Always
Live Shows: Week 2 – Part 1
Kaylie’s POV
Saturday, 1st October
When I arrived at the studios for tonight’s live show, I passed Harry in the corridor. We smiled at each other very subtly but it was enough to set my heart alight. I walked into the Under 25 Girls dressing room and felt my phone buzz from inside my jacket. Both Alicia and Melody were already in the room so I had to stop myself from smiling when I saw I had received a text from Harry, telling me how beautiful I looked. I texted him back with a ‘thank you’ and a smiley face plus a ‘x’. How is he even real? I was so lucky to have him in my life.
The rehearsals this week had been intense. Three group rehearsals and three individual ones. Plus I had to keep up with school work. Fortunately, my principal had adjusted my timetable so my rehearsals wouldn’t clash with my classes. I was handling it as best as I could and I had the support of my family and friends. And Harry. I had meant what I said on Wednesday, about keeping our relationship a secret. It was so stressful. It was always in the back of my mind that we would get caught kissing and I had experienced nightmares of it. Us getting caught out, me getting kicked off the show, Harry receiving a cold scolding from Simon, me being forbidden to see him. I had woken up crying and covered in cold sweat, hoping my nightmares would never come true. I hadn’t told Harry about the nightmares because he didn’t need to know. He had other things to worry about than me dreaming about the two of us being torn apart, me being taken out of his arms, never to return to them. But the way he held me…It was always so comforting. I felt safe in his arms, content and away from all the troubles of my life. Harry was flawless and here I was, an imperfect girl falling for a perfect man. What am I supposed to do?
The Top 11 would perform tomorrow night on the live decider, opening the show, so tonight, the artist starting the live show was Adele. I was so in awe of her as a fan of her and her music so I couldn’t believe she was here. She was going to sing a mash-up of three of her songs: Rolling In The Deep, Someone Like You and When We Were Young. I couldn’t wait to see her perform. I had never seen her live before so it was going to be a dream come true for me.
Melody left the room only 10 seconds after I walked in. She didn’t even look at me. Like I even cared if she looked at me. I didn’t like her. She didn’t like me. She was just jealous. If only she knew how much Harry loved kissing me, holding me…It was so tempting to see the look on her face. But as tantalising as it was, she couldn’t know. Not yet.
“Jesus, what’s her problem?” Alicia asked. I shrugged my shoulders.
“She just doesn’t like me. But hey, you’re not going to like everyone you meet.” I said.
“She doesn’t like how much time Harry spends with you.”
“So? She can damn suck it up. She doesn’t have to like it. She just has to accept it.” I stated.
“Melody’s not a very…accepting person, Kaylie.” Alicia sighed.
“I know that. Just as long as she stays away from me and stops threatening me, I’ll be fine.” I effectively ended the conversation. Talking about Melody was a complete waste of time. I needed to focus on tonight. I wanted to get through to next week again, I knew it wasn’t my time to go yet. Which meant I had to perform fantastically well again tonight. Harry believed I could so if I had his faith and I had my own, I knew I could do it.
0*0
Let me just say, I adored Gary. He was so kind and sweet yet flamboyant and full of personality. The way he perfected everyone’s individual styles for each performance was amazing. My dress was long, like last week (http://www.polyvore.com/kaylie_live_shows_week/set?id=208450619) and all of my hair had been pushed back behind my ears, flowing down my back in large curls, allowing my large diamond earrings to sparkle in whatever light. I placed my feet into my black heels and then, I was ready.
I wasn’t the final contestant to perform like I was last week. I was going to be the third contestant to take to the stage tonight, after Maria and Robbie; so the first in my category. I was nervous, like I was last week, but because it was my second performance, I knew where the audience was and where the judges sat. I knew where to look so I could take people on a journey, let them feel the same emotions as me. I touched the gold ring on my right hand for good luck as I whispered “For you, Grandma.” under my breath.
