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THE AMERICAN DREAM |
Summer's Siren Song (Chapter 3) |
Everyone seemed to have a gimmick when they came to these auditions. Summer had to figure out what hers would be. As she'd sat in the waiting area, studying other people's styles, she'd realized she would have to somehow make herself stand out from the crowd. But how?
As she swiftly moved towards her destination, she came to a resolute decision. She had more talent in her little finger than most of the people back there. All she had to do was be herself. She might fall fast and furious in a blazing ball of fire but hey, she'd give it a shot.
With the adrenaline pumping in her veins and the traces of Seth's kiss still clinging to her lips, she strode into the room. "Hello. My name's Summer." She looked each of the judges in the eye, never losing her smile.
Simon was the first to address her. "Nice to meet you, Summer. What brings you here today?"
The guy definitely was even better looking in person but he sure was dense. "What do you mean? I'm here to audition. Duh!" She winced as she heard herself. Ooops. Probably wasn't best to be a hundred percent her usual self.
Surprisingly, Simon didn't look at all offended. Amused was more like it. "Well, yes. What I mean is, what makes you think you can be the next American Idol?"
"Oh. Right. Well, I think I have that star quality you're looking for. And I'm a really good singer. I've always loved to sing. I just hope I'll walk out of here with that piece of gold paper."
He sat back in his chair, apparently satisfied with her answer. Paula continued with the next question. "What are you singing for us?"
Summer had been pondering that question all day. "I was going to sing 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' but maybe that's too bouncy and not serious enough. Then I thought about 'Take My Breath Away' but it might be too slow and bore you."
Damn, she really had to make a decision. She could see Paula tapping a nail on the table. "Okay, we'll go with 'Take My Breath Away'."
She decided to go with her gut instinct, which was rarely wrong. Without any further delay, she launched into the song. She'd fallen in love with it since seeing 'Top Gun' on TV a couple of years ago. As she sang, she pictured herself and Seth in that famous kissing scene. By the time she got to the chorus, her voice soared.
Finishing the song with the final note trailing on the air, she was met with silence. For the first time since entering this arena, she felt a case of nerves coming on.
Randy stared at her, his expression perplexed. "Yeah, that was all right. But, I'm just not sure. I'll let Paula go first."
Paula also hesitated before speaking. "No doubt, you're a gorgeous girl. You have the perfect look. But I found your voice a little screechy in parts."
Summer couldn't hide her indignation. "Screechy? Excuse me? I don't screech."
"I said a little screechy, honey. Don't take offense."
"But I do take offense. I don't see how you could think that!" She also couldn't believe she was standing here with hands on her hips, arguing with one of the judges. But argue she did. "How about you?" she challenged Simon with a fierce look. "Did you think I screeched?"
"No, I didn't. And frankly, I don't know what's gotten into these two. I thought you were brilliant."
The white light of hope filtered through what were the beginnings of the blackness of rage. "Really?"
"Yes, really." He began counting off a checklist on his fingers. "As Paula said, you've got the look. I do think you've got star quality. Perhaps the best I've seen all day. And your voice is very good. You could use a little more training, mind you, but the basics are there. I think you could go far in this competition. My vote is yes."
"Yes!" Summer echoed, her face alight with happiness. The man wasn't so very dense after all.
So now it came down to Randy, who was still looking pensive. He remained silent for what seemed an eternity before finally breaking the tension. "I'm sorry, my vote is no."
"What?" Summer and Simon exclaimed in perfect unison.
"Sorry, your voice just isn't strong enough for me."
"Oh, for Pete's sake," Simon muttered, throwing his hands up.
Torn between wanting to hug Simon and throttle Randy, Summer fumed in frustration. "So that's it? Two moronic decisions against one sane one so I have to leave?" As two mouths opened to protest, she silenced them with a single hand. "Shush, I called your decisions moronic, not yourselves." She couldn't help glaring at Paula a final time. "Don't take offense."
Simon was visibly stifling a laugh. "I just might call you back for the wild card."
"You can't do that," Randy grumbled.
"Relax, I'm kidding." Simon winked at her. "Thank you for coming, Summer. You've been like a refreshing cool drink on a hot summer day. No pun intended."
"Thanks anyway." A sudden thought brightened her demeanor. "Hey, is there any chance I'll still get on TV? You know, maybe a short little clip?"
Simon gave a brief shrug of his shoulders. Hmmm, very broad shoulders, she noticed, with an appreciative eye. As she realized he was speaking, she had to tune in again to what he was saying. "Sorry, what?"
"I said, you never know. Stranger things have happened," he repeated.
"Right. Well, I guess this is goodbye then."
With those last words, she left the room and returned to reality once more. She had been so close! It just wasn't fair. Fully aware that she was pouting, she didn't care.
"Didn't go so well, huh," was Seth's astute observation as she emerged through the doors.
"It's all Paula's fault. And Randy too."
"What did Simon say?" Marissa asked.
"At least *he* liked me. He said I was like a refreshment." Wait, that wasn't right. "I mean a drink. A cool drink." She stated that fact as her one triumph but by the blank looks on their faces, she could see they didn't get it. "Never mind." She turned to Seth. "So it's all up to you. You're our last shot at this."
It was Ryan's turn to pat him on the shoulder. "Yeah, no pressure."
Summer could see the usher waving him in but Seth was actually sidling in the opposite direction, muttering under his breath. "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. I think I'm gonna throw up."
Expelling an exasperated sigh, she stood before him and reached up to cradle his face with both hands. His dark eyes danced wildly, flitting around the room. She spoke firmly. "Look at me, Cohen." She waited until his gaze drifted down into her eyes. "Just focus. You can do this."
"No I can't."
"Yes, you can."
Seth closed his eyes briefly. When they opened, some of the wildness had abated. He sucked in a breath. "I can do this."
He still sounded a little shaky but it would do. "That's right," she encouraged. "Now here's the part where you kiss me for good luck."
He nodded. "Right. I like that part."
The kiss didn't last long, as the usher called out, "Hey, buddy, are you coming in or what? Lots of people here want to take your place."
"Yeah, coming."
The door was already closing behind the usher and Seth had to run to catch up. He disappeared inside but a second later, his curly-haired head popped back out again. "Thanks, Summer!" he grinned. Then the door slammed behind him once more.
"Think he has a shot?" Ryan asked.
Summer shrugged, remembering Simon's wise words. "Stranger things have happened."
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