His gaze swept nervously through the crowd, but the words of encouragement from his sister and friend helped to slowly ease his current anxiousness.
Taking a breath, he readied himself to sing. A song that brought a small smile to his face. He and his grandpa sang it quite often together.
An elderly man sat on a small stool, a guitar in his hands. He smiled towards the young Mylo, 'Ready, Mylo.'
Mylo nodded excitedly, 'Ready,' his hand holding unto the small microphone.
'As I walked the lonely road
Of the place we used to go.
The sun was setting low, you know,
Painting shadows, a silver glow.
And every stone still seemed to hold
A laughter that was long ago.
It wasn't just a place we met,
It's where our promise was first set.
Chorus
We were a steady ship against the tide,
My anchor and my easy ride.
Just two souls in a slow dance,
A gentle, never-ending trance.
It wasn't always roses, no,
But you were the only hand I'd hold.
Oh, I remember how our love was once,
A simple, quiet brilliance.
Verse 2
I still can see the faded truck,
The way you'd always wish me luck.
We'd talk about the things we'd build,
The empty spaces you had filled.
I keep the lessons that you gave,
The easy wisdom you would save.
Though time has taken many years,
Your steady voice is what I hear.
Chorus
We were a steady ship against the tide,
My anchor and my easy ride.
Just two souls in a slow dance,
A gentle, never-ending trance.
It wasn't always roses, no,
But you were the only hand I'd hold.
Oh, I remember how our love was once,'
Mylo panted slightly, eyes closed as he finished the song.
Clap...Clap...Clap
"Woah, What a fantastic piece of song youngman. Lonely Road, one of my favorite ever songs." Jonathan spoke up.
Mylo peeled his eyes opened, slowly nodding, not used to compliments in general. "Th...Thank you." Mylo bowed, coming down the stage to where Mary and Jake where sitting.
Jonathan went unto the stage, he cleared his throats as his gaze passed through the contestants. "What wonderful pieces of art I witnessed. You all have performed quite amazingly today. So go home and rest, those who pass this stage will receive an email in the next 2-3 days.
And for those who don't make it, I'll employ you to not let your passion die out. You're always welcomed to the theatre. With that I bid you farewell." He ended with a snap of his fingers, smoke exploding from where he was standing, with that he was gone.
The contestants slowly left the theatre one-by-one, some excited at their performance, others nervous. But they'll know their fate in the coming days.
***
"Mimiii, that performance was sooo good.
It's been forever since I heard that song." Mary gushed, as the three walked back home.
Mylo blushed, he scratched his cheek in embarrassment. "It was okay, but yeah it...felt good singing again." He admitted.
"Hmm, and you said singing was just a hobby fam." Jake added.
Mylo just smiled, today was... fun. He had to admit, but alas he wouldn't be doing that again. He felt himself sigh inside. It felt good to sing again, he felt alive even. He didn't want to give that up, but he also didn't want to disappoint his father.
Mylo's brows furrowed at the conundrum, 'What am I supposed to do?',
He felt his eyes widened as he stopped in his step as an idea formulated.
Mary and Jake turned towards him, confused expressions as to why he stopped.
"Mimi, you alright?"
"Yeah, Miles you good?"
Mylo looked towards the two, uncertainty at even the idea. If this didn't work, he...didn't even want to think about it, but he had to take the risk.
He took a deep breath to steady himself, "I...I was thinking, w...what if I continue this competition" He asked.
Mary and Jake looked at each other, before a grin slowly made way to their faces. "Oh, Mimi, I'm soo happy you've decided to pursue music." Mary hugged Mylo in a crushing hug.
"Nice miles, we knew you'd do it." Jake patted him with a grin on his face.
Mylo quickly raised his hands frantically, "But, I'll still continue studying to enter medical school. I'm not dropping that entirely. I...thought of what you asked me. I do want to pursue music, I love it. But I'll still keep studying to become a doctor." He explained his decision. He's been thinking of this for a while so he decided to choose both, he didn't want to choose either, as he wanted to make his dad proud but still do want he wants.
Mary smiled, "We'll support you anyway." She was happy for him, at least one of them in their family is pursuing their dream. The thought saddened her slightly, but she hid it well with a smile.
Jake touched his chin in contemplation, "But how are you gonna do both at the same time though"
Mylo smiled wrily, "Well, I have a vague idea for that."
***
Stressed. Tense. Anxious. You could pick anyone and there wouldn't be able to encompass what Mylo was feeling at the moment.
Sitting in class, he glanced down at his book but he wasn't truly reading. How could he? His mind was unfocused. 'How'd I do on the audition? Will I make it?' this thoughts flowed through his head like a raging river.
"Mylo Fletcher!"
"H...huh, Yes sir." He stammered out.
"Would you be so kind to answer this..."The teacher said through gritted teeth.