I managed to get to the green room in time to see Adele perform. It was…incredible. She was incredible. Her voice was like nothing else I had ever heard in my life. It came as no surprise to me that she got a standing ovation. I clapped along like all the other contestants and smiled at Alicia, who was once again seated next to me on one of the couches. Whenever the camera locked onto Harry, I felt my heartbeat quicken just that little bit more. Anyone could see that the camera loved him. But he was even more gorgeous in the flesh, up close. I had the pleasure of being kissed by his lips, have his green eyes bore into mine, have his dimples make my heart shine like as bright as gold. I so badly wanted to be with him. Like actually have a relationship with him, be his girlfriend. I mean, I didn’t even know if he was my boyfriend. Is he my secret boyfriend? I didn’t know so I never brought it up with him, just in case I caught him off-guard.
Before I even knew it, it was my time to perform. Has the time come already? I was so busy talking with the other contestants that I hadn’t realised how quickly time had passed. There was the usual routine of having my microphone pack attached to my dress and the earpieces placed in my ears so I could hear the music more clearly. I tucked my hair behind my ears again and rolled my shoulders back as I walked out onto the dark stage, taking my spot next to a large draping wall of silver, suspended from the ceiling. The wall had large diamond slits in it, letting bright light to flood through, giving the stage an ethereal glow. I didn’t have a microphone stand this time so I wrapped my fingers around the microphone tightly, waiting for Dermot to welcome everyone back after the commercial break. Just before he did, I caught Harry staring at me. God, could he be more obvious? He was in a pure black suit, the black dress shirt buttoned all the way up to his throat, his long curls a glorious mess around his head.I watched him in the darkness when he laid his hand over his heart, patting it once. I knew the message he wanted to get across to me and I got it. I placed my hand over my heart and felt it pound beneath my palm. I needed to use my nerves to get over them. They were there for a reason. If I channelled them, if I made them my friends, I would be fine.
“Welcome back to The X Factor 2016! Tonight, we’ve already heard from Maria Wood and Robbie Blake but now, it’s time for one of Harry’s girls to take to the stage. Harry, shall you introduce her to us once again?” Dermot said, looking at Harry.
“It would be my pleasure, Dermot. I was so thrilled to work with this girl again this week. It’s been a tough seven days for her but she powered through and worked as hard as ever. So, singing Diamonds by Rihanna, this is Kaylie Walker.” My mentor smiled down the barrel of the camera, melting hearts of girls all around the nation through television screens. I still couldn’t get over the way my name rolled off his tongue. Shivers swam down my spine every time he spoke my name but I loved the feeling.
The audience cheered as my photoshoot once again exploded on the screens and the infamous X Factor voice yelled my name. An array of gentle lights lit up on me as the song started and I began to sing straightaway.
“Shine bright like a diamond.
Shine bright like a diamond.
Find light in the beautiful sea, I choose to be happy.
You and I, you and I, we’re like diamonds in the sky.
You’re a shooting star I see, a vision of ecstasy.
When you hold me, I’m alive.
We’re like diamonds in the sky.
I knew that we’d become one right away.
Oh, right away.
At first sight, I felt the energy of sun rays.
I saw the life inside your eyes.”
The beat grew louder as I approached the chorus. The amount of times I had heard this song on the radio or listened to it on my phone, it didn’t compare to the feeling of actually performing a cover of it on The X Factor stage. It was amazing.
“So shine bright, tonight.
You and I.
We’re beautiful like diamonds in the sky.
Eye to eye.
So alive.
We’re beautiful like diamonds in the sky.
Shine bright like a diamond.
Shine bright like a diamond.
Shining bright like a diamond.
We’re beautiful like diamonds in the sky.
Shine bright like a diamond.
Shine bright like a diamond.
Shining bright like a diamond.
We’re beautiful like diamonds in the sky.”
I had been my grandmother’s little diamond ever since the day I was born. I always would be her little diamond. And in turn, she was one of my diamonds. She always had a glow about her, even in her old age. She seemed to emanate light and love from inside, right from her kind heart. I knew now, wherever my grandmother was, she was a diamond that glowed every night in the sky, shining over me when I went to sleep. I hoped I could join her one day and shine just as bright as her. This performance was for her since she was that diamond that shone brightly more than any of the others; in my eyes anyway.
“Shine bright like a diamond.
Shine bright like a diamond.
Shine bright like a diamond.”
My voice was softer when I sang the bridge, the softest of smiles playing on my lips when I saw Harry’s face in the darkness. The judges’ desk was lit up in a muted blue light which highlighted Harry’s smooth neck and jawline but I noticed his smile and his sparkling eyes. He was a diamond to me too, shining in the dark, guiding me through this competition. He was always there for me, whether it was at rehearsals at 2:45 in the afternoon or a random text at 12:05 in the morning. Whatever day, whatever time, he was always there.
