CHAPTER 8

We were getting ready just before the Eliminations and Jo and I were in one of the dressing rooms. Lindsay was having a fit on the other side of the room with her stylist but all was doing was sitting calmly in my chair with headphones while Jo did her magic. She was doing my hair at the moment and she had put my dark hair up in a high ponytail with messy stands framing around my face. It was done up nice and tight but then she curled my long hair in the pony tail and spraying it with a little bit of sparkly hairspray.

I watched as she did my make up, picking up tips if I ever need to do it in the future.

She started off with concealer and then some powder foundation which matched my skin shade. Then she outlined my eyes lightly with black eye-liner and coated my eyes with mascara.

She covered my lips with dark lipstick a purply red which surprisingly looked nice and finished my eyes off with golden eye shadow.

Finally it was time to put on my outfit. I think Jo was trying a vintage appeal tonight as I had black wool knitted shirt with short sleeves and a highish neckline. Then I had a vintage dark purple chequered skirt (flannelette styles) which was high waisted and flared. I tucked my shirt in and surprisingly I actually looked nice. The clothes showed off my figure but were still modest and my legs were thankfully waxed and moisturised as I slipped my feet into black shiny pumps with straps around the ankle.

I walked out and Jo grinned when she saw me and made me twirl for her. In an every posh fake British accent she said, "Darling, you look fabulous."

I giggled and gave her a hug, "Thank you so much Jo."

"No worries, pretty. You're gorgeous and fun to work with."

I carefully kissed her on the cheek with my lipstick stained lips and was soon led outside when I saw Rose looking gorgeous as ever. Her normally frizzy hair was braided down her back and she was in a dark red dress with a straight neckline and tight bodice until it came out a little bit at the waist and fell a couple inches above her knees and her long legs were showed off in her dark red pumps.

"Girl, you look gorgeous," I said in a Valley girl voice.

She stuck her tongue out at me.

Finally we made our way to the elimination room. I saw Xavier to the side surrounded with security guard. He looked up when he saw the girls entering and caught my eye. He grinned at me and gave me a wink which annoyingly made my heart flutter for a second.

Soon the usual, now annoying, theme tune to Search for Cinderella opened up the show and Elliot welcomed everyone. We started playing some footage of the Academic Obstacle Course but only little bits as the whole challenge had featured in one full episode. Then after a break they played footage from the past week of us girls in our spare time. Some of them went shopping while others went to the beach. Someone, Lindsay, went to the extreme and brought her camera guy to her mansion in the Valley and gave them a tour but I reckon we only saw a fiftieth of it as it was cut short. I saw Rose and her dancing at the library which was really good and her playing with the puppies at the pet shop.

Only half of the footage was played but the first set of eliminations after the break was set.

When the show came back on air Xavier was standing ready with a tray of roses.

Before he approached any girl Elliot made an announcement, "Now during the week one of these lucky girls were given immunity to stay another week for winning a challenge. As all of you know, Annabelle Kennedy will be staying positively for another week. Another chance to win Xavier's heart."

The spotlight flashed to wear I was sitting and I struggled not to squint under the light. Finally it was gone and Xavier approached each girl slowly, drawing suspense, and gave them their rose. They were escorted out after giving Xavier a hug, some tearing up but at least these girls were somewhat sane. Five girls were just eliminated and five more after the break were going to be going home and I was praying with all my heart that it would not be Rose.

"That's not all folks. These remaining girls are safe for now but how long for? You'll see after the break!"

The song played, the lights flashed and the rest of the footage was played. Much to my embarrassment they had put in the footage of me begging for Coco.

Soon enough Xavier once again stood up and handed five girls a rose. Once he was done I praised the Heavens that Rose was staying another week. Elliot wrapped up the show with final statement, "Text in your votes to the number on the screen. It's up to you who Xavier takes as his date to the Grand Ball."

The credits rolled and Rose and I walked out with her arm slung around my shoulders.

"America must love us," she joked.

It was Monday morning and there was a lightness in the air. Maybe because it was a new week and the eliminations were over for now. Maybe because there was a new challenge which none of us knew about?

It was a sunny day today in California and I was playing with a ball in the backyard with Rose and Coco. Jo and Jono were lounging on the side with Liam, the helper who Rose usually flirts with.

Jono had recorded a little bit of us playing but now had the camera on standby so we didn't have to put on any faces. Not that we ever did.

We were going to find out what our challenge was tonight so most of the girls were taking advantage of their spare time as apparently this challenge had a lot of preparation for it ahead.

