Don't Let Me Go ~ N.H.

A MONTH LATER

I’m now five months pregnant, and I’m having twin girls. I’ve decided to name them Ariel McKenna and Rebekah Brooklyn.

The guys, my friends, and I have all arrived at the Dublin audition venue for “The X-Factor”. The guys are in a group called One Direction (Harry came up with the name), and Aubrey and I are in a group called The Southern Belles. Sam and Kelsey are in a group, too—Cherry Chapstick.

“Niall, I’m nervous,” I said as we waited our turns.

“Don’t be, love,” Niall said. “Just sing your heart out, and you’ll do great.”

Just then, mine and Aubrey’s group was called, so we both went into the audition room. Sitting at the table were Louis Walsh, Katy Perry (yay!), Cheryl Cole, and Simon Cowell. I recognized Simon from being a judge on “American Idol” for the first nine seasons.

“Hi, y’all!” I said.

“Hello,” Simon said, smiling. “What are your names?”

“I’m Carlie and this is Aubrey. Together, we’re The Southern Belles!”

“Tell us about yourselves.”

“Well, I’m from Lindale, Georgia, but I’ve lived in Mullingar for the last month. Five months ago, I was raped, so that’s why I’m pregnant. I’m auditioning to make a life for my unborn babies.”

“I’m from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and I’ve lived in Mullingar since three years ago,” Aubrey said. “My mom and stepdad don’t know I’m auditioning. They think I’m just visiting Dublin with my friends.” Aubrey giggled.

“What a rebel! What are you gonna sing for us?” Katy asked.

“Carrie Underwood’s ‘Temporary Home’,” Aubrey said.

The music started, and I waited for my cue to start singing.

Little boy, six years old
A little too used to being alone
Another new mom and dad
Another school, another house that will never be home
When people ask him how he likes this place
He looks up and says with a smile upon his face

Then, we both sang the first chorus.

This is my temporary home, it's not where I belong
Windows and rooms that I'm passing through
This is just a stop on the way to where I'm going
I'm not afraid because I know
This is my temporary home

“That was really good,” Louis said.

“Thank you,” I said.

“How old are you girls?” Katy asked.

“Seventeen,” I said.

“I’m sixteen,” Aubrey said.

“Wow! With voices like those, you don’t sound your age!”

Aubrey and I giggled.

“Let’s take a vote. I say they’re going through,” Cheryl said.

“I agree,” Katy said. “You girls have voices of angels, so I say yes.”

“I say yes as well,” Louis said.

“And that’s a yes from me! You’re going through, girls!” Simon said after a pause.

Aubrey and I squealed, hugged each other, and raced out to tell everyone. “We made it!” I screamed.

“I knew you could do it, love!” Niall said, pulling me into a kiss.

I immediately called Daddy to tell him the news. April answered.

“Hi, can I talk to Daddy?”

“Sure, hold on,” April said. Daddy came on a minute later.

“Hello, Carlie?” he said.

“Daddy, guess what? I made it on ‘The X-Factor’!”

“That’s great, sweetie! We should go out and celebrate!”

Notes