Chapter Two of Tinsel Town

Chapter Two: Sing Me Your Soul And See What Happens.

I starred at the door Alice went into hoping that she would come out soon. I was hoping that she would make it because she was a great person and deserved to make it to the next round. I was hoping that I could go on this journey with someone and not be scared about the future. I was hoping that in the end I was going to have a rock that was going to support me through everything.

“Are you still a little nervous?” My mom said after she put her book mark on the page she was on and took off her headphones. She looked at me with concern in her eye and I didn’t know if my mom had listened to my whole conversation. There was a slight twinge that went through my body because I did throw my mom under the bus in my conversation. I didn’t want her to be mad at me and I don’t regret what I said because I got all of my feelings with Alice all out.

“Not as much anymore. I am just hoping that my friend makes it. I am more nervous for her then I am for myself. I guess that I am really not thinking about me at the moment.” I admitted and I was glad to admit it. All my fears were gone; I only had fear for Alice. I wanted her to make it. I wanted to make sure that a good person is in this competition.

“Well I am glad that your fears are gone. Your friend seems really nice. It seems that you two hit it off pretty well. I am really happy for you.” My mom said giving me a big smile. Every time I saw my mom smile all I could see is the kindness in her eyes. She never thought one bad thing about a person and always had a perfect view on the world. I loved my mom so much for it because I wanted to be like that. I wanted to be able to look at the world in a positive way.

I remembered what my mom had said before I started thinking that my mom was basically Mother Teresa. “Wait, you were listening to our conversation?” I was kind of mad that my mom was eavesdropping on my conversation with Alice. I was scared that she heard what I said and I didn’t want her to think that I thought negatively of her.

“No I didn’t listen to your conversation, what kind of mother do you think I am?” My mom said quickly defending herself. My mom then had a shocked expression on her face with her eyes bugged out and her mouth open, like I accused her of something. “I just saw that all the worries on your face went away that’s all and you to were laughing and smiling. Can’t a mother just be happy their daughter is happy?” My mom acted like it was her civic duty for me to be happy. I just rolled my eyes and laughed.

I knew my mom was right and I was happy. “Your right mom you’re allowed to be happy that I am happy.” I looked at my mom who was actually happy for me.

My mom and I had a weird relationship. It wasn’t a mother daughter relationship, it was more of a sister relationship. My mom would date people and we would stay up gushing about who she dated and the same thing for me too. When one of us had a problem the other one would help out solving it. We were a lot alike and that’s what I liked about us. We were a little shy but once you got to know us we were crazy, funny, and optimistic about some things. The only difference was that I had a lot of self confident issues. My mom would go into a room of strangers and leave being everyone’s best friend. I could never be able to be that confident I would just be a wall flower. We had our little bickering but it never went too far with us. The nice thing about all of it was we were extremely close and that’s what I love about it. We told each other everything and there were no secrets. I felt safe telling my mom anything and I knew in the long run that is why I was such a good person and didn’t do anything dangerous like drugs or alcohol. She told me those things were bad and I didn’t do them.

“That is good to hear.” My mom said and she kissed me on the cheek.

The door opened and Alice came walking out of the door. I got up and ran to her. I wanted to know so badly if she moved on to the next round. I tried to examine her face but I couldn’t read her face. It neither showed she was happy or sad. It was just a blank face that you saw on strangers faces when you walked pass them on the street; a face being emotionless kind of like a zombie.

“So how did you do?” I said hoping that she made it. I was so eager to know if she got in or not that I almost wasn’t going to let her tell me how the whole thing went. I just wanted to know if she got in or not.

“Well I sang my heart out and then they said a couple of nice things about me.” Alice was being around the bush and it was starting to bug me. I was ready to push her to the floor like a school bully and get the answers I wanted. I wanted to know what happened and I wasn’t going to wait another second.

“Of for the love of mighty, did you make it our not?” I asked kind of annoyed at this point and being a little pushy. I didn’t mind being a little pushy. I felt that sometimes you need to be a little pushy to get the things that you want in life. This is one of those moments being pushy worked for you.

“I made it!” She screamed showing me a ticket to Hollywood. I saw the yellow ticket that had her number on it and said Congratulations on making it to Hollywood. She had a big grin on her face and the smile could have gone on for miles. She was excited to make it to the next round and surprisingly I was ecstatic that she made it to the next round. I didn’t really know this girl but for some reason I knew we were going to become fast friends.

