Chapter 3

Happy belated pride 🏳️‍🌈

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My dad and I walked briskly toward the line of people as my breath got caught in my throat. My dad rubbed my back carefully with his free hand, and he gave a small pat against the small of my back for reassurance.

Is it still too late to turn back yet? I think if I turn around now I can get back to the car before anyone can catch me?

Florida and Jerms poked each other in their sides, racing around like they were Tom and Jerry. There was a girl with a giant brown afro and knotted tee with the 'Harri has the X-Factor' logo on it. She jumped up and waved at me. I raced over and spun her around in a deep hug, dropping the blankets on the grounds with a thud.

The girl laughed while struggling in my arms, "Nice to see you too Harri!" Her breathes became choppy as she hit my thigh hard. My dimples popped out as I sat her feet back on the ground. I took a few steps away from her, adjusting my hair pineapple, "Sorry. Just nervous,"

She fluffed her afro back in place, but a deep blush absorbed her toned cheekbones. Her shirt gently rose up, her waist exposed a bit; I blushed harder, I looked away from her and over at Flo and Jerms quickly.

Then I cleared my throat, and I smiled hard at her with the same deep blush. The girl giggled, motioning down toward the shirt, "Harri there is no need to be nervous-we made shirts just for the occasion,"

My smile softens, "Just because you all made shirts Maya, doesn't mean I'll be heading to the finals." I finished as I adjusted the bag on my shoulders.

She crossed her arms and pouted at me, "No fair Harri, you can't give up and you haven't even walked onstage yet," I love her so much.

I closed the gap between us, wrapping my arms around her waist in another tight hug. I rested my head on her shoulder and she snaked her arms around my chest, squeezing gently.

I kissed her cheek sweetly. "Ew." I giggled and mumbled in her ear, "I love you, Maya, thank you for being here." She squeezed me one more time and pulled away from me. We smiled softly at each other, her arm swung around my shoulders and she pulled me to her side tight as we headed toward the line.

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I kept playing with the number on my chest.

I just couldn't get it to stick properly, it kept falling off my tank top. Maybe I should have worn the dress today. Fuck.

My eyes shifted through this college lecture hall of fellow performers almost as we sat in mild quiet as our careers were being decided outside that oak wood door.

God, it's hot... I can't breathe... And the guy took my stuff so I can't even write in my book. Can't think straight. Come on Harriet.

"You're fidgeting really bad love," A soft voice worried to my left. I shook my head then smiled over at the voice. The boy had a soft smile and crystal blue eyes with this dark brown emo bang to match. He wore a white shirt, a beige cardigan, a black tie with some jeans and Vans to match.

He looks like Jerms before he started realizing what boobs were for.

"Sorry I'm just really nervous; closed spaces, crowd of people-" A producer popped their head, and called the next name.

Click open. Jimmy whatever's face, click closed. Move down. Repeat.

The boy's eyes became troubled, "Oh," His tone still filled with worry, looking away to fix his bang, "Well if it helps you, I could breathe with you," He reassured me. I smiled at him softly, nodding in agreement.

We turned to face each other slowly. He took my hands in his-

His hands are really soft oh my golly-Anyway.

And with a gentle squeeze, he started to breathe deeply. I followed him and soon he began to count my deep breaths. I smiled to myself as he counted, his voice sounded like Peter Pan. Does that mean I'm Wendy? Or Tinker Bell?

I started to laugh at myself and he followed suit. "Tone it down over there!" The guard yelled and the guy glared over at him. I blushed deep red in the face and turned back in my seat with an embarrassed look on my face.

"Dickhead." Ooo, Peter said a bad word. So why is that hot? Harri-

I covered my mouth but smiled over at him, "More like colon because he's full of crap," I said in a whisper.

He laughed, "That's a good one, I'll have to use that next time!" He smacked his knee lightly and sighed deeply. I crossed my eyes over to him and watched as his wrist went limp against his knee.

Fabio? Oh my god. Oh. My. God!

My eyes shot open, my head jolted back upright to meet his eyes again. He breathed out deeply, and he gently squeezed my bicep. Minicep? Not really super thick, so. Minicep.

"You'll do great love. We'll be seeing each other again," He turned fully in his chair to face me, with his foot tucked under his thigh and his hand out to me. I turned myself around, my foot adjusting under my thigh as I took his hand in a strong grip. He winced back a bit, so I let the shake slack some before looking down at my lap.

I giggled, "Thank you for breathing with me-" I cleared my throat softly as I looked back up to adjust my bandanna.

He chuckled, "Louis." Louis. Louis. Louis. I have to remember that.

