Sydney's POV
Just like most teenagers, I was sitting on the couch on a Saturday night watching The Voice. My sister, Sunshine, was braiding my dark brown wavy hair as usual.
I glanced at my seventeen year old cousin, James, who was sitting on the ground below me.
I had my attention on the television, envious of all the amazing performances from all the singers that got through. I was supposed to be up there doing what I love most, making music.
Just before I clicked submit for the online form of The Voice, wave of doubts and insecurities washed over me and I chickened out. Now I was sitting here, at home, with a whole lot of regret.
The ads came on just as Sunshine finished braiding my hair and I was about to go get a cup of milk when a high pitched squel scares the crap out of me, making me fall off the couch onto James, who groans as soon as I landed on him.
"Get off me you fat pig," he groaned.
I slapped his chest, "Shut up stick."
I rolled off him. I looked at Sunshine who is eye-raping the TV screen.
I turned around and of course on the screen, is the pop star Vincent Denovan.
"It's Vincent Denovan!" she keeps on yelling like a banshee. I rolled my eyes.
The ads were about some new reality TV show which he would be hosting called Finding Aurora or something like that. I didn't really care because I don't give a thing about him.
The ad break were over but Sunshine is still going on about that stupid pop star.
The Voice made me feel so disappointed of myself so after getting a cup of milk, I slipped away to my bedroom quietly.
The next day, I woke up on the floor. The sound of male laughter echoed in my head. I opened my eyes and saw James pissing himself on laughing. He had me pushed out of bed, again.
"I'm leaving in five minutes. Dress faster if you want a lift to school," he said as he walks out of my room before I could attack him.
I sighed and made my way to my wardrobe. I changed into some proper clothes.
After I comed my hair and tied it into a top knot bun, I grabbed my school bag and yelled a goodbye to my aunt.
I climed into James' car. He then sped out of the driveway as I was shutting his door.
He is a deadly driver but I had no choice but to come with him. I'd rather have a deadly ride with him than wasting my five minutes on walking to the bus.
The radio was playing one of Vincent's song but before I could change the station, James skidded to a stop outside the school gates. I said a quick thank you to him and got out of the car.
My only friend, Maddison, was waiting patiently outside the school gates. I smiled and made my way over her.
"Lover boy two o'clock," she coughed.
Not knowing where 'two o'clock' is, I looked around and saw my long time crush, Josh Anderson. We've only talked once. It was when he kicked the soccer ball and it hit me right on my face knocking me out for a moment. He helped me off the ground and said sorry.
I blushed and elbowed Madi on her ribs. We walked into the school together, where we saw Mr. Simons walking towards us.
I hope he hadn't found out about the time where we skipped school.
"Miss Valencia, I would like to see you in my office just after the bell rings," he says sternly and walks off. My heart beated twenty times faster than usual.
I turned to Madi who is staring at me, "What did you do Miss Valencia?"
I shrugged but I'm really panicking inside and it doesn't help that the bell just rang. Madi hugged me before she ran off to English.
I went upstairs to where the principal's office was. The receptionist smiles brightly at me and ushers me into his room. When I came in, I saw him standing up behind his desk before he tells me to sit down. I immediately slip into the leather seat ready to be yelled at. My palms were as sweaty as soccer player's shins
He stared me up and down with his scary glare.
Then the one thing I would never thought I'd live to see, happened. Mr. Simons smiled. He actually smiled.
Okay, had someone replaced him?
"Sid, I have some good news for you," he said while grinning like a Cheshire cat.
I nodded for him to continue.
"Out of the thousands of schools in the Asia our school has been one of a hundred schools chosen to enter a contestant into a brand new TV show."
Uh-oh. I did not like where this was going.
"Have you heard of the TV show coming out soon Finding Cinderella?" he asked.
'Please no', I thought.
I smiled fakely, "I think my sister might have mentioned something."
His smile got even wider, "Well our staff has chosen you to enter the TV show representing our school."
My heart dropped. No, I couldn't do this. I don't do well with cameras and people especially girls.
I absolutely despise Vincent Andrei Denovan. I think he is an egoistic boy who is fed on his father's fame and connections, which is how he became famous in the first place.
I looked at him with puppy eyes, "Can't someone else do it, like Courtney or Isabella?" I said their names because they liked being the center of attention.
Mr. Simons raised an eyebrow at me, "No, I don't need some screaming girls to go on the show who will wreck our credibility. You are a star student who is real and who America will love."
I sighed and looked down at my lap, thinking. If I did go to the show maybe it would help me build up my confidence and it could be my big break.
I looked up and was surprised to see Mr. Simons giving me a pleading look in his eyes.
I groaned, "Fine, I'll go and do it."
"Thank you, thank you so much Sid!" he grinned. He handed me a manila envelope.
"All the information you need to know is in here. I've had my secretary already fill out your application form, you just need to sign it here," he said and took out a small bunch of papers, flicking the pages to one which had many lines for people to sign.
"Your aunt Daisy and your teachers have already signed."
So aunt Daisy knew about this? I signed my practiced signature before he dismissed me. The bell for second period already rang so I met Madi in the History room. She was already in the back row and I made my way to her.
Once I sat down she whispered to me, "Is it true, you're going on the show?"
"How'd you find out?"
She gave me an 'are you crazy' look. "You should know by now Sid. It's Mrs. Mallari's daughter. She spreads gossip as fast as STD's."
I let out a sigh and said, "Fair enough and yes I'm going on the show."
Madi let out a little squeal and whispered, "Oh my gosh. How are you not so excited about this? You're gonna meet Vincent Denovan!"
I glared at her, "Maybe because it's Vincent Denovan."
She grinned, "That's why you have to be excited, Sid. It's the drop-dead gorgeous Vincent Denovan!"
I rolled my eyes and faced the front. Mrs. Dizon walked in which made Madi shut her mouth up.
By the end of the school day, the majority of the school knew I was going on the stupid TV show.
By the time I got home, I was pretty much exhausted but when aunty Daisy walked through the front door I gave her a dirty look.
She grinned at me and smiled, "How's my little star?"
I rolled my eyes and flopped onto the couch, "I'll be going deaf within two days due to the amount of unneeded screaming and suffocated from hairspray fumes just to impress a stupid teenage boy who had nothing else better to do with his life."
She raised an eyebrow, "Done yet?"
I nod breathless.
"Honey, you'll be fine. I wanted you to go there so that you can show off the amazing talent you have to the America. I don't care if you don't win or not I just want you to live your dream and make your parents proud of you," she said gently. She then hugged me a hug I've been craving for so long.
I walked to my room. I slipped out the information from the manila envelope. One was the program which I didn't bother to look over, another was the packing list.
What to bring:
•Five modest tee shirts
•Five modest shorts
•Two casual modest dresses
•Three pairs of shoes
•One pair of sports shoes
•Sports clothing
•Toiletries
•Any materials/costumes/props/equipment needed for the talent show.
Makeup and hair products are not necessary as stylists will be around. Make sure all clothing is decent and presentable as our TV show will be giving a clean image.
I internally laughed. There will be hundreds of teenage girls present there, they will definitely find a way to bend the rules just to show themselves off Vincent.
I dragged out an old fashion leather suitcase. I was about to start packing when my little sister, Sunshine, barged into my room.
"Oh my gosh! It's true! You're going to meet Vincent Denovan!" she squealed.
She took a breath and then said, "I'm done."
"Do you want to help me pack my things?"