Glancing over the question in the board, mylo answered quickly, "U...uhm it's 42 sir. Oh sorry."
The teacher sighed, "Well, even though you know the answer, try to pay attention next time." The teacher grumbled under his breath.
"Sorry sir." He answered sheepishly, before relaxing into his seat.
***
"Uhm, earth-to-mylo, anyone there?" Jake waved a hand in front of Mylo's face.
"Huh?" Mylo snapped out of his daze, "Sorry, what were you saying?"
"Sheesh miles, you really are nervous about the audition. Relax, you'll make it, if not then it's rigged." Jake offered some encouragement.
Mylo nodded slowly, but he still couldn't help but be nervous. Well his questions would be answered very soon.
***
Tuesday arrived, it has been two days since the audition and Mylo still hasn't gotten any email, and he was getting more nervous. It was only one more day till the deadline for ones result, and he was getting anxious.
He entered the pantry to grab a snack. The mansion had been quiet as Darius was away on a business trip, as well as Martin. So Mylo was quite happy with the peace.
Mylo felt his phone ding in his pocket, his heart quickened. Slowly, he removed his phone from his pocket to see the notification. Reading the message, his eyes widened.
Mary entered the kitchen intending to grab a light snack to eat.
She paused as she noticed Mylo by the counter. "Oh hey Mimi," she greeted but grew silent as she noticed his downed posture.
A worried expression crossed her face. Did he not make it? She remembered how difficult it was for her brother to even agree to singing, was it all for nothing? She thought in despair.
"Mimi, it's okay. If that wannabe magician couldn't recognize your talent then he's a fool. Don't feel down okay." Pressing a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Mary," Slowly lifting his head, he looked up at his sister. Then a smile made way to his face, "I got in."
It took a few seconds for what Mylo said to fully register in her ears, before a wide smile made way to hers as well. "Mimiiiiiiiiiiii." She rushed him, crushing him in a bear hug.
"I'm sooo happy for you, I knew you could do it." She shouted with joy, happy that her little brother was pursuing his passion."Mimi, I'm soo proud of you." She hugged tighter, before pushing back, grabbing his shoulders. "This calls for a celebration. I'll go order us pizza." She quickly left the kitchen, excitement in each step.
Mylo smiled at his sister's excitement, it wouldn't be wrong to say he was excited, but also relieved as well. He had made it.
***
It was currently Saturday morning, the selected contestants were in the building, behind the theatre; as instructed by Stargate.
After dropping Mylo off, Mary and Jake wished him luck.
Mylo yawned slightly, a bit tired from last night. After there has pizza, with of course Jake being there. He did some late night studying, but didn't keep track of time and unfortunately slept for only three hours. So he was quite tired, but he wouldn't let that show.
Entering the back, he was told to find a practice room. Since the participants were much smaller than before, there were enough rooms to accommodate.
Walking forward, he glanced at the first room he saw. A thought entered his head, the chances of that happening again was quite slim. Though a part of him did wish he could see her. He blushed slightly at the thought before shaking his head.
'C'mon Mylo focus, I have to prepare.' he said, entering the room.
As he entered, he froze up. The person in front of him did as well. 'Its her!' , Mylo thought in slight panic.
Earlier, Cali arrived quite early. Having told to wait in one of the waiting room, she wasted no time and picked the first one she saw.
Laying on the couch, a small satisfied smile made way to her face. She had made it. She was one step closer...
Her thoughts were interrupted as the door opened.
Cali looked towards the door annoyed, who's it now. She froze before her eyes narrowed in recognition. It was the same boy from previously . Was he stalking her? At the thought her eyes narrowed further.
"Get..." Before she could tell him to get lost, the TV in the room turned on and a familiar person appeared.
"Helllo hello hello once again dear contestants, I'm happy you guys made it to the next part of this competition. Now, time to add a bit of insight into the format."
He stepped slightly to the side, a board behind him, and a pointer in his hand.
"So this competitions duration is for a month, in that time you all will undego weekly challenges where you'll earn points, the challenges can be anything, but of course it will be related to the theatre.
After four week, eight of you will be chosen to compete in an all out final showdown in new York, where the winner will of course get a prize of a 1000 dollars but also a chance to perform at Starlight arena."
The competitors mumbled among themselves in their various rooms. A growing excitement among them.
Starlight grinned, like he could see their excitement. He continued, now with a mischievous tone ."The first competition involves...a bit of romance, love, and etc. But of course, it takes two to tango.
So....this week's challenge is The romantic duet.
You are to sing a romantic song of your choice, or anything related to romance or love, with the closest person to you." He ended with a grin.
Cali and Mylo's eyes widened at the statement, as they looked at each other.
"Well, good luck, and have do have a lovely time." The TV switched off,leaving the room with an awkward silence