Jay Cee El

One // The Talent Show

One // The Talent Show

[rewritten]

Here's the first rewritten chapter!

Enjoy!

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Liz's P.O.V

"Liz, listen to me. You have the best voice that I have ever heard, okay? This end of the year talent show has nothing on you. You're going to go out there and you are going to sing your heart out. Don't let Haley stand in your way, okay?"

Her hands were gripping my shoulders tightly, shaking my body as she spoke. Natalie was my best friend and I loved her so much, though she was persistent. And now as we stood behind my high school's crappy theater stage, she wasn't giving it a rest. The end of the year talent show was coming to a quick end and the girl I hated most had just finished getting the entire student population jumping on their feet. As much as I hated to admit, Haley was a great singer. Her bitchy attitude ruined it for her, although she doesn't let that side of her show in front of anyone but me and Natalie.

"Nat, please," I said, brushing her hands off my shoulders. "I won't ever let that buttwipe stand in my way, okay? This is my life we are talking about. I just need to take a deep breath." I had grown used to singing in front of my school. I've been doing talent shows for the past ten years of my life, meaning I started my singing career when I was just eight years old. Now at eighteen, I was ready to make something of myself. Of course being a senior in high school is making that difficult, but it's a work in progress.

"And Lizzie, I know you. If you lose this you are going to think you shouldn't audition for the X Factor this June, but you are wrong. I'm not giving up a weekend to drive down to Providence for nothing. Now go out there and kill it, I'll be waiting right here. Just picture everyone in their underwear." Natalie said as I heard the principle of my school call my name.

"That won't help very much Natalie, I've got to go. I'll be back in a few minutes." I said.

I took the microphone from one of the teachers that was helping out and made my way out onto the theater stage. Mrs. Greene, my principle, was just leaving the stage and I walked over to the microphone stand. The stage was dark aside from the white light that was lighting up a circle in the middle of the stage. I've performed on this stage so many times, whether it be in a play, the musical, or in a talent show. Either way, this was a second home to me.

Looking out into the seats that were directly in front of the stage, I saw the faces of many students that go to my school. A lot of them were people I considered myself friends with and talked to on a day to day basis. I was receiving a lot of smiles from my friends and I felt my confidence grow a tiny bit. My family was standing towards the side of the stage and I heard my eight year older sister yelling my name. I looked back at Natalie and watched as she did exactly what our plan was, to turn the music up as loud as it could go. As the first piano note sounded, I began to sing.

"My hearts a stereo, it beats for you so listen close. Hear my thoughts in every no-o-ote. Make me your radio, and turn me up when you feel low. This melody was meant for you, so sing along to my stereo." I sang. The music picked up as I began to sing further into the song.

Many of the students in my school knew that I could rap, I've even beat out many boys in my school. Although this song isn't the fastest type of rap out there, it could still be difficult to sing along to. I pulled the microphone from the stand and started to walk around on the stage, my boots hitting the floor with a soft thud at each step.

As I progressed further into the song, I could see how much the students were getting into it. The group of girls that I associated with at school had risen to their feet, causing a lot more people to stand as well. Back stage with the other contestants, Haley was glaring at me. I could feel the glare burning into the back of my head, though I was too happy to pay any attention to it.