When he had told me that I shone just as bright as a diamond at our rehearsal on Wednesday, I was so in shock. I wasn’t even that pretty but maybe to him, I was. There had to be more than one reason for the way he kissed me so passionately. There must be some explanation of why he was falling for a girl like me. He called me “angel”, he told me I was beautiful every day and he kissed me whenever he had the chance but there had to be more to it than that. I had never had a boyfriend before so for someone like Harry to even take an interest in me, I had no idea what to do. I was falling for him but should I act on my feelings as much as he acted on his? I guess I would have to let it flow naturally and see where life would take us.
“So shine bright, tonight.
You and I,
We're beautiful like diamonds in the sky,
Eye to eye.
So alive.
We're beautiful like diamonds in the sky.
Shine bright like a diamond.
Shine bright like a diamond.
Shine bright like a diamond.
Oh, yeah.”
I got a loud cheer from the crowd when I hit the big note and I swore I heard my brothers’ voices, shouting out my name. It warmed my heart that my family were always in the audience. All five of them; my brothers and my parents. I had the full support and I felt so privileged to call them my family.
“Shine bright like a diamond.
Shine bright like a diamond.
Shine bright like a diamond.
Shine bright like a diamond.”
The song ended as abruptly as it started and the lights turned off just as the audience screamed in approval. The people at the very front were clapping and shrieking and yelling and other manners of making noises of happiness. I smiled when Harry stood up for me, applauding as a small smile brightened his face, reaching his eyes. Dannii and Mel also stood up but Simon didn’t; he only clapped. It didn’t make me upset though because having three judges stand up was better than one of them.
I stepped forward as the usual X Factor lights and logo glowed on the stage and on the screens behind me. I welcomed the judges’ comments, all of them praising how well I handled tackling another genre of music that I wasn’t used to, because of course, I loved to sing slow ballads. I always took their advice on board so I could use it for future performances, if I got voted through again. As I walked off the stage, blowing a couple of kisses to the audience, I mentally patted myself on the back and smiled.
Well done, Kaylie.
0*0
From Harry: My dressing room – now ;) x
The show was over now and it was a little bit past 10 o’clock. I had to get home. I was still in my outfit, dress and heels and everything. Alicia was already out of her outfit and had just slung her handbag over her shoulder, ready to leave. Her performance had been amazing tonight; she had sung Halo by Beyoncé, which had really encompassed the wonderful talent she had. I was so proud of her and I knew it would be ridiculous if she didn’t get through to next week. She caught me staring at my phone, completely surprised about my mentor’s text.
“Did Harry text you?” Alicia asked.
“Uh…yeah. He wants me to go to his dressing room. Like, right now.” I answered.
“Well, off you go then.” She said, pointing at the closed door.
“Alicia…what if someone catches me going in there? They’ll wonder why.”
“Just say Harry’s got some advice for you, to improve your performance or something.” Alicia suggested, grabbing her jacket off the edge of the couch. I looked down at my phone again as my thumbs hovered over the keypad. Without another thought, I texted Harry back.
To Harry: I’m coming x
I couldn’t not go. I always wanted to see him. Whenever the opportunity arose, I took it. Alicia offered to walk me there so it would look less suspicious. His dressing room was only one corridor away but it felt like it took us 20 minutes to get there. Alicia gave me a hug and left me there at Harry’s closed door, waving goodbye. I waved back before turning to the door and knocking on it twice. It opened slowly and my mentor’s smiling face appeared.
“Come in, Kaylie.”
I walked inside and he closed the door behind me, locking it. I went over to the table and placed my phone on it. As I bent over, I felt Harry’s arms wind around my waist, holding me close. He moved all of my long caramel hair to one side so he could kiss my neck.
“You were amazing tonight, angel. My diamond.” He whispered against my skin. I smiled and placed my hands over his, feeling the coolness of his silver rings. I bit my lip when I looked up and caught sight of my reflection in the mirror. Harry had his nose pressed against my neck and his eyes were closed, his arms wrapped around my waist tightly. Me, my cheeks were pink and my eyes were wide and shining from being in Harry’s arms. With the way I was dressed and how perfect my make-up looked, we actually suited. We looked like a couple. But are we actually? It was a question I needed to have answered before the end of the night. I took a deep breath and with my gaze still locked to my reflection, I opened my mouth to speak.
