You Make Me Strong

(Before I start this chapter I want to explain a few things. I started this story on a wim and I really didn't plan out anything. The story is based in London, obviously. Emi moved across the world to live with her Aunt. I should have thought more about the setting but I was just so excited about starting this story that I couldn't help but to just jump right into it.)

"What song are you guys going to sing?" Natalie leaned into Louis as she asked her question, the same question I had been thinking. I looked over at Liam, who seemed to be kind of like the leader of the group.

"Well we haven't decided on one song yet. Harry wants to sing an NSYNC song." Liam explained with a laugh and I couldn't help the giggles that spilled from my mouth.

"You can say bye bye bye to that idea." Louis joked and Harry's cheeks flushed a deep pink color. I patted his shoulder and smiled.

"I love NSYNC. I think it's a good idea. There were five members in the boy band and there are five of you guys. It would just make sense to sing one of their songs." Everybody at the table stared at me like I had just killed someone. "What?" I looked down at my hands and picked at the chipped deep purple nail polish.

"That actually makes sense." Louis spoke up and I snapped my head up.

"Really? You were just against the idea." I smirked at him earning an eye roll from him.

"Well since you explained it the way you did, I changed my mind. The next question is, what song from them would we sing?" He smiled and pulled out his phone. "Don't say 'Bye Bye Bye' or I will kill you." He smirked over at Harry.

"What about 'Girlfriend'?" Trinity asked looking around the table, the guys shook their heads.

"Okay, what about 'I Want You Back'? I always loved that song." Natalie smiled and I started humming the song.

"You're all I ever wanted
You're all I ever needed, yeah
So tell me what to do now
When I want you back." Natalie and I started to sing the chorus to the song. I never sang in front of anybody but I felt comfortable around them.

"Baby I remember,
The way you used to look at me and say
Promises never last forever
I told you not to worry
I said that everything will be alright
I didn't know than that you were right." I sang loudly, closing my eyes while singing along to the music in my head. Before I could go onto the chorus again, the whole restaurant erupted in applause and whistles. I instantly opened my eyes and sunk back into the booth. My cheeks burned from embarrassment but Niall pulled me to him.

"Why didn't you tell us you could sing?!" Trinity shrieked after the applause and whistles died down. I giggled and leaned my back against Niall's chest.

"I don't know. I'm usually shy about singing." I chewed on my bottom lip.

"Well I think you should try out for The X Factor. You could definitely win!" Harry stated proudly and patted my knee.

"Oh hell no. I will not do that." I laughed and shook my head.

"Why not?" Niall questioned behind me.

"I get stage fright." I mumbled.

"Stage fright? Really?" Liam rose an eyebrow at me. "You just belted out an NSYNC song in the middle of Nandos. I think you could sing on stage." I couldn't help but to agree with him. He was right, I did just sing in front of a lot of strangers without realizing what I was doing. "You're going to try out." He said while pulling his phone out and stepping out of the booth before I could protest.

"Emi, you have to try out at least." Natalie stared at me with a huge smile on her face. I chewed on my bottom lip and contemplated the pros and cons. I could try out and be fine, maybe even get through. On the other hand, I could try out, freeze on stage, and be the laughing stock of the whole world. I sighed.

"Fine. Fuck. Fine I'll try out."

"Good because your try out time is right before ours." Liam smirked as he sat back down. "Better get a song ready." Everybody at our table cheered and Niall hugged me close to him.

"You'll do great. I promise." He whispered in my ear. My stomach flipped from his voice and how close he was to me. I should do fine as long as Niall is there cheering me on.

Two Days Later: Saturday. Audition Day.

I have practiced my song for almost two days straight, at Niall's house, everyday after school. My aunt didn't ask about where I was the night of the party nor did she really care. She already knew I was going to do what I wanted to do. In the back of my mind I wanted her to be here but then again she would tell me I'm stupid for even thinking about trying out, so I'm glad she isn't here. I'm already nervous to be at the auditions, waiting for my number to be called. Niall has been beside me the whole time and has been trying to calm my nerves.

"Aren't you nervous?" I asked him as we took a seat in the audience. He smiled and chuckled a little.

"Of course I am," He looked at me. "But you're here so I'm not as nervous as I should be." My cheeks heated up and I chewed on my bottom lip. Niall reached up and pulled my lip from my teeth. "Stop doing that, you'll make your lip bleed." A small smile tugged at the corners of my mouth.

"I'm just so nervous. It's a habit." I laughed, an awkward laugh. Niall's blue green eyes pierced into mine as he grabbed a hold of my hand and pulled me to stand on my feet. "Niall, where are we going?" He didn't say anything as we started walking. I didn't say anything as we kept walking through the big venue. My mind was racing and my hands started to sweat. He's gonna feel me sweating, fuck! Before I could pull my hand away, he stopped walking. I almost ran into him but stopped quickly.

