Always
Rehearsals: Week 1 – Part 1
Kaylie’s POV
Saturday, 17th September
The large handbag hit my side each time I took a step forward. (http://www.polyvore.com/kaylie_rehearsals_week_part/set?id=207086705)The X Factor studios were huge. Like really huge. I knew because I was here last weekend, doing rehearsals for the first Top 12 Group performance, which would be at the start of the first live show. It had been fun to interact with contestants from the other categories. I was already friends with a girl group called Firefly, Donna, who was in the Over 25s, and Robbie, one of the Under 25 Boys. I had kept my distance from Melody as much as possible because I didn’t want to be anywhere near her. Her threat still lingered in my mind and even Alicia didn’t know about it. I couldn’t afford to tell anyone, it was too risky.
Today was an individual rehearsal so it was just going to be Harry and I. No Melody to annoy the fuck out of me. I smiled to myself. I walked through the front doors at 12:30pm and gave my name to the lady behind the reception desk. She gave me directions on where to go (I already knew) but I thanked her anyway.
I walked down the hall and turned left, going down another corridor. After about a minute, I arrived at one of the entrances to the stage, or should I say, below the stage where people in the audience would stand, right at the front. I saw many crew members walking about on the stage, cameras and microphones everywhere. But that wasn’t what interested me. What my gaze was locked to was my mentor.
Harry had dressed very casual today in his usual pair of skinny jeans with brown ankle boots and a black T-shirt that had a scoop neckline. Even just clothed like that, he looked like a God. Simon was also there and suddenly, the area went quiet and I realised filming had begun. Harry and Simon talked for less than a minute (probably about me, I don’t know, I didn’t hear everything) and then, Simon left the stage. I felt a presence beside me and I recognised Jayla. She gestured to the stage with a nod of her head, letting me know it was time for me to walk over there. I nodded and adjusted the strap of my handbag on my shoulder before walking up to the stage.
Cameras pointed my way but I didn’t pay attention. It was weird how I had to pretend I wasn’t being filmed, when I actually was. Harry was his usual smiley self when he saw me, opening his arms wide and welcoming me into one of his warm hugs.
“Hi.” I said once I released myself from the embrace.
“Good afternoon, Kaylie. How are you?” Harry asked me. God, could he be more polite? This guy was a true English gentleman and that made my heart melt.
“I’m…well. You?”
“Very good. Alicia had her rehearsal this morning but now, it’s your turn.” He smiled and I smiled back. There was a grand piano on the stage and Harry rested his forearms on top of it, his fingers reaching out to grab some white sheets in his hands. I placed my bag down on the floor, right next to one of the piano legs. I ignored the camera and completely focused on Harry, which frankly, wasn’t that hard. I could look at him all day. It was a damn delicious feast for my eyes.
“Right, the theme for this week is…'Who I Am’.” Harry announced and I nodded. Who I Am. That’s a good theme actually. Maybe I can show people who I really am. I pondered about how I could carry my real self over to the audience, into the cameras and through the television screens in homes across the nation. Harry’s raspy voice broke my train of thought.
“So you want to know what song you’ll be singing?”
I nodded again, running my hands over the front of my thighs. My heart was slowly dissolving at the sight of him. I wish I could kiss him. I want to…so badly. But I couldn’t.
“I’ve given you…Flashlight by Jessie J.” Harry declared, handing me the sheets of white paper. I smiled and took the sheets from him. The first sheet had a faded X Factor logo printed on it with the words ‘Week 1: Who I Am’ in bold. The second sheet had my name and Harry’s name on the top of the page and below it were the words ‘Flashlight by Jessie J’ followed by the lyrics. The final two pages were all the safety regulations about me performing on stage as well as instructions on what I had to do on the night of the first live show. I read all the guidelines slowly so I’m sure that would be cut out when the episode aired on TV. Then, I was ready to begin the rehearsal.
0*0
A professional pianist came in and played the piano while I sung. Harry had the same sheets in his hands as he watched me rehearse, sing each lyric differently until I got it right. It was far more difficult than I had thought. He stopped me after each line and told me to breathe. I had to breathe properly so my voice held its vulnerable power. I tried again but I totally fucked up the note. Crap, this is going to be on TV. I sound terrible. I shook my head and gripped the sheets of paper until my knuckles went white.
After 2 hours, Harry escorted me off the stage to a corner in the room, down near one of the doors that led into the corridor. Of course, the cameras and microphones followed us but I didn’t care right now. If me showing my emotional side in being so flustered with rehearsing was showing who I was, then so be it. This week’s theme was 'Who I Am' so it was apt.
“You’ve got to relax, Kaylie.”
