Chapter 49: Chapter 49

Chapter 49 I don't want to creep them out

The mall was packed with people of all ages and walks of life.

"Should I buy this one," Jenny asks, pulling out a pair of sparkling white Valentino heals, "Or this one?" She pulls out a pair of sparkling black Valentino heals.

"Uhm-"

"Lily! Do you like this brown purse or black purse better? Which one matches with my skin tone?" Tina asks, shoving the two purses in my face.

"You two, calm yourselves, seriously. You're giving me a headache." Wanda complains as she dramatically brings her hand up to her forehead.

"Sorry." They both mutter before asking me once more.

I shrug. "I don't know, get the white heels and the brown purse - holy crap! That purse is three thousand dollars, Tina."

Tina raises an eyebrow. "So?"

"So," what do you mean by "so?" Three thousands dollars for a purse?

"That's a lot of money for a purse you're going to use for a month. Heck, it's a lot of money for a purse in the first place!" I exclaim.

"So, we're rich. Who cares?"

"You know what? Nevermind." I say, going back to picking some new shirts off the rack. Yes, we are rich. We are filthy rich, to be exact, and we can buy whatever we want whenever we want. But I prefer to spend my money on things that I will actually use.

Tina will use that purse for a month and then find a new one to buy. That three thousand dollar purse will end up sitting in a dark space in her closet, never to see the light of day again.

It's simply a waste of money.

But whatever floats her boat, I guess.

"What are you doing for your birthday, Lily?" Wanda asks, raising her eyebrows.

"My birthday? Pfft, I don't know. That's still a whole month away."

"Seriously? You don't know yet? You're turning twenty-one! That's a big deal!" Tina exclaims.

I roll my eyes. "And why is that?"

"Because you'll be twenty-one! You will be legally able to drink without worrying!" Jenny replies.

All my friends are a year to two years older than I am, and often times they have urged me to drink at parties. I disagreed, saying I was underage and I didn't want to get caught. But really, the truth was, I just didn't have a desire to drink.

I just didn't want to.

Now, I believe there's a right way to drink alcohol and a wrong way to drink alcohol. For example, drinking at home is not an issue, but to get intoxicated in public just seems....stupid.

I mean, I've seen the foolish things girls and guys alike have done at parties. If it really messes with people's heads that much, I don't know if I want to touch the substance. At parties, the whole point in drinking is to get drunk and loopy it seems.

But now my twenty-first birthday is approaching.

I am excited, I'm very excited. My birthdays are always filled with fun and good food.

But I'm just going to be pressured into drinking. Live a little, Lily. You're nearly twenty-one for Pete's sake! I tell myself.

"Yeah, I know. That'll be nice. I think I'll just have a party and invite you girls and all of my friends."

Wanda gasps. "We can have the party at my place! And I will hire a DJ, limousines, chauffeurs, and everything! It will be the best birthday you've ever had, Lily."

"Sure, we can have the party at your place. We haven't had a party there for awhile."

"Then it's settled. Girls, I think it's time to go, because guess who needs to start making phone calls for the birthday girl's party? Me!"

Oh boy.

* * *

The smell of freshly made dinner permeates my senses as I walk through the door of mansion later that day.

"Babe! I'm home." I call out as I walk through the mansion in search of my boyfriend.

He doesn't respond, but I find him in the kitchen, his back turned towards me. A spatula is in his hand as he cooks dinner. A vase full of red roses sits on the counter, and a big pink bow is wrapped around the vase. On the bow, it says, I love you.

I smile widely, my heart flutters in my chest. He's so sweet!

"Thank you so much Owen, you're so thoughtful." I say, before turning his face towards me and planting a kiss on his cheek.

He smiles sweetly, his whole face seems to brighten when he smiles.

"It was no problem, really. I was walking by the flower shop on my way home and I just couldn't resist getting you a little something."

"Aww, well thanks babe."

"Of course."

We sit down at the dinner table and enjoy a candle light dinner with each other. Owen thinks about the little details and I really love that about him. His eyes sparkle and flicker like the candles placed upon the table.

"How did your classes go today?" I ask him. He's going to school to become an engineer.

"Good, good. It's a tough course, but it went fine. I probably won't even need to have a job if you keep going the way you're going in singing. You'd make too much money." He says, cutting a piece of chicken and shoving it in his mouth hungrily.

"Babe, you don't even need to work any way, remember? You're rich." I say, chuckling and bringing the glass of cranberry juice to my lips.

He smiles. "You're right. But I just wanted to hear more about how your singing classes are going. I want to hear more about you."

"Oh, right. I've got fantastic news."

"Oh?"

"My professor said I just need to practice my high notes a little more. She will review me next month and if I've improved, she will call the record companies out that very same day."

"What? Are you serious with me right now?"

"I'm very serious." I say, smiling. My face hurts so much from smiling.

"This is great news, I am so happy for you! You will do great, I know you will, Lily."

"Thank you. I'm pretty nervous though, I mean, this is like a make it or break it deal, you know? The pressure is too painful."