“I am so happy for you!” I grabbed her and gave her a big hug. We both started to jump up and down at that moment. It was like she had just got engaged to her prince charming. I couldn’t believe that she made it and I was so happy for her.

“Thank you so much. I can’t believe I made it.” She said while we were still jumping up and down. I couldn’t believe that she was shocked that she didn’t make it. I knew she had doubts but the little pep talk she gave me I thought she was going to use it for herself.

“I knew you were going to make it.” I said because she was a nice girl and nice people don’t always finish last. Sometimes they actually make it and accomplish their dreams like this moment.

She gave me a look and we stop jumping. “You have never heard me sing so how did you know that I was going to make it.” She said giving me a skeptical look. She acted like I knew her whole life and that secretly I was her stalker.

I had to think of my response for a minute. “Well because you’re an awesome person and you deserved it.” I said defending myself.

“Aw that’s really sweet. Thank you so much.” She gave me a big hug. “Now it’s your turn and then we are off to Hollywood.” She said now determined that we both go off to Hollywood together.

“Yeah” I said and then everything came crashing down on me. I realized that I was next and all of the doubts started to come back at me.

Alice could see that I was starting to get nervous again. “You will be fine, trust me. Like you said awesome people deserve everything they want. And you’re an awesome person, you’ll get it.” She said smugly as if she knew I was going to make it. I was kind of betrayed because now she used what I said against me. I thought it was in some kind of rule book that you couldn’t you advice against the person giving it.

“Yeah okay we will see what happens.” I said giving her a skeptical look. I still had my doubts and I knew that there was a chance that I wasn’t going to go off to Hollywood.

“Number 278” The producer said my number and I got nervous. I couldn’t believe that I was about to go sing in front of judges and could possible hear that I am I should just give up on singing. It felt like birds were in my stomach instead of damn butterflies.

“That’s me.” I said regretting it. I thought that maybe if I never said that was my number then I could have just avoided going to sing, then I wouldn’t have to hear the bad news. But I did say that I was up and now I had to go sing.

“You will do fine. Just believe in yourself and no matter what happens you gave it a chance.” Alice said giving me a big hug and a smile. It made me feel a little bit better and I knew that I could do it. I knew I would go in there and give the best performance that I had ever given. I would go in there and blow the socks off of them.

My mom came up to us after she heard my number get called. “You will do amazing and you’ll make it honey. I love you.” Her eyes were full of hope as well as the smile on her face.

I looked at my mom and things got better. The doubts were a low roar and the birds started to shrink in my stomach. “Thanks both of you and I love you too.” I said giving them both a big smile and I didn’t want to show anymore doubts on my face. This was now the time for me to be confidant and go show them what I got.

“Good Luck” Both of them said at the same time.

I went through the door and went to go sing. I walked down the hall and saw pictures of famous singers who sang at the theatre we were at. There was Alice Keys, Joss Stone, Ray Charles, Steve Wonder, and Justin Timberlake. At the end of the hallway were two giant doors that looked very old. They fit perfect in this building because everything looked very old. I opened the door and walked through the doors. There was a little platform where I assumed I would be singing. I looked across the platform to see what else was in this room. Then there was a table with 5 people there. I looked at all 5 of the judges and they gave me a big smile. They didn’t seem scary to me, but then again they were nice to everyone until after they sang. That’s the part that scared me the most was the after part.

I walked in front of them facing all 5 of the judges. I got a look of all of them. The one on the far left was a pretty brunette. She was a petite girl and she could be on any magazine. The one next to her was a guy who looked in his mid thirties. He had glasses on and he was starting to get gray hair. Next to him was another guy. He was a little bit big; he had dark brown hair, and looked very friendly. The next was a girl with blonde hair and was very petite like the brunette girl. The final person was a girl also. She had wavy brown hair and she was bigger than the other girls. She looked like she could either be very friendly or she could be a bitch. I was scared to look at her because I thought that I might get yelled at by her. So I looked at the other four and I knew I would sing to them because if I looked at the other one I would forget all of my lines. She would then have an excuse to yell at me and I would probably just run out of here like there was a fire starting.

