Chapter Nine:  The Talent Show

How could you?

We expected more from you Alice.

My father's words echoed in my brain, repeating itself over and over again. After getting most of the paint out of my hair, I was called to my dad’s office after everyone had left where my parents lectured me.

“Are you okay?” Ben asked me snapping me from my thoughts. “You’re spacing out, I’ve been calling you for the last five minutes.” 

I shook my head, “I am fine.”

“Are you thinking about yesterday?” He said reading my mind.

I sighed nevertheless nodded, “My parents lectured me, they even threatened to pull me out of school if something like this happens again.”

It was quiet for a couple of minutes so I turned to Ben who hadn’t uttered a single word, his eyes trained on the road ahead. “Why aren’t you saying anything?”

I heard him sigh, “What’s there to say?”

I blinked. “What do you mean ‘what’s there to say?’ You are supposed to agree with me and tell me my parents are overreacting!” I exclaimed. 

“Agree with you?” He said in disbelief, “You ran off with Gavin, without telling me! How do you think it looked on me explaining to your parents that I have no idea where you went? You could’ve been kidnapped and I would’ve had no clue about it!” He yelled.

I flinched at his harsh tone. “I don’t have to tell you where I go every second of every minute,” I screamed back.

“Yes you do, you have a bodyguard for a reason.” 

“That’s so stupid. It’s not like I am the president no one is going to come out of the bushes and kidnap me.”

“You’re not the President but you’re his daughter and you never know who’s out there.” He said in an annoyed voice.

I grunted sinking into my seat looking out the window as we pulled into a parking space in front of the school I heard Ben sigh next to me. “I am sorry,” He said in a tired voice.

I turned looking him dead in the eyes. “Apology not accepted,” With that I quickly opened the car door slamming it shut, storming into the school. 

I was fuming how dare he take my parents side? I am seventeen for the love of God; they’re treating me like a five year old.

‘Well, you haven’t been the best daughter…’ A voice in my head said.

“Oh shut up,” I muttered.

My eyes scanned the hallway landing on Holly who was leaning against my locker an angry look evident on her face. I slowly approached her, her hazel eyes snapped to mine. “Hey Holls, what sup?”  I said turning the dial of my locker opening it.

“What sup? Is that all you can say after you’ve been ignoring my calls and texts?” She shrieked getting the attention of some students.

“Holly calm down.” I said trying to calm her, “What’s the matter? You seem angry.”

She snorted, “Of course I am angry, I can’t believe you Ali. After all the warnings I gave you.”

I knitted my eyebrows in confusion. “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t act confused Ali, everyone knows you slept with Gavin.” She exclaimed gesturing at everyone watching how I will react.

“You think I slept with that manwhore?” I screeched. She narrowed her eyes at me nodding her head. “Wow I can’t believe you, I thought we were best friends.”

“Me too,” She whispered.

I gave her one last look; I then looked at the crowd watching us. “I never slept with Gavin, never did and never will.” I looked back at Holly whose face fell, I quickly turned my heel walking away.

I felt a few tears slip. I couldn’t believe Holly thought I slept with Gavin, I brushed the tears away heading around the corner in search for the ladies room.

Once I made into to the bathroom I locked myself in the handicapped stall and let myself slip to the ground my vision blurry from tears.

After a few minutes of crying I suddenly heard the bathroom door open, I held my breath. The sounds of heels clacking against the tiled floor echoed throughout the room. “Did you see how she just ran out of there, she’s so pathetic.”

“Um, Ashley?” I heard someone say.

My eyes widened, it was Ashley talking to one of her followers.

“What?” She snapped.

“Um, why did you even spread that rumor for all we know Ali might’ve never even slept with Gavin?”

My jaw dropped as I scrabbled from the floor peeking through the crook of the door. Ashley was the one who spread the rumor about me?

“Well Angie,” Ashley snarled. “I warned that bitch to stay away from Gavin, but apparently she couldn’t do that so someone had to put her in her place.”

Angie looked really scared keeping her head down, her strawberry hair drawing as curtain hiding her face. “Sorry Ashley,” She whispered.

Ashley smiled in triumph looking at the mirror applying some red lipstick. “Whatever, come on we have a show to prepare for.” She said flipping her dyed bleach blonde hair over her shoulder and strutting out of the bathroom.

My eyes widened. Oh my God Sarah! I promised her to be there with her at the talent show and here I am crying. I opened the stall door walking over to the sink splashing cold water onto my face I stared at my reflection in the mirror.