“I know, I know, I’m sorry. I’m just so nervous.” I gasped.
“I understand. I was very nervous before my first live show. The first one’s always the hardest. You’ve just got to remember to breathe.”
Sometimes, I totally forgot that he had been on the show six years ago. He had been in my position so he knew exactly how I was feeling. I felt tears bloom in my eyes, blurring my vision. No, no, no, no! Don’t cry! Kaylie, don’t cry! I scolded myself and wiped my eyes with my hands, cutting off the tears before they even fell. Warm soft hands rested on my shoulders and I looked up, my heart pounding that Harry was touching me. I realised how tall he was. I wasn’t wearing heels today so I was definitely over 20cm shorter than him. I felt inferior to him but he gazed at me softly, which oddly, made me calm down a little bit.
“Sorry.”
“There’s no need to apologise, angel.”
Whoa, he called me “angel”?! Great, as soon as I calmed down, he has to get my heart racing! I licked my lips and wiped my nose with my back of my hand, trying to take deep breaths.
“This is harder than I ever could have imagined.” I said.
“Believe me, I know. But I wouldn’t have taken you through if I didn’t think you could handle it.” Harry told me, his hands moving down to grasp my upper arms gently. I looked up at him and got mesmerised by his green eyes, biting my lip. If anyone here is the angel, Harry, it’s you. All I could do was nod.
“You ready to start again?” He asked.
“Yes, I am.” I answered and he took his hands off me. I sucked in a breath and followed him back up onto the stage. We had the sheets of paper in our hands again and the pianist was ready to play the song.
“From the top, OK?” Harry said and I agreed. I began to sing and the rehearsal resumed.
I was there for another three hours, meaning I left at around 5:30pm. Harry thanked me for my hard work and said I did a great job, considering it was my first one-on-one rehearsal with him. Filming cut off when I had sung the last line and Harry had said that was enough for today. To my surprise, Harry asked me for my phone and he put his number in it.
“Just in case you need to talk.” He said when he saw the surprised look on my face. In return, I gave him my number, typing it into his contacts.
Before I left, I was enveloped into one of his warm precious hugs. I was so short that he could rest his cheek on top of my head. I buried my face in his chest, his cologne invading my nostrils, my arms wrapped around his back.
“See you next week, Kaylie.” He whispered.
“OK. Bye, Harry.” I let go of him and picked my handbag, slinging it over my shoulder. I awkwardly waved goodbye and walked off the stage, back out the door I had entered many hours ago.
On the tube ride home, I received texts from Marcus, Alicia and Vanessa.
From Marcus: How was it with Harry, honey? Spill the beans!
From Alicia: Are you done yet? Did you guys kiss?
From Vanessa: Girl, tell me what happened at the rehearsal!
I laughed to myself as I typed replies to all three of them.
To Marcus: It was really good! Intense but I’ll learn. See you at school on Monday! x
To Alicia: On the tube home and no, we did not kiss! There were cameras everywhere! x
To Vanessa: I can’t tell you everything in a text, Ness! I’ll tell you at school, OK? x
Within seconds, I got replies.
From Vanessa: *sighs* Fine but don’t leave out any details x
To Vanessa: I won’t :) x
From Marcus: OK, see you at school! x
From Alicia: God, you were there for a while! You’re not lying to me, are you? About not kissing him?
To Alicia: I was nervous so it took some time for me to get into the swing of things. No, I’m not lying to you. If we ever kiss, you’re the first person I will tell! Anyway, how was your rehearsal?
From Alicia: Valid reason. Good, I will hold you to that! Meh, it was alright, it was just long.
To Alicia: What song did Harry give you?
From Alicia: Ghost by Katy Perry :) You?
To Alicia: I love that song! Flashlight by Jessie J :)
From Alicia: We’re going to knock it out of the park, girl!
To Alicia: I hope so! Talk to you soon x
From Alicia: Oh, we will :) Bye x
I was just about to put my phone back in my bag when I saw another text come through. I was shocked at who it was from. I had to bit my lip to stop myself from screaming, since I was on the tube and there were people everywhere.
From Harry: Great job today, angel. Remember, I am only a call or a text away if you need any help x
He called me “angel” again! I couldn’t help but smile at the ‘x’ at the end of the text. He’s so charming, more than I ever could have believed! And for the rest of the night, the smile was never wiped off my face.