“Hi, and what is your name.” The middle guy said to me after I finally got onto the platform. His voice seemed very calm and it seemed very friendly. I started to get a little comfortable.

“Hi my name is April Lycos.” I said stuttering a little bit feeling like a complete idiot for doing it. I couldn’t even say my own name, so how was I about to sing a song for them.

The guy saw that I was very nervous and I might break down right then and there. “Don’t be scared were just 5 regular people. My name is Zack.” He said smiling and I felt a little bit better. He then went down the row of people. “This is Ronda, Doug, Jennifer, and Brooke.” They all smiled and waved at me. I thought I saw Brooke give me a dirty look but that could be my own imagination. Sometimes when I met new people I got paranoid and thought that they hated me. When I met Isabella for the first time I thought she was talking bad about me so I tried to beat her up. Then I realized that she thought I was really sweet and until this day we still laugh about it.

“Hi everyone, it’s nice to meet you all.” I said waving at all of them. I wanted to come across friendly as can be so that they were already softening up to me before I sang. “I can do this, there just regular people.” I said to myself giving myself a bit of a peep talk. I didn’t say it too loud for them to hear me and think that I was a little strange.

“Now tell us where you’re from.” Zack said looking at me. I didn’t know why he wanted to learn more about me. There wasn’t much to learn about me. It’s not like I kicked cancer in the ass or I discovered a new planet. I was just a normal girl who thinks that I have a good voice.

“I am from Owings Maryland.” I said properly trying to get my nervous under control. I didn’t need them using my nerves against me.

“That’s a very small town isn’t it? Now tell us a little bit about yourself.” Zack said leaning forward waiting for me to answer. I liked Zack he didn’t seem like a judge at all. He seemed more of a friend or a guidance counselor. I figured if I sucked really badly he wouldn’t chew me out that bad.

“Well I am 18 years old and I am about to graduate from High school which I am really excited about. I like to read books, and just hang out with the couple of friends I have. I enjoy music, it’s my life. I write my own songs but I think that there really not good. I live with just my mom which is really nice.” I felt like I was on one of those random speed dating things. Where you say everything about yourself in 5 minutes and try to get the date to like you. “There is really nothing else to say.” I admitted because there wasn’t anything else I could think of to talk about. I didn’t want to get really into my personal life like my dad’s death. I didn’t want their sympathy votes.

“Do you know where you want to go after high school?” Zack asked after I was done saying stuff about me. I didn’t know why he didn’t just let me sing and just get it over with


Before I could even answer his question, Brooke had a comment to say. “This girl is very boring and I can’t go through this anymore. I honestly don’t know why you have to keep asking these people questions about their lives. You will never see them again if they are horrible singers.” Brooke looked at me again with hateful eyes. She glared at me and I knew she was probably the mean girl of her high school. No one other then the bullies glare at you like the way she was I could tell that I was wasting her life from that glare.

“Bitch” I heard Doug said before he took a sip of his drink. I could tell that I wasn’t the only one who had a problem with her attitude. It was nice to know that I wasn’t completely paranoid about this.

“Well I don’t care what you think. I am actually curious about the people that go through these doors. I know that some of them are out there and that’s why I don’t ask them questions, but the ordinary people I want to know them.” Zack said politely towards Brooke. I didn’t think she deserved his kindness but I was going to keep my mouth shut. “This will be my final question I promise.” He said towards me.

“I plan on going to Towson. I got a full scholarship to go there. My mom and I are really happy about it.” I said blushing because I felt embarrassed about it for some odd reason. It was a huge thing and I should be really proud of my accomplishment.

“Wow a full scholarship.” Zack honestly was impressed and I could see myself liking Zack. He was a cool person and he didn’t look older then his early 20’s. “Okay I laid just one more question.” Everyone actually was interested in more about me other then Brooke. She let out a big sigh showing how bored she was of me. Zack ignored her. “What did you get the scholarship in?”

“I got it in singing.” I said smugly, I knew that would shut up Brooke about me sucking. I didn’t know why but right then I knew I couldn’t be a horrible singer if I got a full scholarship to Towson for singing.

“Well see Brooke what happens when you ask people about their lives. You learn fun stuff like that.” Zack said looking at Brooke again. You could tell by the way he said it that he was rubbing it in her face.