"I believe in you. Just breathe and try to relax when you're up there, alright? You have an amazing voice, don't you ever doubt that for one second." Owen says, smiling at me.

"Thank you. Your support means everything to me."

"Of course I support you. I'm not your future fiance for nothing." He says, chuckling.

Yes, future fiance. What a dream that will be, everything will be perfect. I'll have a job, a nice home, my fiance, and hopefully a singing career.

I eagerly look forward to what the future beholds.

I clean the dishes and scrub off the food that is stuck to the plates. As I'm doing do, Owen comes up behind me and presses a kiss into my neck. He wraps his arms around my waist, and eventually, his hands go lower and lower.....

"Owen," I giggle, "Not tonight. I want to work on singing."

"Oh come on, you've got all month to do that. Don't you love me?"

I spin around, looking up at Owen right in his eyes. "Babe, of course I love you. But you know how important this is for me, and I should start working on it right away."

Owen rolls his eyes. "Fine. I'm going to go watch football."

"Wait! Can't you help me with the dish-"

"My team is playing, I can't miss it. Have fun singing." He says, grabbing the TV remote from the counter and heading into the living room.

Jeez, why is he in such a bad mood all of a sudden?

I shrug, and turn around to finish up cleaning the dishes.

Once I'm done with the dishes and tidying up the kitchen, I go to my own studio located in the home Owen and I are renting while we are attending college. The studio is very nice, and has all the equipment I need to write songs and practice singing.

Here, my talent will grow.

Here, I can nurture the seed.

And so for the rest of the night, I practice my voice. I work on the high notes once more like my professor instructed.

Thirty days.

I have thirty days to improve my voice enough.

Time is ticking and I will either fail or prosper.

* * *

The month flies by and my birthday seems to sneak up on me. It's only seven days away til I'll be twenty-one, and I must say that I am excited. My friends have been so enthusiastic and they have been inviting just about anyone and everyone.

I'm more on the quieter side, but with my hyper and extroverted friends, it seems to balance my friend group out.

But my birthday isn't the only thing I'm looking forward to.

It's my audition.

Today, I will be singing in front of Miss Anderson. I think I have improved, no, I know I've improved since last time, and I am nervously excited. My friends, just like last time, watch me and wish my good luck.

Luck is what I'm going to need.

Before I know it, I stand atop the stage once more to sing in front of my professor. She looks at me with faith in her eyes.

I've got this.

Breathe.

I've got this.

"You may start singing whenever you feel read." Miss Anderson says.

I smile and nod, taking a few more deep breaths to help calm my nerves before starting to sing. I chose to sing a song about a person who lost everything but came out stronger in the end.

My voice fills the auditorium and the few students on the audience started to stare at me. Feeling nervous, I avert my gaze to my friends who have prideful smiles on their faces.

And then I zone out.

Everything seems to fade around me once more as I enter into that magical realm of peace. Every emotion, every feeling, every thought gets poured out for all to see, blending music and emotion into a perfect union.

And when I'm done, Miss Anderson beams. "I think it's time to call those labels up."

I make a noise somewhere between a yelp in excitement and a scream. Embarrassed by the horrible noise I just made, I quickly slap my hand over my mouth, my eyes wide.

My friends chuckle and Miss Anderson smiles.

"Are you serious?" I ask, forgetting about my embarrassment.

"Oh, I'm very serious, Miss Coleman." She replies happily.

"Oh. My. CRACKERS thank you so much!" I exclaim, running down the steps of the stage and hugging her.

Okay, so I'm the enthusiastic type....sometimes, maybe a little too much so.

Miss Anderson smiles and pats me on the back awkwardly. "My pleasure. You've earned it," She says, "Oh, and I want you to sing the same song you sung just now. I think it's a perfect choice."

So that night, the record labels show up in the auditorium. My boyfriend stands out there, too, as well as my family and all of my friends and acquaintances. Excitement and terror bubbles through me, because my future is at stake.

Tonight will determine who I become and what I will accomplish.

"Whenever you are ready, Lily." Miss Anderson says, her short blonde curls tickling her forehead like they normally do.

I nod my head, and breathe.

Breathe, breathe, breathe....

The music starts playing and I let my talent flow forth.

I let myself drown in the music and the lyrics as I sing with my whole heart. I try not to look at the people that have the ability to grant me my dream or crush my dream. They make me nervous.

So, when I'm done, I breathe a breath of relief and hope and look down at them in expectancy. There are four of them, a woman and three men. They are dressed nicely and nod at me. "We will have to discuss this. Miss Anderson has already given us your number so we will give you a call later tonight to update you on our decision."

"Thank you so much for this opportunity. I am so grateful." I say, exciting the stage and resisting the urge to give them all a tight hug.

I don't want to creep them out.

So with a hop, skip, and a jump, I'm out of the auditorium getting attacked by my friends.

"You did so well!" They exclaim, "You'll definitely win their approval, I'm sure of it."

"Aw, thank you guys, that means a lot to me." I reply.