Chapter 16: I’ll run

He kissed me roughly and I couldn't move. I kissed him back and he groaned. His hands moved to my waist and he carried me to his bed. He laid me down and kissed me hard. He raised my shirt a little and grabbed my waist making me feel his warm touch in my exposed waist. He slipped his tongue into mine and they moved swiftly together. Damien hummed and moved his lips to my neck. He kissed it roughly and nibbled on it. While he kissed my neck, I don't know why I thought of Jacks. His charming smile, the way he held my hand earlier, and the way he said all those cute things.

"Stop!" I said and he did,

"what's wrong?" He asked worriedly. "I'm so sorry, but I like Jacks" I sat and he looked disappointed.

"It's ok," he said as he stared at the ground.

"What does he have?" He said softly. "What?" I asked confused

"What does he have that I don't?" "That doesn't matter. I can't be with two people at once and you know that"

"I promise that I will make you change your mind," he said and walked away. I sat in his bed thinking about what the hell just happened.

The second live show

It was the second show and I was getting glammed up. Soline prepared me for the show with the same routine.

"You've taken care of your skin more often, it looks more clear," she said admiring my acne-free face.

"Thanks, whatever face wash they have at the hotel it's insane" I smiled. "I know, I took some home because it's the best. But don't tell anyone that." she said honestly.

"I won't" I laughed and so did she. She finished and I got dressed. I wore a simple yet elegant dark green shirt, and some tight black jeans with a gold belt. It kinda matches the song. Rare and formal. I left the dressing room and I saw Louise.

"Hey Louise" I waved at her and she waved back happily.

"Your outfits are always so elegant, like your music," she said. She is literally so nice, every time she compliments someone they just feel happy.

"I'm sure you'll look beautiful" I said and she held her chest,

"oh my god, thank you" I nodded and gave her a smile and left. I normally waited for the show to start like always. I didn't want to puke if I got nervous. So I didn't eat anything. Everyone got ready and prepared to be called to their seats. Jacks saw me and gave me a thumbs up and a wink. I smiled at him awkwardly and he laughed. His outfit... I think he's wearing it on purpose to mess with my brain. He wore a see-through, transparent sweater with a black jacket and some tight black jeans. The host presented us all and we sat in our seats.

"Welcome everybody to another episode of Starsdom. Are you ready to hear some music?" She pointed her mic to the crowd and they cheered. "That's what I'm talking about, Whoooo!" She yelled and jumped a bit. All of us looked at each other weirded out and some of us laughed. "Ok, let's get started. Who will be the first person performing for us today?" She said and the screen started showing our pictures in fast motion. It landed on...

"Adryan Levithan!" Karen yelled and everybody looked at me. I'm opening this week's show, Seriously? I took a deep breath and I went backstage. The crew gave me the Martin backpacker guitar I used to record the song, And they mic'd me up. The crew placed a stool in the middle of the stage for me. I returned to the stage and I sat on the stool. I breathed deeply and the lights turned on. The fans cheered and my song started playing. I strummed lightly some chords and I started singing. The crowd looked at me and didn't make a noise. I only heard myself singing and the guitar playing. I was so into it I didn't even think about the fans. I sang through half of the song and when the bridge started everyone lighted their phones and the whole crowd shined. I looked in awe. It was beautiful. The crowd swayed their phone side to side. I did my guitar solo and I sang the chorus one last time. Before ending it, I did the high note that I worked so hard and trained for in my free time. The song ended and the crowd burst into cheers and lasted for like thirty seconds. I smiled at them and walked to the front of the judges table.

"Oh my gosh, am I on planet earth? I felt like I traveled multiple universes, what the hell. Is it amazing?" Carla asked and the crowd once again cheered.

"The production is surreal and the way you used that guitar in that type of song is so creative and unique. One of the many reasons you're here in this competition and I don't see you leaving soon" Grant said and I thanked him.

"Vocals loved them, the way you mixed it and prepared it us very good as well, definitely a song I will listen to and repeat" Thomas ended and the host thanked the judges. I returned to my seat and they called the other person.

"Jacks Chang!" Karen yelled and the fans cheered so loud. He went backstage and we waited in the dark as they prepared him. Damien didn't even bother to say a word to me. He hasn't talked to me ever since what happened the other day when we kissed. I feel so uncomfortable just being in a room together and not talking to each other. So imagine what I must feel when he's actually sitting next to me. Jacks walked to the stage and the lights turned on. The song started and everyone got up instantly. He started rapping and the crowd started jumping. He jumped around the stage and he looked so good in that outfit. He wasn't out of breath his energy is incredible. He pointed at me and placed the mic on the floor. The beat still carried on but what he did next was it for me. He threw his entire body to the ground and started grinding. The fans literally exploded and I stared at him wide-eyed and shocked for the rest of the performance. He got up and did a quick front flip and a finishing pose. The song ended and the fans didn't calm down. The judges and even Karen were all mouth wide and speechless. The judges finally spoke and said obviously good things about him, about how much of a pop star he is and all that. Louise sang an extreme power ballad that left the crowd shocked and dead. Another contestant called Mitchell sang a really satisfying song that echoed all around the stadium. He even played the saxophone. Unreal. They called Damien and he left without even looking at me. This was his first time performing something. He wanted to do this since the show started. He brought an electric guitar and strummed it beautifully and calmly. He sang a really beautiful song about meeting someone and falling in love instantly. I felt his emotion while he sang. That was the special song he said he had planned. And I knew it was dedicated to me.