“Yeah, yeah okay so she might be able to sing.” She said giving him an annoyed look. She knew that she was at the wrong but it seemed from her personality that she would never admit her wrong doing. Then she looked at me. “Alright hot shot tell us what you’re going to sing.” The glare came right back and it still scared me. All she needed was her hair to turn into snakes and she would be Medusa.

I totally forgot that I had to sing. I wish it was kind of an interview because I had four people on my side. Now after I sing I don’t know if any of them will be on my side. “I am going to sing Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis.” I said regretting that song. It had a high part that I knew I could nail but not in front of a women who hated me. I knew that I couldn’t look at her when I sing because I would choke and possibly be turn into stone.

“That’s a hard song to sing. I doubt that you could sing it.” Brooke said being very rude. I thought judges were supposed to be encouraging not totally rude. I watched American Idol and not even Simon Cowell would say half of the things that she is saying.

“But for someone who got a full scholarship to Towson, I bet she can sing it.” Zack said in my defense. It looked like to me that it was Zack and Brooke who were the stars of this show. The other three just sat there and really didn’t say much. I could tell in there eyes they were really close to telling Brooke to shut up so that I could sing.

Zack looked at me again and then smiled. “Don’t worry we believe in you. You can start anytime you want to.” Zack had a smile on his face and it looked like he was trying to comfort me and he didn’t want me to be scared off by Brooke.

I stood there for a moment, breathed in for a minute to get myself to be calm, and started to sing. At the beginning I felt a bit nervous but once I got into a couple of the verses I was actually having fun. I ignored Brooke and my doubts and just had fun. And then it hit me for the reason I came here to sing. Other then being tired of being a no body, it was because I loved to sing. When I sang I felt like I was in my own happy place and that no one could take me out of it. I sang when my dad died and other bad times after that. If I ever needed to get my emotions out I would sing a song that related to my feelings. I would lose myself in a song and after I sang I felt really good about it.

I was getting to the hard part of the song and it didn’t bother me at all because I knew that I could do this. I got to the high pitch part and I loved every second of it. I showed the judges why I was a good singer. I showed why I got the full scholarship to Towson and why I tried out for this competition. I put Brooke’s doubts to rest and I was happy about it. I was glad that Medusa couldn’t say anything about my singing skills anymore. I was glad to have the hard part out and I finished up the song.

It was quiet for a moment and I was kind of scared. In my mind I thought that I nailed it. I knew this was the part that I was regretting the whole time. This is why I didn’t want to try out. I didn’t want to hear that I was the worst possible singer that they have ever heard. I didn’t want Medusa I mean Brooke to have more ammo against me. I wanted to run out of there and be like I don’t want to hear what you have to say. I looked at the door and I had a good chance at running out of here with my dignity.

I looked at each other their faces and I couldn’t read their faces. They looked like Alice said when she got her ticket. They didn’t have any emotion or any trace of if they liked me or didn’t. I started to get panicky and I didn’t know what to do. Before I could say anything I saw that Ronda was about to open her mouth. I knew then that I couldn’t escape with my dignity. I could feel that the birds in my stomach were laughing at me. I want to punch them senseless at this point.

“That was amazing. I am actually surprised. I didn’t know that it was in you. How you controlled your voice at the high part. It was one of the best we have seen today.” Ronda said with a big smile on her face. After she talked the birds in my stomach stopped laughing. I wanted to laugh in their face but I had 4 other judges to hear.

“I am going to agree completely with Ronda over here. When you first started I could tell that you were a bit nervous and I was scared you were going to let your nerves get to you but you didn’t. I think you can go far as long as you are confident in the amazing voice you have.” Doug said with a big smile on his face.

“See it wasn’t that bad. Now I know why you got that full scholarship to Towson. You were great and I am so proud of you. I think that you might have a chance to go to the finals if you keep doing that.” Zack said with a big grin. I think he was trying to throw it in Brooke’s face that I wasn’t a bad singer. I wanted to join in on rubbing it in her face but I needed her vote before I can do that.

“I am speechless. I didn’t know someone so small could have a voice like that. I do have to agree with Zack. It’s good that we talk to the ordinary people first because they could actually have amazing voices.” I would have felt insulted at that moment for what Jennifer said but I was too happy that I had 4 judges on my side.

