CHAPTER 21

Getting woken up in the morning is never a good thing, especially at 7am in the morning. Especially when you've only gotten six hours sleep. Trust me, I need at least 8.

But before I could have a diva spaz attack at Rose, who dared interrupted my slumber she chuck various clothing articles at my head and ran out of my room yelling, "Quick it's an emergency!!"

Thinking there was like a fire or a break in I jump out and pull on the black leggings and Sleeping with Sirens hoodie over my head and grabbing the closest shoes next to me. Black gumboots.

I ran out of the room and rammed into her before she dragged me to the elevator.

"Holy crap Rose! What's happening?!"

"Shhh," She shushed me before we got in the elevator and the doors closed.

"Why are we sneaking out of the mansion at seven in the morning?!"

"I got my period and need to buy some pads."

I stare at her. I just keep staring at her. To make her uncomfortable.

"You woke me up at this time to go get pads."

She nodded sheepishly.

I throw my hands up in exasperation, "I thought there was a fire or something you idiot!" She laughs at me as we quickly run.

I was going to hit her. Looking into the elevators mirror my bed hair was quite intense as I shoved into a bun on the top of my head. Soon we were running down the massive driveway while Rose kept screaming about her uterus.

Yeah.

We got to the main town and slipped into the morning rush of people. Black vans were parked in various places and I remembered I was in LA, there was paparazzi everywhere.

Rose found a Coles super market where she could purchase her lady products from. I was planning to sit outside in the morning sun but of course Rose had other ideas. I was dragged into the air conditioned building out of California's humidity. We walked along the aisles.

Toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, body wash, oh look; pads.

Rose grabbed about ten packets 'just in case'.

Instead of going straight to the counter she insisted on buying more stuff so we raided the confectionary aisle grabbing Freddo frogs, gummy bears, sourpatch kids, starbursts and everything else in between while dancing to Beyonce's Love On Top, which was playing on the speakers.

Sometimes I wish I was as cool as Beyonce. Like she's just this other level of coolness which basically no one could ever reach. Ever.

I bought some more blank CD's which I could burn some of my songs on to and make some playlists. I was looking for avocadoes when a familiar song started playing. One of my favourite songs.

One of Xavier's songs.

They were airing them already?! His rich tone filled the supermarket as the gentle instruments in the background surrounded him, the main melody capturing everyone's attention.

As I walked around I saw people really listen in to the powerful lyrics Xavier had written. As I followed Rose to the check out with three avocadoes in my hand the DJ of the radio station came back on and announced, "That, everyone, is a new song called Dying Fire. No one knows who sings the song but it was released by Mr. Matthews of the Golden Record Label this morning. Rumour is that Mr. Matthews is looking for the person behind the song who anonymously left it behind..."

The DJ kept talking before changing it to another song; Ariana Grande.

The heat outside snapped me out of my little shock as I realised we had finished shopping. Girls in bikinis and pink roller skates were skating past. The sea breeze blew the palm trees which stood proud and tall. The skate park was full of teenage boys attempting tricks on their skateboards.

I love LA.

This was another part of the dream I had. Travelling. I wanted to visit places; Europe, Australia, Asia. Everywhere.

I wanted to make music and travel.

We arrived back at the mansion. Eliminations were on Saturday so now I was just going to enjoy my free time. Rose and I went to the back when she changed and put our shopping away. We had changed into our swim wear so we took advantage of the big blue swimming pool in the gigantic backyard. Coco even jumped in and swam around in his classic doggy style. Taliah and Rose were sunbathing on the lounge chairs when I got out. I wrapped myself up in my towel after drying off. I slipped a white sundress over my blue bikini and made my way upstairs to my room. I had just closed the door when it slammed open again.

I turned to face a pissed off Xavier.

"What the hell were you thinking?!" He yells.

"Xavier, you can't be in here," I muttered, if he was caught in a contestants room or the other way around, the girl could be disqualified. (The music room was neutral ground.) All in the name of fair play.

"I don't care!" He growled, Why would you do that?!"

His blue eyes were fired up, his hair messy.

"The world needs to see who you really are! You can't stay like this!

"I trusted you Annabelle! You know more about me than my own dad does! I didn't want the world to see that part of me!'

Now I was pissed, "Why?! Cause your management are assholes who have no respect for you, your work or music itself and just make their millions off of you? For your dad? Cause you enjoy being a bad boy?!"

He glared at me, "You know I'm doing this for my dad, I told you what happened." He hissed in a deadly tone.

You're not happy Xavier that's why! You're sad and I don't like it. Music makes you happy, it makes you who you really are but when they turned that against you, you turned into this depressed mess who is only used as a puppet." I say cooly, :You deserve to be happy so I did what I did. Whether you talk to me again or not that's your choice. I just wanted to see you happy..." I trailed off into a whisper.

He stared at me for a long time, his piercing eyes staring into my soul.

Then he stormed out of the room slamming the door shut behind him.

I stared at the bruised door, making myself keep the tears at bay. Crying would not help, I could not cry.

