Paige's POV
"PAIGE! I'M GOING TO MY MUM'S TO UNPACK ALL OF MY BOXES, WANT TO COME?" Paige heard Kelsey shout up the stairs. She was in the middle of doing her hair when Kelsey had shouted, so she waited to answer. As she tied her hair, she noticed a piece had slipped from her grasp. She sighed, took her hair out and was about to attemp to put it in a ponytail agian when she was interrupted.
PAAIIIGGE! YES OR NO?!" Kelsey yelled up the stairs again. Might as well talk to her now, Paige thought. She had been abit distant with Kelsey lately, and neither girl knew why. Paige had suddenly enjoyed being alone, reading books, practicing singing, you name it. But recently she had spent alot of time texting back and fourth with Zayn. He was such a sweet guy, not to mention extremely attractive. They had been talking non-stop ever since the movie night a few nights back, and to her delight, not once had the talked about Liam. She didn't know if she had taken an interest in Zayn anymore than a friendship, but Paige was never one to date a celebrity. Especially when she was trying to make it as a singer. She wasn't going to date someone just to gain attention and fans, no. She would gain them because of pure skill and talent.
"Cant't Kels! I have things to do, people to see." Paige said as she took her hair in her hands and made a pony tail. As she entered her bedroom again, she noticed the same piece of hair had fallen out again. You little bugger, Paige thought. Well guess what man? You're getting braided and pinned. So Paige did as she told, and pinned a small fishtail braid into her ponytail, making it look unique and pretty. Perfect.
"Kay, well you'll know where I am." She could hear her cousin slip her shoes on and exit through the door. Paige herself, proceeded to slip on her black braided gladiators. She grabbed her black frill purse off of the chair in the corner and left her bedroom.
"Mark, come on we're leaving!" Paige yelled, opening up Mark's door and entering his guest room. "Are you sure you know where this boy lives?"
"Yeah!" Mark said, clearly annoyed. He was dressed in a navy blue hollister T-shirt and a pair of beige cargo shorts, accessorized with a pair of grey vans and a black leather bracelet.
"Kay well, let's go then." Paige was driving Mark to his friends house, a friend he had apparently met on the plane ride to London. Well this should go well.
-x-
"Paige why are you driving me and not Gran?" Mark asked as he pulled his phone out of his pocket.
"Because I needed the car and Gran was having her gardening party over or something." Paige said refocusing on the lane in front of her.
"Oh, so where are you going?"
"Erm, shopping." Paige lied through her teeth. The truth was she wasn't going shopping, no where near it. She was on her way to speak to a record producer; Simon Cowell to be exact. She contacted him of all people because she knew that he and Kelsey's father had once been close friends, so he would at least give her a chance. After the phone call she had recieved during the movie night, her and Simon had set up a meeting together in two days time. Well, it was two days later and that time had come.
"Whatever. But turn right, his house is third on the left." Mark said, locking his phone. A twelve year-old should not have a phone, Paige thought grumpily to herself. She pulled up to the third house on the left, just as she was told. Mark quickly popped out and said his thanks. Paige watched as a black haired boy walked outside to greet him, and the two walked inside and disappeared.
It's nice Mark made a friend, she thought. Paige knew that Mark was a tad "different", so to speak, but he was a friendly kid. It was good that people here were more excepting then they were in L.A, Mark had hated it there.
Paige pulled out of the drive way and retook the route she had just taken. Once she was on a familiar boulevard, she figured she would be able to navagate her way from there. She drove through lane after lane, searching for the street she needed. Just as she saw the street name, her phone went off. Frowning, she briefly looked down to see who it was before being cut off by a loud honking noise which made her scream.
"Fuck!" Paige hissed, as she realized she had missed the street. She circled back around, making sure she turned when she was supposed to. As she went down the street she could make out the outline of Syco Music recording studio coming into view. She drove down the road passing by very large, very expensive buildings. As she parked in the designated parkinglot next to the recording studio, she turned off the ignition and walked inside. As she opened the front door, she walked up to a very buisiness looking secretary.
"How may I help you, Miss?" The secretary asked in a very high pitched voice.
"I'm here to see Simon Cowell." Paige flashed her a smile, knowing what the next question would be. She heard the brown haired middle aged women give a snort.
"Very well, do you have an appointment?" Paige could already tell that the lady was thinking about how to get rid of her. It's not going to be that easy, she told herself.
"Actually, I do." She stated.
"Unless you're the neice of Jonathan McDougall, which I highly doubt, I suggest you leave before being forced to leave and therefore further embaressing yourself." The secretary had not even looked up from the appointment book infront of her to even care to look at Paige in the eye.
"That's why I'm here! I'm-"
"Lindsey, I'm expecting a client any moment. Send her in immediately."
Paige turned around at the familiarity of the voice, her heart suddenly started beating a hundered times faster. The realization of her singing infront of Simon Cowell at any given moment had finally gotten to her. She gave a small smile.
"Oh, well I guess she's already here, thanks for informing me Lindsey." Simon said, sounding a bit pissed off. He rolled his eyes before addressing Paige. "Anyways, hello Paige, follow me into my office."