Saturday, 17th September
The large handbag hit my side each time I took a step forward. (http://www.polyvore.com/kaylie_rehearsals_week_part/set?id=207086705)The X Factor studios were huge. Like really huge. I knew because I was here last weekend, doing rehearsals for the first Top 12 Group performance, which would be at the start of the first live show. It had been fun to interact with contestants from the other categories. I was already friends with a girl group called Firefly, Donna, who was in the Over 25s, and Robbie, one of the Under 25 Boys. I had kept my distance from Melody as much as possible because I didn’t want to be anywhere near her. Her threat still lingered in my mind and even Alicia didn’t know about it. I couldn’t afford to tell anyone, it was too risky.
Today was an individual rehearsal so it was just going to be Harry and I. No Melody to annoy the fuck out of me. I smiled to myself. I walked through the front doors at 12:30pm and gave my name to the lady behind the reception desk. She gave me directions on where to go (I already knew) but I thanked her anyway.
I walked down the hall and turned left, going down another corridor. After about a minute, I arrived at one of the entrances to the stage, or should I say, below the stage where people in the audience would stand, right at the front. I saw many crew members walking about on the stage, cameras and microphones everywhere. But that wasn’t what interested me. What my gaze was locked to was my mentor.
Harry had dressed very casual today in his usual pair of skinny jeans with brown ankle boots and a black T-shirt that had a scoop neckline. Even just clothed like that, he looked like a God. Simon was also there and suddenly, the area went quiet and I realised filming had begun. Harry and Simon talked for less than a minute (probably about me, I don’t know, I didn’t hear everything) and then, Simon left the stage. I felt a presence beside me and I recognised Jayla. She gestured to the stage with a nod of her head, letting me know it was time for me to walk over there. I nodded and adjusted the strap of my handbag on my shoulder before walking up to the stage.
Cameras pointed my way but I didn’t pay attention. It was weird how I had to pretend I wasn’t being filmed, when I actually was. Harry was his usual smiley self when he saw me, opening his arms wide and welcoming me into one of his warm hugs.
“Hi.” I said once I released myself from the embrace.
“Good afternoon, Kaylie. How are you?” Harry asked me. God, could he be more polite? This guy was a true English gentleman and that made my heart melt.
“I’m…well. You?”
“Very good. Alicia had her rehearsal this morning but now, it’s your turn.” He smiled and I smiled back. There was a grand piano on the stage and Harry rested his forearms on top of it, his fingers reaching out to grab some white sheets in his hands. I placed my bag down on the floor, right next to one of the piano legs. I ignored the camera and completely focused on Harry, which frankly, wasn’t that hard. I could look at him all day. It was a damn delicious feast for my eyes.
“Right, the theme for this week is…'Who I Am’.” Harry announced and I nodded. Who I Am. That’s a good theme actually. Maybe I can show people who I really am. I pondered about how I could carry my real self over to the audience, into the cameras and through the television screens in homes across the nation. Harry’s raspy voice broke my train of thought.
“So you want to know what song you’ll be singing?”
I nodded again, running my hands over the front of my thighs. My heart was slowly dissolving at the sight of him. I wish I could kiss him. I want to…so badly. But I couldn’t.
“I’ve given you…Flashlight by Jessie J.” Harry declared, handing me the sheets of white paper. I smiled and took the sheets from him. The first sheet had a faded X Factor logo printed on it with the words ‘Week 1: Who I Am’ in bold. The second sheet had my name and Harry’s name on the top of the page and below it were the words ‘Flashlight by Jessie J’ followed by the lyrics. The final two pages were all the safety regulations about me performing on stage as well as instructions on what I had to do on the night of the first live show. I read all the guidelines slowly so I’m sure that would be cut out when the episode aired on TV. Then, I was ready to begin the rehearsal.
0*0
A professional pianist came in and played the piano while I sung. Harry had the same sheets in his hands as he watched me rehearse, sing each lyric differently until I got it right. It was far more difficult than I had thought. He stopped me after each line and told me to breathe. I had to breathe properly so my voice held its vulnerable power. I tried again but I totally fucked up the note. Crap, this is going to be on TV. I sound terrible. I shook my head and gripped the sheets of paper until my knuckles went white.
After 2 hours, Harry escorted me off the stage to a corner in the room, down near one of the doors that led into the corridor. Of course, the cameras and microphones followed us but I didn’t care right now. If me showing my emotional side in being so flustered with rehearsing was showing who I was, then so be it. This week’s theme was 'Who I Am' so it was apt.
“You’ve got to relax, Kaylie.”
“I know, I know, I’m sorry. I’m just so nervous.” I gasped.
“I understand. I was very nervous before my first live show. The first one’s always the hardest. You’ve just got to remember to breathe.”
