Unmuted (Remastered)

51

The competition went on. Kim was kicked from the last round, after singing "Roar" by Katy Perry. We were all getting antsy as the audition went on, and we had our doubts as Jason was the one who went first, then Alli.

"Alright, everyone!" Ms. Davis said as Jason left the stage. "Next up is Allisun! She's lucky for this round because her birth mother and adoptive parents have written songs before. She's had a handful of songs to pick from, but she's chosen a song written by her adoptive father, our very own Mr. Sean McLoughlin, who teaches eighth-grade science. This song was written after Aliisun revealed something that had been damaging her for a while. Ladies and gentlemen, Allisun Vorhees, singing 'Hold My Hand'."

The audience applauded as Alli walked to the microphone stand in the center of the stage and Ms. Davis replaced the mic. I turned to Sean. "Did you know she took a song?"

He shook his head. "No. Well, I kinda guessed it would happen. I gave her my song journal after I wrote the song. I wanted her to look at it. I didn't really think she would actually use it for this." We both turned back to the stage as the music began playing.

Hold my hand, everything will be okay
I heard from the heavens that clouds have been gray
Pull me close, wrap me in your aching arms
I see that you're hurtin', why'd you take so long

To tell me you need me? I see that you're bleedin'
You don't have to show me again
But if you decide to, I'll ride in this life with you
I won't let go 'til the end

So cry tonight
But don't you let go of my hand
You can cry every last tear
I won't leave 'til I understand
Promise me, just hold my hand

Raise your head, look into my wishful eyes
The fear that's inside you will lift, give it time
I can see everything you're blind to now
Your prayers will be answered, let God whisper how

To tell me you need me, I see that you're bleedin'
You don't need to show me again
But if you decide to, I'll ride in this life with you
I won't let go 'til the end

So cry tonight
But don't you let go of my hand
You can cry every last tear
I won't leave 'til I understand
Promise you'll just hold my hand

Hold my hand, hold my-
Hold my hand, my hand
I'll be right here, hold my hand
Hold my hand, hold my-
Hold my hand, my hand
I'll be right here, hold my hand

I know you're scared and your pain is imperfect
But don't you give up on yourself
I've heard a story, a girl, she once told me
That I would be happy again

Hold my hand, yeah
Hold my hand, oh yeah
Hold my hand, hold my hand
Hold my hand, hold my hand
Hold my hand

I heard from the heavens

There was silence in the theater for a brief moment as everyone took in how deep the song was. Then, thunderous applause. I turned to see Sean crying openly as he looked at me. "It wasn't supposed to sound like that. She changed it and made it... beautiful."

I smiled, hugging him tightly. "You did good, Sean. You both did."