Secrets & Lies, Madelyn Clark [books to read for beginners txt] 📗

could have.

As I was walking toward the elevator, the man I though to be the hotel manager winked at me, and I could have sworn then guy operating the elevator smiled at me knowingly.

Although all in all, this had not been a good day.

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I heard a knock at the door early the next morning, and struggled to get out of bed. By the time I got to the door, a note had been stuffed under it.

I bent down to get it, groaning from the shooting pain in my neck.

With a a sigh, I went and sat back down on my bed, opening the envelope. It read;

Amber,
We have an appointment this afternoon, to rehearse your number for the televised audition.
Meet me in the ballroom on Level 2, this afternoon at 4.
Don't be late,
John Fielding, Musical director.

I looked at my alarm clock, and it read 6AM. With a groan, I got back up again and headed for the bathroom. I then took a long hot bubble bath, staying in there for about half an hour.

I got dressed, and went downstairs to the lobby, where I asked for directions to the nearest Starbucks, and to my absolute delight, it was only a block away.

I buttoned my coat up fully once I had stepped outside, once again appreciating the wonderfully icy wonderland.

I could smell the wonderful aroma from a great distance, and I couldn't wait to go in and start my day properly.

I got to the door, and reached out to open it, when it suddenly opened to a really good looking guy with dark hair and brown eyes. He smiled politely, holding the door for me, even though he had his hands full with two trays full of coffee.

I smiled appreciatively, and watched as he opened the door of an expensive Range Rover and drove off.

Smiling to myself, I entered and went to the counter to order my coffee. Once in my hand, I exited through the side door and sat down at a park bench not far from the shop.

I kept my hot coffee close to my body for warmth, using my shoes to play with the snow. I sat there for a good hour just watching kids playing in the snow, wishing I could join in.

I stayed for a little while longer, before tracking down a store of any kind for some retail therapy.

I hit store after store to find the perfect outfit for my audition, and eventually found it. Happy with my purchase, I then bought an outfit to wear this afternoon to my rehearsal. Why not look good while I rock out?

After that I had some lunch and then went back to the hotel to prepare myself.

I started by warming up. I first did my ritualistic voice exercises, then practiced my song a bit while I got ready. By the time that was done I had five minutes to get downstairs to the ballroom.

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By the time I reached the ballroom, I'll admit I was a little out of breath. But being early seemed a better idea than being on time or late. So I ran.

I got there three minutes early, and I was pleased with that.

No sooner that I walked in the room, John had me warm up a bit more, then start singing immediately.

All in all, my rehearsal was pretty good. I'd proved myself, since John seemed to be pleased. I felt pretty confident at that time. But I knew as soon as I got on that stage, I would be insanely nervous.

Little did I know.

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~The day of the Performance~

I could feel my stomach churning uneasily. I held on to the door frame to keep myself from completely collapsing. I hadn't slept a wink last night.

I guess you could say I was completely freaking out.

I started taking deep breaths as the other contestants stood around me with pity on their faces. Most just took one look at me and completely ignored me.

I'd never been able to perform in front of crowds before. But that was because of all the people it involved.

I looked out at them and pictured them in their underwear. That seemed to work for now.

For a second I seemed to have mustered up some courage, but it quickly sank as I heard the crowd cheering for yet another successful performance from somebody else.

It sure didn't help that I was the last to perform. People would be expecting great things from me, but I thought all they would be getting was a babbling idiot who couldn't sing.

Slowly, each performer went onstage and did there thing. Some were amazing, and some were not so bad. I knew that most of them couldn't sing like I could, but I'd never get the chance to do it if I continued to be like this.

There was only one performer left before I went onstage, and I felt even more nauseous.

I ran into the bathroom, and got there just in time to puke into one of the toilets. My throat burned, and my head was spinning. But all of a sudden I felt a pair of strong hands lift me up and take me out of the bathroom.

I couldn't help but think that if this guy was really hot and I puked on him, I'd have to throw myself down a flight of stairs and go underground.

He laid me down on what seemed like a couch, and sat beside me. I looked up at him, slightly dazed and unwillingly cocked my head to the side.