After awhile Rose, Coco and I were all lying with the others exhausted. Coco looked adorable with his tongue flopping around.

After dinner we were called up to the lounge room where the challenge was announced. Our stylists did our make up so we wouldn't be washed out by the lighting and put together a simple outfit together with the clothes we brought.

I saw Lindsay slipping on some black Prada dress which looked classy compared to her other slutty dresses.

Jo dressed me in my tight black T-shirt which made my boobs look bigger but was still modest.

She made me wear my high-waisted, floral, cotton shorts which I loved and my white high top Converse. My hair was out in loose waves with a simple side bit braided back and pinned in with a flower clip.

Soon we were all shoved into the lounge room where Elliot made an announcement.

"This week the challenge is a talent Show. There you'll be able to show off your talents and gifts to impress the judges, Xavier and most importantly America."

Some girls looked worried, others looked confident. I was one of the worried girls.

Did I ever mention I have an intense fear, pretty much phobia, of the stage?

"You have a week to prepare your item which will be showcased this Saturday evening in front of three judges and Xavier himself. Good luck."

With that we left the room and dispersed, I walked up to my room with Rose, "What are you going to do?" I asked her.

She shrugged, "Some sort of dance I guess."

I nodded, still freaked out.

Later that day Rose came barged into my room, ignored me, grabbed my laptop and pulled up a song on Youtube. I recognised the artist name and when I heard the song I fell in love. It reminded me of my parents; particularly my mum when we sang this around the kitchen while making cupcakes.

Once it finished Rose grinned at me, "You have to sing this song at the Talent Show."

I looked up the chords to the song and changed the tempo and chords around a bit. Once Rose left I started practising and practising until my vocal chords were tense.

For the rest of the week I stayed in my room and practised making sure I sounded good. I was incredibly grateful that these walls were soundproof. On Friday we ran through dress rehearsals. I was the first to have their rehearsal and I was so nervous. All the other girls were running around backstage preparing themselves.

It was time for my dress rehearsal. The rehearsals and the actual talent show was going to be held at the same auditorium X factor was held out but they had changed the arena around a bit.

The stage manager for the night was a very sarcastic, very posh man called Hugo. He had a faint French accent and liked ordering people around. He was dressed in an Armani suit with polished leather shoes. The only thing which seemed out of place was the headset around his head and the cords trailing into his pockets.

"Kennedy, you're up!" He shouted.

I walked from backstage with my guitar in my hand. Rose wished me luck and the girls came to the back doors to watch.

The sound crew rushed around and plugged my guitar in and set up the mic and stand. After a few test calls and Hugo's impatient sighs I was ready to go.

Taking a deep breath to calm my nerves I strummed the first notes on my guitar and opened my mouth to sing.

But nothing came out.

My throat had closed over and I could barely breathe. My hands felt clammy and I suddenly felt flushed and hot all over.

I heard Hugo groan, "Come on Annabelle, we don't have all day."

I tried again.

I played the opening notes and this time I was ready to sing but the words had flown from my head.

"That's it young lady," Hugo shouted, "Get off my stage and if you're ready to be a decent act you may come back! Don't pretend you're able to do something when you obviously can't!" with those words yelled at me I rushed off the stage down the sides and out the auditorium doors.

I dumped my guitar on a couch I passed on the way and ran up the four flights of golden railed stairs. I didn't realise I was crying until I felt a drop of water drip onto my collar bone.

I ignored the footsteps behind me. I ignored all sounds.

The only thing I could actually hear was the sound of my heart beat pumping furiously.

I was beyond devastated.

I've had this dream for as long as I could remember and with Hugo's harsh words they were almost ripped to pieces.

A hand grabbed my arm before I could open my door. I whipped around and saw Xavier watching me with a concerned expression.

He noticed my tears and I was beyond shocked when he pulls me in for a hug wrapping his warm arms around my waist.

I buried my head into his chest and inhaled his lovely scent which seemed to calm me down.

I don't know how many minutes passed before I looked up at him, "I screwed it up Xavier, I can't do this tomorrow night."

He touches my hair, "Hey," he says gently, "I've heard you sing before, when you were playing the piano. You have an incredible talent Annie. I know you can do this."

I hiccuped as my sobs calmed down. My hands were shaking and I could tell my hair was a mess.

"I don't think I can."

Xavier gives me a searching look before saying, "Come with me."

A/N: What do you guys think? Please fan vote and comment xx

Question of the update: Describe what your perfect date would be. Or if you have had your dream date what was it?

Much love, Alexis xx