I looked at Brooke and I was ready for the bitchiness to come out. I was ready for all of her insults but at this moment I didn’t care what she had to say. I had Ronda, Doug, Zack, and Jennifer on my side. So when she was ready to talk I kind of tuned her out in a sense. I didn’t want what she said to get to me personally and I already had 4 yeses.

“Don’t get too carried away. I will admit that she was good but I don’t think that she was the best we have seen.” Brooke said and I knew that the bad stuff was about to hit the fan. “You have a voice but you’re too boring. And that high part I think was a little bit out of pitch.” I was mad that she said that. I thought I sang it perfectly but then again it was me saying that. I could have been horrible and I would have known clue. I would think I was the next Kelly Clarkson or something but in reality I could have been the next Heidi Montage.

“You just don’t like her that’s all.” Surprisingly it was Doug who said something. “I don’t know why you don’t like her. She is sweet, humble, and has a great voice.” Doug said defending me. I was really happy that this random stranger was defending me.

I started to blush because I thought it was pretty awesome that four people I don’t even know were defending me against this wicked witch person. I felt flattered and I liked it. I liked knowing that if I needed someone to help me through this I had them for advice.

“Okay what ever I don’t care what you have to say. You all got soft because she is a small town girl. You know what-” She then looked at me. “Small town girls get eaten alive in Hollywood. I don’t think she can handle the lifestyle.” She gave me a concerned look. I didn’t even know where this game from. This was a look that I wasn’t expecting to get from her. She looked like she knew I was going to fail in Hollywood and it scared me.

A shiver went through my spine because this was the first time I was scared of a person. Her gaze pierced right through my confidence and gave help at the doubt and worries I had. She knew that I had doubts and it seemed like she was going to use that against me.

“I think that she can make it. She seems to have a good head on her shoulder and I think that she will do fine in Hollywood. There are people who actually who survive there. She could be one of them. So stop being a pessimistic Brooke.” Zack snapped at her.

“Fine send her off to the sharks.” Brooke mumbled and sat back in her seat. It seems like she knew there was no way that she was going to win this argument. She just gave up and wanted to go on to another person because she was done with me.

“Let’s vote.” Zack said looking at Ronda to start the voting.

“I am 100 percent a yes for her to keep going.” Ronda said with a big grin on her face. She seemed really excited to see what was going to happen with me.

“I will also say yes. She has potential to being great.” Doug chimed in.

“It would be really stupid for me to not say yes to great talent.” Zack said with a laugh and a chipper tone. I liked Zack a lot and I was happy that he was being really nice to me and defending me against Brooke.

“I’m going to say yes. I think that you will do fine in Hollywood.” Jennifer said giving me an approval look.

It was all down to Brooke. I knew that she was going to say no so I didn’t really want to listen to what she had to say. I knew that I was going to have to anyways. I looked at her and her face showed that she was going to say no to me.

“Well I think that your all idiots for thinking she will do fine living in Hollywood.” Her face then turned into a softer person. She showed a different side of her and I couldn’t believe it. She actually looked like a nice person. I guess that is why the other 4 judges didn’t just beat her up. “But I would be stupid for me to let great potential to go to waste.” She rolled her eyes and was done with this whole situation. She was ready to get this whole thing over with them.

I started to jump up and down and I couldn’t believe that I was going to Hollywood. I felt like an idiot for having all those worries and doubts in my mind. I actually did great things and I am excited to see where I go.

“Congrats on making it to Hollywood, You really deserve it.” Zack said and everyone started clapping and cheering me. It already felt like I already won this whole thing and I was happy to have this feeling. I wanted this feeling to happen again when I actually won this.

I looked at Brooke and she had a concern look on her face. She looked like my mom does about this whole thing. I could see that she was saying something. I didn’t know what she said because I was in my own little world. I got my ticket and I started walking towards the door.

“I really hope she is different then the other girls that go to Hollywood because it would be a shame for great talent to fail in Hollywood.” I heard Brooke say after I got out of the door.

I nearly ran down the hall to go meet up with my mom and Alice. I was so happy that we both made it to the next round and I couldn’t wait to see what happens. I was ready to start a new beginning. I felt a sigh of relief because I was no longer going to be invisible I was going to be a known. I was going to make sure that when I go to Hollywood that I was going to win and have an amazing experience.