But of course one traitor tear made it down my face. Sniffling I sat down on my bed and stared at the floor. He hated me.

And fair enough, I should have understood that I should have asked him first. I should have talked to him about it first. But he just could not grasp how amazing he actually was. How amazing vocally and musically gifted he was. How amazing of a person he was. And he wanted to hide all of this away from the world which tinted his light when really, he should be sharing it with everyone.

When in distress, I went to the one thing which made me feel better.

Music.

Picking up my guitar I strummed a few chords before figuring out the chords to one of my new favourite songs.

And I hate to say I love you

When it's so hard for me to say

My fingers picked the apeggiated chord progression. My head nodding along to the bittersweet melody. When I hit the first chorus my voice quietened, making it raw.

I'd never ask you cause deep down

I'm certain I'd know what you say

You'd say I'm sorry believe me

I love you but not in that way

All my emotions poured out with the song and the guitar leaving me numb and cold; emotionless. Sam Smith's beautiful song speaking the words from my mind which I could never voice. I switched the same song on in my bedroom, Not In That Way on my speakers as his beautiful rich voice filled my bedroom.

I laid down on my bed, staring up at the ceiling. I needed to talk to him. My body was so full of regret. I felt like I was the bad guy now, like I had exposed him. I thought I was doing him good but maybe I shouldn't have done it.

But his music needed to be heard.

I internally fought with myself but there was one thing in my mind. His eyes. His beautiful blue eyes which held back so many emotions but held so many at the same time.

My heart physically hurt whenever II thought of him. The pain and hurt I had unintentionally caused him. That I had betrayed his trust. It made me feel sick to my gut. And I didn't understand. The thought of him mad at me.

As I wallowed in self pity Rose walked into my room with Taliah and their over bubbly diverted my attention from my thoughts of Xavier. I listened in as Taliah made Rose talk about her little thing she has with Charlie. Apparently they're 'just friends' but that's what everyone says. Soon I was dragged back out to the town to get some all natural frozen yoghurt place which just opened. The shop was super cool with swings insides as seats covered with fake flower vines. This is what I needed. Comfort food.

Today was eliminations once again, based on America's votes. I felt sick though. I hadn't seen Xavier since that dreadful day. Jo was floating around my room trying to make me look pretty as I listened to the flawless Freddie Mercury. I looked in the mirror as my hair was curled into perfect ringlets and my make up was done dark and mysterious before I was dressed into a simple black smock dress which was loose and flow with a high neckline and sleeves. Topped with black laced boots with heels and a black sun hat I was dressed for a funeral.

Just kidding.

Although I did feel like it. Or like Zoe Benson from American Horror Story.

The remaining ten of us were paraded downstairs where the eliminations was going to be shot. Instead of seating into the seats provided individually we were going to be walked onto the stage in the spotlight where a montage of footage from the past weeks will be shot as we stood awkwardly next to Xavier and Elliot. And then at the end of everything five girls will be eliminated.

Slowly, one by one, each girl walked across and the footage was shown in between each ad break. This was to draw the show along.

Soon it was my turn and I was probably the most awkward of all them. Xavier wouldn't even look me in the eye as the footage was played. And my heart sank to my stomach but I walked across the stage as if everything was ok.

After a few more girls they ready to announce who was staying and who was going.

Elliot, with all of the lights giving him all the attention, took the mic.

"Tonight, there will sadly be five girls leaving us while another five stay and try to win the chance to be Xavier's date for the grand ball. Those who are staying are..." He trailed off and the ad breaks came on.

I shook my head at their typical attempt to create suspense occurred. I could never handle watching reality TV shows which had to much suspense. Or anything which had suspense.

Soon we were back on and he read out the names of the girls who were going to the next round.

"Lindsay... Taliah... Becca... Rose and... Annabelle."

I breathed a sigh of relief as my name was said. Not so that I could stay on the show to win. But it allowed me to have enough time to make things right again with Xavier.

Although that meant going through the next round. And everyone knew what that was. All the girls since the very hundred tried their absolute hardest to get to this round.

An individual date with Xavier to somewhere of his choice. One on one. Solo. Between each other, the cameras and then later to the population of America watching.

But that was irrelevant at the moment.

The fact that I will have to go through an individual date with Xavier was going to be pure torture. It will be like my awkwardness brought to the max.

I can't deal with confrontation. I never could. If someone hates me I would avoid them with everything me instead of trying to make it right.

I'm such a people pleaser. And I did not make Xavier please although it was for his own good.

Well, this is going to be a fun first date.

A/N: First of all ilysm to all thoughs who chucked me a message on here or on kik. Thanks for making me get my act together especially to @davienne (kik, idk what your wattpad is sorry).

Also I have just gotten into American Horror Story and I'm addicted!! I've downloaded all seasons and watched it all within a week and I can't wait for next one and I'm crying over Evan Peters. And Tate, and Kit and Kyle!

So sorry for the late update.

QOTU: What's you're fave TV show??

Dedication to @Abbey192013 for the rad cover on the side!!