Sometimes, I totally forgot that he had been on the show six years ago. He had been in my position so he knew exactly how I was feeling. I felt tears bloom in my eyes, blurring my vision. No, no, no, no! Don’t cry! Kaylie, don’t cry! I scolded myself and wiped my eyes with my hands, cutting off the tears before they even fell. Warm soft hands rested on my shoulders and I looked up, my heart pounding that Harry was touching me. I realised how tall he was. I wasn’t wearing heels today so I was definitely over 20cm shorter than him. I felt inferior to him but he gazed at me softly, which oddly, made me calm down a little bit.
“Sorry.”
“There’s no need to apologise, angel.”
Whoa, he called me “angel”?! Great, as soon as I calmed down, he has to get my heart racing! I licked my lips and wiped my nose with my back of my hand, trying to take deep breaths.
“This is harder than I ever could have imagined.” I said.
“Believe me, I know. But I wouldn’t have taken you through if I didn’t think you could handle it.” Harry told me, his hands moving down to grasp my upper arms gently. I looked up at him and got mesmerised by his green eyes, biting my lip. If anyone here is the angel, Harry, it’s you. All I could do was nod.
“You ready to start again?” He asked.
“Yes, I am.” I answered and he took his hands off me. I sucked in a breath and followed him back up onto the stage. We had the sheets of paper in our hands again and the pianist was ready to play the song.
“From the top, OK?” Harry said and I agreed. I began to sing and the rehearsal resumed.
I was there for another three hours, meaning I left at around 5:30pm. Harry thanked me for my hard work and said I did a great job, considering it was my first one-on-one rehearsal with him. Filming cut off when I had sung the last line and Harry had said that was enough for today. To my surprise, Harry asked me for my phone and he put his number in it.
“Just in case you need to talk.” He said when he saw the surprised look on my face. In return, I gave him my number, typing it into his contacts.
Before I left, I was enveloped into one of his warm precious hugs. I was so short that he could rest his cheek on top of my head. I buried my face in his chest, his cologne invading my nostrils, my arms wrapped around his back.
“See you next week, Kaylie.” He whispered.
“OK. Bye, Harry.” I let go of him and picked my handbag, slinging it over my shoulder. I awkwardly waved goodbye and walked off the stage, back out the door I had entered many hours ago.
On the tube ride home, I received texts from Marcus, Alicia and Vanessa.
From Marcus: How was it with Harry, honey? Spill the beans!
From Alicia: Are you done yet? Did you guys kiss?
From Vanessa: Girl, tell me what happened at the rehearsal!
I laughed to myself as I typed replies to all three of them.
To Marcus: It was really good! Intense but I’ll learn. See you at school on Monday! x
To Alicia: On the tube home and no, we did not kiss! There were cameras everywhere! x
To Vanessa: I can’t tell you everything in a text, Ness! I’ll tell you at school, OK? x
Within seconds, I got replies.
From Vanessa: *sighs* Fine but don’t leave out any details x
To Vanessa: I won’t :) x
From Marcus: OK, see you at school! x
From Alicia: God, you were there for a while! You’re not lying to me, are you? About not kissing him?
To Alicia: I was nervous so it took some time for me to get into the swing of things. No, I’m not lying to you. If we ever kiss, you’re the first person I will tell! Anyway, how was your rehearsal?
From Alicia: Valid reason. Good, I will hold you to that! Meh, it was alright, it was just long.
To Alicia: What song did Harry give you?
From Alicia: Ghost by Katy Perry :) You?
To Alicia: I love that song! Flashlight by Jessie J :)
From Alicia: We’re going to knock it out of the park, girl!
To Alicia: I hope so! Talk to you soon x
From Alicia: Oh, we will :) Bye x
I was just about to put my phone back in my bag when I saw another text come through. I was shocked at who it was from. I had to bit my lip to stop myself from screaming, since I was on the tube and there were people everywhere.
From Harry: Great job today, angel. Remember, I am only a call or a text away if you need any help x
He called me “angel” again! I couldn’t help but smile at the ‘x’ at the end of the text. He’s so charming, more than I ever could have believed! And for the rest of the night, the smile was never wiped off my face.
Notes
I’M ON THE FIRST POPULAR PAGE! WOW, THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH!! If it wasn’t for all of you, this story wouldn’t be the first popular page!I have been writing like crazy these past couple of days! Doing a bit of this one, a bit of The Bachelorette and some stuff for Dear Life and To The Moon And Back…I just want to get all these stories out but if I start posting them, all of you will be waiting for updates and I won’t be able to get them out as fast as I would like, it’s so frustrating!
Anywhoo, hope you enjoyed this chapter and remember, I love every single one of you beautiful people for reading and commenting!
blankspace1 xx
We’re dying for an update here. I love it. <3
11/19/17