“Am I your girlfriend?”
Shit! I didn’t want it to come out like that! I cursed myself in my head. I wanted to ask him if we were a couple but I guess my question was sort of the same thing. I felt Harry’s arms loosen a little bit around my waist and that worried me. His eyes opened and he followed my gaze to the mirror, staring at our reflection. He rested his chin on my shoulder and stared at me in the mirror, folding his hands underneath mine.
“What sort of a question is that?” He asked. I lowered my eyes to the floor in embarrassment, swallowing the lump in my throat. His fingers brushed away strands of my hair from my right ear before moving his hand back down to my waist. He spun me around in his arms so that I was facing him. My eyes were on his chest; he must have undone the first few buttons of his black dress shirt because I could see bits of his swallow tattoos. I was never a fan of tattoos but on Harry, they looked amazing. He tucked his fingers underneath my chin to tilt my head up, my eyes locking to his. I pressed my lips together as he ran the pad of his thumb across my top lip, moving along down to my bottom one. I blinked up at him, wondering if he was going to say anything else. And he did.
“Of course you’re my girlfriend.”
I let out a gasp and my heart stopped beating for a moment. My eyes were frozen open in complete disbelief and my fingers curled around the lapels of his suit jacket. I couldn’t believe those words had come out of Harry’s mouth. I literally couldn’t believe it. I opened and closed my mouth in shock, trying to find my voice, attempting to speak but I only got one word out. And I stumbled on it.
“W-W-What?”
Harry could only smile at me. I didn’t get to say anything else because he held my face in his hands, leaned down and kissed me softly. But it didn’t remain soft for long. I was suddenly overcome with hunger for his lips and pulled him closer, tugging his face down to mine so I could deepen the kiss. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my chest to his, never wanting to let go of him. Harry growled when I tugged on the roots of his hair as his arms circled my waist, returning the same passion as I was into the kiss. One kiss became two then four then six. We didn’t stop. Tongue was introduced so it became a make-out session. His slick tongue massaged mine gently as our lips continued to move together perfectly, locking and unlocking every now and then. My heart pounded out of my chest as we kissed passionately, forgetting about everything else. Right now, it was just us.
Harry pulled me closer as he began to step to the side. He didn’t break the kiss nor did he let go of my waist. I opened my eyes to take a peek at what he was doing. I discovered that he had sat down on the armrest of the couch so his head was just a little bit below mine. I stood in between his open legs and crushed my mouth down on his with full force. He grunted and moaned, it sounded so animalistic and it turned me on, more than I would care to admit. I fisted my hands in his hair as he ran his fingers up my arms, moving along my shoulders before stroking the sides of my throat, his lips breaking free from mine for a mere second. I took the chance to inhale some fresh air before launching into another series of desirable kisses.
“My angel…” Harry murmured against my lips, kissing me once more before moving his mouth down along my jawline, peppering tender kisses all the way down to my neck. My pulse increased underneath the touch of his smooth lips and my hands tightened in his hair, pulling on his silky chocolate curls. I closed my eyes and let Harry do what he wanted. I was enjoying it as much as he was. I had fantasised about something like this from the moment I first laid eyes on him over a year ago when I had gone to see the boys live. My fantasy had come true. His left hand held onto the opposite side of my neck while his right arm wrapped around my waist, holding me to his body. I had never felt pleasure on this scale before. I couldn’t even fathom where I was and what was happening right now. I got lost in the moment, letting Harry smother my neck with as many kisses as he wanted. I leaned into him, allowing him to gain more access to my bare skin. Just when his name fell from my lips, there was a voice calling Harry’s name on the other side of the door, followed by two loud knocks.
“Harry!”
I felt my mentor’s lips freeze against my skin. My eyes snapped open. We didn’t move a muscle. We both knew who the voice belonged to. We both knew who stood on the other side of the door.
Simon Cowell.
