CHAPTER 133
Skies are crying, I am watching
Catching teardrops in my hands
Only silence as it's ending
Like we never had a chance
Do you have to make me feel like
There's nothing left of me?
You can take everything I have
You can break everything I am
Like I'm made of glass
Like I'm made of paper
Go on and try to tear me down
I will be rising from the ground
Like a skyscraper
Like a skyscraper
As the smoke clears, I awaken
And untangle you from me
Would it make you feel better
To watch me while I bleed?
All my windows still are broken
But I'm standing on my feet
You can take everything I have
You can break everything I am
Like I'm made of glass
Like I'm made of paper
Go on and try to tear me down
I will be rising from the ground
Like a skyscraper
Like a skyscraper
Go run, run, run
I'm gonna stay right here,
Watch you disappear
Yeah, oh
Go run, run, run
Yeah, it's a long way down
But I am closer to the clouds up here
You can take everything I have
You can break everything I am
Like I'm made of glass
Like I'm made of paper
Oh Oh
Go on and try to tear me down
I will be rising from the ground
Like a skyscraper
Like a skyscraper
(Like a skyscraper)
Like a skyscraper
Like a skyscraper
To hear the actual song, click:
watch?v=5V18yk6nIMY
Or search… "Sam Bailey Skyscraper"
Ella's cover of Demi Lovato's was simply stunning. She sang with every ounce of her remaining strength and by the end, every single member of the audience had shed at least a tear or two. Ella smiled widely once she finished singing and accepted the standing ovation she received from both the audience and the judges. Finn, who was still in the green room, smiled on the outside but his insides were in turmoil. That was an absolutely heart wrenching performance from Ella, and Finn did NOT want to follow her. However, it wasn't like he had a choice. He was led backstage where he waited for Dermott to introduce him.
"Wow, incredible performance from Ella there!" Dermott said. "The bar has most certainly been set. But if there's one person that is able to match up to that amazing performance, it's the man up next. Ladies and Gentlemen… give it up for Finn Hudson!"
Finn walked on stage and as he stood before the mic, he briefly looked up.
"Biz, mom, this one's for you guys." He said to himself before starting the song.
I remember years ago
Someone told me I should take
Caution when it comes to love
I did
And you were strong and I was not
My illusion, my mistake
I was careless, I forgot
I did
And now when all is done
There is nothing to say
You have gone and so effortlessly
You have won
You can go ahead tell them
Tell them all I know now
Shout it from the roof tops
Write it on the sky line
All we had is gone now
Tell them I was happy
And my heart is broken
All my scars are open
Tell them what I hoped would be
Impossible, impossible
Impossible, impossible
Falling out of love is hard
Falling for betrayal is worse
Broken trust and broken hearts
I know, I know
Thinking all you need is there
Building faith on love and words
Empty promises will wear
I know, I know
And now when all is done
There is nothing to say
And if you're done with embarrassing me
On your own you can go ahead tell them
Tell them all I know now
Shout it from the roof tops
Write it on the sky line
All we had is gone now
Tell them I was happy
And my heart is broken
All my scars are open
Tell them what I hoped would be
Impossible, impossible
Impossible, impossible
I remember years ago
Someone told me I should take
Caution when it comes to love
I did
Tell them all I know now
Shout it from the rooftops
Write it on the sky line
All we had is gone now
Tell them I was happy
And my heart is broken
(Tell them oh) I hoped would be
Impossible, impossible
Impossible, impossible
Impossible, impossible
Impossible, impossible
To hear the actual song, click:
watch?v=Lh2oWbaRvQg
Or search… "James Arthur Impossible"
Dermott was right. Finn was probably the only contestant that could match Ella's performance and he definitely did. He could practically feel the floor rumblings and vibrating beneath him from all the fans' applause, cheers and shouts. He wiped a couple of tears from his cheek. He had been working harder than he ever had before during the best ten weeks of his life and it was pretty much over. Well, it was over for him. There was nothing more he could do other than hope and pray that he got votes.
"Finn Hudson!" Louis exclaimed. "That was a powerful, powerful performance. Finn, I want to thank you for bringing something new every single week. You are a ready made artist. The X Factor is going to change your life. You're going to a big record deal and you and Ella are both the winners to me. Thank you very much."
"Thank you, Louis." Finn replied.
"Finn…" Tulisa said. "Kinda like a personal message from me to you… I know you're going to understand what I'm saying. From the second I saw you perform, I got you. I get you. We're the same people. And I get everything about you. And you have been to the depths in life - the deep dark depths - and you came up and came back out with heart. You kept your heart and you didn't let anybody take it away from you. You're an inspiration. You deserve to win this competition. People, this is your last chance to pick up the phone and vote!"
"Thank you. Thank you so much." Finn said.
"Finn…" Gary said. "You can do this competition as a true artist and I was worried that somewhere along the way, you'd lose your dignity and credibility trying to win votes. You have never done that and I'm so proud to see you on this stage tonight. Please, take one bit of advice from me… hold that integrity and credibility for the rest of your career. Never let anybody boss you around and tell you what to do. You know best. Well done."
"Thanks, Gary." Finn said. One more judge and it was, of course, his mentor Nicole.
"Finn, you've proven tonight that anything is possible. I remember when we went back to Lima and we sat in your old bedsit and you said 'I just never thought I'd get out.' You got out, my friend, and you're never going back. And I just want to tell you, Finn, that you better get ready because your life is never going to be the same after this."
"Thanks." Finn said. Dermott walked up beside him.