"You know your the first contestant that has actually been nice, and not a complete snob." I said to him, taking the water bottle he gave me.

He chuckled, his eyes sparkling as he did. "I'm not a contestant actually." He brushed a curl off his forehead.

I gave him another confused look. He chuckled again, "Let's just say, I know the guy that will be judging you." He smirked, obviously knowing something I didn't.

Before I could say anything, a guy came up to me looking a little flustered, "Are you going to be able to sing? Your up in five." He said condescendingly.

I frowned, thinking about all of those faces out there. I slowly shook my head. "I don't think I ca-"

"Listen to me. You can do it." My mystery guy interrupted.

I turned my attention at this guy that had been my savior, not knowing whether or not he was being serious.

"If anyone can do it, you can. I saw your rehearsal yesterday and you were fine in front of those people." He said, helping me sit up.

He then pulled me up with him, and handed me the mic that the stage hand had given him.

"You can do it." He smiled reassuringly

I smiled weakly, taking a deep breath. Lord knows why I was listening to this stranger!

"I'll be in the audience, and I'll be cheering for you."

I nodded weakly.

"I can do it?" I questioned.

"You can, now go!" He gestured toward the stage, just as they announced my name.

I had no time to comprehend what just happened, before I hurriedly walked the few meters to center stage and picked up my guitar.


I began strumming the intro lightly, smiling a little as I heard the crowd applauding. I began with:

The night is getting darker
Soon the stars will be falling down to rescue us

A few people cheered, and I began again:

Sing a song for me,
Lift me higher with your words,
Sing that cold melody.

I tapped my foot as the beat got louder:

So follow me
Onto the moonlit sidewalk
And take my hand
Grip it tighter, and don't let it go

I felt confidence flowing through me and I then sing a bit louder:

Passions taking over skies
Leaving sand behind for them to choke on

I shook my head slightly, letting the lyrics fill me:

And they'll try to speak
Negatively about us,
But they can't say another word

I swayed with the music a bit, not even caring about all the people watching and waiting for me to fail:

But they'll realize,
Jealousy has taken over their minds
And the words they try
to bring me down with
they all make, us stronger

I continued strumming, flashing a smile at the audience. There was a little bridge, and a quiet guitar solo before I started singing again with:

So take a walk with me,
But keep the pace down
I don't want this night to end
Can't we runaway together?

There are more cheers before I go into the last chorus, but this time with feeling, and really stretching my voice:

Passions taking over skies
Leaving sand behind for them to choke on
And they'll try to speak
Negatively about us,
But they can't say another word

There was a gap, and I closed my eyes, just listening to the music and swayed lightly. I then stopped completely as the lights dimmed down and sung:

The night is getting darker
And soon the stars will be falling down to rescue us.

I finish the song with one final strum, and I slowly closed my eyes until the lights came back up.

(Song source: Demi Lovato - Stronger)

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"You were amazing!" He came up to me and hugged me tightly.

What made the situation odd to me, was that this complete stranger had encouraged me to put myself out there and be judged by all of these people, and now he was hugging me. I didn't even know his name.

I pulled away a bit awkwardly, not wanting to be hugging this person that for all I knew, was a complete psycho. He was beaming when I looked up.

"Uh, thank you." I said, a bit dazed. He grinned, "Your welcome, I knew you'd blow them out of the water." He said, pointing to the judges, who were talking excitedly between themselves.

I laughed, as I watched them, but turned back to him. "I never caught your name." I said, trying not to sound like an idiot.

He smiled, a hint of something showing in his eyes. Was it amusement?

"My name is Nick Jonas." He laughed it off, waving his hand in the ear dismissively. He looked at his watch, "Oh shoot, I have to go." He said, walking a few steps.

That's when it dawned on me. This was the

Nick Jonas. This was the guy that I had to get close to and find things out about.

All of a sudden, my inner agent kicked in and I grabbed his arm, pulling him back to me.

I tried to make myself seem nervous, making a blush appear on my cheeks.

"Do you want to, um, do something with me? So I can properly thank you?" I asked him.

His face changed from amusement, to complete seriousness. He pulled out his phone and handed it to me.

"How about I'll call you." He said, not at all looking nervous. I knew I'd hit