(The stage when Kaylie performs, just imagine the draping wall of silver on the left side:)
Saturday, 1st October
When I arrived at the studios for tonight’s live show, I passed Harry in the corridor. We smiled at each other very subtly but it was enough to set my heart alight. I walked into the Under 25 Girls dressing room and felt my phone buzz from inside my jacket. Both Alicia and Melody were already in the room so I had to stop myself from smiling when I saw I had received a text from Harry, telling me how beautiful I looked. I texted him back with a ‘thank you’ and a smiley face plus a ‘x’. How is he even real? I was so lucky to have him in my life.
The rehearsals this week had been intense. Three group rehearsals and three individual ones. Plus I had to keep up with school work. Fortunately, my principal had adjusted my timetable so my rehearsals wouldn’t clash with my classes. I was handling it as best as I could and I had the support of my family and friends. And Harry. I had meant what I said on Wednesday, about keeping our relationship a secret. It was so stressful. It was always in the back of my mind that we would get caught kissing and I had experienced nightmares of it. Us getting caught out, me getting kicked off the show, Harry receiving a cold scolding from Simon, me being forbidden to see him. I had woken up crying and covered in cold sweat, hoping my nightmares would never come true. I hadn’t told Harry about the nightmares because he didn’t need to know. He had other things to worry about than me dreaming about the two of us being torn apart, me being taken out of his arms, never to return to them. But the way he held me…It was always so comforting. I felt safe in his arms, content and away from all the troubles of my life. Harry was flawless and here I was, an imperfect girl falling for a perfect man. What am I supposed to do?
The Top 11 would perform tomorrow night on the live decider, opening the show, so tonight, the artist starting the live show was Adele. I was so in awe of her as a fan of her and her music so I couldn’t believe she was here. She was going to sing a mash-up of three of her songs: Rolling In The Deep, Someone Like You and When We Were Young. I couldn’t wait to see her perform. I had never seen her live before so it was going to be a dream come true for me.
Melody left the room only 10 seconds after I walked in. She didn’t even look at me. Like I even cared if she looked at me. I didn’t like her. She didn’t like me. She was just jealous. If only she knew how much Harry loved kissing me, holding me…It was so tempting to see the look on her face. But as tantalising as it was, she couldn’t know. Not yet.
“Jesus, what’s her problem?” Alicia asked. I shrugged my shoulders.
“She just doesn’t like me. But hey, you’re not going to like everyone you meet.” I said.
“She doesn’t like how much time Harry spends with you.”
“So? She can damn suck it up. She doesn’t have to like it. She just has to accept it.” I stated.
“Melody’s not a very…accepting person, Kaylie.” Alicia sighed.
“I know that. Just as long as she stays away from me and stops threatening me, I’ll be fine.” I effectively ended the conversation. Talking about Melody was a complete waste of time. I needed to focus on tonight. I wanted to get through to next week again, I knew it wasn’t my time to go yet. Which meant I had to perform fantastically well again tonight. Harry believed I could so if I had his faith and I had my own, I knew I could do it.
0*0
Let me just say, I adored Gary. He was so kind and sweet yet flamboyant and full of personality. The way he perfected everyone’s individual styles for each performance was amazing. My dress was long, like last week (http://www.polyvore.com/kaylie_live_shows_week/set?id=208450619) and all of my hair had been pushed back behind my ears, flowing down my back in large curls, allowing my large diamond earrings to sparkle in whatever light. I placed my feet into my black heels and then, I was ready.
I wasn’t the final contestant to perform like I was last week. I was going to be the third contestant to take to the stage tonight, after Maria and Robbie; so the first in my category. I was nervous, like I was last week, but because it was my second performance, I knew where the audience was and where the judges sat. I knew where to look so I could take people on a journey, let them feel the same emotions as me. I touched the gold ring on my right hand for good luck as I whispered “For you, Grandma.” under my breath.
I managed to get to the green room in time to see Adele perform. It was…incredible. She was incredible. Her voice was like nothing else I had ever heard in my life. It came as no surprise to me that she got a standing ovation. I clapped along like all the other contestants and smiled at Alicia, who was once again seated next to me on one of the couches. Whenever the camera locked onto Harry, I felt my heartbeat quicken just that little bit more. Anyone could see that the camera loved him. But he was even more gorgeous in the flesh, up close. I had the pleasure of being kissed by his lips, have his green eyes bore into mine, have his dimples make my heart shine like as bright as gold. I so badly wanted to be with him. Like actually have a relationship with him, be his girlfriend. I mean, I didn’t even know if he was my boyfriend. Is he my secret boyfriend? I didn’t know so I never brought it up with him, just in case I caught him off-guard.
