Melody 5 - Rising Stars

8 (ii) - Jadine

--- JADINE ---

Amy had managed to blag a rehearsal room at the Infinity Dance Studios so they could audition their 5th band member. Lena said she had the perfect girl in mind, but had lined up ten singers in total, in case she didn't work out. It was a mix of girls Lena thought had impressed at the last auditions but hadn't made it through, plus one who hadn't been able to make it last time.

"This is soooo weird," said Rhian.

"That's just what I was thinking," said Jadine, as she settled into her chair behind the long table.

"It's even the same room we auditioned in," said Molly.

"I was so nervous,' said Rhian. "I was almost sick in that bin over there!"

"Ugh. Thanks for sharing," said Amy.

"But now I feel a bit like Simon Cowell!" announced Rhian.

Jadine looked down the row at the other girls sat behind the table. "This is all wrong," she said as she stood up. "Let's move this table out of the way. And put some music on to lighten the mood when they walk in."

"But this is how it was set up when we auditioned," said Rhian.

"Yeah, and you just said how nervous you were. A panel sat behind a big table waiting to judge you probably didn't help. In fact, instead of Lena bringing them in - we should all take it in turns to do it!"

"Great idea," said Molly, already standing up and dragging the table to the side of the room.

"Fine by me," said Rhian, rushing to help Molly.

Jadine could tell Amy wasn't keen. "This is the way it's always done..." started Amy.

"When Sherri auditioned us she was looking for five employees," said Jadine. "We're looking for a band-mate. There's a difference."

Amy reluctantly moved her chair. "And should I organise a couple of beanbags and comfy throws?" she quipped. "Maybe order in pizza and a movie?"

"Let's put the chairs in a circle," said Jadine, refusing to rise to Amy's sarcasm. "Make it feel less formal."

"This isn't the way it's done," moaned Amy.

"Good," said Jadine. "Just because something is usually done one way, doesn't mean we have to do it that way."

Jadine was determined that this time, she wouldn't be pushed around. Before, she'd gone along with things that had felt wrong for the sake of the other girls, and because Amy and Derren kept saying that if they got a record deal, then they'd be able to push for what they wanted. Well, that hadn't worked, so this time Jadine was determined to hold out for what felt right - even if that meant locking horns with Amy from time to time.

"The first girl's here," said Lena, as she popped her head around the door. "Shall I bring her in?"

"I'll go," said Jadine and she smiled as she overheard Lena say, "What's with the new room set-up?"

As Jadine walked into the reception area, she remembered her own audition - with Bobby and Theo in tow! The band had to work out this time, for her nephews' sake as well as hers. Jadine knew her mum was struggling to look after them, as well as hold down her job. The sooner Jadine could make a success of this and give her mum some much needed cash, the better. Her mum kept saying that everything was fine, but Lyric told her otherwise. He'd been keeping an eye on them for Jadine and his last update had been that her sister Alesha hadn't been home for over a week! Wasn't Alesha worried that the boys would be taken into care? Jadine resolved to find the best singer possible - someone who would really make this band fly.

She welcomed the first auditionee and so it began...

After eight singers, there still wasn't anyone Jadine thought was totally right. The other girls all had their favourites, but Jadine had yet to find someone that stood out to her. She knew that the reason everyone had loved their Melody Vibe performance at the showcase, was because they hadn't had time to overwork the number, so all the girls had shown their raw talent and real personalities. (Plus it was a killer track!)

Jadine wanted to hold onto the feeling of five unique girls. Sherri had thought she was making them unique by getting that awful Milano, to style them as caricatures, and there was definitely nothing unique about Tony Ward's bland and out-of-date back catalogue. This time things were going to be different.

It was then that Rhian walked into the room with singer number nine - Katya Kaminski.