't topple your last performance, but as she thought to herself while she was singing, this is even better than the last.

The song came to an end with Lizzie holding the last note even higher and longer – she didn't just have to range, she had the power to keep it to the optimum! She could sense it in herself. I've got it in the bag!

She smiled at the audience, and her classmates from Hillridge – she could see they were jumping up and down, smiling, cheering, clapping, screaming "Lizzie! Lizzie! Lizzie!". She absorbed the moment for she knew it was possible that it would be the last.

Lizzie did a little curtsy before exiting the stage. She let out a little victory scream and made another prayer, thanking God for his guidance. She was met with a barrage of "you were good!" "congratulations!" and "that was really great!" which she didn't seem to take in – she was just very happy. Images of her family, friends, even Kate and Claire, and most especially Gordo – their faces all smiling and proud of her, made Lizzie feel all tingly inside.

She went inside her dressing room where an assistant was waiting. She had to sing one more song with the other contestants – this time it was a pop song, not a ballad – so she had to change in to an outfit that was funky, glitter-y, cool, casual chic – very much her own style of dressing.

Her make up was re-touched, and her hair crimped up a bit, until finally a guy knocked on her door, telling her it was time to line up backstage.

Lizzie looked at herself in the mirror and smiled. Gordo is so mine, and so is this singing contest. She gave a smirk at her reflection. Take that, Jessica Moore.

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A/N: I made up Hillridge, California (obviously, hehe) :P

Will Lizzie win? What happens if she does (or doesn't?)

Review and you'll know.