Jamie, on the other hand, was ready to be sick. She paced back and fourth in her "dressing room". Really she was in a small closet cleaned out, and because she was one of the first few acts, she got to use it until she was done, then the next person would get it.
She was worried because she hadn't finished her song in time, and now she was going to sing a Mariah Carey song. Not her first choice, but her father said she would wow the crowd with it, so she decided to give it a shot. A firm knock on the door signaled that it was almost time for her to go onstage. After saying a silent prayer she kissed her cross and walked to the stage.
A few people littered the hallway and some even gave their luck to Jamie. She smiled graciously, but didn't really hear them. She was in her zone now, a place where she was focused and ready to take on the world.
She stood at the bottom of the stairs that led to the stage. The Mockingbird Public Theater's seats were filled in scattered bunches. Jamie guessed about 200, from what she could see. She listened to the act before her finish their rendition of "My Girl." Then the announcer took the stage and she faintly heard her name being called before she was thrust onto the harshly lit platform.
Chris' leg tapped with impatience. It had been an hour 45 minutes, and the walls were closing in on him. He had seen everything from Britney wannabe's to true country hicks. So far he hadn't heard anything worth calling home about, but he had only seen about 10 acts, he wasn't quite sure though, he'd lost count. Tim had long since fallen asleep and Chris was left to fend for himself. He'd played cell phone games until his battery died, and then he'd resorted to counting heads. There were twenty people with bald spots and a good fifty without hair on the tops of their heads at all.
He was beginning to regret telling Lance he'd do this, and he was going to make the little man pay. He was already scheming up ways of torture and things to make him scream. That brought a smile to his face.
He was about to wake Tim and make a break for it, but he spotted Mr. Martin and knew he'd lost his chance. He let out a deep, heavy sigh full of boredom and threw his head back. Closing his eyes he listened to the emcee announce the next act.
"Now we have James Rylee Tanning singing "Never to Far" by Mariah Carey."
Chris groaned. He had a sinking feeling that this wasn't going to be any good. He hadn't heard a singer yet that could hold a candle to Mariah, most of them just...sucked.
Jamie stepped out on the stage and became void of all emotion. She couldn't see past the front row, with the bright lights in her eyes, and that didn't bother her one bit. She faintly heard her father's whistle and then all was drowned out by the music starting. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. When she opened it again a sweet melody came pouring out and the entire world was right. For those three minutes, nothing was wrong in her life, and she was completely happy. She let the melody wrap her up and carry her away into a world of serenity and peace. But as soon as it was over, she was thrown harshly back into reality.
There was a moment of shocked silence after she finished, but then applause broke out and she found herself blushing. She quickly walked off the stage only to be wrapped up in the strong arms of her father.
"Baby that was amazing! You've never sounded better!" His face was full of excitement and pride. A few of the other kids came up and commented on her talent. Jamie didn't know what to say but a few shy thank yous. She hadn't done anything different this time she performed, but it had felt different. Something in the air told her, and even if she couldn't feel the excitement there, she felt it deep down in her soul.
Along with that feeling came a nagging voice asking why no one had taken an interest in her yet. She had done many shows before, and they all said she was amazing, but they weren't interested. As she looked at the faces around her, and realized that again, she was going to get overlooked, her hopes started to sink.
Chris sat wide-eyed and mouth open. If ever he had been blown away before, it was nothing compared to the shock he felt now. The girl that had come on stage had sent chills coursing through his veins and rendered him speechless. He had been mesmerized by the young girl with such a powerful voice. And Mariah had nothing on her. He watched as she sang: such passion and true talent. It had been a breath of fresh air to hear something so pure. She had style and grace too. To say she was beautiful would be an understatement, and Chris knew that he would have to add her to his list of artists.
He smiled at the thought. But the moment was over when he realized he should get up and find her before anyone else did. He was going to wake Tim, but the bodyguard was already up, and staring at the stage in a trance.
"Dude...anyone home?" Chris waved his hand in Tim's face and snapped his fingers.
"That was incredible. You need to find that girl and get her before it's too late." Tim told him, never taking his eyes off the stage where moments before the girl had stood.
"All right man, let's go." Chris stood up and hurried back stage to look for this magical voice.