My brown hair was in a messy bun, I still had a few splashes of paint in my hair that refused to come out so I decided to conceal it by putting it in a bun. The girl in the mirror didn’t look as happy as she was eight years ago.

I sighed tucking the stray hairs behind my ear and away from my face as I exited the ladies room, heading towards the auditorium.

As soon as I pushed open the doors heads snapped in my direction, I shook my head heading backstage to find a worried looking Sarah pacing back in forth. “Sarah?”

She spun around, her brown eyes snapping to mines. “Ali? Where were you?” She asked frantically.

“It doesn’t matter I’ll explain later what’s important now is why you’re pacing back and forth, and why do you look green?”

“I look green because I am freaking out!” Sarah snapped at me. “Oh God I think I am going to puke.” She said holding the chair next to her to steady herself.

“Sarah!” I said grabbing her shoulders in order to face me. “Stop panicking! Now we have to go we have less than twenty minutes to do your hair and makeup, so quit your whining and let’s go.” I said frustrated and proceeded to drag her towards hair and makeup.

*

“Up next we have Sarah Rose?” Andy our announcer said confused, whispers were heard among the crowd.

I looked at Sarah who was clutching the microphone as she walked onto the middle of the stage. He red hair was now in tights curls with a white bow pining the stray hairs away from her face.  After endless arguing on how her hair should be styled we decided to put in half up half down. Sarah’s outfit consisted of a light pink dress and white flats.

"Are you going to sing or what?" Someone yelled among the crowd.

I looked back at Sarah who was now frozen, whispers were now getting louder. I got up from my chair doing what any good friend would've done in my place. I walked onto stage towards a frozen Sarah.

"Sarah?" I whispered ignoring the fact everyone was probably watching us, she snapped out of her trance turning to me. "We've practiced this song millions of times, I know you know it backwards, frontwards and probably even in Italian." I said letting out a chuckle. "But it’s time for you to show everyone else that you know it to. Don’t you remember what we talked about like ten minutes ago?” I said recalling the conversation when she was close to start hyperventilating. 

She nodded her head slowly. "Thanks, Ali you’re a good friend and if it makes you feel any better I know you didn't sleep with Gavin."

I chuckled. "Thanks,” I said rolling my eyes at her randomness. “Good luck," I said giving her quick thumbs up and getting off the stage.

The music started up again, Sarah moved around the stage bobbing her head at the tune as she opened her mouth to start singing.

"Just gonna stand and watch me burn, but that alright because I like the way it hurts, just going to stand there and hear me cry, but that's alright because I love the way you lie, I love the way you lie." Sarah sang perfectly on tune. 

A smile made its way onto my face as she continued to sing the rest of the song hitting all the high notes and jumping around on stage enjoying herself.

I smiled as she finished the last verse. "I love the way you lie..." I jumped out of my seat as the crowd started to clap. “Way to go Sarah!” I screamed clapping along with everyone else.

Her eyes now filled with tears as she brought the microphone to her mouth. “Thanks!” Her eyes meeting mine, as she took a quick bow heading backstage.

I made my way backstage as I saw Sarah. "Oh my God I can't believe you just did that." I said opening my arms and giving her a bear hug.

"I can't believe I did that too." She whispered. "Thank you so much Ali."

I gave her a tired smile. "Stop thanking me! You did amazing," She laughed humorously.

“Yeah, she did amazing! If she was doing the impersonation of a dying cat.” Someone spoke from behind us.

I turned around to see Ashley and Angie, but what surprised me was who was also standing beside her their hands entwined with one another.

I must’ve been staring at Ashley and Gavin’s entwined hands for a while because Ashley spoke up. “I am sorry but Gavin doesn’t do sluts.” She spoke glaring at me.

“So why is he dating you?” I blurted out before I had a second to process what I was saying.

“Excuse me?” She snarled at me.

I heard a chuckle escape Gavin’s mouth as my eyes connected with his a small smile making its way onto my lips. I looked back at now angry Ashley, a devious smile made its way onto her face as she turned to Gavin grabbing his face and planting a sloppy kiss onto his mouth.

My jaw dropped as so did my stomach. I turned my head away not wanting to watch the guy who took me out for my first Valentine’s Day kiss another girl or a slut in my perspective. "Let’s go watch the rest of the acts." I said turning to Sarah who was glaring at the back of Ashley’s fake head. I grabbed her arm and bringing her to where I was seated minutes ago.

Once we were seated Sarah turned to me. "Where's Holly?" She asked her eyebrows knitted in confusion.

