The lights dimmed, spotlights on me and Stella. We had been the finalists, and it was the finale. I looked up from my feet to grab her hand. She squeezed mine so tight I thought she broke every bone in it. I could hear my heart beating, and sweat was beginning to fall. I was void from every movement, every noise. I wanted to win for Louis... for Drew. And Helen, and Stella, and hell, they would get even more popular - if even possible - if Simon signed me because he knew we would eventually become a couple.

There was barely time to hear the name being called before the crowd soared into cheers, and I was surrounded by Stella's warm hug. She was crying, and before I knew it, I was too. I waved to the crowd, smiling and waving, not to mention sniffling. I had won. And now I might get to see Louis again. The judges were standing and applauding, smiling at me. I looked over at Stella, who was also clapping. I hugged her again, telling her how great she did.



A few hours later, they ushered me to the hotel where I was staying to pack up my stuff. They were going to move me into a luxury house, with three stories, a huge pool, and everything you could ever want. But of course, all I really wanted was to see Louis. The door opened, revealing a tall, skinny man with his hair flopped to one side. "Miss Ridgeford, your ride is here." He opened the door for me. "Thank you. Oh, and by the way, you can call me Abigail." I told him, smiling. He grinned back.
"Anthony." He said, then dropping his smile.

Anthony led me to the limo, where I sat in the back with him. The ride seemed to take forever. Especially when Anthony started talking to me about money and schedules and concerts and blah blah blah - I could deal with it later. I watched the large pine trees disappear neatly, as we reached a large estate with a yellowish - beige coloring to it. Two small fountains symmetrically place sat in the front yard, surrounded by rose bushes. So this is where they'd been living for the past few years.

Anthony opened the door for me, and helped me with my luggage. "The boys are at a signing for the next few hours, so feel free to do what you like." He told me, once we were walking down the pristine sidewalk. Great. Now I have to wait even longer.

I walked inside, and was immediately amazed - everything was perfect. I took my shoes off, afraid to leave a mark on the beautiful white rug. The sofas where without a scratch, nothing but white. A TV protruded from the wall, stereos on either side. "Isn't this wonder -" I said to Anthony. But he had already left. I didn't even know which room to take. I guess I would just have to wait.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I slid t out almost immediately. "Hello?" I said. "Abigail!" Helen screeched into the phone, making me pull it away for a few seconds.
"God, Helen! Volume!" I said, laughing. She squealed about how happy she was for me. She went on like this for a good 5 minutes, until I cut her off and said I had to go. I clicked the off button, and walked into the enormous kitchen.

"Aha!" I jumped, startled by a short woman dressed in a blue dress and apron. "You must be Abby gay! I Irma." She exclaimed, shuffling over to me. I nodded, analyzing her face. She was Japanese, with her hair pulled tightly into a bun. She stuck her hand out stiffly, and I met hers with mine. Grabbing it tight, she shook it quickly, then turned and typed something into a little set of buttons on the refrigerator. It opened, revealing a large variety of chocolate, vegetables, and chicken from Nando's.

My stomach growled, and Irma must have heard it, because she handed me a fresh piece of homemade pizza. I nibbled on the end, and shrank into the food. It was absolutely deeeeeeeeeeeelicious! "You like?" Irma asked, cleaning the counter, which didn't even need to be cleaned.
"I LOVE." I said into my pizza. I licked my fingers clean, and then washed my face and hands. I got up and explored the other room. I found a piano, and sat down, stretching my fingers. The keys were polished so that I could see my face in the whiteness. I was afraid I would get fingerprints on it. I played a C-sharp, amazed at how well it was tuned. I then eased into Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars.

When I was done, Irma poked her head in and asked me if I had a place to sleep. "Anthony didn't tell me anything before he left.." I told her, remembering how he left without a word. "I can just sleep on the couch, if it's okay." I shrugged, standing up from the seat.
"Blankets and pillows in closet." She said, pointing to a wooden closet with a beautiful finish. I thanked her, and went into the living room, looking at all of the movies. I picked out my favorite, Finding Nemo, and slipped it in the little disc thingy.

Irma brought me a warm blue blanket, and I curled up on the floor, afraid that if I sat on the couch, it would get dirty. Though I was leaning against it, the blanket covering the side. Irma brought me popcorn. Dang, they got it good.




I was at the part where Dory and Nemo find the angler fish, when the doorbell rang. Irma didn't seem to respond, so I paused the movie and opened the door. "He -" I couldn't finish my one-word sentence before I was knocked to the ground by an angry fist.one kick to my head, and I was seeing stars. it hurt to keep my eyes open, so I kept them shut, moaning in pain. I heard car wheels screech off into the distance. I kept losing and regaining consciousness, one minute a car pulls into a driveway, the next I'm romping in a field of stars.

It takes me a minute to register that I am being carried - my eyes shut, I couldn't tell where to. I was set down on a soft bed, where there was a soft whisper in my ear, but I wasn't focused and didn't understand. Footsteps followed out to the hall, and I blacked out.