Bucky and Celeste ran through the doors of the center, followed by Zuko who wobbled in on crutches. They went backstage and saw Zula there. She turned and got ready to lash out, but saw her older brother on crutches and in casts and swallowed her pride. Celeste just glared at her. "Zuko, you're alive!" Zula faked interest. Zuko wasn't so moved and just rolled hi eyes. "Are you alright?"
"What do you care?" Celeste spoke up for Zuko. "You didn't even come to see if he was okay!" and then the nineteenth singer walked off the stage and a staff member told Celeste she was up.
"Go kick some butt." Zuko said to Celeste. Celeste leaned in and kissed his cheek quickly before she ran out to the stage.
The crowd applauded for her, and her parents cheered. Celeste took the microphone and spoke into it after taking a deep breath. "Hi, my name is Celeste. And I will be singing a different piece tonight. Instead of singing the classics, I'm going to sing a new song. It's by 'N Sync and it's called 'Love's In Our Hearts'. Enjoy."
"What?" Zula was stunned. "She should be singing Silent Night!" Zuko and Bucky shushed her and looked out to see Celeste sing. Music started to play and Celeste began to sing with her brilliant voice. But this time was different. She gave it an extra bit of effort, and she sounded beautiful.
I know great distance still remains between us
But there's good reason to hold on
It's the happiest time of the year
Filled with laughter and good cheer
As you watch the snow
Sweet love you'll hear me say…
You've got my heart on Christmas
Inside my soul your love remains
Love's in our hearts, on Christmas day
The days and weeks and months go by
So slowly
We are both wishing them to fly
As the night begins to fall
Twilight crowns the bedroom cheer
Such a rush of joy
Your love, it comforts me
And I do believe
Love's in our hearts on Christmas
Though far apart
As one we pray
Loves in our hearts on Christmas day
Snowflake melts in your eye and turns to a tear
But your cheek it stays dry
With your warm smile so near
I have no fear
We're gonna make it
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Love's in our hearts on Christmas
Though far apart
As one we pray
Loves in our hearts on Christmas day
Though far apart
As one we pray
Love's in our hearts
On Christmas day…
The crowd went wild as they stood up a cheered! Katara, Sokka and Aang stood up and whistled in the audience for her. No other girl had gotten such a strong response from the listeners. The judges looked at each other and nodded. Celeste bowed and walked off stage. She walked past Zula triumphantly and up to her cousin and Zuko. Bucky patted her back and Zuko leaned on one crutch to take her hand.
One of the judges stood up and spoke into their microphone. "And now we will announce the winner." And the judge opened an envelope. Zuko and Bucky squeezed Celeste's hands. "And the winner is…Celeste!" and the audience went wild again! Celeste covered her mouth with tears of joy and Bucky hugged her.
"Congrats, Celeste!" he congratulated her. Celeste hugged Zuko next, who could only hug her with one arm because of his crutches.
"I knew you could do it." Zuko said to her with a smile. Celeste smiled and walked out on stage where a judge was waiting with a tiara and a check for $1000 dollars. The judge placed the tiara on her head and handed her the check.
"And now…" the judge started, "The future singer will pick her manager." and he handed Celeste the microphone.
"First off, I would just like to thank everyone. My family and friends for coming and cheering me on and telling me I could do it when I felt like I couldn't go on. Thank you so much!" and then she directed her thoughts to the question.
All her life she had wanted to be a singer, and now that she had won she would have a record deal and kick off her career. Her dream was just beginning to come true. There were no more doubts; she was going to make it big. But now she had to pick who was going to be her manager. She knew she needed someone who was really looking out for what was best for her. And she knew who that person was. Zula grinned from backstage and pointed to herself, telling Celeste to go on with what they had planned. But once again Celeste had her own plan in mind. "For my manager…I pick someone I know who is looking out for me. I pick my good friend…Zuko." She said.
"Huh?" Zula was stunned again. Zuko was even more stunned, and he just stood there, not knowing that to do. Bucky laughed and nudged Zuko towards the stage. Zuko just wobbled out onto the stage where everyone began to clap for him. He went up to Celeste who hooked arms with him and smiled.
"Uh...thanks." Zuko managed and Celeste giggled at him.
"Do you accept?" she asked him while people still applauded.
"You know I do." He said with a smile of his own.
Later that night, Zula left the center steaming, literally! But backstage after she left, Zuko and Celeste signed the contract that put them on a record deal. Zuko knew it was a big job he was taking on, but it was worth it. If it meant spending every second of his day with Celeste than he wanted it. Not to mention he could easily replace his car. Zuko finished signing his name on the contract and looked at Celeste who was staring at him with pure joy in her eyes. "Do you think my uncle will be mad at me when I come home looking like this?" he asked her, and she laughed at him.