Chapter 1: Chance of a Lifetime

His eyes were boring into mine and I returned his glare as the Limo began to slow, making Kelly clear her throat to try to get his attention. "Gustavo, we are here. Are you coming?" She opened the door and the icy wind blew it, causing me to shiver as Gustavo huffed out a reply, "Yeah, let's get this over with. No talents anywhere…" he muttered as he climbed out, leaving me alone. Kelly's head popped back in and she smiled, "I told the driver to take you to a hotel, I figured you might not want to sit and wait…you know." I nodded and thanked her for having me along for this whole thing as she shut the door and the Limo pulled away.

I looked at the interior now that I was alone, unable to hide my smile as I realized that this was the last stop on their trip and if no one wowed Gustavo…then I would be going to Hollywood. I couldn't believe that this was actually happening to me. It was just another day at work when I was closing up and taking the trash out. They had been holding the auditions nearby and the coffee shop was swamped most of the evening, causing it to be a late night. I had my ear-buds in and was tossing the bags into the dumpster as I was singing along and dancing to the beat, it was the only thing that was keeping me warm in the weather of Aevin, Michigan. Suddenly there was a hand on my shoulder and I whipped around, letting out a scream and throwing up my fist to swing. "Wait!"

It was a woman, flinching away from my raised hands and her eyes wide as I realized I was safe. I pulled out my buds and asked, "What the hell lady!?" I didn't cuss much but this chick about got knocked out, scared the crap out of me. "I'm sorry, I just was walking and heard you singing. Did you sign up for the auditions at the theater?" I shook my head, my cheeks flaring up at realizing that I was being loud again, I thought for sure that no one would be out this late. "Why not? You sounded amazing! Gustavo would have to choose you! He hated everyone else." "Sorry, I don't sing often, and I have never sang in front of anyone outside my family. You got the wrong girl, ma'am." "Call me Kelly, and trust me, we can work you through that, you have talent!"

And that was it, she somehow convinced me to come with her to meet the Bug-eyed man named Gustavo. His stare caused me to have some stage fright, but I stood my ground, picturing my mother smiling at me instead of his face and the song came flowing out, it was the lullaby she sang us as children, causing the emotions to well up and I almost began to cry as I waited for him to give me his thoughts. "She's great right?" Kelly said and Gustavo groaned and banged his hand on the table. "Why is this country filled with no talented people! I need someone to mould into the greatest thing the record label has seen! This is a waste of time."

He stood and went to leave, but Kelly stopped him, whispering something in his ear. He threw a tantrum and shouted, then turned and faced me again. "You, girl. What's your name?" "Rikki Davis." "Well, do you want to go to Hollywood and get some actual talent?" my eyes went wide as I realized what was happening and couldn't stop the excitement from bubbling as I nodded and he groaned, storming off as Kelly came over. "So there is a condition for this thing. There's one more city for us to go to, searching for someone that knocks Gustavo out of his seat. I doubt that's going to happen, we've been everywhere. But you will come with us to this last city, if no one wows him, you're in. If he finds someone he likes, you will have to come back home. Is that alright?"

"Miss Davis, we are at the hotel." I snapped out of my head, opened the door and got out, slinging my backpack over my shoulder. I got checked into the room they booked for me and jumped on the bed, laughing at the softness of it. I pulled out my phone, dialing my sister's number and she picked up after a few rings. "Ryan, stop that! Hello?" I chuckled, she was stressed already. "Jess, you alright? What are they doing?" "Wrestling each other on the table and sofa. "JB, Ryan I mean it! I'm on the phone with Rikki, stop trying to body slam each other!" I heard a crash and Jess sighed, "How's it going there? Made it to Hollywood yet?" "No, I told you, one last stop, if they find someone better, I'll be right back there with you."