Before I even knew it, it was my time to perform. Has the time come already? I was so busy talking with the other contestants that I hadn’t realised how quickly time had passed. There was the usual routine of having my microphone pack attached to my dress and the earpieces placed in my ears so I could hear the music more clearly. I tucked my hair behind my ears again and rolled my shoulders back as I walked out onto the dark stage, taking my spot next to a large draping wall of silver, suspended from the ceiling. The wall had large diamond slits in it, letting bright light to flood through, giving the stage an ethereal glow. I didn’t have a microphone stand this time so I wrapped my fingers around the microphone tightly, waiting for Dermot to welcome everyone back after the commercial break. Just before he did, I caught Harry staring at me. God, could he be more obvious? He was in a pure black suit, the black dress shirt buttoned all the way up to his throat, his long curls a glorious mess around his head.I watched him in the darkness when he laid his hand over his heart, patting it once. I knew the message he wanted to get across to me and I got it. I placed my hand over my heart and felt it pound beneath my palm. I needed to use my nerves to get over them. They were there for a reason. If I channelled them, if I made them my friends, I would be fine.
“Welcome back to The X Factor 2016! Tonight, we’ve already heard from Maria Wood and Robbie Blake but now, it’s time for one of Harry’s girls to take to the stage. Harry, shall you introduce her to us once again?” Dermot said, looking at Harry.
“It would be my pleasure, Dermot. I was so thrilled to work with this girl again this week. It’s been a tough seven days for her but she powered through and worked as hard as ever. So, singing Diamonds by Rihanna, this is Kaylie Walker.” My mentor smiled down the barrel of the camera, melting hearts of girls all around the nation through television screens. I still couldn’t get over the way my name rolled off his tongue. Shivers swam down my spine every time he spoke my name but I loved the feeling.
The audience cheered as my photoshoot once again exploded on the screens and the infamous X Factor voice yelled my name. An array of gentle lights lit up on me as the song started and I began to sing straightaway.
“Shine bright like a diamond.
Shine bright like a diamond.
Find light in the beautiful sea, I choose to be happy.
You and I, you and I, we’re like diamonds in the sky.
You’re a shooting star I see, a vision of ecstasy.
When you hold me, I’m alive.
We’re like diamonds in the sky.
I knew that we’d become one right away.
Oh, right away.
At first sight, I felt the energy of sun rays.
I saw the life inside your eyes.”
The beat grew louder as I approached the chorus. The amount of times I had heard this song on the radio or listened to it on my phone, it didn’t compare to the feeling of actually performing a cover of it on The X Factor stage. It was amazing.
“So shine bright, tonight.
You and I.
We’re beautiful like diamonds in the sky.
Eye to eye.
So alive.
We’re beautiful like diamonds in the sky.
Shine bright like a diamond.
Shine bright like a diamond.
Shining bright like a diamond.
We’re beautiful like diamonds in the sky.
Shine bright like a diamond.
Shine bright like a diamond.
Shining bright like a diamond.
We’re beautiful like diamonds in the sky.”
I had been my grandmother’s little diamond ever since the day I was born. I always would be her little diamond. And in turn, she was one of my diamonds. She always had a glow about her, even in her old age. She seemed to emanate light and love from inside, right from her kind heart. I knew now, wherever my grandmother was, she was a diamond that glowed every night in the sky, shining over me when I went to sleep. I hoped I could join her one day and shine just as bright as her. This performance was for her since she was that diamond that shone brightly more than any of the others; in my eyes anyway.
“Shine bright like a diamond.
Shine bright like a diamond.
Shine bright like a diamond.”
My voice was softer when I sang the bridge, the softest of smiles playing on my lips when I saw Harry’s face in the darkness. The judges’ desk was lit up in a muted blue light which highlighted Harry’s smooth neck and jawline but I noticed his smile and his sparkling eyes. He was a diamond to me too, shining in the dark, guiding me through this competition. He was always there for me, whether it was at rehearsals at 2:45 in the afternoon or a random text at 12:05 in the morning. Whatever day, whatever time, he was always there.