"Um, I don't know." I said casually trying to forget about the two fights I had earlier this morning one with Ben and another with who I thought was my best friend.

She shrugged drawing her attention at the juggler who was currently on stage. A few more acts later we were down to the last performer. "Okay, guys what you all have been waiting for, she's been our winner for the past three years let’s give a huge welcome to Ashley Rome!" 

“Wow, I wonder who he is rooting for.”  I muttered sarcastically clapping along with everyone else.

Ashley walked on stage proudly wearing a big smile on her painted red lips. My eyes widened scarred at the outfit she was performing in which consisted of a black leather bando, and a red bikini bottom pairing the whole outfit with knee high riding boots.

I heard whistles coming from the crowd of perverted boys. “Thanks guys! You don’t know how good it is to be here!” She said in a nasally voice throwing a wink to the crowd. “I will be singing dirrty by Christina Aguilera.” She said taking her place in the middle of the stage.

“Ah dirrty, filthy, nasty, you nasty.” She started to sing, well tried to. I winced at the sound of her voice and how people were actually enjoying this.

She’s up on stage basically wearing nothing! How will the boys not enjoy this?

 I felt puke rising up my throat as her and the dancers were doing these very sexual poses on stage getting the boys to whistle and cat call.

I turned my head to look at Sarah who looked just as horrified as me. How she is even allowed to compete looking like a tramp? I thought.

As Ashley finished the line of her horrific dancing and painful singing, people stood and clapped for her. I sighed as she took a bow exposing her boobs to the boys making them call out. She threw them a quick wink as she exited the stage not before swishing her hips for a dramatic affect.

“Well that sure was something!” Andy chuckled into the microphone. “Now can we get all performers up on stage please?”

I turned to Sarah who got up making her way onto the stage along with the other performers. Andy now stood alongside Ashley and her dancers and another act that I did not know the name off.

“In my hand I have the top five performers who move on to compete next Friday for the finals and a chance to win a five hundred dollars in prize money. Our finalists are…” He said opening the card. “Electric,” A boys dance group stepped forward giving each other brotherly hugs. I clapped as I silently prayed for Sarah’s name to be called.

“We are now down to our last two spots available.” Andy spoke trying to savor for the suspense. “Sarah Rose!” He spoke enthusiastically.

I jumped from my chair not caring the odd looks I was getting from the people beside me. Sarah had made it! Our eyes connected as I gave her a huge smile as she stepped forward along with the other acts.

“And our last spot goes to our three time champion and probably our forth, Miss Ashley Rome!” He said happily.

I rolled my eyes clapping along with everyone else as they exited the stage. A few minutes later I heard a screech. “I can’t believe I made it!” Sarah spoke enthusiastically as we exited the auditorium together.

“Sarah of course you were going to make it! We have to go and celebrate.” I told her excitedly.

“Yeah sure can we go-“ She stopped mid-sentence, looking as if she just realized something.

“What’s wrong?” I asked her confused.

“Where are Holly and Ben? I thought they were going to be here?” 

“Oh they were, they just seated at the back.” I said lying.

She looked at me curiously as if she didn’t believe it. “Okay. Let’s go and celebrate.” She said dropping the subject and entwining our arms together as we headed outdoors. “Thanks for everything Ali! You are truly a great best friend anyone could ask for.”

I felt my stomach drop for the second time today as I glanced at Sarah who was beaming with happiness, I felt bad for lying to her and not only for saying that Holly and Ben were there for her performance for all I know the might’ve not even been there but for also lying to her about who I am. As I opened the car door to Sarah’s car, I could only think how bad this is going to end up.

*****

Hello Lovelies,

Oh my God! I made it to #88 on humor on September 20! And I just want to thank everybody! It is truly amazing! This chapter was sort of a filler next chapter will contain a lot of surprises and clear up’s from previous chapters! Including the whole fight with Ben and Holly!

This is dedicated to my best friend @blooming_flower because she is honestly so cool and listens to me vent about everything going on in my complicated life.

Ps: If anyone wants to make covers and banners for this book feel free to message me and we will work something out cause someone asked me that so I needed to clear that up! Oh and If you do make one you do get a dedication…. Also I have ask.fm link is in my bio, so feel free to ask me any sort of questions! 

Song on the side Love the way you lie by Rhianna but cover by Ariana Grande (the song “Sarah” sang for her audition.)

Please remember: Vote, Comment, Share and Fan!

Have a wonderful day/night!

Thanks,

Xoxo_mysteriousgirl