"Rikki, I keep telling you, you are amazing and deserve this chance. Dad thinks so too, when he found out." I chewed my lip, we rarely saw him since he started as an advisor to the Mayor. And after our mother died, Jess stepped up and basically became the new mom to my younger brothers. "Listen, I have to go. If Dad comes home and the table is broken, I'll never be able to look him in the eye. We love you, let us know what happens!" "Love you guys too, I'll call you later. Bye." I hung up and rolled over onto my belly and looked out the window, it was snowing and the lights were twinkling from the windows. I wanted to stay so bad, but I was terrified of what that meant once I got to Hollywood, I would have to face every one of my fears.

I began to get stir-crazy and texted Kelly, asking it auditions were over, it had been a long time. She replied saying that they were, but it was taking a while because a fight broke out there and cops got called and they were dealing with all of that. I was glad I was here and not there with them, this city must be crazy. She also said that Gustavo found a guy that he wanted to be his next big star…not me. I felt a pain in my chest, my hopes were so low and still I feel like I had a hole in my heart now, I hadn't realized that I really wanted this. I didn't reply, I was still packed and knew they would be sending me off first thing in the morning, that would be the end of this tiny journey I almost had.

**Next Morning**

I slept soundly in the hotel bed, knowing that this would probably be the first and last time I would be in such a nice place. I woke up, took a nice long shower and dressed, ready to head back to my hometown and my old life. I was shoving my clothes into my bag when a knock came and I opened it to see Kelly smiling at me. "Ready to go?" "Home? Yeah, sorry for not messaging back, I was just…really tired." I lied, I cried a lot before I went to sleep and I was hoping the shower hid the red eyes. "Home? Rikki, the guy told Gustavo no." I lifted my head, hoping my brain wasn't fried and that I heard correctly. "I'm staying?" she smiled and nodded, making me grab her into a hug.

"Yes, I just wanted to let you know that our flight will be leaving at 2pm. The car will pick you up before then, just order some room service and stay at the hotel so you don't miss the flight, please." I agreed and shut the door, sinking against it. I was staying…I was going to Hollywood and everything. Kelly had told me before that my family would be coming out shortly after us, but my dad wasn't coming, he had too much to do, but my sister was a legal adult and guardian of my brothers and myself so they would be coming. I ate my breakfast and looked out at the city, knowing that somewhere there was a guy that had taken my chance away…then given it back.

I was picked up at noon to head to the airport when my phone rang and it was Kelly. "Hey, are you and Gustavo meeting me at the airport?" "Uh…Rikki, there's been a bit of a change." I froze in my seat, oh god what had happened now? "What?" "The guy Gustavo wants calls us a little bit ago. We met with him and Gustavo got a deal with him. I was able to get him to keep you along though, to see which one our boss likes better. So you'll head back to the hotel and we have to get a different flight for you and your family, our one guy turned into four guys so we need your families tickets. I hope you understand, Gustavo chose him, so they come first."

I was hurt, but I did understand and was grateful she fought for me to still have a place and a chance too. I hung up and informed the driver, who returned me to the hotel and I phoned Jess to update her on everything and they started packing their stuff and got my already packed bags loaded with theirs. I spent another night in the hotel and our flights were first thing in the morning, heading to LA. The flight was peaceful at least and I was able to sleep most of it before landing and getting loaded into a car that was taking me to the Palm Wood, home of the future famous.

I was met at the door by my sister, who seemed to be waiting for me. "Rikki!" she pulled me into a hug, telling me how excited she was and couldn't believe this was happening and that she was so proud of me. "Calm down, Jess." they landed before me and had already settled into the room, the boys were in the pool and Kelly had come by looking for me. "She said to get to this address as soon as you get here." I nodded and handed my bag over to her, then started walking to the address. It wasn't that far of a walk and I got there in time to see Kelly pacing and checking her phone. "Hey Kelly." "Oh Rikki, you're here!" she told me about their boss upset about all of us coming out, saying that we have three days to get something together and perform to see who gets to stay and who's going back home.