When he had told me that I shone just as bright as a diamond at our rehearsal on Wednesday, I was so in shock. I wasn’t even that pretty but maybe to him, I was. There had to be more than one reason for the way he kissed me so passionately. There must be some explanation of why he was falling for a girl like me. He called me “angel”, he told me I was beautiful every day and he kissed me whenever he had the chance but there had to be more to it than that. I had never had a boyfriend before so for someone like Harry to even take an interest in me, I had no idea what to do. I was falling for him but should I act on my feelings as much as he acted on his? I guess I would have to let it flow naturally and see where life would take us.
“So shine bright, tonight.
You and I,
We're beautiful like diamonds in the sky,
Eye to eye.
So alive.
We're beautiful like diamonds in the sky.
Shine bright like a diamond.
Shine bright like a diamond.
Shine bright like a diamond.
Oh, yeah.”
I got a loud cheer from the crowd when I hit the big note and I swore I heard my brothers’ voices, shouting out my name. It warmed my heart that my family were always in the audience. All five of them; my brothers and my parents. I had the full support and I felt so privileged to call them my family.
“Shine bright like a diamond.
Shine bright like a diamond.
Shine bright like a diamond.
Shine bright like a diamond.”
The song ended as abruptly as it started and the lights turned off just as the audience screamed in approval. The people at the very front were clapping and shrieking and yelling and other manners of making noises of happiness. I smiled when Harry stood up for me, applauding as a small smile brightened his face, reaching his eyes. Dannii and Mel also stood up but Simon didn’t; he only clapped. It didn’t make me upset though because having three judges stand up was better than one of them.
I stepped forward as the usual X Factor lights and logo glowed on the stage and on the screens behind me. I welcomed the judges’ comments, all of them praising how well I handled tackling another genre of music that I wasn’t used to, because of course, I loved to sing slow ballads. I always took their advice on board so I could use it for future performances, if I got voted through again. As I walked off the stage, blowing a couple of kisses to the audience, I mentally patted myself on the back and smiled.
Well done, Kaylie.
0*0
From Harry: My dressing room – now ;) x
The show was over now and it was a little bit past 10 o’clock. I had to get home. I was still in my outfit, dress and heels and everything. Alicia was already out of her outfit and had just slung her handbag over her shoulder, ready to leave. Her performance had been amazing tonight; she had sung Halo by Beyoncé, which had really encompassed the wonderful talent she had. I was so proud of her and I knew it would be ridiculous if she didn’t get through to next week. She caught me staring at my phone, completely surprised about my mentor’s text.
“Did Harry text you?” Alicia asked.
“Uh…yeah. He wants me to go to his dressing room. Like, right now.” I answered.
“Well, off you go then.” She said, pointing at the closed door.
“Alicia…what if someone catches me going in there? They’ll wonder why.”
“Just say Harry’s got some advice for you, to improve your performance or something.” Alicia suggested, grabbing her jacket off the edge of the couch. I looked down at my phone again as my thumbs hovered over the keypad. Without another thought, I texted Harry back.
To Harry: I’m coming x
I couldn’t not go. I always wanted to see him. Whenever the opportunity arose, I took it. Alicia offered to walk me there so it would look less suspicious. His dressing room was only one corridor away but it felt like it took us 20 minutes to get there. Alicia gave me a hug and left me there at Harry’s closed door, waving goodbye. I waved back before turning to the door and knocking on it twice. It opened slowly and my mentor’s smiling face appeared.
“Come in, Kaylie.”
I walked inside and he closed the door behind me, locking it. I went over to the table and placed my phone on it. As I bent over, I felt Harry’s arms wind around my waist, holding me close. He moved all of my long caramel hair to one side so he could kiss my neck.
“You were amazing tonight, angel. My diamond.” He whispered against my skin. I smiled and placed my hands over his, feeling the coolness of his silver rings. I bit my lip when I looked up and caught sight of my reflection in the mirror. Harry had his nose pressed against my neck and his eyes were closed, his arms wrapped around my waist tightly. Me, my cheeks were pink and my eyes were wide and shining from being in Harry’s arms. With the way I was dressed and how perfect my make-up looked, we actually suited. We looked like a couple. But are we actually? It was a question I needed to have answered before the end of the night. I took a deep breath and with my gaze still locked to my reflection, I opened my mouth to speak.