"Louis? Like the French version?"

His icy blues lit up, "Right on the first try! It's like we were met to meet!" He chuckled as his hand pulled away, resting upon his thigh like a baby, "And your name is-"

The producer popped in, and this time was my judgment day; I drowned in despair, "St. Clarie. Harriet."

I stood up slowly and flatten the tank top again. Here goes. I turned to look at the guy and he smiled, whispering "See you soon Harriet."

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Louis flew around the corner with another producer.

I guess they don't need to see anyone else after my performance! Haha!

Kidding.

I gently grabbed his arm and mumbled, "See you Sunday" in his ear and continued down the hall with excitement. After a quick yank from the guard, my eyes scanned through pass all the doors to see where this producer was.

Golden ticket. Walk down to the office with the golden nameplate. Easy enough. Sure.

I sprinted past the last door then I heard a loud whistle, almost ear-shattering. I groaned as I whipped back around to meet eyes with, a woman who leaned back across the door. She motioned for me to come.

I cleared my throat, blushing, "Sorry I was really excited. Must have missed the door,"

A tiny giggle relaxed the air, "No worries, come on in." She opened the door wider and I stepped inside. She closed the door behind us and walked past me to the desk. I looked down at my feet, laying them flat down on their sides before I looked back up at her.

Soft brown curls, milky skin, tender hazelnut eyes, and pretty pink lips all wrapped up in a too-tight black & white business suit.

Wait, what?

Wait. Wait. Oh. Oh god.

"I'll take your ticket," She asked, opening her hand to me. I handed my golden ticket over to her and accidentally blushed.

The door had a gold frame, and my ticket was gold. Dumbass.

"Sorry I missed the door again, I didn't see the gold on the plate." I laughed awkwardly as I cupped my hands together at my pelvis. She giggled again and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. Keep giggling.

"You're adorable, but really it's fine." Am I cute? But that means I'm tiny... Am I tiny then? "You have received a golden ticket Ms. St. Claire, you know what that means correct?" She asked her hazelnut eyes cleared a bit, inviting more black to the foreground. Haha, black.

"No, sorry Ms.-"

"Nicole."

I smiled with a nod, "No, Nicole. What does the golden ticket mean?"

Her smile was intoxicating and her eyes screamed danger, but her giggle was playful as she turned around and grabbed a notepad and pen off her desk. A click of the pen, her magical hands started to fill the page.

"Not only do we want you back for a televised audition-which will be filmed in front of a live audience-we'd also like to go in depth with your story. The producers feel you have a relatable/enduring story which will make audiences tune in more during the season; this also more than likely means you'll be pushed to boot camp-"

Hell fucking-

"But that's not guaranteed as the judges will make the actual decision on Sunday during tapings,"

...yeah...

"We ask that you arrive here on Sunday, least an hour and a half before that way we can get some shots of you in line, in the crowd, waiting, and a few other shots. Is there understood?" Her eyes poked up from the notepad with a small grin. My face blushed hard as I nodded excitedly with a toothy grin.

She said if the judges like me! All I have to do is get the judges to like me! And I'll be going to boot camp! Yay!

She huffed to herself as she ripped the paper off the pad. She swayed herself slowly toward me. I swallowed hard and looked down at the sheet in her hand instead.

"Here is the information needed for Sunday. My sister will send you the official documents in an email, be sure to fill them out and bring them back when you come on Sunday." I nodded at her hand but when I looked up, she was inches away from my face. Oh my god, her Juicy Fruit gum is fresh.

Her playful smile turned to a seductive smirk, "And since I'll be doing your interview and, I only have-so-much time with you, I included my number in case we...forget something," Her voice was sultry, like a phone sex operator. And her eyes screamed, tell her no. But her body was screaming, Hell. Fucking. Yeah!

Holy. Shit. I'm being hit on by a producer.

I smirked back in her face and mumbled, "I just might have to use it before then," I giggled softly and skipped back toward the door slowly. Her eyes narrowed, washing over the hazelnut was a deep brown filled with curiosity. I huffed softly to myself and skipped out the door, sliding the info in my back pocket and my hands in my front.

The thought suddenly hit me; the judges want to see me on TV, an audience wants to see me, possibly, make it through to boot camp. And it looks like I have some inside help. Okay okay, pretending to be gay is wrong but no one said anything about experimentation?

I sighed deeply as my back rested against the double doors I came through at the start of this madness. This is it. I took a deep breath and pushed myself through the door with the biggest smile on my freak-flipping face.

I guess I have more than X-Factor. Let's hope for something great.

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