She made sure she could muster up the biggest, bitchiest grin she could give to the lady at the desk. Sarcasm was definetly one of Paige's greatest gifts. She walked across the tile flooring, hearing the clicking of her shoes as she walked by. As she followed Simon through a long red wallpapered hallway she glanced at the pictures, albums and records currently covering the walls. Next to Leona Lewis's newest album was a picture of Simon Cowell and a blonde man who Paige knew as Jonathon McDougall. A wave of memories flooded her mind as they reached the end of the hallway. Simon held the door open and allowed Paige to walk inside first before seating himself in a large comfortable looking seat behind a desk.
"Take a seat Paige." She did as told. "Now I understand that you called my office to arrange a meeting, correct?" He watched as Paige nodded. "Alright then, now I assume this would be a meeting about signing you, but before I bring you inside of a booth you must understand a few things. One, I'm giving you an opprotunity to show me what you have. One opprotunity, simply for the sole factor that you are Jonathon's neice. Second, I don't give second chances. Third, if you really are serious about this career and life style, there needent be any distractions. That means for the time being no boys, no stunts, no attitude and no stepping out of line. Understood?"
"Completely. Thanks so much for the opprotunity ." Paige grinned at him.
She watched as Simon nodded. "Now then, aside from business how are Kelsey and Mark doing? I understand they've recently moved back to London."
Kelsey. Paige thought, It's always about Kelsey. Even at a business meeting with Simon Cowell, here we are talking about was she even bothered by Kelsey being brought up? Kelsey was her cousin; her best friend; her sister, for crying out loud! Paige had no reason to feel any annoyance with her.
"Kelsey's doing good, and Mark's adjusting pretty well. I know it's hard for him to be back without Jonathon, but he's surprised us all." She smiled sheepishly.
"That's marvelous. Now then, do you have a specific song you want to practice in the booth?"
"Erm, yeah. I was thinking about singing a Paramore song..." Paige trailed off.
"Well, that's your choice." Simon said sounding skeptical. "Now then, shall we enter the booth?" Simon waited for Paige to nod her head before exiting through another door in the room. As Paige peered through the door, she could see a table full of buttons, switches, bulbs and writing. Across from the table was a thick wall of glass blocking the room behind it. There was a single microphone stand in the middle of the red painted room. She saw that there were a few men in there that she had not noticed before. Paige watched as Simon walked towards the table and started playing with switches.
"Now then, Paige this is Mr.O'Conner-"
"Call me Adam." Mr. O'Conner said, as he stuck out his hand. Paige shook it and gave him a smile.
"Nice to meet you Adam."
"-And this is ."
"I prefer Savan! Nice to meet you Paige!" He dramatically shook her hand up and down quickly.
"Likewise." Paige giggled.
"Right. So Paige, Adam is our head producer. Savan here, is the vocal coach we will be setting you up with if all goes well! Now if you could enter through that door and put the headphones on, Adam will let you know when to start." Paige nodded her head, and felt a whole new wave of nerves flow through her body. You can do this Paige, you can do this. She told herself continuesly. After the third time, she believed it. She had tried too damn hard to let nerves get in her way. Once more, she heard the clicking of her shoes echo off of the floor boards. She walked towards a black pair of head phones and slipped them on. There was abit of a ringing noise seeping through the speakers, but it wasn't an unpleasant sound. She watched as Adam hunched over the table and clicked a button.
"Whenever you're ready Paige." She nodded and gave him a thumbs up. She took a deep breath, before she belched out the song.
No sir, well I don't wanna be the blame, not anymore
It's your turn, so take a seat we're settling the final score
And why do we like to hurt, so much?
I can't decide
You have made it harder just to go on
And why, all the possibilities where I was wrong
The look on Simon's face had meant that Paige had sung the song even better then she had expected to. She had only planned on singing one part, but what the hell? Like Simon said, she had one opprotunity, and this was it. As the course came around, she closed her eyes tightly and grabbed at her headphones, letting the music flow right out of her soul and into the room.
That's what you get when you let your heart win, whoa
That's what you get when you let your heart win, whoa
I drowned out all my sense with the sound of its beating
And that's what you get when you let your heart win, whoa
I wonder, how am I supposed to feel when you're not here
Cause I burned every bridge I ever built when you were here
I still try holding onto silly things, I never learn
Oh why, all the possibilities I'm sure you've heard
That's what you get when you let your heart win, whoa
That's what you get when you let your heart win, whoa
I drowned out all my sense with the sound of its beating (beating)
And that's what you get when you let your heart win, whoa
Hey, make your way to me, to me
And I'll always be just so inviting
If I ever start to think straight
This heart will start a riot in me
Let's start, start, hey!
Why do we like to hurt so much?
Oh why do we like to hurt so much?
That's what you get when you let your heart win!