“Am I your girlfriend?”
Shit! I didn’t want it to come out like that! I cursed myself in my head. I wanted to ask him if we were a couple but I guess my question was sort of the same thing. I felt Harry’s arms loosen a little bit around my waist and that worried me. His eyes opened and he followed my gaze to the mirror, staring at our reflection. He rested his chin on my shoulder and stared at me in the mirror, folding his hands underneath mine.
“What sort of a question is that?” He asked. I lowered my eyes to the floor in embarrassment, swallowing the lump in my throat. His fingers brushed away strands of my hair from my right ear before moving his hand back down to my waist. He spun me around in his arms so that I was facing him. My eyes were on his chest; he must have undone the first few buttons of his black dress shirt because I could see bits of his swallow tattoos. I was never a fan of tattoos but on Harry, they looked amazing. He tucked his fingers underneath my chin to tilt my head up, my eyes locking to his. I pressed my lips together as he ran the pad of his thumb across my top lip, moving along down to my bottom one. I blinked up at him, wondering if he was going to say anything else. And he did.
“Of course you’re my girlfriend.”
I let out a gasp and my heart stopped beating for a moment. My eyes were frozen open in complete disbelief and my fingers curled around the lapels of his suit jacket. I couldn’t believe those words had come out of Harry’s mouth. I literally couldn’t believe it. I opened and closed my mouth in shock, trying to find my voice, attempting to speak but I only got one word out. And I stumbled on it.
“W-W-What?”
Harry could only smile at me. I didn’t get to say anything else because he held my face in his hands, leaned down and kissed me softly. But it didn’t remain soft for long. I was suddenly overcome with hunger for his lips and pulled him closer, tugging his face down to mine so I could deepen the kiss. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my chest to his, never wanting to let go of him. Harry growled when I tugged on the roots of his hair as his arms circled my waist, returning the same passion as I was into the kiss. One kiss became two then four then six. We didn’t stop. Tongue was introduced so it became a make-out session. His slick tongue massaged mine gently as our lips continued to move together perfectly, locking and unlocking every now and then. My heart pounded out of my chest as we kissed passionately, forgetting about everything else. Right now, it was just us.
Harry pulled me closer as he began to step to the side. He didn’t break the kiss nor did he let go of my waist. I opened my eyes to take a peek at what he was doing. I discovered that he had sat down on the armrest of the couch so his head was just a little bit below mine. I stood in between his open legs and crushed my mouth down on his with full force. He grunted and moaned, it sounded so animalistic and it turned me on, more than I would care to admit. I fisted my hands in his hair as he ran his fingers up my arms, moving along my shoulders before stroking the sides of my throat, his lips breaking free from mine for a mere second. I took the chance to inhale some fresh air before launching into another series of desirable kisses.
“My angel…” Harry murmured against my lips, kissing me once more before moving his mouth down along my jawline, peppering tender kisses all the way down to my neck. My pulse increased underneath the touch of his smooth lips and my hands tightened in his hair, pulling on his silky chocolate curls. I closed my eyes and let Harry do what he wanted. I was enjoying it as much as he was. I had fantasised about something like this from the moment I first laid eyes on him over a year ago when I had gone to see the boys live. My fantasy had come true. His left hand held onto the opposite side of my neck while his right arm wrapped around my waist, holding me to his body. I had never felt pleasure on this scale before. I couldn’t even fathom where I was and what was happening right now. I got lost in the moment, letting Harry smother my neck with as many kisses as he wanted. I leaned into him, allowing him to gain more access to my bare skin. Just when his name fell from my lips, there was a voice calling Harry’s name on the other side of the door, followed by two loud knocks.
“Harry!”
I felt my mentor’s lips freeze against my skin. My eyes snapped open. We didn’t move a muscle. We both knew who the voice belonged to. We both knew who stood on the other side of the door.
Simon Cowell.
(The stage when Kaylie performs, just imagine the draping wall of silver on the left side:)
Notes
Dun dun dun! Cliffhanger! Will they get caught or not?
blankspace1 xx
We’re dying for an update here. I love it. <3
11/19/17