Chapter Two

Chapter Two

When we got to the Academy, Ms. Kyler stormed towards us. “Where do you think you two were at?” she hissed, loudly. “The showcase starts in thirty minutes and the President of MG Entertainment himself has made an appearance today!”

“Ms. Kyler, don’t worry. We were just practicing last minute,” he lied easily and although Ms. Kyler was still suspicious of our activities, she let it pass.

“Just get changed and get ready with the other students,” she instructed and we did as we were told.

Thirty minutes later, I was in my costume with full makeup on. Jason had also was in costume and looked very well. He had a plain V-neck shirt and skinny jeans topped with a leather jacket and Osiris shoes.

“Wow,” I whistled. “You cleaned up nicely.”

“I can say the same to you,” he raised his eyebrow, looking at me up and down, taking it all in.

“Jason…Whitlock,” the woman with the clipboard said. “You’re up next,” she said, ushering him away.

“Wish me luck,” he winked.

“I already did,” I hissed and he chuckled, leaving me to hit the stage.

I quietly walked to the sidelines of the stage and watched him as he performed his original song. Seeing him up on the stage with a confident smile made him look like he was born to be on stage. I grinned. I would be next and I knew what I had to do. I had to top him.

“Observing the competition?” a voice asked and I whipped around to find Ms. Kyler with her arms crossed. She smirked at my surprise. “That’s good. You always want to note your competitor. I have my hopes in you.” She gave me an encouraging smile and walked off, letting me off the hook.

“Melanie…Shaine,” the clipboard woman said and I quickly went up to her.

“Here,” I smiled and she returned it.

“Ok, you’ll enter the stage as soon as Jason comes off stage,” she instructed and I nodded, already knowing how everything flowed during a showcase.

The crowd cheered as Jason ended his song and from the sound of it, they were all girls. I took a deep breath and smiled as he exited the stage, giving me a thumbs up. I grinned at him. It was now my turn.

After everyone’s performances ended, I was given many compliments as everyone waited behind the stage with all my other classmates. Some of my good friends gave me a hug of encouragement, telling me that I had already had won it. I, however, didn’t know for sure but I hoped they were right.

“You did well tonight Mellie,” Jason smiled, bumping me playfully with his elbow.

“I can say the same to you Ace,” I returned the smile. We were all waiting eagerly as the decision was being discussed by the President and his associates in a private room. The crowd was pleasantly talking amongst themselves, most likely guessing who had won.

"We'll always be together and keep contact despite who wins, promise?" Jason said, holding out his pinky.

"A pinky promise?" I scoffed but a smile escaped my lips. Leave it to Jason to do something rudimentary like that.

"It's the seal to all promises. It establishes the importance of a promise," Jason winked and I took his pinky in mine, twisting it. We kissed our thumbs to seal the promise and our foreheads touched before we let go. He gave me a mischievous smile but let go.

"Then it's settled," I smiled sheepishly and he swung his arm over my shoulder.

"Together forever," he mumbled as we saw the MC going back on stage with an envelope.

“The decision has been chosen!” shouted the MC for the night. He excitedly flaunted the envelope with the results and the crowd went wild. “As everyone knows, the person in this envelope will be debuting with MG Entertainment!"

There was an exciting chatter among all the kids backstage as they clung onto their friend. Jason held me tightly and I found myself clinging to his waist.

"Let’s hear it up for the winner,” the MC said letting the drum roll create the suspense. Jason squeezed my hands in anticipation as the MC opened his mouth.

“Give it up for Jason Whitlock!”