Whoa
That's what you get when you let your heart win, whoa
That's what you get when you let your heart win, whoa
Now I can't trust myself with anything but this
And that's what you get when you let your heart win, whoa
She finished the song with her eyes closed the entire time. She didn;t need to see dissaproval if it was there; it would have only phsyced her out. No, she needed to be calm, cool and collected. She needed no distractions. As she opened them, she saw a huge grin on Simon, Savan and Adam's face. Over the intercom she could hear that buzzing again.
"Paige, could you come here?" She heard Savan's voice over head. She nodded and placed the headphones in they're prop place before exiting the room.
"So... How'd I do?" She smiled nervously.
"First let me ask you this," Savan started. "What made you choose this song?"
"Well, I was going to sing it for the season ten X-Factor auditions in Birmingham..." She trailed off. She looked up at Simon and noticed his face chane to a look of knowing.
"Ah, the year of too many yes's." Paige nodded. "Well then, I'm going to have to take a few days to come up with a decision. I'm not going to tell you how you did incase you become somewhat cocky and go after other offers. Buisness protocal, I'm sure you understand. But over the course of the next few days no one can know about our meeting today, soley because you haven't signed a contract yet and you need'ent be talking to other labels. This means you especially can not tell Kelsey, Atlanta records will be after you the moment anything is said. Oh, which reminds me. Paige, why did you come to me instead of Kelsey? You could have easily gotten signed at Atlanta."
"I didn't want to be known as the girl who got it easy, the girl who got by because of the family she was born into. I wanted to make a name for myself, not because of somebody else's."
"I understand. Well, there's nothing more to be said here. Paige, it was nice seeing you and hopefully we'll be in touch soon." She nodded and adjusted her purse.
"Thanks so much for the opprotunity!" Paige said smiling.
"No problem at all. Now then, Adam I believe a meeting in my office is in order."
"Ah, yes I'll be right with you." Simon nodded and walked through the door which led to his office.
"Alright Paige?" She nodded.
"Well just so you know, you did phenominal. Great job, looking forward to working with you soon!"
"As do I Paige, wonderful meeting you!" Savan said.
"Erm, uhh .. Me too!" Paige said, grasping her head around the idea. She watched as Adam left the room.
"Well then, I'll walk you out!" Savan smiled.
The walked out of the booths main door and out into the familiar hallway holding Jonathon McDougall's picture. They passed by different artist's albums in silence, before Savan spoke first.
"Don't be to nervous about Simon's final decision, he's just got his nicker's in a twist!" Savan smiled proudly at what he had said. For the first time over the course of an hour long meeting, Paige had just realized that Savan's accent wasn't british, but American. They walked out of the hallway and into the lobby where the bitchy secretary was sat at her desk. Lindsey looked up and watched as Paige waved at her as she and Saven exited the building together.
"Well Miss Paige, this would be my ride. I'm sure I'll see you very soon!" Savan smiled as he unlocked his car and stepped inside. Paige walked abit farther and hopped into her Gram's car feeling excited and ready to take on the world.
Kelsey's POV
"Niall I can't believe you ate that much pizza!" Kelsey giggled at the bleach blonde boy sitting on the couch next to her. She once again looked down at his plate of fourteen pieces of crust.
"I was hunnngrrryyy!" Niall exclaimed.
"Clearly!" She was surprised she could manage the word out inbetween her fits of laughter.
"Kelsey you laugh at me alot, and I don't think that's very nice." Niall said pouting.
"Awh, Niall ... that sucks." Kelsey said grinning. She wished she could capture the look on Niall's face forever; it was priceless. He looked like he was in a state of excitement, confusion and being appauled.
"OUCH! Spare my feelings, why don't you.." Niall said laughing.
"That's what I'm here for!" She giggled. After they're laughter died down abit, everything was silent. Not awkward one bit, just a void of silence neither wanted to break.
"So Kelsey , I was wondering if you-" DING DONG! Niall sighed to himself as Kelsey stood up to answer the door. Her wet feet stuck to the cool expensive hard wood flooring as she made her way to see who was there. As she opened the large glass door, she saw the mailman.
"Package for Atlanta McDougall?" The mailman said while reading off of a clipboard.
"Errr ... Yeah! That's uh, that's me!" Kelsey said looking at the box in his hand.
"Right, then sign here and I'll give you your very heavy package." He said, sounding annoyed. Kelsey forged her mother's signature as best she could and handed him back the clipboard and pen.
"Thank's so much!" Kelsey said as she closed the door. She dragged the heavy box over to the living room and plopped onto the couch next to Niall.
"Who was that?" Niall asked curiously.
"Mailman! Package for my Mum I think." Kelsey began to rip the tape off of the box and rolled it into a ball. She opened the package to find a stack of glossy pages; her mothers weekly magazines and tabloids.
"Ugh, I thought it'd be something good!" Kelsey said, sighing. She leaned back into the couch, happy to relieve all of her weight. She watched as Niall leaned over her body and reached into the box, grabbing the third magazine he saw. As he pulled it out, Kelsey noticed it was People Magazine.
"Since when do you read People magazine?" Kelsey joked, sitting up right.
"Since right now, when I saw both our names on the front page."
-x-