-Chapter 65-

-Judy pov-

Today has been a long day. The group is being picked after auditions, I have been trying to figure out costumes with Rachel, and I still have to set up a meeting time with Emma. I'm currently sitting in the judge chair beside Rachel.

She's got so many different costume designs. We don't even have our theme! How is she just getting all of these costume ideas?! Why did I get picked for this?!

I see Shelby smile at me and remember why. It's to make up for keeping things hidden. It's to try and keep one of my girlfriends happy. So I'll put up with the outlandish costumes Rachel is throwing out.

"Alright!" Shelby walks over with Beth "Since this is groups we will have a bigger panel!"

I turn to see Holly holding Amelia. I smile and wave at them. I get both back and turn toward the groups. The three Cheerios seem already defeated. What are their names?

"Up first is" Mari looks down at her paper "Jenna, Ashley, aaand...Kelly!"

The three girls step forward. It's a blonde, a ginger, and a brunette. Why does that seem like the start up of a joke? I hear laughter and see some of the Cheerios laughing.

"Hang on a second" I get up and walk to the three Cheerios "You girls ok?"

"We can't sing like them" Ashley frowns "We are all sopranos...no one wants to hear nonstop high"

"Is that it or is it them" I nod over to the laughing girls and they all sigh "Ignore them...they don't matter ok? What matters is you give it your all! I'll take care of them"

The girls gives small smiles and I walk away. I send a glare to the laughing girls and they straighten up. I smirk at the reaction. I still got bitches!

"Are we ready?" I nod and take my seat "Please begin!"

-Ashley-Jenna-Kelly-All-

We are family

I got all my sisters with me

We are family

Get up everybody and sing

We are family

I got all my sisters with me

We are family

Get up everybody and sing

Everyone can see we're together

As we walk on by

(And) and we fly just like birds of a feather

I won't tell no lie

(All) all of the people around us they say

Can they be that close

Just let me state for the record

We're giving love in a family dose

We are family (Hey, y'all)

I got all my sisters with me

We are family

Get up everybody and sing (sing it to me)

We are family

I got all my sisters with me

We are family

Get up everybody and sing

Living life is fun and we've just begun

To get our share of this world's delights

(High) high hopes we have for the future

And our goal's in sight

(We) no, we don't get depressed

Here's what we call our golden rule

Have faith in you and the things you do

You won't go wrong, oh no

This is our family jewel

We are family (hey, sing it to me)

I got all my sisters with me

We are family (oh, I can hear you now)

Get up everybody and sing

We are family

I got all my sisters with me

We are family (get up, get up y'all)

Get up everybody and sing

We are family (I got all my sisters with me)

I got all my sisters with me

We are family

Get up everybody and sing (Get up and sing it to me)

We are family

We all clap as they finish with smiles. They were phenomenal and I could see us doing that at Nationals. I know Shelby has been worried about us winning. I don't know why she's been so worried though.

"That was amazing" Shelby looks down at the paper "Up next are the guys!"

-Dave-Blaine-Mike-All-

Ooh, you can dance, you can jive

Having the time of your life

Ooh, see that girl, watch that scene

Digging the dancing queen

Friday night and the lights are low

Looking out for a place to go

Where they play the right music, getting in the swing

You come to look for a king

Anybody could be that guy

Night is young and the music's high

With a bit of rock music, everything is fine

You're in the mood for a dance

And when you get the chance

You are the dancing queen

Young and sweet, only seventeen

Dancing queen

Feel the beat from the tambourine

Oh, yeah

You can dance, you can jive

Having the time of your life

Ooh, see that girl, watch that scene

Digging the dancing queen

You're a teaser, you turn 'em on

Leave them burning and then you're gone

Looking out for another, anyone will do

You're in the mood for a dance

And when you get the chance

You are the dancing queen

Young and sweet, only seventeen

Dancing queen

Feel the beat from the tambourine

Oh, yeah

You can dance, you can jive

Having the time of your life

Ooh, see that girl, watch that scene

Digging the dancing queen

Digging the dancing queen

There's laughter and applause following that one. It wasn't that they were bad it was just a funny performance. You got a big guy, a sweater guy, and a dancing guy singing dancing Queen. It was brilliant.

I see the other judges still laughing "I guess I'm calling up the last group" I look at the paper in front of me "Cherry, Amber, and...Samantha!"

-Cherry-Amber-Samantha-All-

Almost heaven, West Virginia, Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River

Life is old there, older than the trees, younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze

Country roads, take me home to the place I belong

West Virginia, mountain mamma, take me home, country roads

All my memories gather round her, miner's lady, stranger to blue water

Dark and dusty, painted on the sky, misty taste of moonshine, teardrop in my eye

Country roads, take me home to the place I belong

West Virginia, mountain mamma, take me home, country roads

I hear her voice in the morning hour, she calls me, the radio reminds me of my home far away

And driving down the road I get a feeling that I should have been home yesterday, yesterday

Country roads, take me home to the place I belong

West Virginia, mountain mamma, take me home, country roads

Country roads, take me home to the place I belong

West Virginia, mountain mamma, take me home, country roads

Take me home, down country roads

Take me home, down country roads

We all clap again as they finish up the song. This is honestly going to be a hard one. They all had great songs and great performances. Put some routines and practice in..man we just might win!

"Thank you!" Shelby sets a timer on her phone "We will be discussing who we think will go on to nationals!"

I turn the mic off and turn "They all were really good" I sigh and look at my paper "I can't decide!"

"The boys had a great performance" Emma chuckles and shakes her head "It was really good and could get people going"

"But the first group also had a moving one" Fran looks at the trio "They didn't seem like they were prepared judy"

"They were nervous because of their fellow Cheerios" Everyone gives frowns "But they focused in and they nailed it"

"We can't pass on that last one either" We all nod in agreement "Write down who you think and hand it over"

I write down the group I want and pass it. We all eventually hand in our papers to Shelby. We watch Shelby go through them slowly. After a few minutes the timer goes off and she nods.

"I've got the winner" She turns the mic on and turns fully toward the stage "Our group singer for nationals are...Ashley, Jenna, and Kelly!"

The three girls look in shock as everyone runs to them. I smile as they get celebratory hugs and high fives. I look at my fellow judges to see them smiling too.

I look over and see it was pretty much a clean sweep. They won fair and square. Unknown to nationals group singers. That's a big step up. But they earned it.

Now to go back to costumes and setting up a appointment...what a great life I'm living.