CHAPTER 6

"I see it in your eyes, passion you can't deny."

–

Bazzi~STAR

✯

On day four of River's stay in Frisco, he sat along with two Genre professors; Craig and Victor, and of course his trusty assistant manager and personal assistant, Brianna.

There were a lot of things he didn't like about this arrangement. The whole GAA competition thing.

For starters, he was constantly surrounded by people at the one time he didn't want to be. They were cornering him, questioning him, and even stalking him.

Also, he was certain that his ex-girlfriend, Cassandra, knew of his whereabouts because his presence at Genre was on every gossip magazine and celebrity news site imaginable. They were all trying to book him for their shows and articles.

Cassandra Haven was a model. One of the highest-paid models and most beautiful and enchanting women out there. River's popular song 'Enchanting' was proof.

He had dated Cassandra longer than any of the other women he'd been with. He had had to end the relationship before Cassandra began to imagine an actual future with him. He couldn't have that. Sadly, he was a bit too late.

Now, Cassandra was having a hard time believing that River didn't want to be with her anymore.

River was pulled from thoughts of his personal life as Anna spoke up.

"Thank you, Lucas," she said as their present auditioner left the room and she turned to the men in the room. "So what did you boys think?"

"I liked the song," professor Craig began, "but he was a bit throaty. He could use some more vocal training."

"My thoughts exactly," the other music professor nodded.

"So it's a no?" Anna asked.

"He just needs a bit more practice," River shrugged.

So far, sixteen GAA students had made it into the quarter-finals list. Only thirty students would proceed to the quarter-finals and then he would work with these students teaching them what they would need to make it to the semi-finals.

River hoped Autumn would come around but it wasn't likely because he'd already given her the main prize of the competition without her having to put any effort.

That day, after he was done with the auditions, he'd find his way to the recording studio on campus where they were meeting with the contract papers sent by his lawyers and have her sign it so they could begin recording.

"Next," Anna said as she swiped the screen of her tablet, "we have a Leslie Jason."

One of the professors picked up the megaphone and called out, "Leslie Jason, performance number 42!"

Leslie.

The name rang a bell in River's head.

Said Leslie stepped boldly onto the elevated platform and she bent to pick up the microphone left on the floor by Lucas a few minutes ago.

Recognizing Leslie, Anna sent her brother a mischievous smirk before she muttered beneath her breath, "This should be interesting."

As though to prove Anna's point for her, Leslie blew River Crowns a kiss and sent smiles to the other professors.

"Leslie Jason," Anna began as she set her tablet down. "Tell us about yourself."

"I'm Leslie," Leslie began," I mean, obviously. I'm 23 years old and I'm auditioning for the obvious reasons–fame."

Anna examined Leslie. Arching her brow at her outfit. The assistant manager felt the outfit wasn't at all suitable for an audition but fashion was expression, so to each his own.

Leslie had decided to audition in a short black bodycon dress that had a plunging neckline from which her cleavage spilled. She wore Christian Louboutin heels and styled her hair in a side parting.

"Take it away then," Anna said with a wave of her hand, signaling the stage belonged to her.

Leslie stepped forward and she began to sing the intro to his song 'Enchanting.'

River tensed up a bit. This song was about Cassandra. He knew it, she knew it and the world knew it too.

Cassandra wasn't a bad person. If she was, River doubted their relationship would have lasted more than a week.

Leslie used the same rhythm River had used and she hit every single pitch. The star had to admit that she got talent and that beneath all that self-conceition was a wonderful singing voice.

Leslie ended the song, flipped her hair, and did a little curtsey.

"Thank you, Leslie," Anna said. "The list will be uploaded to Genre's website next week. Best of luck."

Without giving the professors or River a chance to voice their thoughts, Leslie placed the microphone down and exited.

"She has quite a voice," Professor Victor acknowledged.

"But what she needs though is an attitude adjustment," Professor Craig commented.

Anna muffled her giggle as she picked up her tablet and went over her list of auditioners.

"Next we have an Autumn Archer."

Anna sent River a questionable glance, "your Autumn?"

"She's not my Autumn," River corrected. "I merely gave her an opportunity."

Professor Victor picked up the megaphone. "Autumn Archer," he called out. "We're ready for you."

River watched as Autumn took the stage. His Autumn. She wasn't his but one could catch his drift.

"Hi," Autumn greeted as she adjusted her guitar.

To River, it seemed as though she carried the instrument everywhere.

"Hello," Anna beamed. "Introduce yourself."

"Okay, umm, my stage name is Zoe Autumn, I'm 21 years old and I'm an aspiring artist."

"That's interesting," Anna said but Autumn disagreed with a shake of her head.

"I'm 98% sure that's what every other person says."

Professor Craig chuckled and River sensed a familiarity between them. "Autumn, it's that 2% that gets you."

leaned forward and placed his elbows down on the desk, intrigued. "What will you be singing for us today?"

"It's one of your songs actually," Autumn said as she smoothed down her top. It was bright yellow, woolen, and cropped. She paired it with a short blue jean skirt. "But I messed around with it a little bit so I hope you like it."

The skirt clung to her hips, detailing the luscious curve of her hips, giving insights of what lay hidden beneath. It elaborated the curve of her slender stomach to her waist.

Atop it all was Autumn caramel-colored hair which was held back in a sleek ponytail.

Adding a bit of edge to the comfortable outfit, Autumn rocked a pair of brown combat boots which was of Guisipee Zanotti designer.

"Oh, really? Which one?"

"You'll see," Autumn smiled before she turned her attention back to her guitar.

River listened attentively and that was when he caught the melody of his song 'Promise.'

'Promise' was Skylar's song. It was written at the start of River's career when he was doing a lot of shows and staying up late to write songs. He and Skylar didn't spend as much time as they used to and when Skylar began to point it out, he wrote 'Promise' to remind her of her worth to him.

Momma's gone

Daddy too

So I promise I'll always be

there for you

I'll never leave

no matter what you do

I promise I won't

till I breathe my last breath

and even then I'll never be far

from you

I love you more than your heart

will ever know

You've got your mark imprinted in my soul

PreChrous:

I watch you as you sleep

promising I'll give you all you need

If you ever need me

I'll cross countries to find my Sky

Chorus:

You're all I've got left

You're the reason I do what I do

You're the one that keeps me moving

I'll go anywhere you want to go

Diamonds, cars

you've got it and

you don't even have to settle

I promise (I promise)

I'll cross countries to find my sky

River was charmed.

He was bewitched.

Captivated.

Enchanted.

Magnetized.

Mesmerized.

Tranced.

One could put all those words and a million more together and it still wouldn't be enough to describe the star's emotions perfectly.

River was still in his dazed state as Anna and the professor voiced their opinions.

He snapped out of it the second her saw Autumn turn to leave the room. He pushed his seat back and stood, hurrying after her. "Autumn wait."