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Keep Quiet

Chapter 1

This is it. Today is the day. I let out a long sigh. I was currently getting ready to audition to be One Directions new guitarist. Sounds amazing! I stare into the mirror before smoothing my outfit down. "You ready?" I jump and turn around to find my best friend, Megan.

Here's the 411 on Megan Bay. She's 19. (One month younger than me.) She LOVES pizza. And One Direction. One of the many reasons she wanted me to audition. I nod, turning off the bathroom light. "Wait," she say, holding out her left hand while turning on the light with her right. Megan stares at me for a bit. Then unbottons my flannel shirt, showing my t-shirt. "Much better. Now, I like this t-shirt." She says starring at it. I really want to push her out of the way and get this over with. But, I know I need her support. "Especially because it shows off your curves."

Now, that is one thing I'd like to change about myself. Yeah, yeah I know. Girls would love to have curves like mine. But my best friend being skinny doesn't help my thoughts. I get snapped out of my thoughts when Megan calls my name. "Hey are you okay?" I nod my head. " Let's get some Hot Chocolate before we leave; yeah?" I don't know what it is about it, but Hot Chocolate always seems to calm my nerves. Never coffee or tea. I follow Megan into the kitchen. I sit on one of the vintage bar stools as Megan puts a kettle full of water on the stove. "So, are you nervous?" She asks, propping her elbows on the counter and placing her hands under her chin. I nod and trace the design of the marble counter top. "No need to worry. You'll be great! I wouldn't be surprised!" I would.

"Plus you have me to -" Then Megan gets cut off by the whistling of the kettle. She pours the boiling water into two mugs, then puts the chocolate powder in the water. She hands me a mug and a spoon. I stir and sip my Hot Chocolate as Megan babbles on about some party she's going to. "Oh, shit," she yelps "9:30. We have to go!" I nod and jog upstairs. Once I'm in my room, I sling my messenger bag over my shoulder and grab my guitar. Which is in it's case. I run downstairs and see Megan, purse in hand. We walk out of the flat, making sure to lock the doors. When we get into the lift, I press the level 1 button. We walk out of the lobby and into the carpark. Once we find the car I put my guitar and messenger bag in the trunk. We get in the car and Megan starts the ignition.

Once we're on the road, I open the glove compartment and pull out a CD. It was a mix tape Megan and I made on our 12th year of High School. I put the CD in the player and I'm Ready by AJR starts to play. Megan let's out a loud laugh and says " You remember this?" I smile and nod. As we pull into the carpark, I notice it is a buisness complex. As we pull into a space my heartbeat quickens. I am really nervous. What if I mess up and they make fun of me? Or they make fun of me because I don't talk? Or I run into David? I shiver, then try to push all the negative thoughts away. Megan turns off the car and gives me another pep talk. We both get out of the car and walk into the J building after I grab my messenger bag and guitar. After we walk inside, we sign in. We walk into a room full of boys and girls. We find 2 chairs and sit down. Then comes the long process of waiting.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

After about 2 hours of waiting a women in her mid 30's with chestnut hair and grey eyes, calls my name. And that is when all the bad thoughts come flooding back. Megan and I stand up and walk to the door the women was standing at. We walk into the room and I see a long table with 6 chairs. Which 5 were full of the one and only One Direction. The women from before sits down by the boys. I'm guessing she's a manager.

"Hello, we're just going to confirm some information from your portfolio," the manager states. I nod my head. " Your name is Mckinley Butcher and you are 20 years of age, correct?" I nod to that as well. " It says here that you don't talk?" I nod as I find the carpet very appealing. "Now is this for medical reasons?" Asks the manager then Megan cuts in. "No it isn't. Personal reasons." "You may start your audition." The manager says gesturing toward my guitar. I pull it out of my case and place it on my lap. After I strum the first chord all my nerves wash away. Then I forget everything bad and focus on nailing this audition. After I'm done, I look up and everyone is dead on staring at me. Which gets my nerves going. "That was amazing." Niall says, and all the boys nod their heads in agreement. "That was great. We will call you tomorrow if you get the job or not." The manager says, I nod my head. As we are walking back to the car, all the nerves come rushing back.