"Well done, Finn." he said. "Um… well, you can't do anymore now. That was your last competitive performance on the X Factor. How do you feel?"
"Drained." Finn replied. "I think after this competition, I need like a week vacation where I just sit there and do absolutely nothing."
"Obviously it was important for you to give your all tonight, right? I mean, you look like you gave 110% there. You look like you busted a gut singing that last chorus."
Finn laughed.
"You know? I might have literally busted a gut!" Finn exclaimed. Dermott laughed and then turned back to the audience.
"OK, well he's performed his winner's single. If he is your winner, remember to please vote for him. All right, Finn, before you go. I know that during this incredibly stressful show, the support of friends and family is crucial so we've had the people closest to you send in messages to you, and we made a montage of them. Here it is…"
Finn watched as Liam and Harry's faces came on screen first.
"Finn, we're the proudest friends in the world. We always knew you were amazing and now, everyone else is getting to see it and you're finally getting the recognition you deserve." They said.
Mr. Schue was next.
"Finn, the whole state of Ohio is behind you, more than you probably even know. I mean, you've got posters with your face on them, you've got old people knitting for you, the ice cream place we used to go to even renamed your favourite flavor after you! We're all so proud!"
Santana was next.
"My heart just bursts with pride everytime I watch you on that stage. You just give it everything you've got and I love you so much, man." She said.
Puck, Sam, Mike and Artie were next.
"I remember the Sectionals, Regionals and Nationals back in high school, and I remember just watching you solo and thinking 'what the hell is this guy doing here? He should be making albums already.' Well you've made it now and here you are, playing in front of millions of people. You blow us away, man."
George was next.
"Finn, being in Lima when you were and seeing how hard you've worked over the years is just awe-inspiring, and you've been the person that has given me the courage to follow my dreams. Thank you, and I love you so much."
At the end, Finn had to hold back tears. He couldn't believe the kind words his friends were saying about him. It was so emotional for him and it helped the fact that he had finally made it really sink in.
"Wow." Dermott said. "Clearly, although you might not have a massive family like Ella does, you certainly have loads of friends instead that are behind you, and a whole town that's behind you. What do you want to say to them?"
"Um… just thank you for supporting me all these years. I wouldn't be where I am now without each and every one of you. The emotional support from them has been unconditional and just… a lot of love to everyone who appreciates what I do."
"All right. It's all great and dandy having friends and family cheer you on but they need your votes to be able to crown Finn or Ella champions. Make sure you do that soon as up next is a guest performance but after that, we close the voting lines and reveal who our X Factor champion of 2018 is. Ladies and Gentlemen… give it up one more time for Finn Hudson!"
Finn walked off stage and when he made it to the green room, Ella was already gave him a hug.
"You did amazing, man! You're so going to win!" Ella exclaimed. Finn laughed.
"Me? You were so much better! Man, I literally almost cried listening to your performance, and that's coming from me! I've literally been told that my black sludge pumps through my veins and I have a rock for a heart I'm so emotionless!"
"To be honest, I don't even mind if you win. You deserve it just as much and we are both probably going to get record deals after this."
Finn laughed.
"Wow! Confident much?" Finn joked. Ella giggled.
"Just being realistic." She replied. "Now sit down and let's watch Rihanna."
Finn nodded and sat on the sofa next to her and their eyes turned to the TV.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, over three million of you have voted. Thank you so much but lines are now CLOSED, and will not open again until Live Week 1 of next year's show. I'm sure you want to hear who won but first, it's time for another guest. We've had this international popstar on the show before. She's never been anything other than sensational. It's the uniquely brilliant Rihanna!
All along it was a fever
A cold-sweat hot-headed believer
I threw my hands in the air, said, "Show me something"
He said, "If you dare, come a little closer"
Round and around and around and around we go
Oh now, tell me now, tell me now, tell me now you know
Not really sure how to feel about it
Something in the way you move
Makes me feel like I can't live without you
It takes me all the way
I want you to stay
It's not much of a life you're living
It's not just something you take, it's given
Round and around and around and around we go
Oh now, tell me now, tell me now, tell me now you know
Not really sure how to feel about it
Something in the way you move
Makes me feel like I can't live without you
Yeah, it takes me all the way
I want you to stay
Ooh, ooh, ooh, the reason I hold on
Ooh, ooh, ooh, 'cause I need this hole gone
Funny you're the broken one but I'm the only one who needed saving
'Cause when you never see the light it's hard to know which one of us is caving
Not really sure how to feel about it
Something in the way you move
Makes me feel like I can't live without you
Yeah, it takes me all the way
I want you to stay, stay
I want you to stay, ooh
"WOW! Ladies and Gentlemen… Rihanna!" Dermott exclaimed. "Thank you so much for coming here, Rihanna. So the album's out now but the album's always out with you because you're always working. It's so great to have you here!"
"Anytime. I love it here."
"One more time, it's Rihanna!" Dermott exclaimed. "All right, America, this is it. Time to find out who the winner of the X Factor 2018 is. The result is in. Finn or Ella. One of them is the X Factor champion. Please welcome back your X Factor finalists… Finn and his mentor, Nicole, and Ella with her mentor, Tulisa!"
The four of them all walked on stage together.
"Judges… Contestants… this is it. The nation has voted and I'm about to reveal the winner of the X Factor 2018. Good luck to Finn and good luck to Ella."
Dermott opened the golden envelope that was in his hands, and his eyes widened when he read the name and the amount of votes the winner got.
"Oh wow. With only 53% of the vote, so barely any difference, I can reveal that the winner of the X Factor 2018 is… "