Chapter 12: Rankings
"I know. It was so awkward, I just left them both sitting there" I explained everything to Louise and Veronica. I needed to get this out of my chest and I decided to tell Them. They understand me really well, and they give me very good advice.
"It's obvious that they're both trying to spend time with you. By the way you explained it, they don't like each other" Louise said and Veronica pointed at her and nodded.
"She's right, spend more time with them and figure out if they say things about the other" Veronica added. "Damien didn't like Jacks ever since he saw his audition" I said. "And Jacks was annoyed with him yesterday"
"Oh, they definitely don't like each other" Veronica laughed and so did Louise. Charlotte appeared out of nowhere and said,
"Excuse me, sorry to interrupt. But after the elimination ceremony, Hector and I are hosting a party here at the lounge" Charlotte said. "Toodles," she strutted away to talk to other people on the table next to us. "Didn't we have a party yesterday?" I asked and Louise gave me a confused look and said,
"I know, it's only been one day" Veronica looked sad, she stared at the floor.
"What's wrong?" Louise asks putting her hand on her shoulder.
"What if I don't make it?" She asked. "You are going to. Your song was really good," Louise said giving her a warm smile but Veronica didn't look at her.
"I know, but what if they didn't like it and they don't vote for me"
"I had the exact type of negativity when I auditioned but I got over it because I thought of the dreams I wanted to accomplish, do you want to accomplish yours?" I asked and she nodded.
"We'll do that and don't let that scare you. I mean there are people that were worse, did you see hector?"
She laughed,
"thank you, I needed it," she said and we all laughed talking about hector and how bad he was. Honestly, I don't know how he entered the contest. Maybe one of them liked it, and I know it's Carla. We had to go to the stadium at the same time as yesterday to get ready for the elimination ceremony. We had to dress all formal and elegant. I hope they don't pick one of those exaggerated tuxes, in my opinion I don't like them. They did the same painful process as yesterday. And they chose a simple red suit. I really liked it, Simple yet pretty. I looked at myself in the mirror and I was impressed.
"Thank you, guys. I look really good" I said and I left. I came out of the room and only Clarissa was there,
"hey, Clarissa" I waved at her and she did a peace sign. I went backstage and I ate some snacks from catering. I just kept it simple. I ate some fruit snacks and some water.
"Hey, roomie," said Damien as he stood next to me and started looking at the snacks.
"I don't feel like eating anything. I'm so nervous out there I'll probably puke" he chuckled.
"So why are you here?" I asked him as I ate a handful of juicy fruits.
"Just want to see you," he said and I almost spat my water.
"Really?" I said.
"Yeah, you looked alone stuffing those fruit snacks to calm your nerves"
"I don't want my song to get eliminated. After what I saw yesterday, there is some serious competition" I said.
"Yeah, I hope my song doesn't get eliminated, then I'll have one"
"I know Jacks or Clarissa will be at the top of the rankings," I said and Damien reacted with a soft
"ugh"
"What is it with you and Jacks?" I asked and I wished I didn't.
"He's fake, I don't like the way he manages to make people like him, and he's so annoying around you" he ranted.
"Why does it bother you so much that he talks to me?" I asked and he turned around,
"you know what I'm not talking about this right now. I'm just going to go" he walked away. Hell, he didn't even answer my question. Why is he evading it? It is obvious that he likes me and that he's jealous of Jacks? Pretty much. After waiting a few more minutes, we were all reunited to start the show. The host came and gave us all a motivational speech,
"remember, this is just the beginning of a new chapter. The first two people will leave us tonight. And I wish them the best of luck. So remember, the journey doesn't end here. You will do greater and bigger things" she said and we all gave each other comforting smiles and the show started. They introduced Karen and she presented all of us. We sat in the same seats as yesterday.
"Before we show the rankings, let's talk to a few of the contestants" she walked to Hector and asked him, "your song was... something. How will you feel if you don't make it tonight?" He looked annoyed after she asked him that question,
"I'm not going to get eliminated tonight, you'll see" he said madly and the crowd went quiet.
"Ok, let's interview someone else" she walked to Jacks.
"Your song/ performance was insane. I doubt that your song will get eliminated. Any words of motivation for your fellow contestants?" She leaned her mic to him and he answered,
"if you don't make it, well, It's been fun getting to know all of you. It will be okay" he said with a concerned look and the fans awed and cheered. "Wow, I'm sentimental" She fake wiped a tear. She asked a few more and she returned to the center of the stage.
"Ok everybody, would you please get up from your seats and stand in the center?" We all stood up and stood in the center.
"Turn around," she said and we all turned around facing the big screen behind the chairs.
"So this is the moment. I will show the rankings and the last two will leave us tonight" I took a deep breath and I prepared for the results. I didn't want my song to get eliminated Because then I will have one less. But it will motivate me more to try my best.
"Three, two..." she took a deep breath, "one" she pressed the button and the rankings revealed.
1. Jacks Chang- Done it: 2021 votes
2. Clarissa Butcher- VAMPIRE: 1978 votes
3. Adryan Levithan- Little lonely: 1954 votes
4.Charlotte Joseph- Fast, party, car: 1920 votes
5. Louise Oxlade- Here: 1899 votes
6. Claire Tree- Children: 1844 votes
7. Hayley Johnson- Past: 1765 votes 8. Damien Evans- Dirty Game: 1702 votes
9. Christopher Berry- Get up: 1576 votes
10. Elizabeth Abraham- I'm the queen: 1512 votes
11. Veronica Rodriguez- love area: 1426 votes
12. Mitchell Anthony- Worth it: 1388 13. Darren Terrence- Broadway: 1347 votes
14.Mikaela Arnolt- Sunset Avenue: 1293 votes
15. Ashley Pane- a night without dreaming: votes 1214
16. James Jeffrey- Everything: 1141 votes
17. Danielle Donna- miss you: 1025 votes
18. Theo Roman- Yours only: 904 votes
19. Liam William- Tragedy: 854 votes 20. Hector Gerald- Babyyy: 603 votes 21. Sussie Liz- once but twice: 597 votes
22. Francis Dean- Storm: 505 votes
Everyone cheered once the rankings were shown. I placed third! I can't believe it. Wow, I didn't think I was going to place this far.
"I'm sorry. Sussie, Francis. You'll be leaving us tonight" Karen said and they left with sad looks on their faces. "Well, that's it for today's episode. Tune in next Wednesday to see more performances" she pointed at the camera and the show ended. All of us went to the hotel and I was just entering when I heard a voice calling me,
"Adryan, wait" I turned around and saw Jacks running to catch up to me. "Hey Jacks" "I wanted to ask you something. Let's go here" he took me to a corner that wasn't as crowded as the lobby.
"Every time I talk to you I get interrupted. I hope it doesn't happen again" he said and I asked,
"where are you going with this?" "Sorry, I wanted to ask if you maybe wanted to hang out with me tomorrow. Walk around the hotel, talk about things and maybe get a meal together, I don't know" he covered his face for a moment and his face was bright pink.
"Are you asking me out?" I asked which I never thought those words would come out of my mouth.
"Of course," he said and gave me a charming smile.
"Yeah, it would be fun," I said and he looked excited,
"thank you" he grabbed my hands and kissed them, sending a million butterflies to destroy my stomach. "I'm going to see Clarissa and the others want to come?" He asked and I agreed to go with him.