"I wanted to be able to talk to you, without all the noise." A big smile spread across his lips. "You can't be nervous, Emi. You have such a beautiful voice. They would be so stupid if they say no." My cheeks flushed again and I looked down at my combat boots. He cupped my cheek in his hand and made me look at him. "I'll make you think about something else." He smirked and I couldn't help but pull my bottom lip in between my teeth. Niall leaned down, leaving maybe two inches between our lips. I waited for him to make a move but he was taking forever and I wanted to kiss him so bad. I closed the space between us and pressed my lips against his. As soon as my lips touched his, I forgot about everything. I forgot all about having to move across the ocean, living with my aunt, going to a new school, all the shit with Zayn, and the audition. All I could think about was Niall's lips against mine.

He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him. My mind was turned to mush as I wrapped my arms around his neck. His tongue ran over my bottom lip and I gladly let his tongue run against mine. I had to stop myself from running my hands through his hair as the kiss deepened.

"Whoa! Get Emi!" Trinity hollered, making me jump. Niall slowly broke the kiss and smiled before kissing my forehead. The butterflies in my stomach wouldn't stop moshing for anything and I didn't want them to. "Damn, I was wondering where you guys went." Trinity elbowed me and I giggled.

"I was getting her mind off of the audition." Niall stated and that's exactly what he did. He took my mind off of the audition.

"Well I hope that lasts through the next ten minutes, because you're next girl." I could have puked right there but Niall took a hold of my hand.

"I'll be right there on the side stage, waiting to kiss you before I go on." He whispered in my ear as we walked back into the main part of the venue. My stage fright was creeping to the surface as I walked backstage with Niall. Natalie spotted me and ran towards me, throwing her arms around me.

"You're going to do great!" She shrieked. I hugged her tightly, thankful for everybody's support. The guys walked up to me, minus Zayn. Liam pulled me into a hug, encouraging me along with everybody else. Louis and Harry sandwiched me in a hug, screaming about how I'm going to win. I couldn't help but laugh at them for how excited they were for me instead of themselves.

"You're up." A man with a headset on came up to us, looking at me with a big smile. I turned to Niall and he hugged me.

"You'll do great darlin." He rubbed my back and kissed me cheek. I took a deep breath and walked out onto the stage after being handed a microphone.

"Hello dear. What is your name?" My stomach churned as Simon Cowell spoke to me.

"Emileah Burton." My voice was more confident than I felt inside.

"How old are you Emileah?"

"I'm seventeen." My hands started to sweat.

"Wonderful. What song are you going to sing for us today?"

"I'll be singing 'My Understandings' by Of Mice & Men." I took a deep breath as the music started to play.

This is your chance to show what you can do. Show them that you can sing.

"I don't mind it, I don't mind if you're overrated
Or if you're staring at the edge of the world.
Keep in mind that I'm a sore eye with blurry vision.
But I can see it has to be you love, that I've been dreaming of.
And if we climb this high, I swear we'll never die.

I'll never die." My heart was pounding as I finished the song but it felt so good to finally be able to get onstage and sing. The whole venue was whistling and applauding me. My cheeks burned and I gripped the mic harder, waiting for the judges to talk.

"Wow. That was-" Simon started talking and paused dramatically. "That was outstanding." A big smile spread across my lips and I stopped myself from jumping up and down.

"Thank you." I squeaked, waiting for the other judges. Katy Perry was one of them.

"I have never heard that song but now I want you to do a cover of it." My heart was beating so hard, I swear they could hear it. Katy Perry was appraising me for my singing. "I say yes." Another thank you fell from my mouth before I could stop it. The other judge, who I forget his name, looked speechless.

"I'm going to say an Almighty yes." Simon spoke before the other man could speak. I could have passed out that moment he said yes.

"You are such a sweet, lovely girl. You have such a big voice for a tiny body." He smiled and I held my breath. "I have heard that song before and I think you picked the wrong song." The crowd started to boo at him. "Let me finish! I was going to say that I think you picked the wrong song BUT I have to say yes." I started jumping up and down.

"Thank you so much! This means so much to me!" I screeched and thanked them again before walking, I may have ran off the stage, into Niall's open arms.

"You did it!" Harry's voice boomed and I squealed loudly.

"That was beautiful, darlin." Niall whispered into my ears.

"Thank you." I pulled away a little but stayed in his arms. "Now it's your turn to go out there and do your thang." He chuckled.

"My thang?" He laughed at my phony southern accent. I couldn't help but to laugh with him.

"One Direction? You're up next." The same man came up and told the guys they were next. Niall nodded at the guy, letting him know he heard him.

"Go out there an knock them on their asses." I hugged him again before he started to walk out on stage.

"Oh, I forgot something!" Niall shouted and ran over to me.

"Niall, you ha-" Before I could finish, his lips were on mine. I melted at his touch but it ended too fast.

"Good luck kiss." He stated, winking at me. I blushed hard as he walked out onstage with his friends.

You are falling for him so hard.

Notes